Gold

Yawn

Boring and forgettable

Super talented dude. It’s too long but there’s much to like here. And a few klonkers. 3.75

Ryan Adams is talented but also such an oppressively annoying poseur that it too often takes away from the listening experience. It comes across in his vocal affectations and ostentatiously bad boy lyrics. Still, Gold has some undeniable poppy alt-country gold sprinkled throughout that shines in spite of how insufferable he clearly is. I heard “Sylvia Plath” in 2025 and thought this is essentially what Lana Del Ray does but her version of it is much much better. Still got to acknowledge the who came first though. Anyway, Heartbreaker remains the true champ of this era of Ryan Adams.

Ryan Adams: “I’m gonna make the next modern classic” Also ryan adams: writes the most milquetoast 4 chords Americana

Not sure I know where to put this. The Eagles seem to be the parent, country-influenced pop slickly produced. Gin Blossoms and Sheryl Crow close relatives. Even though better than many similar projects, just doesn't compel me.

I know he’s been cancelled and I know he’s a horrible person but this album brings back good memories and I do love the songs. Jen was the first person to introduce his music to me and I loved it. I hate that I feel guilty now for still enjoying it but - love the art, not the artist!

He is a problematic individual, but his music is fantastic. This is the album that introduced me to his music.

Pass.

I can't give this guy the time of day. He isn't totally untalented, but the size of his ego far outstrips whatever talent he has. Also, he's a twat. Fuck, even the cover irritates me.

I really enjoyed this. I think there's something questionable about Ryan Adams' character but since I don't know what that is, I kept enjoying the album.

Country music naturally tends to lack dramatic tension, but Ryan Adams largely compensates for this with good and varied songwriting, an expressive voice, and, of course, the incorporation of various other styles. The result is “Gold”, an appealing album with 16 or 21 songs, depending on the edition, that is really worth listening to. My only criticism is that, for my taste, it contains too many ballads, which tend to slip into the country boredom mentioned at the beginning. Apart from the uptempo numbers - of which I would particularly recommend “New York, New York” - Ryan Adams and his band also manage to maintain the tension in some of the slower songs, such as “Touch, Feel & Lose.” Overall, a strong album that, in my opinion, deserves a place on this list.

Catchy pop rock tunes, varied in style. The mood is equally as vulnerable as the better songs on “Heartbreaker”, but the tempo is slightly more upbeat. Some will prefer that and some won’t, but Adams is on top form here. I can forgive a bit of harmonica abuse on occasion ("Firecracker" pushes the limits a bit) because the guitar work is so consistently good. The standard stays high until the end. The album closes strong with the lament of "Harder Now..." and the show stopping "Touch, Feel & Lose". Fantastic pop music, well written, well performed and well produced. Highly recommended.

It's pretty clear Ryan Adams is a dick, but he can write a pretty song.

Yeah it's fine.

Hard to separate the music from the dick basket who made it, but some of these songs were in heavy rotation for me in the early 2000s.

Fine. Not bad. Not really my thing though.

This album made me retroactively realize that I am being too nice to some of these albums. Honestly, the last one should have been a 1 too. I’m just so tired of all the random picks on this list. Why? I know Ryan Adams is decently popular, but why is there so much of this dreck on here? And why did nobody take it out in the later editions? I return to this list after a 1yr hiatus and this is what I get? His voice is just so annoying and this album is longer than an hour! I’m so grateful my next album is Throwing Muses. Hopefully I never have to listen to Ryan Adams again.

A case in point in removing the art from the artist. Adams begins to move away from alt-country with his second solo album (though that's here) and starts to flesh out his style a bit more including, bluegrass, gospel, pop and rock. This was a man who had his whole future ahead of him with this album, and though he often was able to write good albums, and some with tunes that could have gone on this album, he was never a great as this again. Is he a cunt? More than likely. Is this a great album? Definitely. Best Tracks: Firecracker; Goodnight, Hollywood Blvd.; Cannonball Days

Smooth and enjoyable throughout.

Maybe it’s because I am constantly conflating Ryan Adams and Bryan Adams, but I was pleasantly surprised with this record. It was a great blend of rocky-rolly as well as some heartfelt ballad-type stuff. Fun listen! Best Track: Harder Now That It’s Over

How come this douche has 2 albums on the list and Bryan Adams doesn't have any? It doesn't sound exceptional in any way to me. Favorite song: gonna make you love me

Sleepy and boring, with strained patriotic emo bits.

Never enjoyed any country music, so I struggled listening to the entire album.

Rock my arse ! Its more middle of the road than the white line. Dull as fuck

Way better than expected. Classic. Great lyrics nice tappable beats . 7.9999

New York, New York - 3/5 Firecracker - 3/5 Answering Bell - 4/5 La Cienega Just Smiled - 1/5 The Rescue Blues - 2/5 Somehow, Someday - 3/5 When the Stars Go Blue - 2/5 Nobody Girl - 1/5 (why is this 9 fucking minutes???) Sylvia Plath - 1/5 Enemy Fire - 4/5 Gonna Make You Love Me - 4/5 Wild Flowers - 3/5 Harder Now That It's Over - 2/5 Touch, Feel & Lose - 2/5 Tina Toledo's Street Walkin' Blues - 1/5 Goodnight, Hollywood Blvd - 2/5 Average score: 2.4/5 ⭐️⭐️ this temu knockoff Bruce Springsteen is considered a must-listen before i die? really?? this was way too long, offensively boring and hard to find the patience to listen to. very upset to learn that there's still one more album of his i have to sit through later on too

Surprisingly very good, for a while I figured it could’ve been a 5 star but some songs felt they were just bloating the album, first listen of ryan adams. Lot to digest but all good

Always been a fan of this one. 3.75

Jeg kan ikke forklare hvorfor men det her album føles som traileren for den nye film om Bruce Springsteen. Jeg har aldrig hørt Ryan Adams' musik før, jeg var ret overrasket over hvor country agtigt det er. Jeg hadede den. Kan ikke lide hans stemme og alle sangene er så lange og kedelige. Coveret er også et af de mest anstrengene jeg kan komme i tanker om

Jeg ville nok hellere ha hørt Motion Sickness af Phoebe Bridgers på repeat i en time og 10 minutter.

Well that was shit. Way too long and generic, insufferable voice. I hope to never hear this American ever again.

Am I missing something here? He’s a poor man’s Bruce Springsteen, right? I’ll just listen to The Boss. I’ve got the money.

It tastes like a glass of water after having 15 rounds of beer. I just heard 90 minutes of a generic rock pop music collection. Totally forgetable. 2 stars.

Before he became known for covering Taylor Swift albums and being a persona non grata type amongst indie circles for inappropriate romantic dynamics, Ryan Adams was the sort of beloved vagabond whose ambitions set him apart from those of his ilk and more towards whom he'd wish to emulate. With Gold, he'd find his footing. Much like his Laurel Canyon heroes, Ryan would set about blazing trails and telling tall tales regardless of how hard they rocked (hardly) and how much they rolled (mostly). The album cover alone makes it appear worthy of instantaneous adulation and effortless iconography and, with the music that's packaged, Ryan would be well on his way. Favorites: New York, New York, Firecracker, Answering Bell, La Cienega Just Smiled, The Rescue Blues, Somehow, Someday, Nobody Girl, Sylvia Plath, Gonna Make You Love Me, Harder Now That It's Over.

Solid album. Didn't know him before, but enjoyed it.

I honestly thought I would hate this album and for a couple of songs, I think maybe my biases were guiding my enjoyment or lack thereof, but by the 3rd or 4th track it was already turning me around and by the end, I had thoroughly enjoyed it. I've been back and listened again with a fresh perspective and it holds up. There's a bluesy, gospel feel to this that I wasn't expecting and that is very much in my wheelhouse. There are shades of Dylan here and even Paul Simon, both of which are good sources of inspiration and despite its country leanings, it doesn't stray into the cheesy trappings that I associate with a lot of that genre's more modern output. I'm genuinely surprised at this, I was borderline going to give it a 4 stars, but it's a strong 3 for now. More listens will happen at some point.

2.5

He sings and writes songs. 3/5

I love most of Ryan Adams albums. The sexual misconduct allegations are so incongruous with his lyrics that it's hard to accept the music on its own merits, but on its own merits I really like it. 4 stars

This is just OK country-tinged rock in the vein of Bruce Springsteen. It's boring and waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay toooooooooooooooooo loooooooooooooooong.

Sex pests get no vote

Was kind of expecting this to suck, but it turned out pretty good. I don’t know why it’s this long, though. It definitely starts to drag towards the end, but there’s a fair amount of fun and catchy songs, so the overall experience was pleasant. 7/10

I was a huge Whiskeytown fan and their first album Faithless Street should be on this list. Ryan Adams has put out a lot of amazing songs but they are unfortunately drowned out by an abundance of not amazing songs, and I can't get down with the self-sabotaging mopey-ness the way I did in my 20s. If this were a 36 minute album it would be five stars.

Temu Bruce Springsteen.

I don’t know if it’s his best, but this album holds such a significant place in my heart. My first exposure to Ryan Adams, and the gateway to some of my favorite artists. Our wedding song is on this album. I spent countless sleepless nights driving around listening to this. Our daughters’ lullabies that they now sing themselves are on this. Such an important album for mainstreaming alt-country. It’s unfortunate (and probably not surprising) that he turned out to be such a creep. I atone by buying all of Phoebe Bridgers’s albums in recompense.

temu bob dylan

Highlight Song/s: Goodnight, Hollywood Blvd. Not bad at all. Some of my likes: lovely singing, laid-back, witty lyrics. Some of my dislikes for the album are: It started to get quite bland and lost its charm starting at the halfway point of the album, the lyrics are quite repetitive.

Not familiar with any of these songs but I enjoyed the album.

Some good stuff here, but not my favorite Ryan Adams

I loved it. I'd only known Ryan Adams from a couple radio hits. This album was great. There's a Bob Dylan quality to the subject and lyrics but sung with an great voice. This is a good one.

Great album! Even better knowing what was going on in his life at the time.

I didn't understand Ryan Adams when he was cool and listening to this now I understand it less. Its basically American David Gray? How is this guy hip and David Gray a joke. I don't get music.

It was an album

I never liked this guy and I still don't like this guy...banal americanish crap/rock. Wannabe Springsteen....

800+ albums in and I feel like I’ve come across the “final nail” many times however TWO RYAN ADAMS ALBUMS is a fucking joke. There are without doubt HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS of albums that could’ve taken the place of this fucking nobody. There is simply no way the author of this list had heard 1001 albums when he started making it. TWO RYAN ADAMS ALBUMS!

Felt like a by the numbers country rock album. Not familiar with Ryan Adams but can't say that Gold would get me listening to any more of his albums.

Decent album. A little boring in the middle (Sylvia Plath, Enemy Fire)

first song, giving me a good impression. second song probably not

I like how the Wikipedia article says that this was supposed to be a double album and that Ryan got pissed that the record label was, quote, “fucking his fans over” into paying more for a single album. Ryan, this is a rip-off as is, and the only things that got fucked were my ears and patience. Honestly, seeing an alternative country album going over an hour gave me the impression that this would be terrible. But in fact, it’s worse; it’s mid. Outside of a few exceptions (the slow songs), nothing really pops out. And for a lengthy album, you hit the wall pretty early. After Nobody Girl, my brain pretty much checked out and the rest just felt like noise. It’s dull, long, and frankly, not really worthy of being here. Also, apparently Ryan is a scumbag too. So fuck this. Favorite track: Goodnight, Hollywood Blvd. Other hits: New York,New York, When the Stars Go Blue, Somehow,Someday, Sylvia Plath

No part of me enjoys this music. I recognize it as being comprised of elements I like in other music, but this specific combination has resulted in the composition of something noxious.

One of those solidly mid why was this on the list albums

New to me and I like it

Fuck this abuser. The music is also nothing.

like it better than expected

Classic Americana album.

Absolutely not

Ok

Shit

Suena yankee promedio de película, música de superación/trabajo duro, etc.

Good solid alt country

Pretty good, even if it is missing Spirit of 69.

I hated it I’m so sorry Ryan

I know, this list isn't about scandals or behind the scenes misconduct of any kind. But still, no....this guy? Yeah, hell no

Good voice but boring to me. 3.

Хронометраж цього альбому складно виправдати. 21 пісня на 90 хвилин. Дуже мало кому вдається втримати хороший рівень альбому з такою кількістю матеріалу. Тут цього точно не вдалось. Місцями тут є хороша поп-американа, місцями максимальна нудота. В той же час дуже багато текстів, особливо на любовну тематики, не проходять вайб чек. Текст в пісні про Сільвію Плат - супер кріповий несмак. Я буквально не повірив, що цей чую і довелось спеціально текст відкрити щоб пересвідчитись.

Não é mau, mas sinto que quer muito ser o Bruce… Não chegou lá

Because of the timing of its release, I remember “New York, New York,“ getting tons of airtime on local radio as some sort of anthem of unity and healing. That was not the song’s intention, clearly. And, with all due respect to Mr. Adams, he was not the songwriter for that sort of task. These tracks are fairly entertaining, but lightweight and indistinguishable from one another (with a few exceptions).

This one bends the lines between country, folk, and pop rock, evoking the likes of James Taylor, Van Morrison, and the Stoned. The problem for me, besides the country underbelly on much of the album, is many of the songs sound too much like knockoffs of several great hits, failing to reach their own greatness.

Quite competent and clearly talented singer/songwriter. He's just kinda bland for me. A good comparison would be most of Bonnie Rait's work for me.

Fells somehow even more bland and pandering than the Springsteen he's ripping off, buuuuut I can hear a lot of sounds that probably inspired bands I like today, so he gets a bonus star.

An album as s**t is the man who wrote it is a person.

Listenable.

new york, new york- 4 firecracker- the harmonica is grating on my nerves. 4 answering ball- 3 la cienega just smiled- 3 the rescue blues- 2 or 3 somehow someday- 3 when the stars go blue- 2 or 3 nobody girl- 3 sylvia plath- 1 or 2 enough not only did i not have to listen to this album before i died, i dont think it ever needed to exist in the first place

I got into this when it was first released, word of mouth so I had tried the albums prior to this one as well. I have to say "La Cienega Just Smiled" is one of my all time favorite songs. Add in "New York, New York" and "When Stars Go Blue". In a way he helped usher in this awful wave of alt pop country that is plaguing the world as I write this. Not a good influence in my book. Listen to "Somehow, Someday" and you'll see the parallels. While good and enjoyable, this isn't cutting edge or spectacular in any way, it's pretty vanilla all around with a few standout tracks. Not T1001 worthy.

Very boring and dull. Not sure what is special or different to make this list…

Real shame that this guy is a huge piece of shit. This album is extremely good.

I, unfortunately, really loved this. Singer songwriter always does it for me. Unless it’s Leonard Cohen.

very 90s sounding which is nice but this man gives me rotten vibes and for being so praised the music was idk

I don't understand why I didn't like this. But I wanted to stop listening to it.

Didn’t know what to expect, was prepared for really bad, but was pleasantly surprised and actually listened to it twice all the way through. Energetic, upbeat, and positive. Little hints if Dylan, and Brian Adam’s vibes. I don’t know that it would be considered great because so much of it is imitation of other artists style, but it’s solid.

Calling this boring, run-off-the-mill Americana album "Gold" is really pushing it. ... Iron, maybe? Mud? 2/5

The slower songs are pleasant, but I can't support the problematic singer.

Eh, I'm not a fan of this kind of stuff, too slow and not enough interesting going on.

Not bad, but a bit bland.

For a guy who was (and at the time of this writing) still may be a complete fuck up, there is no denying his ability to write a great fucking tune. I’m not sure where he is in his scandal ridden life, but having learned that even a thorough and complete piece of shit like Donald Trump can be elected President twice, Ryan probably get’s a pass. Whiskeytown was my first introduction to Ryan’s exceptional talent. This is a good time to mention Caitlin Cary, his talented partner in the that revolving door band. She was the only other constant in that band which really was the perfect mix of alternative rock and country. Her later work with North Carolina royalty, former dBs, Chris Stamey and Don Dixon are also compelling listening. So, what about Gold? This 2nd solo record took ideas that first surfaced in Whiskeytown and repurposed them into a collection of songs that hold up remarkably well in 2025. Putting aside the two singles - New York New York and Answering Bell for a moment, the true gold in this record lies in the solidly consistent and varied songs that make this a complete record. It’s not just the amazing musicianship by the assembled studio band (check out the Wiki for that info), it’s just that Ryan’s vocals are perfectly recorded and mixed lending a sweetness and sincerity to what is essentially a breakup record. Is it sprawling? Yes, certainly. Is it a little juvenile lyrically at times? Yes, certainly. But I don’t see either of those as flaws on this record. At the time I recall reading reviews of this record mentioning the length and writing as negatives. They are not. This is a complete window into where Ryan was at the time and it’s perceived flaws reveal a remarkable honesty in both approach and delivery. Ryan was immature. Heartbreak is hard. This is an intensely personal record by an experienced and talented musician who certainly should have been a star. Like Paul Westerberg (the Replacements influences are all over this record), Ryan, at 26 years old, was expanding the palate beyond his influences and creating an experience for the listener that was more than the romantic leanings of his charming debut solo Heartbreaker from the previous year. This record was made to be a classic- timeless and I think listening to it again all the way through, he has achieved that standard. Picking standouts on a classic record seems pointless but in the hope someone wants to experience the record in a slightly different way than what was sequenced on the vinyl here is my take: start with the run of New York New York, Firecracker (track sounds like it came off the Replacements Hootenanny record) and Answering Bell. As good a 3 song start to any record. Then Somehow Someway, Nobody Girl and then Gonna Make You Love Me. Nobody Girl is as fine as dusty barroom ballad as as ever been constructed. Then next with Touch Feel & Lose, Enemy Fire, La Cienega Smiled and The Rescue Blues. These blues songs are a compelling quartet - examining the heartache from all angles but with an amazing tenderness Then you can bring it all home with Sylvia Plath ( dark fucking lyrics), Wild Flowers, It’s Harder Now That Its Over, The Toledo’s Street Walking Blues and finally Goodnight, Hollywood Blvd. An awesome finish to a very fine record. I know that it’s probably sacrilegious to reorder the tracks but this is how it all plays out in my mind. And that’s what makes this record special- it touches you emotionally even though it’s not your relationship that just crashed and fucking burned. Great music makes you feel emotion and this record will touch your heart.

2/5

High in the running for best album of 2001, and tied with Bob Dylan's Love and Theft for my favorite album from that year, Ryan Adams Gold is a beautiful masterpiece of rock -n-roll. A perfect album in every way. From New York to Hollywood Boulevard, from poets to prostitutes, from gorgeous ballads and love songs to balls out rave ups, it is the best kind of American rock -n-roll...sacred... holy. An achievement. It Deserves it's place on this list for sure, and five just doesn't seem to cut it. Nevertheless, 5.

Title of the album speaks for itself

Nope

God damn this shit is so ass

Good singer. Great songs.

Bien exécuté, connaît ses bases, mais plutôt ennuyeux, toujours à deux doigts d’être sirupeux, un point de vue par trop candide

Meh

2.5 lowered to 2

A very grandiose listen in terms of scale, several classics here. The album I found dipped in quality around the midway point but picked up during the last quarter.

Moro moro :D eipä ollu hääppönen levy. Vähän liian contryä mulle. Mukavia rock elementtejä löytyi kyllä jotka oli ihan jees mut ei silti pelastanut albumia.

Lähdin aika skeptisillä fiiliksillä kuuntelemaan uutta tuttavuutta, mutta tämä yllätti ihan positiivisesti. Letkeetä Amerikan musiikkia joka sopi mainiosti sateiseen automatkaan taustasoitannaksi

Tää oli ihan kiva albumi kuunnella iltasella ja chillailla. Vähän ykstoikkonen, joten nelosta ei ihan saa, mutta vahva kolmonen.

Tilasin Temusta Stetsonin ja cowboy bootsit, koska aitoja vermeitä tää hubbabubba countryrokki ei ansaitse. Ihan sellasta kelpuutettavaa taustamusiikkia, mutta todella unohdettavaa. Ihan yee, muta haw jää uupumaan. Kaks tähteä ihan vaan siksi, että Rosalie Come and GO, Sweet Black Magic ja Cannonball Days oli oikeesti todella hyviä biisejä ja kaivoin oikeen Stetsonin hyllyltä.

En tiedä miksi tää albumi on just semmonen mikä pitää ennen kuolemaa kuunnella. Tuntuu että "sama" albumi on julkastu 1001 kertaa jo pelkästään 2000-luvulla. Ehkä jos oisin 11-vuotias tyttö vuonna 2002 ni tästä vois saada enemmän irti, mut ei tämmönen jöröjullikka osaa sanoa yhtään mitään. Jos ois B etunimen edessä ni sais extra pisteen, nyt tuleekin nimen matkimisesta miinus.

Kyllä tällekin tekeleelle käyttöä keksii, toimii hyvin jos on nukahtamisvaikeuksia.

En pystynyt yhtään tähän. Voi olla, et hetki oli väärä tai mielentila oli väärä, mut jotenkin hengetöntä kamaa mulle. Joteki et näitä on tehty aika paljon jo ja paremmin. Autossa tai taustamusiikkina vois mennä, mut ei aktiivisessa kuuntelussa, ei just nyt. Monipuolinen, kyllä, ja taitava lauluntekijä, mutta melodiat tai kertsit eivät tarttuneet, eivät sit mitenkään. Hävettää sanoa, mut jätin levyn kesken. Ehkä palaan tähän joskus, eri aikana, eri mielentilassa.

Olen jonkun verran kuunnellut näitä Adamsin Raijanin settejä aiemmin ja ihan tykännyt, mutta suosikiksi herran tekeleet eivät ole koskaan nousseet. Tällä levyllä teemat tuntuvat pääasiallisesti olevan siirappiosastoa, joten sydänverta on vuodatettu ja se kyllä ihan välittyykin kuulijalle. Biisit ovat hienosti sävellettyjä ja oivaltavia. Saundit ovat kuosissa ja pieniä nyansseja on uitettu mukaan kuulijaa ilostuttamaan/ärsyttämään. Sinänsä hyvä levy, mutta ei mitenkään mullistava. Jotkut veisut jäävät vaisuiksi, joten ihan koko matkalta kokonaisuus ei kanna. Levy on ilmeisesti alunperin julkaistu lyhempänä versiona kuin mitä Spotifyssa oleva versio, mutta artistin itsensä mukaan olisi halunnut juuri tällaisen kokonaisuuden julkaista ja levy-yhtiö leikkasi lopun biisit tyrannimaisesti pois. Tämä oikeuttaa taas kerran antamaan hieman moitteita siitä, että vähän liikaa on tavaraa tungettu mukaan :)

Ensivaikutelmana letkeä ja helppo kuunnella, levyn lopussa totesin että tästä ei kyllä jäänyt yhtään mitään päähän. Hajuton ja mauton, vaikkei sen kummemmin "tuskainen" kuunneltava.

Hitto, tämä olikin RYAN Adams, eikä BRYAN Adams. Mietin jo että "Missä on se kesä 69 -biisi?". Selkeästi vaatisi projektilta jonkinlaista introa päivän levyyn. Ryan onnistui aikatauluttamaan New York, New York musavideon juuri oikeaan aikaan. Voisi jopa miettiä oliko se sattumaa?! Itse musasta. Leppoisaa sunnuntaimusaa. Kuitenkin tuntuu etten huomenna muista enää yhtään biisiä tältä(kään) levyltä. Ei sytytä mitään tunnetta.

Miksi se oli niin pitkä levy. Ei mahtunu yhteen lenkkiin, ärsytti. Mutta tavallaan ihan monipuolinen ja miellyttävä levy jos tommosesta diggailee. Ihan kiva!

Tämä oli positiivinen yllätys. Tiesin entuudestaan Ryan Adamsilta ainoastaan So Alive -biisin, ja se on niin kova biisi että luonnollinen reaktio itselle oli, että muu tuotanto ei voi olla lähellekään yhtä hyvää. No ei tällä levyllä totuuden nimissä ollut yhtään niin kovaa biisiä kuin tuo mainittu So Alive, mutta muuten kyllä ihan hyvää musaa. Vähän ehkä kyllä liian pitkä, ja tavallaan myös itseään toistava levy jotta olisi vielä parempi, mutta yhtä kaikki - tähän tulee kyllä varmasti palattua.

Meh, asides from what’s known about Ryan Adams over the last several years, this was very meh.

Stale after new York New york

I really liked it a lot!!!

Solid album.

Sure, whatever.

best tracks summer of '69. run to you. and so on. not really: 1 star.

Bullshit

Ok listen. Wasn't anything special from my perspective.

1. This record is so "of its era" I can hardly stand it, but it's pretty good, for that era. 2. Ryan Adams is a pile of trash. 3. I saw Ryan Adams, accidentally, once. I was trying to see a Butch Walker show, but the suckatude of Ryan Adams was so complete, his buffoonery so massive, it made them both suck. And I'll never forgive him for that, so his "perfectly fine for the era" 3 stars is reduced to 2.

Now this is what I call a good discovery. I've never really gotten into Ryan Adams before, but this album has given me a different perspective. I was taken in by the first track, New York, New York, and remained engaged through the remainer of the record. This is fantastic road tripping music., I can just imagine blasting this with the windows wound down along a sunny outback highway.

It varies between awesome rock and pretty good 2000s country tinged singer songwriter. Didn’t hate it.

High 3

This album is so fun!! I love this! So easy on the ears to listen to. This is like Bruce Springsteen, Neil Young, or Bob Dylan but better. Country? Rock? I liked it either way. Ryan isn't the best vocalist, but it all fits the style and is fun. I liked this so much I went and found the 4 extra songs not on Spotify to listen to. I was very hard set on giving this 4 stars and I am not quite sure why, this deserves a 4.5 rounded up to a 5 from me. I enjoyed the entire album. Liked Songs: Literally everything. Although "Answering Bell" and "La Cinega Just Smiled"

Is ok 3

This dragged on for a while. I vaguely remember him sounding less dull. Not for me 2/5

Too long, incoherent.

I enjoy Ryan Adams’ subtle, less overbearing take on Americana which makes a palatable form of a type of musical expression that I usually struggle with. New York, New York and La Cienega Just Smiled stand out positively. That said, it's a long, long old album that required a fair bit of commitment from myself to sit all the way through. By the third quarter end any memory of songs that I was digging at the start felt distant as I lulled from one mid tempo song into another.

It’s a high 2 from me, some lovely moments and much of it is unobjectionable but it overstayed its welcome for me by half

nah

Fav: New York, New York Least Fav: Somehow, Someday If this was like 30 mins maybe I’d feel something, but it’s so bloated and boring. It scares me that he originally wanted this to be longer

I like it, I think. It's got some really good songs, some album filler, some deep cuts that I really connected with. I think my favorites are La Cienega Just Smiled and Goodnight, Hollywood Blvd, which is surprising, because my usual reaction to art about how art in the art city is sad in an art way is to strain a muscle in my eye from all the rolling. Regardless, there's some gems here that improved for me after a couple more listens.

Another example of early 2000 indie being the best era of music

1.0 - Awful

The Rescue Blues // Nobody Girl // 2.5/5

Top track: New York, New York / When The Stars Go Blue

I really liked this album.

This started out really good. I like this type of music in general and so I appreciated the style and sound. But…it really dropped off in terms of listenability as the album went on. The medium and faster songs were great, but the slower ones like Sylvia Plath and Wild Flowers were pretty insufferable. The second half of the album was just plain boring and it automatically loses a star for being far too long. My favorite songs on it were “Somehow, Someday” (I tend to love songs with this type of nostalgic theme), “New York, New York”, and “Firecracker.” Honorable mention goes to “When the Stars Go Blue.” I’ve heard other people sing it, but whenever I’d tried to listen to Ryan Adams’ version I could never get past the beginning without turning it off. I can’t stand the way he sings the beginning of the song. The rest of the song was great, but I feel like it was ruined by the weird stuff he did with his voice in the first few lines 😕 It was like he was singing but without putting any effort into it. Like he barely had enough energy to form the words and push out the sound 😅 Still, I’ll give it 3 stars, because overall it wasn’t bad and the songs I liked, I liked very much.

Ok, rock demasiado gringo para mi gusto.

Adams wanted this to be a double album but dude doesn't even have enough decent material for single album. Or an EP. Or a single. Or a ringtone.

1 star too many

The power of this album is found in its release date. Dropping weeks after the Twin Towers fell, it was the perfect salve for a shocked, and grieving America mostly anchored by that opening track New York. 'Gold' takes me back to such a specific time and place and age, that I hold it so dear to my heart. It's got an incredible opener of 8 solid tracks. The back half of the album is a little middling and overly long, but still quite good. Ryan's career was never able to quite reach the heights of 'Gold', but this album was so terribly needed than all the unremarkable and unfair reviews on this site would care to admit.

Melodic. Will be a 3. Solid. Quite entertaining, but not more.

We already have Bruce Springsteen

6/10 - country mixed with indie rock, good vocals, and some catchy tunes. But too long of an album

I'd been warned this was a slog. And, yes. It was. I didn't hate it. But I didn't finish it. Firstly, Ryan Adams was making a bold call putting him in front of the American flag for this one. Nothing is overtly offensive in this album, it's just not very exciting. It's soft, folky country. Kind of like an updated but less exciting Dylan. Yeah, yeah, he can sing. But it felt like watching a b grade sitcom. I wasn't ready to wait it out for the 'will they, won't they'. And for goodness sake it's a double album. One star. I don't even feel bad for cheating.

This album is like enjoying a beer at the beach with friends while watching the sunset. Then your friend’s new fedora-wearing boyfriend sits down and is overly friendly. After some generic conversation during which he offers no insight whatsoever into any character traits, he pulls out a guitar. Everyone is awkwardly forced to end their conversations to hear this knob play. He proceeds to perform a medley of generic songs. The ambience of the moment is ruined. You don’t talk to that friend anymore.

There is a story of a going to a Ryan Adams concert and calling out to hear Summer of 69. This album could have done with a bit more Bryan Adams song writing. Its too long, too overly pretentious in parts. Sometimes, less is better, and keeping it simple works. I enjoyed the opening track and a few others, but really I won't be putting this bad boy back on my stereo anytime soon.

Not my jams

Not a country fan, but I don't know that it falls easily into that...saw it described as alt country. Seems like a good singer/songwriter and covered a wide range. Might go back and listen again. Could see it getting higher than a 3.

I was charmed at first, then it felt flat, then that one nine-minute song came on.Crazy that it was that long and I wanted more of it. If the whole album was that song it would probably rank higher. But the supporting cast wasn’t there.

A decent album, just not quite up my street

I hate this, a full range of dislike. 1 or 2.

offensively bland in an emblematic way for 2001

more early 2000s nonsense. I'm surprised this gets classified as country, but also i'm not sure what would be more apt

Most of this is better than I expected, but there's just so much of it, and most of it is so boring. I really thought "When the Stars Go Blue" was originally by someone else, but after listening to some covers, I can't figure out what I'm imagining in my head as the "original" version. I also enjoyed "Nobody Girl". 2.5?

5/10 I think it is incredible that anyone could think that there is enough interesting material to fill a 90mins double album. As an artist, you should be challenging yourself as to what NEEDS to be included. For example, Nobody Girl in absolutely No Way requires to be 10mins long. It doesn't have a message. It doesn't have a musical statement. At 3mins, its fine. Deeply forgettable, but pleasant. But 10mins??? What on earth are you thinking? The music is weak, the lyrics are bland. It kind of makes me very angry, but equally, I can listen to it. Makes me wonder how I am rating these albums relative to each other.

A pretty good, if somewhat derivative, rock album by a shitty person.

This wasn’t so bas for what it is. Dude can obviously write good songs, but this is a bit too gentle for me. Sometimes it sounded like a cross between Rufus Wainwright, Wilco and Elliott Smith

Teenage core

This might be one of the most boring and forgettable things I've ever heard. Can't believe he does that 1h10.

Pre-listen whining: Opened the generator today and said “Oh, fuck Ryan Adams.” Then I saw that this is 70 minutes long. I have to listen to this fucking guy for over an hour? For fuck’s sake, for what? And that’s without the additional 20 minutes the label made him cut that are apparently included in re-releases, so for once I can be thankful for record label meddling. Could you imagine? Jesus Christ. Alright, open mind. Listening and learning. Post-listen whining: I really did try and I didn’t like it. All of these songs remind me of another, better song. The affectation in his singing voice is obnoxious: I can see him in my mind’s eye singing with his eyes closed, near to the mic, lifting his lips in a light sneer as a display of sincerity and authenticity. Passable but uninteresting guitar work. Springsteen without the guts or lyrical acuity. This is not difficult to listen to, but it is so invariable that it completely collapses under its runtime and becomes a slog. It all sounds the same. If this was 45ish minutes like a normal album I’d maybe (maybe) be more generous. The fact that his vision for this album is the fucking double-disc 90-minute version is unforgivable to me after my listen and I feel for people who chose that version for this project. If he wanted those five songs included on this album so bad, he could’ve started by cutting the nearly-ten-minute nothingburger “Nobody Girl”. I’m a bit mystified by this album’s inclusion and can only guess that it’s important for its… influence? Citation needed.

It’s ok, somewhat nondescript pop/country/rock. Album cover is pure cringe

Listened in the truck via YouTube music. Hadn’t listened all the way through for quite some time. First half is really solid. Last half is very standard sounding.

I had heard his name many times, but never listened to his music before. This is a really solid album. I'd be curious to hear the double album version he originally intended.

I'd rather be listening to Bryan Adams!

5.5 out of 10

Ryan Adams can undoubtedly write a song. Most of the songs here have a pleasant hook or melody. The problem is that he's written too many on this album, and too many of them are ballads. "Firecracker" has some great country twang and the kind of hook that makes Adams's best songs great. But it's the only song of its kind here. So much of the rest of this album is slower, aiming for a kind of melancholy or nostalgia that just doesn't come through. "Sylvia Plath" is the worst example for me, there's almost nothing there musically and the lyrics are weirdly parasocial. There are some rock songs that get things going a bit, but they all feel like they're cut from different clothes and don't belong on the same album. A prime example of an album being less than the sum of its parts.

Everything all at once. This is Adams before he became a guitar shredder so there are lots of variety of song on here. The majority are ok with New York being slightly better and the second to last song being much much worse. This is to me a very overrated album by a talented guy who just never really put it together in my opinion.

Pleasant enough listen. nothing special.

Wha ???? This is trash yall!

Play Summer of ‘69!

The guy gives me the ick

Ryan surprised me. Solid 3 if not 3.5 so Im bumping to 4.

Sometimes he sounds like Gram Parsons, sometimes he sounds like Big Star, but mostly he's just there. It's not bad but this album is also way too long.

bummer that this dude turned out to suck, cause this was a fun album

some good ol' americana/rock n roll. although isn't this guy from canada? or is that bryan adams?

The amount of artists who at the very best should have ONE album on this list and who instead get more (sometimes way more) is absolutely ricidulous. Ryan Adams is absolutely somebody who falls into this category. It's not shit as such (fairly annoying fairly quickly, though), but how on earth this is relevant or interesting enough in anyone's book to say one's life would be less complete without having listened to it is absolutely beyond me.

Just okay. Pretty boring.

Super poppy. Not horrible. Not wonderful.

Creep

Should decide who he wants to copy. Dylan? Springsteen? Denver? The Muppets?

Doesn't deserve the time it would take me to write a proper review. Creatively bankrupt. I think that rather than Wikipedia snippets provided with each album, there should be some attempted justification for an album's presence on this list. Why does someone think I need to hear this before I die? I have no idea, and I would compel them to explain themselves.

I was disappointed by the opening few tracks. Very safe, country-infused rock; "by numbers" if you like. That's presumably what happens when you openly "try to invent a modern classic". How about some authenticity? It got a bit more miserable part-way in, which I preferred, and there were Stones-esque moments to enjoy (although, why not just listen to the Stones?) Ryan Adams has a nice voice. But the album didn't move me much. He sounds like an angry person in his life outside music, too; someone who abuses their power and struggles to understand that.

It was better than I expected. But still pretty dull.

Cool album! I liked "Enemy Fire", "Touch, feel & lose", and "Tina Toldeo's Street Walkin' Blues".

Ham kan jeg godt lide

I went back and forth heavily with this one. Some of the songs were more folk sounding and I quite enjoyed, but towards the end they got honestly difficult to listen to both voice and music. I wish I could give the benefit of the doubt but the second half continued to get worse.

FK YEAH let's GOOOO CUTS LIKE A KNIFE is a bange..... .... wait who the fuck is this? ugh.... "Americana" paint by numbers schlock. JFC his music just bores the shit out of me. It's a lazy critique but what if it really does bore me?? Am I supposed to not write that?? Who the hell are you anyways.... [sorry sorry....I think this album is actually making me edgy and angry] I'm not really a Bryan fan but I honestly would at least enjoy some of his guilty pleasure singles a shittonne more than this. 3/10 2 very dim stars.

Singer-Songwriter

I was into the first few songs (New York, New York was the best) but the rest of this felt really dull and slow. Slow music + over an hour of runtime really made this drag out for me. I still probably skew towards a low 3 here, but not by much.

While I really enjoyed the last Ryan Adams album, I didn't find myself as hooked in here. Sure the songs are pretty and well-written, but there were only a few standout points that really caught my attention. For me those were back to back in the middle of the album with absolutely lovely When The Stars Go Blue and the wonderfully drawn out Nobody Girl. Otherwise this one just sort of washed me by -- perfect candidate for a 3.

The slower songs reminded me a bit of Jackson Browne. Had a bit of that southern twang otherwise. Going with a high 3 on this one.

I have determined over these last couple weeks with 2 of his albums coming up that I really like Ryan Adams and I did not know of him before. This album definitely drew on a bit long but the beginning half was very good. Seemed a lot more rock then his debut album. Lower 4

Crazy we get this dudes first two albums pretty close to each other. Boring af about halfway through. Please no more Ryan Adams. The album had its moments, but overall was pretty dull to me. Classic boring singer/songwriter

I didn't give it a great listen. But nothing caught me in this album as important

it was music, just not exciting at all

a great album for 2000 nostalgia and driving.

OK, you can listen to it. The album was playing in the background and didn't bother me. His voice is ok, the arrangements too. But there's nothing on the album that made me sit up and take notice or stayed in my mind. 3/5

Rosalie Come and Go was the only decent song

Not a fan of the 2000s in music, I guess.

I have many issues with this list and the continued inclusion of this album on it is the newest one. There are so many more interesting and innovative albums from this genre that were excluded from the list and many Ryan Adams’ fans admit this is far from his best album so why was it included to begin with? It’s fine but I wouldn’t be going out of my way to put it on let alone recommend it to other people as a “must listen”. The fact that this list gets updated yearly (the newest 20 albums on the list fighting for their spot while the other 981 including this one remain untouched is a joke) - this is the random party guest that just won’t go home.

My guy wants to be Bruce Springsteen so bad but he’s just not as cool

Holy moly minor 5 chord?? In this economy???! Good album, enjoyed more than I expected; sounds like an American road trip. A lot of range, but a bit too long for my liking.

Fav songs - New York, New York - The Rescue Blues - Nobody Girl - Goodnight Hollywood Blvd.

Just not a fan of his voice.

The man is trash but this album is terrific.

It was a bit meh, the album was far too long at 1hr 29 and it had no standout tracks for me. This is way I’ve rated it a 2. Nothing offensive, alright background music but nothing memorable and it’s not something I would play again

Once again gracing us with his presence is abusive scumbag Ryan Adams. Man, I don’t like this guy. But what I don’t like even more, is that I think he’s a great musician. Back before we the lid got blown off his scumbaggery, I’d listened to Prisoner and loved it. I had always meant to check out more of his music, but never did. I rated Heartbreaker 5 stars, but in my review, I refused to discuss the album, because I deemed Ryan Adams unworthy of any praise. While that fact remains true, I won’t be doing that for this album, because I didn’t do it for any of the other low-lives who landed albums on this list. This is one of the few times I’m glad Spotify screws over artists, so here goes nothing! Just like I felt while listening to Heartbreaker, I was pissed off listening to Gold. Not because I ‘had to’ listen to one a Ryan Adams album, but because someone with his talents as a musician made the conscious choice to sexually manipulate and harass women. If I were this talented, I would simply choose not to be an asshole. But here we are. Gold is a bit short of five stars for me, but not from lack of effort. I do like Ryan Adams’s voice, and he creates musical arrangements that I really enjoy listening to. The instrumentation on this album was wonderful, and the songwriting was really good too. Granted, knowing what we know about him now, it does damage the authenticity and vulnerability of his song writing in my opinion. I really loved the Hammond organ playing that was used throughout the album. It never really steered the overall sound, but it blended in with the guitar in a way that I really loved. As soon as “New York, New York” started playing, I felt like there was a good chance that I was going to like this album, and I swore loudly. The Hammond, vocals, and bass all sounded great, crafting a beautiful sound that I really enjoyed. I understand why people call Ryan Adams a Dime Store Springsteen, but I disagree with those sentiments. I can see the influence, but I think they both take a different approach to creating music, and you can feel it in the atmospheres they create. “Firecracker” was great too, and it made me realize that I just love the way he arranges his music. I really noticed how the organ and the harmonica sounded fantastic together on that song. “La Cienega Just Smiled” was my favorite song on the album. It reminded me of David Gray in the way that it was gentle and beautiful. “Nobody Girl” was great too. I loved the Bluesy guitar, and the backing vocals were awesome. I really enjoyed how hard it leaned into the blues sound towards the end. For a nine-minute song, it never once lost my attention. My only beef with this album (other than my disdain for the artist) is that some of the songs felt like filler. I know Adams intended for this to be a double album, but some songs were pretty forgettable to me. The songs that were memorable were fantastic, but I felt like this album could have been shortened quite a bit.

Top to bottom, phenomenal album.

A solid Americana album. Ryan Adams is a great songwriter and singer. There's a lot of his influence in some of the modern americana and indie folk bands that came after. This is probably his most well known album in terms of recognizable songs. Apparently he's kind of an a-hole in real life, which sucks.

I’m just talking about the music. I know he’s a bad person. I remember seeing the video for “New York New York” when it came out in 2001. I don’t even want to listen to it. I thought it was some planted patriotic crap. Like Toby Keith. I was way wrong. Jason isbell learned a lot from Ryan Adams. Great songs. Other than the ones he tried to get too broadway, like the last song. Could have saved me 3 and a half minutes with that last song. Yes, I know he’s a horrible dude. I just started getting into Ryan Adams and his new stuff when the allegations dropped. Haven’t listened to him since, but this is a great album.

Excellent album great voice

Now that I've heard this album, I can die in peace. First half of the album was the most generic music I could imagine. Worth a 2, I guess. The second half is rough. What's with this list and too-long albums? Definitely some mistaking of quantity for quality. Since I wanted this to be over 45 minutes ago, it gets a 1.

New York, New York 2.6 Firecracker 2.4 Answering Bell 2 La Cienega Just Smiled 1.8 The Rescue Blues 2.5 Somehow, Someday 2.3 When the Stars Go Blue 1.9 Nobody Girl 2.2 Sylvia Plath 1.7 Enemy Fire 3 Gonna Make You Love Me 2.7 Wild Flowers 2.3 Harder Now That It's Over 2 Touch, Feel & Lose 2.4 Tina Toledo's Street Walkin' Blues 2.2 Goodnight, Hollywood Blvd 2.3 Score: 2.26875

Ugh. I tried, I really tried, but I can’t get past knowing what an abusive POS he is. Having my own experiences with men like this, I’m too biased to try and enjoy this.

nice sounding tracks, enjoyed a lot of it, didn’t blow me away but some good tracks

Favorites: New York, New York, When The Stars Go Blue, Nobody Girl, Touch, Feel & Lose, Tina Toledo's Street Walkin' Blues

Ui.. das isch ja gar nüd de Bryan - da isch äs B verlore gange. Nüd schlächt, aber au nüd meh. Nett zum Lose. Äs sehr guets 3.

los das album am tag nocher chli verschlofe im zug. find s cover huere weird irgendwie was hets mit de USA ztue? aber egal das sind uhuere viel uuuhuere gueti songs. nobody girl und wild flowers gad highlights wo in sinn chömed. zum teil ischs chönt mer ihm chli leerheit und 70er johr cosplaye vorwerfe und s mached etz au nöd alli songs so mega viel mit mir. sie sind selte meeega groovy oder so und wenn bi 70 minute jede song a eim söll emotional zerre wirds irgendwie streng. aber er schiint unendlich songs i sich z haa. schono beidruckend. und s isch über alles vode instrumentierg kohärent, sehr tight gspielt, er singt sehr guet und sehr variabel. das isch vilicht chli sini schwächi. er cha so i viel verschiedeni rolle schlüpfe dasmer ihn nüme sofort erkennt. find es isch es sehr guets 3 bis jetz. los aber die letste paar songs no. oke die letste paar sind super. touch feel and loose hammer de street walkin blues shit mega stones aber geeil. VIA

ok bis jz insane langwilig aber de luca het guets versproche! rescue blues isch na cute, zwar auchli seicht aber döffmer mache when the stars go blue scho herzig nobody girl viiill z lang für dass es eifach ok isch ich weiss nöd ich chan mich nanig so begeistere oh shit scho bald fertig aber ich glaub ich los jz na d disc 2, so heters album ja eig vorgseh hä bi the bar is a beautiful place heter tears in heaven nahgmacht hahahaha he ja sorry luca vlt biki au z wenig ufmerksam gsi aber hans recht langwilig gfunde

All of the country twang songs get a 2 for me. There are some more progressive song that brought the score up.

Positively surprised: Ryan Adams is a man of many talents and styles. I love the songs with a gospel influence. The ballads sound a bit corny. But I will listen to this again.

was okay. lowkey didn’t finish but it wasn’t because i hated it. i just didn’t care for it enough to put off listening to my music. really toed the line between pop and rock. 3/5.

169/1089 - This is most certainly alternative country music. I'm getting sick of this bit I'm doing with the 3 star albums, but I really don't have anything to say. Before I give any of these albums a listen, I like to imagine what they sound like. If it sounds like what I imagined, I'll probably give it a neutral rating. I might change my rating style in the future. There are definitely some albums I rated previously that I changed my mind on. Since I Left You is a 5 (not a 4) and Beyoncé is a 2 (not a 3) in my opinion. This one will probably be a high 3 and stay that way.

I thought that I knew and like Ryan Adams, but after listening to this samey-boringness, it turns out that I only like the Ryan Adams album Easy Tiger. this album was so boring, I didn't favorite and couldn't even distinguish a single song even though I love country/folk rock and Americana music.

Some songs were really good

It is difficult, at times, to separate the person and the music. It has been documented many times in the press with direct quotes from those affected about what an emotionally abusive and controlling partner he is to women. He even wrote an apology for his “past” behavior. He has also sent nudes and explicit texts to underage females. That, on top of disrespecting his audience by storming off stage. All of that aside…..his music is ok. Some decent pop songs. That’s it.

“New York, New York” being hyped up in the wake of 9/11 is what turned me off of Ryan Adams. And then him skipping NC on tour for subsequent 5(? 10?) years. But listening to that song now reminds me of the Jason Isbell song “Relatively Easy”, except unlike Isbell’s heartfelt and gut wrenching lyrics, Adams’ song makes me feel nothing. Just dreck. Makes me want to listen to the superior artists he’s imitating (current candidate Van Morrison on “Answering Bell”, later, The Faces on “The Rescue Blues”) The fact that David Rawlings and Gillian Welch’s genius get smeared by the association with this is too bad.

This album is A LOT better than the cringey album cover suggests. Not every song is a gem, I’m looking at The Rolling Stones knock-off track and the overly affected white boy soul (life is a highway vibes). But, there is magic in here.

My word this is dull. Unremarkable voice, Forgettable songs, turgid arrangements. Hard to fathom the heraldry around this record in 2001. An album to angrily put the bins out or to clean the toilet to.

Middle of the road bar music

Ryan Adams music just does not do it for me

luv it!!

Feels like he tried taking five different artist's sound and did it worse than every single one on every single track… 2000's indie/romcom movie core (derogatory) Way too bloated, filled end to end with ad music.

I was doing ok on this album until "Sylvia plath" which I thought "oh this song is awful it must be the album closer" but nope! Still 40 minutes of music to go... Entire back half was a slog. Album seems devoid of originality and I can't really imagine why it's on a list of stuff that we "must" listen to before we die

I was eager for this album because I really liked Heartbreaker. But this album is nowhere near as good. I liked one track (Answering Bell) and kind of liked another (Goodnight, Hollywood Blvd) but that's it. The rest of the album is "meh", and it's a pretty long album.

I have a lot of fondness for this album, since it is so linked to a specific time and group of friends. But, if I'm honest, Heartbreaker is a better album and Adams is sort of a garbage human.

Another album where I hear the influences almost more than the artist - the desire to be a latter-day Bob Dylan feels like it's evident on nearly every song; 'Answering Bell' gives serious Van Morrison vibes, and 'La Cienega Just Smiled' made me think of James Taylor. There's probably country influences I'm not aware of given my lack of familiarity with the genre. Unfortunately, very little of the album comes close to the either lyrical (Dylan) or vocal (everybody else) skills of those influences. It's largely fine but Adams' reedy, often nasal voice grates after a while and the lyrics aren't brilliant enough to overcome that. Moreover, some of the lyrics land a little grossly given what's known now about Adams' behavior with women, e.g.: 'How'd I end up falling so bad for such a little girl' and 'You're nobody girl' made me seriously grimace - a song I was actually enjoying until that chorus came along. It's also just too long. 'Sylvia Plath' really should have been left in the coffee-stained, Sharpie scrawled notebook where I imagine Adams keeps his most self-indulgent ideas. With some editing, this might have been a 3.5/4 star album. Between the length, Adams' ultimate mediocrity, plus his unacceptably shitty behavior with women, it's barely a 3.

Favorite: Nobody Girl

Couple of great tracks here. 3.5 stars.

It's been a while since I've listened to this album. I used to really enjoy Ryan Adams and this album, for me, was one I would return too. But, like I said, it's been a while since I've listened to it. And this time it was just...boring seems too strong a word. One note, maybe? It has some good songs, I admit...but they stack the first half of the record. Then it all gets a bit mopey-samesey. Maybe I'm simply not in the same place that I was as a mopey 17 year old, so the music doesn't connect as deeply or effectively as it once did. Either way, it'll probably be some time before I listen to this record again.

Some ok pop songwriting that's well produced.  If Gold was a colour it would be beige.  I'm not into it and it seemed to go on for 6 hours.

Kinda vibe

Is Ryan Adams related to Bryan Adams or do they just rhyme? I had never heard of him or the album. Very listenable with bits that sound like other bands, but not really my style. 3.5.

Not for me. Soft rock, not enough to keep me interested or engaged.

Gold, Adams’ major-label solo debut, is still a little too long. It’s not until “Somehow, Someday,” a third of the way in, that Adams catches up to his reputation as country noir’s hurt king.

A fairly mediocre and forgettable album.

Gawd I hate Ryan Adam’s

An ok listen. Wouldn't seek to listen again, but may not turn it off.

Enjoyable smooth mellow and chill. Perfect background music.

"eyes-closed busker’s vocal affectations" about sums up my thoughts. Pretty unremarkable stuff.

Man, that was pretty boring. I think ryan lacks any sort of interest edge or character in his voice. At worst, it sounds like bland radio music you’d hear like in a movie. At best, some shit you’d hear on someone’s Spotify at a family’s bbq that nobody’s really paying attention to. Not giving it a 1 because it didn’t actively harm me to listen to.

This album was just fine. It felt a little over-produced, which was a little distracting to me. Everything feels like it was lab-engineered by a group of sound engineers to sound machine perfect and it just comes off feeling artificial. "Nobody Girl", the longest track on the album, seemed like it was trying to channel the alternative anthems of the early 90s, but it failed to capture the emotion that made them great. I didn't dislike the album, but there wasn't a standout song to be found.

It mostly wasn't painful to listen to, but it was also completely uninteresting.

у нас уже есть Спрингстин дома

Generic pop country leads into vibey rock (Nobody Girl is a banger). The whole album is a very easy listen, so it's a shame Ryan Adams is kind of a gross human being (some of those allegations are a big deal)

Great album made by a complete tool of a human.

Not my style. Sort of like Tom Petty....the songs are clasically good, but in a very American way.

Not very interesting, exciting or unusual. Just quiet and simple rock/country singer/songwriter music. The album is also way too long and multiple times I found myself looking at the track list to see how much I had left to sit through

jo men ganska gött ändå men alldeles för långt

weirdly familiar even though i didn’t recognise any of the songs? kind of a rock, country, pop vibe could get my head around it but enjoyed it nonetheless.

Okay music. Kinda boring.

This is a bummer to review. It's fine everywhere but feels like it doesn't do anything. Like it almost tricks me to think "this sounds fine" when it's really dull. Too long and I feel like there's nothing behind this in terms of emotion.

I've managed to ignore this guy up until now. I thought my play back speed was messed up on the first track. Record labels pump out guys that present music like this every minute. "Blending country and a modern sound". I often didn't notice that the song had changed. Which added to the insanity I was going through with the length of these tracks that sounded like they should be under 3 minutes. This is like the Walmart of music. There are probably a handful of people in every city that can do this. Support a local artist.

7/10 pretty good, idk, I’ve heard better from his contemporaries makes me wanna listen to Jeff Buckley

it was pretty mid, it works makin' me fell in a rodeo or in a farm, but it doesn't make me wanna listen to the next song, is average as much, is enyoyable, but i wouldn't listen for my own

Same old rock stolen from black people

Not a genre that I personally like very much, but this album is actually very listenable. He's got a great voice and solid song writing. I have it a focused listen all the way through (even though it's a pretty long album) and generally enjoyed it. i probably wouldn't put this on again by choice, but wouldn't mind if it happened to be on somewhere.

Right from the first track, New York New York, the music sounds like The Stranger-era Billy Joel or any-era Van Morrison, with less interesting songwriting and a more countryish vocalist. But then the style goes all-in on country rock, abandoning the New York vibe. Which is fair, I guess. Only one of the songs has New York in the title. Though each individual track is fairly solid, the entire setlist doesn't quite work as an album. This is partly due to nearly every track consisting of three chords (and often just two, I and IV, such as the opening track), the same instrumental arrangement, and (for most of side 1) a similar tempo and upbeat country-esque mood. 90 minutes is just a little too long for an album that doesn't have a concept to back it up. Adams should've released this as two separate LPs. Particularly by disc two (or, as Adams calls it, "disc four"), the album really loses momentum. Goodnight Hollywood Blvd. is a solid ending to an album that's already a little longer than is standard - but then we're blessed with five more tracks that don't add anything musically but Adams insists we must listen to. When The Stars Go Blue is a mellower track that still manages to be more emotional and soulful, making it an easy standout. The low-mixed cello and violins really tug at your heartstrings. Nobody Girl is solid but definitely too long. It really only has one musical idea/hook - the melodic delivery of the song title - and that alone doesn't justify almost 10 minutes of runtime. Ryan Adams's singing sounds very odd in Sylvia Plath. Kind of sounds like a female vocalist. I wonder what made him choose that particular vocal style. You hear the same thing later on with Goodnight Hollywood Blvd. Wild Flowers is another standout for being brave enough to include some switches to relative minor and other (relatively) wacky chords. Tina Toledo's Street Walkin' Blues sounds like something off the Stones' Let It Bleed, but with better production. A great track. The combo of female vocals, piano, and guitar is nostalgic and I'm happy it's getting some traction in the 21st century. 3/5 Key tracks: When The Stars Go Blue, Enemy Fire, Wild Flowers, Tina Toledo's Street Walkin' Blues

This is the kind of shit they play at Target lol

Not gold. Whiny, boring dross. I’d never heard of him before and will actively avoid now.

Alternative country with licks of rock'n'roll, really nice, little tiring by the end

I'm surprised I never really knew about this guy. I guess he was just before my time and slightly outside of music taste. Maybe he didn't have as much staying power as some other acts of the time. All I know is that anyone who was married to Mandy Moore has to have some game.

It’s like a Hallmark movie soundtrack

I like the opener but the rest of it is really boring. It’s a rock record with a heavy southern/country sound and I’m not a fan of it because it goes on a while and it’s a very samey sound.

I thought Lauryn Hill yesterday was boring but holy crap that was Abbey Road compared to this. This might be the first album where I question why it is on here. As much as I hate The Butthole Surfers at least there was creativity there. This is remarkably unremarkable in every way.

Just good but not astonishing, some songs are nice, maybe for me is long

This is some of the whitest music I've ever heard, and I'm a white guy who loves Steely Dan.

Man, between multiple platforms, this album gets its fair share of hate and low ratings, although I’ll admit, some of the reviews were pretty entertaining. After listening to it myself, it honestly wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be. It’s a mix of country rock and Americana, and I thought it worked pretty well as background music, especially first thing in the morning. I can’t say it had any standout tracks that I really remember, but at least it didn’t annoy me.

There is a unique quality about Ryan Adams because his music is good, but it’s good because it is a music lovers homage to the music he loved. New York, New York has a feeling like Kieth Urban; Firecracker feels like Bob Dylan; Answering Bell feels like James Taylor; La Cienga my daughter asked if it was CCR; and The Rescue Blues feels mid-‘60s Mick Jagger and the Rolling Stones. All of these songs are solid. I don’t know if I can say I was overwhelmed by any of them, but I enjoyed all of them. This will be a good album for beer and corn hole in the backyard this summer. Side note: this was a pleasant change of pace to add a little rockabilly/country into the mix. It clears the pallet.

Random thoughts: * I thought Ryan Adams got cancelled. Oh well, I have no issue separating art from artist. * I've always dug New York. I added this song to my I Heart NY playlist and have listened to this track many times. * Firecracker was a good one too and speaking of which I need to add to my 4th of July playlist. * Overall this album is just alright. I won't revisit it besides the few songs that stand out.

in het begin was ik blij dat het NIET Bryan Adams was... op het eind niet meer zo zeker daarvan

Real bluesy with some gospel thrown in, and it works really well. Ryan Adams has (usually) great lyrics, a nice delivery, and his band is fucking tight. Especially the drummer, he brings the perfect energy. However, this was too long. There's a 5 star 40-45 minute record here, an hour and 10 makes it drag. Though, funnily enough, it's the first few songs that make it drag for me. Also, I can't get over how stupid that pose on the cover looks, like what the hell is he doing with his hands?

The kind of album that's nobody's favourite, but sits in a peripheral "good stuff" area. Like Stereophonics. Or the colour yellow. 90 minutes tho? Never trust a man with two first names.

Milquetoast is a good descriptor for Ryan Adams in my opinion. It’s not that he’s a bad singer or musician; nothing really stands out for me to latch onto. I genuinely don’t like his voice. The songwriting is unimpressive. This is the kind of album that just makes me mad. You’d think it would be something I vehemently hate that would enrage me, but at least the hate would’ve made me feel SOMETHING and that I can respect. This album didn’t evoke anything for me. I knew this was gonna be a rough go, and it’s unfortunately worse than I thought. Gonna Make You Love Me, from Sweet Home Alabama, is the only redeeming song that makes this album deserve at least one star.

Poor man's Neil Young

Brilliant album. Great set of songs!

Yeah this guy is good

An excellent album of country rock, folk rock, and blues. Ryan Adams clearly loves Dylan and Springsteen (along with the Stones and Zeppelin), and he set out to make an album that blends those styles in his own voice. And it's really good! At 70 minutes, there's a lot of music here, but it doesn't repeat itself or overstay its welcome. Just one good song after another. Listening to Ryan Adams always feels funny for me because I'd heard a handful of his albums years ago and was on the cusp of getting more into his music when the news story came out that he was generally a pretty terrible guy. It put a damper on on my burgeoning fandom, because it's one thing to deal with that kind of story when you're already a fan -- (Can you separate your established love of the music from the gross life of the artist?) -- but it feels strange to deliberately seek out an artist that's new to you after you read that. Anyway, I was mostly able to compartmentalize those thoughts while listening to this, but they were definitely still swimming around my mind as I enjoyed this album.

I've heard this guy's name for years but only really know of him from Phoebe Bridgers (and other women who have said that they have had relationships with him that allegedly led to abuse), so I'm kind of predetermined to not like the guy. Sometimes I do alright with separating the the artist from the art but I'm struggling a bit here. I do think some of these songs are good, and I can see why people would like him, but as I get up to a chorus of him saying "Cause you're nobody girl You're a nobody girl You're a nobody, girl You're a nobody girl Nobody girl" I just feel kind of bleh, and wonder if this is just his overall attitude permeating through his art. It's a 2/5. The songs aren't that terrible but he can fuck off.

I listened to about 30 minutes of this album. Like it was fine but I was getting bored. I could not believe my shock when I discovered there was still like an hour left. I stopped there. Also reading the reviews and his potential allegations put me off wanting to finish this one

Not nearly as bad as I expected when I saw the cover and the musical style is certainly better than anticipated. Very gritty and folksy. Not bubble gum boy band wannabe pop.