The prolific recording career of singer/songwriter Ryan Adams continues with this double album. And it finds Adams performing what he knows best; songs that revolve around his own experiences of tortured love and life. There’s also a stronger country rock vibe in an album that comes close to bettering his original debut release, the classic HEARTBREAKER.

The opening track Magnolia Montain is a stunner full of country guitar riffs, superb lyrics, a characteristically strong melody, and Adams in strong, expressive voice. Production quality is also superb and every wonderful instrument comes into sharp focus. Sweet Illusions is next and this moving song sustains the musical quality and sound. Meadowlake Street is the sweetest, most haunting acoustic song where Adams’ voice goes higher than I’ve ever heard before. The middle-eight signals a crescendo of sound with the introduction of more instruments that finally sees this epic song to its conclusion. Magnificent. Beautiful Sorta is an altogether more raucous country rock affair with pounding guitars and an echoed vocal. This fabulous track is followed by the slow and stunning Now That You’ve Come which finds Adams in contemplative mood, on a song capable of making a grown man cry. This first CD is some of Adams finest and most moving work.

The second CD offers a more diversely paced song collection opening with the strong country vibe of Easy Plateau, and another brilliant start. It also provides a strong showcase for the performer’s wonderful backing band The Cardinals. The upbeat vibe continues with the bouncing and racing Let It Ride which is sure to get your toes tapping uncontrollably. The gears moves down a couple of slots with the mid-paced beauty Rosebud with Adams almost whispering the lyrics against a backdrop of mournful, swaying country guitars. And there’s even some songs that could dent the singles chart such as If I Am A Stranger and Cold Roses thrown in for good measure. This CD also contains my highlight of the album, the piano led and utterly beautiful Blossom. This gentle, slow-moving song comes with a major melody and fabulous instrumental touches, in addition to a sincere Adams vocal. This could be my song of the year.

Since witnessing Adams in solo live performance in Manchester a few years ago (when he caused great concern to the powers-that-be when he decided to provide an encore that amounted to another show, going way past curfew time) I have admired this man’s work with few exceptions. This album eschews record company ambitions for a more pop/rock Adams and perhaps more sales. It is Adams doing what he does best and results in an album that every lover of alt-country should own (and cherish). Essential.

5/5