Ryan Adams
by Ryan Adams
Metascore
77

Generally favorable reviews - based on 35 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 29 out of 35
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 35
  3. Negative: 0 out of 35
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  1. Pitchfork
    Sep 15, 2014
    60
    Ryan Adams is a persuasively dark album, one defined by themes of struggle, instability, isolation, and regret.
  2. The Guardian
    Sep 4, 2014
    60
    Tthis self-titled album is monolithic, bombastic, urgent. It doesn't pay to listen closely to the lyrics, because what emerges is repetition.
  3. DIY Magazine
    Sep 4, 2014
    60
    Equally, whilst there are no real lows on the album, the highs are equally not of the sky-scraping variety, ‘Let Go’ ending the album on a quiet if easily forgettable note.
  5. The A.V. Club
    Sep 9, 2014
    58
    Ryan Adams is, for better or for worse, just another Ryan Adams record--but neither Adams nor his fans seem to have a problem with that.
  6. Record Collector
    Sep 17, 2014
    40
    Much of the album refuses to stick, drifting from one similar-sounding song to another.
  7. Slant Magazine
    Sep 8, 2014
    40
    He may have matured in the last 14 years, but there's no indication that's been good for his music, which on Ryan Adams feels lazier and more watered down than ever before.

Awards & Rankings

15
#15 Most Shared Album of 2014

User Reviews

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User Score
8.0

Generally favorable reviews- based on 39 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 33 out of 39
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 39
  3. Negative: 3 out of 39
  1. hayceelynt_2
    Sep 10, 2014
    2
    Deathly, deathly dull. I have read some critical reviews describing this as Adam's 'stadium rock' album, which is a pretty apt description.Deathly, deathly dull. I have read some critical reviews describing this as Adam's 'stadium rock' album, which is a pretty apt description.

    Turgid and boring.    … Full Review »
  2. Padraig
    Sep 13, 2014
    4
    Ooh such a pedestrian sounding record form an artist who appears to be suffering from a crisis of musical confidence. This west coast softOoh such a pedestrian sounding record form an artist who appears to be suffering from a crisis of musical confidence. This west coast soft rock comes flavoured with a definite Tom Petty -esque blandness. Why are critics calling this record some kind of return to form ? Ashes and Fire, his last album is far better. 'Feels Like Fire' is possibly the only track which would make it on any list of his best efforts.… Full Review »
  3. ColinN
    Sep 10, 2014
    9
    This is Ryan Adams at his best Ryan Adams. A man of many moods, tempos, angles, and approaches to every song and every album. What makes thisThis is Ryan Adams at his best Ryan Adams. A man of many moods, tempos, angles, and approaches to every song and every album. What makes this album intriguing is, instead of Adam's usual kitchen sink approach with things ranging from alt-country to rock to intimate to yearning, he stays mostly in the same frame of music throughout. He uses often the same guitars and effect pedals, similarly mic'd drumset, even tempos in a few places, but pulls it off as only Adams can do. While this album will please his real fanbase, it's a good album for anyone looking for some great music.… Full Review »
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