Jacksonville City Nights

Artist: Ryan Adams & the Cardinals
Label: Lost Highway
Category: Music

Average customer rating:

Media: Audio CD
Number Of Discs: 1

UPC: 602498806548
EAN: 0602498806548
ASIN: B000AOF9RU

Release Date: 2005-09-27

Jacksonville City Nights

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Tracks:

A KISS BEFORE I GO
THE END
HARD WAY TO FALL
DEAR JOHN
THE HARDEST PART
GAMES
SILVER BULLETS
PEACEFUL VALLEY
SEPTEMBER
MY HEART IS BROKEN
TRAINS
PA
WITHERING HEIGHTS
DON'T FAIL ME NOW

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Amazon.com

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 from T. Rex to the Grateful Dead on previous solo releases, the former Whiskeytown frontman here channels the likes of Faron Young on "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 with Norah Jones on "Dear John" to naked vulnerability reminiscent of John Lennon on "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 McLeese

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Customer Reviews:

Missing the Point.......2007-05-13

"Heartbreaker - loved it; Gold - loved it; Demolition - had its moments; Rock-N-Roll - OK, the guy isn't perfect; Love is Hell - REALLY loved it; Cold Roses - good stuff."

I'm quoting an earlier reviewer, and it's eerie how those quick-capsule reviews mirror my own opinion of Adams' output. But I disagree with those who compare his singing to a dog's howl, or blame country music itself. Traditional country is deceptively difficult to sing, and Ryan Adams just can't do it convincingly. He's trying to bear down on notes like George Jones and misses the mark by a mile. While I wouldn't go so far to liken his voice to dog noises, it is surprisingly devoid of emotional weight. I say "surprisingly", because Love Is Hell showcased some fantastic, emotive vocalizing. This one just sounds like he's phoning it in, as if he hasn't truly lived what he's singing about... which breaks the first rule of classic country. Ryan, stick with the "alt-" prefix stuff... you're way out of your league here.

Define "Alt Country".......2007-04-26

First of all, I would go three and a half stars on this one but Amazon only allows whole numbers. I'm giving Ryan Adams the benefit of the doubt and rounding up.

This is by far the most country album he's put out since leaving Whiskeytown. Now, I'm not the biggest fan of country music but this doesn't sound like any other country music out there. What I can't stand is the country-pop-flagwaving-prothisprothat kind of crap out there now. I like real country. Real country is Johnny Cash, Merle Haggard, Hank Williams, etc. I guess it could be called "old" country. That's this album sounds like. Ryan's country stuff has been labeled "Alt Country." I'm not sure what the heck "Alt Country" is but if this is it then it sounds like REAL country. If you're a Rock fan you probably won't like this album. If you're a country-pop fan you might like this album. If you're a real Ryan Adams fan you'll probably like this album. If you're fan of good old fashioned country you'll definately like this album. Tracks 1, 4, 9, & 10 are probably the standouts on this album. It's not a must have but if you're in the mood, it delivers.

A little too country for me........2007-02-12

I love Ryan Adams' music. I got hooked on Rock & Roll and have bought everything he's done (with the exception of his whiskeytown stuff). At first I turned my nose up to his more country albums but after a hiatus I listened to them again and enjoyed them immensley; however, this album was just too country for me. I'd like to be able to say it's just because of my dislike for country music in general but a friend of mine who does like country music and also loves Ryan's music did not care for it either. Just my opinion, don't be upset.

Would make a dog howl.......2007-01-24

Heartbreaker - loved it; Gold - loved it; Demolition - had its moments; Rock-N-Roll - OK, the guy isn't perfect; Love is Hell - REALLY loved it; Cold Roses - good stuff.

And that brings me to Jacksonville City Nights, which I would give a **1/2. Those who gave it 4 or 5 stars are apparently not bothered by Adams' strained and overwrought vocals on a number of tracks. Adams' voice, which can be among the best (think "I See Monsters" on Love is Hell), at times morphs into something that would make a dog howl.

In his past work, Adams had a knack for scaling back his voice just when he was reaching his vocal limit. Not here. Halfway through "Trains", Adams' loud and high-pitched vocals make me cringe, ruining what otherwise is a good song. Same goes for "The Hardest Part" and "The End." Adams' voice on "Peaceful Valley" is dreadful throughout. And then there are the collection of sparse songs ("Silver Bullets", "September" and "PA") that are agreeable I guess but didn't leave much of an impression with me.

Still, there are some strong songs here. "Withering Heights" ranks up there with his best, and both "A Kiss Before I Go" and "My Heart is Broken" show Adams at his country best. Songs that grew on me were "Games", "A Hard Way to Fall" and "Dear John." The latter seems to get better the more I listen to it.

Adams has such an incredible and malleable voice that he does not need to force things. While I hope he continues to try out new styles in the future, I am also hoping he sticks to vocals that better suit his considerable talent.

Music Album:

Music Album

Music Album

Music CD

Spiritual Unity ~ Marc Ribot

Vitalive! ~ Steve Smith and Vital Information

Bridges ~ Various Artists

With Eddie Locke & His Friends ~ Roy Eldridge

Relaxin With ~ Miles Davis

Hamabe No Uta ~ Susan Osborn

Mariachi: Folklore de Mexico ~ Various Artists

Gomenne ~ Tomokazu Seki

Back to Schizo 1975-1983 ~ Pascal Comelade

Kimitoiu Hikari ~ Garnet Crow