Just wanted to start an appreciation thread for the genius that is Ryan Adams. I've loved Ryan since I first heard Heartbreaker, and with his latest release Love Is Hell (which has just been released as a single album rather than 2 EP's - a very good move), my love for his music has only been re-enforced. How people can say he is just depressing is beyond me. I find his music life affirming. Ive seen him live in Manchester 3 times now, and had a wicked time each time.

For those of you who havn't yet purchased Love is Hell yet, BUY IT. Its the album of the year. So many great songs. A few mediocore ones admittedly, but this album will not leave your stereo for months. Listen particularly for I See Monsters, English Girls Approximately, Hotel Chelsea Nights , the beautiful Avalanche, This House Is Not For Sale, and my favourite, The Shadowlands, .

Anyone dissillusioned with Gold or Rock N Roll (both of which I love BTW), will not be disappointed with this record. Its an album of true beauty and focuses on the craft of songwriting, something Adams excels at.

Shadowlands is haunting and beautiful. I could describe Love Is Hell the same way. Why Lost Highway rejected this I will never know. Rock N Roll is pretty good too.

I started a Ryan Adams thread months ago and didn't get much enthusiasm from others, but I'm glad someone else digs RA here. My band's doing a Ryan song to lead off our show tonight (whole set list in Org Artist section). I have Love is Hell as the two EPs, which was a rotten idea, but I'm glad they fixed it. I like it much better than Rock n' Roll. Just for fun - what would you put on a Best of Ryan Adams mix CD? (80 minutes worth)

I started a Ryan Adams thread months ago and didn't get much enthusiasm from others, but I'm glad someone else digs RA here. My band's doing a Ryan song to lead off our show tonight (whole set list in Org Artist section). I have Love is Hell as the two EPs, which was a rotten idea, but I'm glad they fixed it. I like it much better than Rock n' Roll. Just for fun - what would you put on a Best of Ryan Adams mix CD? (80 minutes worth)

Ryan is awesome, a great songwriter & performer. Also check out Whiskeytown! Watch his interviews, he is a goofball.

Saw him live three times, of which the acoustic show in december 2002 (Utrecht, Netherlands)was really breathtaking!

it's an amazing album.

I work in a law firm that specializes in foreclosure actions for mortgage companies. Ryan's track from Love is Hell entitled "This House is Not For Sale" is a really really powerful track.... I played it for some of my co-workers.

Im a huge ryan adams fan, have been for a number of years, my ryan adams collection is silly, around 20-30 cds including bootlegs. A best of?? Well i have to think about that and get back to you!! Love is Hell is great, still haven't bought the single album version yet, a bit of a rip off really when i'd already bought the EPs! I've seen him 3 times in manchester also april and november 2002 and november 2003!!

I'll get back to you with the best of...

so here's my ryan adams best of...

1. To Be Young
2. Cry On Demand
3. Don't Ask For The Water (Exile On Franklin St Version)
4. Avalanche
5. Cannonball Days
6. Halloween
7. The Rescue Blues
8. Pretenders
9. The Bar Is A Beautiful Place
10. Dear Anne
11. La Cienega Just Smiled (Suicide Handbook Version)
12. Off Broadway
13. Idiots Rule The World
14. Sweet Lil Gal

runs about 1 hr, that's my perfect ryan adams collection, nothing off rock and roll but i don't think it really fits in at all, good album but not his best by a long way. What would your best of be?