Ryan Adams
Rock'n'Roll

THE REVIEW

Ryan Adams has never been an artist lacking in courage and self-esteem.
This is evidenced by the title chosen for this work, "Rock'n'Roll," and the naïve and slightly arrogant approach that emerges from these 14 tracks, far from the folk/intimate beginnings of "Heartbraker" and "Gold".
The style of Rock'n'Roll has its roots in early punk, with a somewhat crude singing style that sometimes winks at Liam Gallagher, in the "dirty" guitars, often almost mistreated by good Ryan.
There's no denying it, the result is excellent. Citational and self-referential just enough, without forgetting a subtle irony, "R'n'R" is a direct and sincere album, right from the first tracks, Is This It, Shallow and 1974, perhaps the best song on the record.
However, there are still intimate outbursts (Wish You Were Here, Rock'n'Roll, the splendid Anybody Wanna Take Me Home) and echoes of the eighties in the single So Alive, always enveloped by a somewhat adolescent rocker immediacy that seems to be his real strength.

In short, another remarkable work by a songwriter who demonstrates uncommon prolificacy and attitude. The only flaw, moreover shared with many other contemporary artists, is that originality often lags, albeit compensated by songwriting of undeniable value.
"Rock'n'Roll" is all in the title, it's old Rock. If you were looking for that, you're in the right place, otherwise, maybe not...