Jacksonville City Nights
Arguably the most eclectically prolific artist since Prince, Ryan Adams continues his chameleon revivalism with his most straightforward country music to date. Having evoked the inspiration of bands ranging fromT. Rexto theGrateful Deadon previous solo releases, the formerWhiskeytownfrontman here channels the likes ofFaron Youngon "My Heart Is Broken," while framing the shot-and-a-beer opener, "A Kiss Before I Go," with honky-tonk piano and pedal steel. "Seems like I'm always movin'," he sings amid the rockabilly kick of "Trains," as the album finds his restless muse ranging from a dreamy duet withNorah Joneson "Dear John" to naked vulnerability reminiscent ofJohn Lennonon "Silver Bullets." Only Adams would cut a track titled "The End" and sequence it second on the CD, or a song called "Peaceful Valley" and inject it with so much emotion.--Don McLeeseRecommended Ryan Adams DiscographyHeartbreakerGoldLove Is HellWhiskeytown,PneumoniaWhiskeytown,Stranger's AlmanacWhiskeytown,Faithless Street