Customer Reviews

Demolition

5 star:		(24)
4 star:		(22)
3 star:		(8)
2 star:		(6)
1 star:		(6)

 

 

This is my favourite Ryan Adams album. Light and shade, brilliantly recorded, I can't believe these are songs that didn't make the previous albums. Now, granted, I have not heard every Ryan Adams album, but I certainly did hear them all at least once prior to 2006. This is my favourite.

The songcraft here is incredible. The slop served up to the masses by today's top paid songwriters is not even a slight patch on what Ryan Adams has released on Demolition. There's only one dud on the whole album, as far as I'm concered, which is the final track "Jesus (Don't Touch My Baby)". It's keyboard laden with sampled drums and doesn't fit in with the wonderful acoustic sounds elsewhere on the album.

Highlights:
"Chin Up, Cheer Up"
"Cry On Demand"
"Starting To Hurt"
"Nuclear"

Those are my favourites, but go ahead and buy the album and pick your own!

4 stars.

This is a collection of demos (hence the title Demolition) that Ryan recorded between GOLD and the release of this album. Many songs came from sessions called "The Suicide Handbook", "48 Hours", and the "Pink Hearts" demos. The songs work well as an album. I enjoy all the songs offered here, I think they are great. "Desire" is a standout, a song rumored to be written about Alanis Morissette. "Chin Up, Cheer Up" is a great song that harks back to his HEARTBREAKER days, very country in its arrangements. "Cry On Demand" is a nice ballad, the lyrics are a little harsh but it's a great song. "Starting To Hurt" is an excellent song about a woman who jumps off a building, after giving her baby to someone. "Tennessee Sucks" is a song about well...how much Tennessee sucks. "Nuclear" is a definite standout, as is "Hallelujah". "You Will Always Be The Same" is a song he wrote about Beth Orton. Two of my favorites on the album are "She Wants To Play Hearts" and "Gimme A Sign" Other highlights include "Dear Chicago", "Jesus, Don't Touch My Baby", and "Tomorrow". Overall a great collection for fans, meant to tide us over til the next album was released.

In the repertoire that is Ryan Adams solo career, this is the best. Oh, to be able to give half stars to nudge, "Demolition," above "Gold," but alas we must make the words viva la difference, so...

There is plenty to enjoy in "Demolition." The eclectic nature is its strength. "Nuclear," is Adams' Westerberg. "Tomorrow," and "Desire," are beautiful Neil Young Harvest sparse. There is Gram Parsons, Dire Straits, Steely Dan, Van Morrison, and Springsteen all thrown in for good measure. And tallied together, that puts the young Ryan in good company I'd say.

If your going to jump on the Adams bandwagon, don't hesitate. It's hitched up and ride-worthy and start it with a bang, a demolition.

I was a little unsure at first listen but as all great albums, it usually takes a few listens to appreciate the music. Ryan Adams is THE most talented singer/songer writer around based on his last 3 albums. He's still so young too! Hopefully he will continue this winning streak and be possibly regarded up there with the likes of Dylan!

As the editorials will tell you there is no rhyme or reason to this album, it goes from the driving rock on the opening track "Nuclear" to songs that fall in the realm of bluegrass and true R&B.
If you're a fan of Ryan, I don't know why you haven't picked this album up, and if you're new I suggest "Heartbreaker" or "Gold" before picking this album up,(or anything from his Whiskeytown days) but if you're of a mind, you will definately get a broad taste of Ryan's talent.

Of all the Whiskeytown, and Ryan Adams solo albums this may very well be the worst. As so often is the case with collections of b-side and rarities this work is only for the most devoted fan. None of the songs have the usual Ryan Adams bite that make me, a normally unemotional person, want to just cry. But it has all of the usual backgrounds that make his lyrics all the more powerful, so if you just listen for the music and not the words go ahead and grab this one.

very good tracks on this album.

This release is like waking up with a bad whiskeytown hangover, with a toothache and a cardboard box against your ear for a pillow. i've tried repeatedly, and can find nothing redeeming or even vaguely interesting. It gives the "y'allternative" genre a black eye.

This release is like waking up with a bad whiskeytown hangover, with a toothache and a cardboard box against your ear for a pillow. i've tried repeatedly, and can find nothing redeeming or even vaguely interesting. It gives the "y'allternative" genre a black eye.

I bought Ryan Adam's CDs in a strange arrangement: first Gold, then Heartbreaker, then Demolition. I thought Gold was sheer perfection, and then with the first listen of Heartbreaker, I was enchanted even more. I didn't even know that was possible! I loved Heartbreaker to tears and was so nervous to listen to Demolition, because I knew it would be so hard to top that disc. But I finally gave in and played it one day.

And I hated it. It didn't move me, didn't put any emotion inside me, didn't make me wanna wake up and shake down the world like Ryan had done for me before. I sadly retreated back to Heartbreaker until I ventured towards Demolition again one day, and learned that the 2nd time is a charm in some cases ;o)

"Starting to Hurt" on that 2nd time I listened through the CD grabbed me and put me on my feet and stole my heart, like all good songs should. And after that, the rest of the CD melted into my heart as well. Well, except for "Jesus Don't Touch My Baby." Dear Lord, Ryan, I know you're trying, but it's just not working. I don't know of anyone else who enjoys that song, either. But just ignore that slight mishap and remember to turn the volume up REALLY LOUD on "Starting to Hurt." And don't be afraid to cry if you need to on "Dear Chicago."

summary? If you haven't bought a Ryan Adams CD at all yet, don't start with this one. START WITH HEARTBREAKER. Then eat up every piece of Ryan that you can . . . and you WILL want to after you get a listen of that album.