11 Ryan Adams - Ashes & Fire

When Ryan Adams said he was retiring from music, I thought the same thing everyone else did:

"Yeah, right."

This guy can't NOT make records. The details are that Ménière's disease, sobriety, and a bad reputation led Ryan to reevaluate his role in music today. Consider Ashes & Fire his statement. Some call it a 'return to form,' but the fact of the matter is, Ryan Adams has always done what Ryan Adams wants. In some ways, this record does remind you of Heartbreaker. It's not quite as dusty. It has the melancholy and reverb of Love Is Hell, the independence and simplicity of 29. It's also not a Cardinals album. I don't think he'll ever match those masterpieces of 2005, Cold Roses and Jacksonville City Nights. Ashes & Fire isn't full of twang and attitude like those records were.

Ashes & Fire is a new Ryan Adams. It's a solid record from a seasoned songwriter. He's comfortable and confident in this set, and it's produced quite well by Glyn Johns, son of Heartbreaker producer, Ethan Johns. The arrangements are pretty simple, with the occasional accent instrument coming in, and that simplicity allows the songs to shine. Ryan's voice is also very strong and natural throughout and he never over sings. It's a great fall/winter album, as well. I'm not sure that he plans it, but Ryan seems to always release his albums in the appropriate season. Sounds good in headphones, too.

Welcome back to the party, Ryan, even though you never left.

Download: "Ashes & Fire" - "Lucky Now"