Ryan Adams Love Is Hell 1 Genres:Country, Alternative Rock, Folk, Pop, Rock 2003 EP recorded in New Orleans of this year. This international edition features two exclusive bonus tracks, 'Caterwaul' (a duet between Adams & Leona Naess) & 'Halloween' (featuring The Strokes' Fab Moretti on... more » drums). Ten tracks in all including his beautiful version of Oasis' 'Wonderwall'. Lost Highway. 2003.« less
2003 EP recorded in New Orleans of this year. This international edition features two exclusive bonus tracks, 'Caterwaul' (a duet between Adams & Leona Naess) & 'Halloween' (featuring The Strokes' Fab Moretti on drums). Ten tracks in all including his beautiful version of Oasis' 'Wonderwall'. Lost Highway. 2003.
CD Reviews
An embarrasment of riches
03/09/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Once I was able to let go of the alt country/Whiskeytown era of his career, Ryan Adams really started to stun me with his talent and range, nowhere more so than Love is Hell pt. 1 and 2. The more I listen to this album, seeming to channel so many artists (to my ear, Jeff Buckley, Pearl Jam, Nick Drake, too many to mention) and also, sounding completely original at the same time, the more I can't believe my ears. The ease with which he can switch genres and sounds, with a different feel and voice to every song, really makes me wonder how fellow musicians who hone their signature sound must secretly feel about his embarrasment of riches. Love is Hell stands out to me because of its tremendous depth and sincerity, something that at times takes a backseat to his cleverness and talent (Gold, to me, is an example of that). Every song on this record makes me stop and feel inspired, with the possible exception of the Wonderwall cover (which I may be alone in thinking is the weak spot on the record, maybe a favorite because it is accessible, I don't know. The original is too spot on to improve). In short, this record (one record, it doesn't make sense as two EPs) is brilliant, and deeply felt."
A Fragile Masterpiece
11/12/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"How dumb are record companies? This collection of songs narrowly escaped the discard pile at Lost Highway despite being the very best work Adams has done since "Heartbreaker". Moody, intense and at times, painfully beautiful, Love is Hell 1 is destined to be a classic.Favourite tracks include "The Shadowlands" (echoes of low-fi Springsteen), "This House is Not For Sale" (which wouldn't be out of place on any Whiskeytown album) and the despairing "Afraid Not Scared". The much discussed cover of "Wonderwall" leads a catchy if fairly insipid pop song into territory the Brothers Gallagher could never have imagined. This is intelligent music by one of the most talented songwriters around. As for Lost Highway - perhaps they should find a pretty boy-band to promote - I hear they sell lots of albums."
Love is hell but this CD isn't.
gemini_j | Canada | 01/13/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Turn off the lights, have a glass of wine, and listen to this album. This is brilliant stuff. This was meant to be the official follow up to his 2001 album GOLD, but Lost Highway shelved the album and asked him to record something more mainstream, which he did with ROCK N ROLL (which is good in its own right, but it can't compare to this or his other work). So ROCK N ROLL was released as the official follow up, and the LOVE IS HELL sessions were released as two EPs (although now I've heard that Lost Highway is going to release it as one disc, why they didn't do this initially remains to be seen). Part One of LOVE IS HELL is really good, even better than Part Two if you ask me. It opens with the piano ballad "Political Scientist", moving into the dark ballad "Afraid Not Scared". The tempo is kicked up a little on "This House Is Not For Sale" and the title track, which are both great songs. He does a really great cover of Oasis' "Wonderwall", with haunting vocals and arrangements. The last three songs, "The Shadowlands", "World War 24" and "Avalanche" are brilliant songs, that should not be missed. This is essential Ryan Adams to own, and should not be missed. Among some of the best work he's ever done in his career."
"Love is Hell", but this CD is not
Matt Harris | Columbia, MO USA | 11/05/2003
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Those of you who love the alt-country version of Ryan Adams will be disappointed to some extent but this album seems to harken somewhat back to "Heartbreaker." It is distinctly British with the jangly guitars and understated melodies. The ep is also dark in its scope and starkly different from Gold in almost every way. "This House is Not for Sale" is the best track on this disc while "Political Scientist" seems to be the most unneccessary. "Shadowlands" channels "Sylvia Plath" and the cover of "Wonderwall" is very good. What is the most striking though about this album is that it is so much stronger lyrically than Rock n' Roll. The melodies are more descernable and hooks abound in the least likely places. It's surprising that Lost Highway would want to keep this album off the shelves and instead force Ryan to make another completely different record. "Love is Hell" has a greater sense of cohesiveness that was absent to a great extent on "Gold" or even on "Demolition." The influence of the Smiths and Joy Division is quite apparent. Adams seems to take on this genre well. The truest test though will be to listen to "Love is Hell pt. 2" and decide just how good an album these two EP's would have made. Until then, pick this up and skip out on Rock n' Roll if you want more than fluff."
An Intriguing Space In Ryan's Career
Kevin Scott | Chicago, IL | 11/12/2003
(3 out of 5 stars)
"Love Is Hell...Ok, Ryan's been trying to illustrate this point for years now, right? Not a big fan of the name of this album/EP, but the music is far from poor. Upon first listen, I was bit...bored. But of course this was following a day of sinking into his other, "official release," RockNRoll...which is nearly a polar opposite of Love Is Hell. Two very different moods from Ryan (and both valid and artistic). But Love Is Hell will grow on you - - like mold on wet wood. It's a dreary, half-dreaming, black and white daydream from the bottom of the bottle (of something numbingly strong). But Ryan's been here before and he's "experienced," if not a bit resistant to such toxins. What I like about this record is the production quality about it. There's a lot (very quietly) going on in there. A tempered rage, too tired to break the skin...but potent enough to break your heart. Sure, this "is the Ryan Adams everyone thinks they want to hear." It's certainly the Ryan Adams we're told we want to hear anyway. If you read anything about the time and space of this album (where/when it was recorded and how Ryan was coping at the time), we might better understand the artist himself. This album is wrenchingly cold and spooky. I'm not sure Ryan "enjoyed making this record," but I get the feeling that the process of making it was important to him...and for him. It's tough...love that is. Especially when you have so much to give. Sometimes we just don't know where or how to begin."
