ryan adams...

[lily1]

anyone go? i think i saw kurosawa there but it was awfully crowded.
 
 i'll just sum it up briefly--average. some stellar moments and some utter crap moments. 6.5 out of 10.
 
 that 3 hour show 2 years ago was very good, that acoustic show last year was great, this, sadly, was average. plain ol' average.
 
 your thoughts?

[Bags]

This isn't about the show, but from today's NY Times.  Thought it would be of interest to anyone who did go to the show....
 
 December 8, 2003
 NEW CD'S
 Doing What He Pleases, Vol. 2
 By NEIL STRAUSS
 
 Love Is Hell, pt. 2'
 Ryan Adams
 
 Let's get the critical appraisal out of the way first: "Love Is Hell, pt. 2" is a fantastic EP. It is better than Adams's recently released "Rock N Roll" CD. It is even better than the EP "Love Is Hell, pt. 1." For those who don't know about Mr. Adams, for those who feel they know him too well, and for those who write him off as overhyped and not worth knowing, let it be said once more that he is ridiculously good at what he does. No one likes admitting to a guy who knows he's a rare talent that he's right.
 
 The story behind the two "Love Is Hell" EP's is that last year Mr. Adams's label, Lost Highway Records, rejected a CD he recorded as "Love Is Hell." In its place the label released "Rock N Roll," full of more upbeat, up-tempo music more likely to be played on the radio. As a concession to Mr. Adams's productivity, Lost Highway agreed to release the two "Love Is Hell" EP's, which mix music from the scrapped CD with newer songs, without promotion. While "Rock N Roll" is a strong CD, it's a shame to think that songs as heart-stopping as "My Blue Manhattan" and "I See Monsters" (on "pt. 2") might never have been released.
 
 Luke Lewis, the president of Lost Highway, has said in interviews that the label did not release "Love Is Hell" because he thought it showed no growth since Mr. Adams's previous CD's. The label's problems with this material highlight three major flaws with the way record companies release and market music, even at a relatively artist-friendly, music-focused place like Lost Highway. These flaws are the beliefs that an artist may release and promote only one major CD a year, that each CD must be an artistic progression from the last and that there should at least be a few songs on each CD that have a shot at being played on commercial radio.
 
 All this leaves a songwriter like Mr. Adams artistically homeless: he records songs whenever the inspiration strikes, which is often; he is concerned not with consistency or making one song better than the last, but with capturing his mood and inclination at a particular moment; and his best work remains his most downbeat. In many ways these are among the hallmarks of artists whose repertory â?? be it hit or miss â?? endures.
 
 Billy Corgan, in an interview in The New York Times, said that he would like his group Smashing Pumpkins either to be the biggest band in the world or to have a small cult following loyal to its every word. Mr. Adams has shown promise at both of these extremes: as a hitmaker and as a cult favorite.
 
 "Love Is Hell, pt. 2" is ultimately an EP for the cult audience, in the spirit of Nick Drake or Chris Bell, though it also has echoes of Prince, Bob Dylan and the Smiths. Nearly every song seems to move in aching slow motion, slowly morphing into a freeze frame of self-recrimination or, at the EP's most down moment, the death of a child. The music and lyrics evoke the singer lying in bed alone and sick in the Chelsea Hotel at Christmastime, troubled by unrequited love, the inaccessibility of God and the miserable weather. And most importantly, there's not a bad song here.

[allmy$to930]

As a fan of his older stuff (Whiskeytown, Heartbreaker), I found the show to be pretty disappointing. The new stuff is just plain generic. When he does play the acoustic stuff (2-4 songs last night), you realize how incredibly talented the guy is.
 
 In this month's GQ there is an article about him and I thought it really resonated. The article talked about the number of people that are angry with him for changing his style/genre. I am included in this group. For a while I was downright furious about his change (and all of his antics). In the article he is quoted as saying something to the effect of "I am just playing songs and having fun. Nobody is forcing you to listen." After seeing him last night, it is undeniable that he is having fun and you certainly can't blame somebody for that.

[ggw]

Anybody have an opinion on the Stills set?

[Shoddywork]

"After seeing him last night, it is undeniable that he is having fun and you certainly can't blame somebody for that."
 
 Sure you can, watch:
 
 Motherfucking cock-slurping pony boy, I'll curbstomp Ryan Adams ass next time I smell his boney glib-glib on the snoweee streeeets of this DC of Districts.  If you have fun again, yer gonna regret itt buddy,  Gret re grettery. This is what we have in store for you.  Better look both ways, punky. I have you number, rerun.
 
 There, now let's hug and exchange virus.

[lily1]

i too prefer the whiskeytown stuff over his solo stuff. i'm really surprised he didn't do more of his well known stuff--come pick me up, easy heart (oh i love that song), sweet carolina, new york, etc. i would have preferred even those over the crap from rock n roll. and only 2-3 songs from love is hell pt 1.
 
 sorry, ggw, missed the stills.

[sleeping_bag]

i thought the stills set was strong.  as they said, though, it was downright impossible to look good after the stunning genius that was the surprise opening set by Whorenett, but that's show biz, i guess.
 
 i also seem to have enjoyed the ryan adams show more than anyone who's spoken up so far.

[eltee]

Originally posted by ggwâ?¢:
  Anybody have an opinion on the Stills set?

They definitely seem to have a good sense of humor...They came out about 10 minutes prior to their set, bashing their guitars and drums, dressed "incognito", while Ryan played the drums. Honestly, looking around, I don't think the crowd noticed and thought this was a "real" performance.
 I thought they were good. Good stage presence, solid singing and playing. I'd need to give them another listen though as to whether or not I'd get into them. I didn't buy the cd.
 I like their sound...can't think who to compare to just yet.
 The crowd didn't seem to know what to make of them until the last three songs.

[grotty]

Defintely one of the strangest shows I've ever been to.
 
 Whorenet was funny & good (if you got it) - I thought the Stills were a real treat. Bought the CD & it's highly enjoyable.
 
 I almost walked out after about 5 songs into Ryan Adams. Then he play "Wish You Were Here" 3 times in a row & things at least got interesting. It was almost like he was testing the crowd - if they were willing to put up with the crap he was playing & then even playing it repeatedly - he would reward them. I think the solo acoustic set was just that. For as unhappy as I think most people are with his style change - the crowd was absolutley rapt during his solo set. I don't think I've ever seen the 9:30 like that. The only comparison I can think of is Jeff Buckley at the old club. And the strange thing is...I don't think he deserved it. I think he's very lucky the crowd responded to him the way they did - I only heard one half-hearted "Summer of 69" call. Once he realized the crowd was tame and on his side his demeanor changed completely. Just like the new record - the third segment of the show was one big rock n roll cliche - climbing the amp stacks - crowd surfing with the mic - high fives everywhere. It's truly amazing that this is the same guy I once saw with Whiskeytown have to run off stage and puke because he was so nervous and near meltdown.
 
 ************
 
 How about him climbing up onto the balcony & getting locked out?! The guitar tech had to cover for him until they could get someone up there to let him down. Pretty funny.

[grotty]

Originally posted by Bagster:
  This isn't about the show, but from today's NY Times.  Thought it would be of interest to anyone who did go to the show....
 
 
 Luke Lewis, the president of Lost Highway, has said in interviews that the label did not release "Love Is Hell" because he thought it showed no growth since Mr. Adams's previous CD's. The label's problems with this material highlight three major flaws with the way record companies release and market music, even at a relatively artist-friendly, music-focused place like Lost Highway. These flaws are the beliefs that an artist may release and promote only one major CD a year, that each CD must be an artistic progression from the last and that there should at least be a few songs on each CD that have a shot at being played on commercial radio.
 
 

Very interesting - this is the same label that dropped the Drive-by Truckers when they presented Decoration Day for release - which is arguably their best record. D Day is now showing up on many year-end best lists. I can't believe in hindsight that Lost Highway is happy with that decision.
 
 Good old Ryan ought to follow the DBT lead and move over to New West or back to Bloodshot if he really is still interested in 'artist integrity'.

[Charlie Nakatestes, Japanese Golfer]

Nice review Grotty, but what we really want to know is how butch Ryan is and if there were any hot lesbians groping each other at the show?
 
     

Originally posted by grotty:
  Defintely one of the strangest shows I've ever been to.
 
 Whorenet was funny & good (if you got it) - I thought the Stills were a real treat. Bought the CD & it's highly enjoyable.
 
 I almost walked out after about 5 songs into Ryan Adams. Then he play "Wish You Were Here" 3 times in a row & things at least got interesting. It was almost like he was testing the crowd - if they were willing to put up with the crap he was playing & then even playing it repeatedly - he would reward them. I think the solo acoustic set was just that. For as unhappy as I think most people are with his style change - the crowd was absolutley rapt during his solo set. I don't think I've ever seen the 9:30 like that. The only comparison I can think of is Jeff Buckley at the old club. And the strange thing is...I don't think he deserved it. I think he's very lucky the crowd responded to him the way they did - I only heard one half-hearted "Summer of 69" call. Once he realized the crowd was tame and on his side his demeanor changed completely. Just like the new record - the third segment of the show was one big rock n roll cliche - climbing the amp stacks - crowd surfing with the mic - high fives everywhere. It's truly amazing that this is the same guy I once saw with Whiskeytown have to run off stage and puke because he was so nervous and near meltdown.
 
 ************
 
 How about him climbing up onto the balcony & getting locked out?! The guitar tech had to cover for him until they could get someone up there to let him down. Pretty funny.

[kurosawa-b/w]

I thought Whorenet was hilarious and was laughing loudly throughout their "powerful" set. You are right about people not getting it or recognizing Ryan. I kept receiving strange looks. (Do people not have a sense of humor?!) The screaming vocals were the best part.
 
 I had the same reaction to the Stills that I had the first time I saw them... Basically, I think they are interesting musically and create some beautiful soundscapes. Unfortunately, the vocals ruin it for me. I find the vocals distracting.  So I liked their energy (the guitarist is very intense) but not the overall result.
 
 As for Ryan, I agree with grotty. The first few songs were from the new album that I don't like, and I started to worry that the evening might be disappointing. But then they played Wish You Were Here 3 times (the song got better each time) and the evening went from being somewhat boring/routine to entertaining and fun. I thought the band picked up on the goofiness and the mood visibly lightened. From then, it was just a romp. Ryan started talking (always a treat -he is surprisingly witty) and interacting with the crowd. Then they played that superb song where they all crowded around one mic -which was the highlight of the night for me. From where I was, the crowd got very involved. The acoustic encore was stellar. I also have never heard the 9:30 so completely silent. And then the last two songs -very fun. Who doesn't love a surprise 2nd encore? Total time on stage: 2+ hours.
 
 So overall a good night. I, too, prefer his ballads and non-Rock N Roll songs. And I think the last show -where he played solo- was a better show. But I really enjoyed myself last night and that was all I was looking for.  Plus I think the band had a great time (and the crowd wasn't obnoxious!).

[Bags]

Originally posted by kurosawa-b/w:
  But then they played Wish You Were Here 3 times (the song got better each time) and the evening went from being somewhat boring/routine to entertaining and fun.

I don't know a thing about Ryan Adams, except a bit of the hype, so I'm asking out of ignorance as well as curiosity.  I don't understand generically why it's a good thing he played a song three times in a row?  Clearly I'm missing something -- how did that work, and not only work, but pick the evening up?

[grotty]

Originally posted by Rhett Miller:
 [QB] Nice review Grotty, but what we really want to know is how butch Ryan is and if there were any hot lesbians groping each other at the show?
 
       
 
 He commented that he was attracted to the "hot" drummer for Whorenet, who was actually...well, him.
 
 ******************
 
 Bagster - tough to explain the song being played 3 x.  At first I thought the crowd would get ugly - the timing seemed bad - they had come out flat playing their worst material. But about 1/2 way through the second rendition, the crowd was actually cheering. And after the third time it was just a big joke for the rest of the show. Many recurring requests for Wish You Were Here. It ended up being a brilliant move. It was like an approval for him to do whatever he wanted. It almost seemed to me like a cloud lifted - the show entirely changed and just became a fun interactive event. He was smilng like a jack o lantern the rest of the night.
 
 It's the kind of move that could just as easily have backfired though. Say like in Philly on some evenings. I been in some crowds there that would have chewed him up.

[lily1]

i must be the sole person that found it obnoxious and pointless.
 
 when he played london a few weeks ago the show was 3 hours and he was much less trashed than he was last night. not to say that 2 years ago he wasn't totally sloshed. there was a lot of potential last night and he just didn't reach his full capacity. it doesn't help that his latest album is utter shit either (rock n roll, i like love is hell)
 
 and if you want quiet, you should have been at damien rice the night before. now that was a hell of a show.
 
 

Originally posted by Bagster:
 

I don't know a thing about Ryan Adams, except a bit of the hype, so I'm asking out of ignorance as well as curiosity.  I don't understand generically why it's a good thing he played a song three times in a row?  Clearly I'm missing something -- how did that work, and not only work, but pick the evening up? [/QB][/QUOTE]