568 replies to this topic

[Heretix]

YEAH I DID IT.

I don't care if this has been done before.

We're going through Ryan's discography, one by one, and discussing the fuck out of it. This will also be the perfect opportunity for those unlucky ones without all the bootlegs, since I have pretty much everything and will be uploading it in due time.

We'll start with Whiskeytown, at the logical starting point -- We'll get to pre-WT demos later:

Whiskeytown: Rural Free Delivery (1997, rec. 1994)

http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?xxfh9qkzqff

1. Take Your Guns to Town
2. Nervous Breakdown
3. Tennessee Square
4. Captain Smith
5. Macon, Georgia County Line
6. Pawn Shop Ain’t No Place For a Wedding Ring
7. Oklahoma
8. Angels are messengers from God (Faithless Street)

Yes, yes, this was released AFTER Faithless Street, but recorded before, so it goes first.


A solid EP, with an unfortunate Phil song (Captain Smith), an unfortunate Ryan song (Macon Georgia County Line), very different versions of future classics (Faithless Street, Tennessee Square), and some just damn great songs. This was right at the beginning of WT, so the country flavour has a bit of novelty to it. Check out the ultra-clichés of Take Your Guns To Town and Pawn Shop Ain't No Place For A Wedding Ring (both prime Early Adams, aching harmonies on the latter especially); and the redneck take on Nervous Breakdown is greatness.

EDIT: updated with link.

We'll see about the pace of this, how it goes, and if it doesn't tank completely, a new album every other day or so.

[theremin]

don't be a pussy, do a track-by-track.

[dbrigs]

I like this thread. Keep at it....

[Ted Falconi]

I've never heard this guy's music but he did send someone to my end of the bar once to see if I knew where to get some coke.

[Heretix]

don't be a pussy, do a track-by-track.

don't tempt me, man

Also, if everyone could throw in their comments about the releases, that would be great, because that's pretty much the point of this thread, aside from spreading the ryan.

[M_Rots]

I like you.

I won't be able to comment until you get to Stranger's Almanac (and then I'll be contributing a near-useless "FUCK YEAH!") as it's the first (and one of only two) Whiskeytown records I ever heard, but god do I love Ryan Adams. I will wax rhapsodic about the underrated Rock'n'Roll, however.

Monty will be along soon to explain why Adams isn't as good as The Eagles, but don't let that stop you. Go, man, go!

[Heretix]

I am providing links if you want to familiarize yourself with the unfamiliar.. And if you don't have Faithless Street, which is up next, then you should, nay, HAVE TO, grab that.

[Paul]

I support this thread. As one of the bigger Ryan Adams fans, I will do my best to chime in on each release as well. And once we get to the end, I'll probably repost my "Essential Ryan Adams" mix I made about two years ago that I know already won over a few nonbelievers in its first incarnation.

[M_Rots]

I am providing links if you want to familiarize yourself with the unfamiliar..

And if you don't have Faithless Street, which is up next, then you should, nay, HAVE TO, grab that.

Yeah, count on me grabbing whatever I don't have. Bless you.

[theremin]

which also, I believe, prompted me to make my own. I still never finished that artwork.....

[UselessRocker]

I'm a huge RA defender/apologist/fanboy, so I'll keep checking in on this thread.

[Simakos]

i just want to finally hear that new wavey record he put out a few years ago... what was that called again? otherwise... fuck Ryan Adams.

[M_Rots]

First reaction to Rural Free Delivery:

Is this Adams on vocals? He sounds like a ringer for Jay Farrar, especially on"Take Your Guns to Town." And I mean that as a compliment - whatever problems I have with Son Volt, Farrar's vocals aren't among them.

I'm on my second listen and basically like it. Some of these songs, the punk underpinning doesn't do much for me - I'm more of a straight-ahead country/ country-rock guy, so harmonica and fiddle are always gonna be where I'm comfortable, even when they're not breathtakingly original. The first three tracks sound great to me, especially "Tennessee Square."

This is gonna show up on a lot of future playlists.

[Heretix]

i just want to finally hear that new wavey record he put out a few years ago... what was that called again?

otherwise... fuck Ryan Adams.

I think that would be Rock 'N' Roll..

First reaction to Rural Free Delivery:

Is this Adams on vocals? He sounds like a ringer for Jay Farrar, especially on"Take Your Guns to Town." And I mean that as a compliment - whatever problems I have with Son Volt, Farrar's vocals aren't among them.

I'm on my second listen and basically like it. Some of these songs, the punk underpinning doesn't do much for me - I'm more of a straight-ahead country/ country-rock guy, so harmonica and fiddle are always gonna be where I'm comfortable, even when they're not breathtakingly original. The first three tracks sound great to me, especially "Tennessee Square."

This is gonna show up on a lot of future playlists.

OTM on the Jay Farrar thing. Faithless Street is like that too. I heard Whiskeytown before Uncle Tupelo or Son Volt, and as soon as I heard No Depression I couldn't believe how much Ryan was ripping Farrar..but I still love it anyway.

And yeah, Ryan sings vocals on all songs except Captain Smith.

[taste the waste]

Hate to be predictable and all that, but Heartbreaker is such an amazing record. Can't wait to talk about it.

[Campaigner]

Count me in on the non-haters.

I've got so many of his gigs on concerts, most of them thanks to Ryan for letting recorders plug into the SBD.

Will defend the guy forever, fuck the haters.

Rural Free Delivery doesn't grab me too much though. I don't think Whiskeytown reached the 'good' stage until Stranger's Almanac (which was wasn't just good, it was brilliant).

[Simakos]

i just want to finally hear that new wavey record he put out a few years ago... what was that called again?

otherwise... fuck Ryan Adams.

I think that would be Rock 'N' Roll..

yeah? is that the one where he sounded all 80's and shit? i want that one.

otherwise, yes, i'm a hater and i will stay out of this thread. carry on.

[killertomatoes]

am i the only person who loves rock and roll?

[Heretix]

am i the only person who loves rock and roll?

Eh, I dislike it quite a bit but it's still somewhat enjoyable. Plus it has Burning Photographs which is one of his best songs. BUt that's a discussion for later!

[Campaigner]

am i the only person who loves rock and roll?

not at all...