This is the long-rumored "best of" CD of various recording sessions Ryan collected during 2001, and while it is a mixed bag, and certainly not up to par to either "Heartbreaker" or "Gold", it contains enough good stuff to tie us over to the proper follow-up to "Gold", due Spring 2003.

At 45 min. (compared to the sprawling "Gold"), this is a more focused serving of Ryan's wandering mind and music. "Nuclear" (issued as a single in Europe) is a great start. The Ethan Johns-produced and influenced tracks (3 of them) are great and could have fitted nicely on "Gold", particularly "Hallelujah". The best track on the album is the intimate "Reason to Cry". Haunting also is the sad "Tomorrow" (co-written by Carrie Hamilton (Caroll Burnett's daughter), then Ryan's significant other, who subsequently passed away and to whom the album is dedicated). Other great tracks are "Dear Chicago" and "Chin Up Cheer Up". Not good at all is "Starting to Hurt", with Ryan sounding like a Bryan Adams clone (urrghh), raspy voice and all.

I am really looking forward to the next "real" Ryan album. Meanwhile we will do with this.

I am an old Whiskeytown fan, and since they are gone have really enjoyed Ryan's work. Heartbreaker is one of my favorite recordings, but I must admit last year's Gold cd didn't thrill me, though it had some awesome moments. I probably need to re-listen to that, given that since I picked up this new Demolition cd yesterday I have listened to it over and over. The first listen I thought "interesting". Some good rockin' numbers and a number of slow, haunting songs. By the third time I was hooked.

There may not be any "hits" here (although "Nuclear" and "Hallelujah" are both wonderful, upbeat, catchy tunes) but every song (with maybe the exception of "Tennessee Sucks", which does definitely seem like a song for an outtakes album, even though it's not bad) is interesting. What especially continues to grab me about Adams is his voice. It can just sound so different from song to song, cd to cd. Always strong, resonating, sometimes pained sometimes joyful and hopeful.

Don't dismiss this as an outtakes or demo cd...this is strong stuff. Only took me two listens to fall in love. It definitely caught me much quicker than Gold.

Ryan Adams `Demolition'


`Demolition' is Ryan's collection of demo's "left over" from the various recording sessions in Nashville, Los Angeles and Stockholm circa `Gold'. Indeed, this album seems to be the flipside of his second album proper and is best described as `a bit of a mixed bag, but mostly good'. On the record he works with backing band the Pinkhearts, Gillian Welch, `Heartbreaker' collaborator David Rawlings, `Heartbreaker' and `Gold' producer Ethan Johns, Carrie Hamilton Chris Stills, Bucky Baxter and Greg Leisz.

Tracks include the pleasant country tracks, but mildly disappointing, `Desire' and `Hallelujah', which is nothing more than a second rate `Firecracker' from `Gold'. In contrast, acoustic ditties such as the Nick Drake-like `You Will Always Be The Same' and the brilliant and emotive `Cry On Demand' rank among Adams' best work. The albums highlight is `Tomorrow', and the fact that it was co-written with Carrie Hamilton, a friend of Ryan's who appears on the sleeve of `Gold' who later died from cancer, makes the song seem even more touching. It is a beautiful solo acoustic track with excellent duel vocals from Ryan and Gillian Welch. Elsewhere, `Jesus (Don't Touch My Baby)', although one of the weaker tracks on the album, is another emotional song about when the author first found out about Carrie Hamilton's cancer.

Other highlights include lead single `Nuclear' is an excellent opener which ranks with Ryan's best songs, and `Starting To Hurt' is a bass-line lead rocker about a woman jumping from the top of a building, which is another touching moment once you know the story behind the song. However, for every good track, there is one which disappoints. `Gimme A Sign' is pedestrian and easily forgotten, and `Tennessee Sucks' is quite nice but again not very memorable. However, considering that this is a collection of "unfinished demo's" (which is hard to believe when you listen to this record) then these are only minor flaws, as `She Wants To Plays Hearts', `Dear Chicago' and `Chin Up, Cheer Up' are all welcome on the record.

Therefore, not as complete as his previous two "proper" studio albums but at only 13 tracks it makes it a bit easier to listen to than the 16 tracks of `Gold'. As far as albums go, this isn't bad at all, but as far as demo collections go, this is excellent. Another essential Ryan Adams record.

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.