Track Listing

1. This Is It
2. Shallow
3. 1974
4. Wish You Were Here
5. So Alive
6. Luminol
7. Burning Photographs
8. She's Lost Total Control
9. Note To Self: Don't Die
10. Rock N Roll
11. Anybody Wanna Take Me Home
12. Do Miss America
13. Boys
14. The Drugs Don't Work
15. Hypnotixed

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #10261 in Music
• Released on: 2003-11-03
• Number of discs: 1
• Formats: Explicit Lyrics, Extra tracks
• Dimensions: .21 pounds
• Running time: 52 minutes

Amazon.co.uk Review
Enjoyment of Rock N Roll--Ryan Adams' follow up to his alt-country hit, Gold--is largely dependant on both your approach to it and your knowledge of rock's rich history. There's definitely plenty to enjoy, if you look in the right places and don't focus so much on others. If you know zilch about music, but love gritty, rough and ready rock with big, fat slices of tunes, crunching guitars and attitude, then this will make you growl. If you loved Gold, but secretly hoped something rockier would emerge after Adams's much publicised socialising with the Strokes and tribute-paying to Noel Gallagher, then this may be your record of the year. However, if you know your stuff, then you may feel uneasy. Not disappointed, but a little cheated. Why? Because, internal record-company politics and artistic tantrums aside, this is more Ryan Adams "In the Style of..." than anything else. For instance, "This Is It" sounds exactly like a Strokes song would sound, "Shallow" is Definitely Maybe-era Oasis (even down to the stolen T-Rex riff) and "So Alive" is 1980s U2.

That isn't to say the songs aren't anything short of fantastic (especially the almost ethereal, emotional "So Alive" ("Today I watched the boats / Moving through the harbour / Walking on water / In your arms I stay")--great melodies, great guitar work. But you have to wonder, why. Thinking about that can only diminish enjoyment. It's not his best work, but still damn good dirty fun. --Cortman Virtue

CD Description
'Rock 'n' Roll' is the fourth album from the former Whiskeytown frontman Ryan Adams. The album, a more electric affair than previous work, features Adams's successful blend of alt. country, garage and pop and sees him joined by guests including ex-Hole bassist Melissa Auf De Maur, Green Day frontman Billie Joe Armstrong, and actress Parker Posey.

Customer Reviews

Need for perspective!
Although this album may have been released to get his record label off his back, it ain't bad at all! I believe that some people need a reality check! This album has been slated, mainly by fans of Ryan Adams early solo work, especially 'Heartbreaker' and his work with 'Whiskeytown' (both excellent). I feel that this album shows his ability to express himself differently and effectively, stressing his skill as a musician. Adams has also spoken about how fun this album was to record (checkout www.losthighwayrecords.com for 30 minute interview with Ryan Adams). It has given him the opportunity to pay tribute to artists which he admires for example The Smiths, Oasis and The Strokes. 'So Alive', the big single from this album sees Adams singing at times in a fashion which is not too dissimilar to Morrissey. My favourite two songs are 'Luminol' and 'Burning Photographs'. Don't be misguided this is a very good album which simply shows a different dimension to Ryan Adams and his music. Also checkout 'Gold' and 'Demolition', as well as work by his good friend Jesse Malin.

Genius, an intelligent rock record.
First of all, don't expect rock N roll to be similar in musical style to anything he has done before. None of the delicate mysterious whisper of heartbreaker, none of the sweet country melody of gold. However, he has already made these records, why would he want to do them again.

Before you start shouting "traitor" and begin to call for the end of his career, you must realise that what still remains is the great songwriting and the it factor. Ryan is not and has never been doing anything different to anyone else. So why does he have such a following? What he has, is the ability to make us believe in a song. Whatever the weather.

His record company, one famous for releasing fairly popular mainstream country rock, rejected ryan's proper follow up to gold for being "too dark." Having heard love is hell, it was probably a mistake not to release it, as it is probably his best work, even surpassing Heartbreaker. Therefore, Ryan had to please the company.

He set out to rock and that is exactly what he has done. He has not made a record about himself but about his record collection. Dont expect particularly clever lyrics or anything orginal-(what is these days?). I mean he calls the album Rock n roll, and calls songs "shallow" and note to self: don't die. Its hardly as though he was trying to be clever, however, this is exactly how he is being clever. He knew people would look furthr into it than face value which is why he tried to be so obvious.

This is good old fashioned fun. Designed to be played loudly and not thought about particulary hard. Of course Ryan adds some clever touches- the title is actually spelt backwords- llor N kcor, and the only track which isnt straight up rock N roll is actually called Rock N roll. Irony? Surely not?

"Shallow" is ryan doing oasis's cigarettes and alcohol. "So Alive" is a majestic U2/ Jeff Buckley epic. One of the greatest songs of the year- it just soars. Other favourites are "luminol", "burning photographs", and "anybody want to take me home". The latter could be mistaken for the greatest song the smiths never wrote.

There are a few filler tracks, but they still have their merits. The record is also a grower, dont expect to be hit immediately by the swing of it. The record is definitely a tribute to all of ryans influences. He is having fun at the expense of his record company.

Different to anything he has ever done. He has had some bad reviews about this because everybody wanted another Heartbreaker. They claim he is hiding from himself behind gimmiks. If you want something better than heartbreaker look at love is hell. That shows what ryan really wanted to put out. Now we are the ones who win, as we get love is hell and Rock N roll. The fact that he can take on any genre in any style and succeed, really highlights his genius and shows us he is really the greatest songwriter of his generation.
Have fun.

Interesting
I swear the amazon guy who wrote the review read my mind.....!! Exactly what i was going to say - Yes its not Adams finest work - but too many people expect these good singer songwriters to consistantly top what they did last time - losing the appreciation of what they have actually accomplished.

Yes it is true that if you are a music purist - you may not enjoy this as it is not adams writing his 'own' music - yes he did write it but with a deliberate attempt to sound like other bands - tribute or not - they do sound like Oasis, U2 Strokes, Green day - and 1974 which sounds awfully like the Stooges '1969'.

It is more accessible than his lat rock stuff - and just as enjoyable - just buy it and appreciate it is not the album of his career but listen to some damn good popular rock....