Album Reviews

Ryan Adams is a song-writing machine. With over 206 tracks recorded, the 33-year-old singer/songwriter has amassed a deep and thorough song library. In 2007, he released two albums, an LP and an EP. His 2007 LP, Easy Tiger , received rave reviews and debuted at #7 on the Billboard Top 200 chart. While Easy Tiger was recorded during a time when Adams was going through Valium therapy to beat his heroin addiction, the EP Follow The Lights was written during a rare time of sobriety. Adams’ clear (er) mind state really shows.

The EP is a well-focused effort, bringing together folk-rock, Adams’ famous alt-country, a superb cover and a beautiful duet. The album is peppered with affectionate love songs, and brooding tales of woe. His band, The Cardinals, supplement Adams’ excellent vocals. Their skillful playing really brings the album together. Adams chooses to do only one song solo, “If I Am a Stranger.” Even without The Cardinals’ help, Adams keeps a subtle, yet defined intensity to his poetic lyrical statement.

The EP features a chilling cover of Alice In Chains’ 1992 “Down In a Hole.” The track is fantastically recorded, and perfect for Adams and his band. From the first attack of the big kick drum, to Adams’ ghostly and ominous vocals, “Down In a Hole” keeps one speechless.

The rest of the album, much like Adams’ Valium regimen, is easy to swallow, with singsong melodies and more great vocals. However, the EP’s final track brings it all together in a superlative fashion. “Dear John,” the final series of microgrooves on the EP, presents The Cardinals in full force. With brilliant playing through the soft, yet inviting melodies, The Cardinals prove to be an excellent match for Adams' cross-genre style. The song is a duet, with none other than female-vocalist superstar, Norah Jones.

Sonically, the album is very good. Even though it is just a standard pressing, it exhibits a vast dynamic range, and very low surface noise. The majority of the album is sonically pleasing, but “Dear John” is something special. Excellently recorded is The Cardinal’s guitar playing, and the kick drum strikes will challenge even the best system’s low frequency control. The duo’s harmonious singing is eerily spread across the soundstage, imparting that elusive “in the studio” experience. Overall, Ryan Adams’ Follow The Lights is a well-crafted and deftly recorded effort. It brings together fantastic musical textures, heavenly vocals and near-perfect musicianship to create a standout EP. Highly recommended.