Ryan Adams

AMERICANA

After three albums in 2005 (two were doubles) and a batch of nonsense online ‘releases’, Americana’s poster boy has put his energies into one album. And it’s easily his most consistent work to date. In fact, consistency’s been Adam’s worst enemy of late: he’s seemingly intent on releasing anything he puts to tape. Easy Tiger may not be a masterpiece but the quality control is high (closing track ‘I Taught Myself . . .’ is beautiful).

You still can’t shake the feeling that, with a bit of focus, every Ryan Adams album could be a classic. But then he wouldn’t be half as much fun.

(Andrew Borthwick)