Love Is Hell

There has been a lot written about Ryan Adams. He is clearly one of the most mercurial and yet talented singer songwriters to come along in a long time. A highly prolific artist, Adams has recently released three full length albums in one year (one of which was a double record). Much of his stuff requires time to get to know and love but it almost always worth the wait. The Love is Hell record started out as an album, became two eps, then a full record again. Adams has said that he fought with his label just to ge this released. To be sure, it is a dark record full of despair and only short bursts of joy. Adams voice is plaintive, heartbreaking and intense in what some might say is Dylanesque. The album hits its highest notes with the middle section beginning with a radical cover of the Oasis hit "Wonderwall" followed by the elegiac "Shadowlands" and the simple folk of "World War 24". This album takes time to absorb, but it is a perfect album to listen to late at night when it can be fully appreciated.

(ZIP FILE) Ryan Adams - Love Is Hell