I look at Love Is Hell like I do most of Adams' albums. All of them are drawing on the tradition of concept albums. Each is self-contained and follows its own codes and conventions. When we think we have Adams all figured out, he hits us with a curve ball, something totally different from the previous one. After a long, complicated story (which I wasn't a part of since I'm a fairly new fan), Love Is Hell was born.
What can I say about Love Is Hell that hasn't already been said? I could say it's brilliant, but we know that. I could talk about the standout tracks, but each track slips easily and sadly into the next one and the next one. Adams hits us in this delectable offering, with lyrics that are downright, dirty depressing. These are not happy songs. They talk about drug-addicted parents, good people's children succumbing to a cruel world, lost loves, being alone, and all of them denote a feeling of utter hopelessness. The album's title track is oddly humorous, but to the point where it's even sadder. But regardless of this inherent depression, this album is like nothing else ever heard by human ears. It is immensely complicated in its delivery, and completely emotional. If one can argue that it is a concept album, it would be easy to say that Adams' character in this utter work of art is a genius (judging by the clever lyrics and the lyrics of the opening track, 'Political Scientist') who has just lost everything, and is on the road to ruin. At the end of the album, he is alone in a room at the Hotel Chelsea, reflecting on his life and losses, and discusses how tired he is of the room and 23rd Street. He's high and lonely. And this is where it leaves us. We can only assume the outcome.
Love Is Hell is a document that proves Adams' talent, legitimacy and introspective nature. Many albums today are not this powerful. They leave you feeling cold and un-responsive. But an album like this is like a walk in the rain; reflective, sensitive, and vulnerable in its misery.
The only disclaimer about this review is that, as I have mentioned in other reviews, I am a HUGE Adams fan. But I wouldn't be, had it not been for albums like this one. It's absolutely, 100% brilliant in every way. Regardless of the back story, the record label's stupidity, the arguments over whether Adams is a self-indulgent smoke-and-mirrors homage artist or not, the music 'sings' for itself, a song of sorrow, longing, wishing and waiting for something better.
