How much are you anticipating the next RA and TC album?

[Sydneyfan]

Poll says it all.

[blueone]

I'll buy it, regardless of reviews. But I'm very much going through an anti-RA stage at the moment. :lol

[Sydneyfan]

Yeah, I answered the same way. I'll buy it regardless, but I seriously think that if it's not at least better than ET I might just retreat to his old albums and forget about buying future ones unless they get rave reviews.

[hold on magnolia]

Yeah, I answered the same way. I'll buy it regardless, but I seriously think that if it's not at least better than ET I might just retreat to his old albums and forget about buying future ones unless they get rave reviews.

I will always buy new RA albums. But like you guys, I am in my anti-RA phase as well. I am not as excited for a new album as I used to be for his past releases. There are so many exciting albums coming out this year so RA better step up his game. It would be hard to continue supporting bland music like Easy Tiger. Hopefully his next album will live up to his potential and then I can get back into fan boy mode.

[hildegoat]

I'm in the same boat as all of the above. I'll buy it, but who knows if it'll be any good.

[bonadrag]

Hello, I'm new to TBY, even though I've been reading it for a while. The truth is, I avoided joining for a while, and avoided posting for even longer because I'm a bit embarrassed. About three months ago, I suddenly, unexplainably became a Ryan Adams fanatic. Like, super-crazed-checking-foggy-every-half-hour fanatic. I guess I should just accept it.

I worked for a division of Lost Highway, so I had gotten all of Ryan's records since Heartbreaker, and Easy Tiger was the first one that actually grabbed my attention, so that's why I'm finally posting now.

My question is: why is everyone always ragging on Easy Tiger? I've gone back and listened to EVERYthing Ryan - Whiskeytown, Suicide Sessions, live performances from early tours, anything I could get my hands on. And ET is just as good as everything else. I'm a musician, and as far as I'm concerned, it's (blasphemy coming, beware!) better than Heartbreaker.

I mean, seriously, is it the amazing harmonies? The clean arrangements, the great recording quality, Ryan's voice being stronger than ever? The streamlined songwriting? WHAT could people possibly hate about Easy Tiger???

Well, there it is (intended) - my first post.

My name is bonadrag and I am a Ry-ahaulic.

[sipowicz]

Hello, I'm new to TBY, even though I've been reading it for a while. The truth is, I avoided joining for a while, and avoided posting for even longer because I'm a bit embarrassed. About three months ago, I suddenly, unexplainably became a Ryan Adams fanatic. Like, super-crazed-checking-foggy-every-half-hour fanatic. I guess I should just accept it.

I worked for a division of Lost Highway, so I had gotten all of Ryan's records since Heartbreaker, and Easy Tiger was the first one that actually grabbed my attention, so that's why I'm finally posting now.

My question is: why is everyone always ragging on Easy Tiger? I've gone back and listened to EVERYthing Ryan - Whiskeytown, Suicide Sessions, live performances from early tours, anything I could get my hands on. And ET is just as good as everything else. I'm a musician, and as far as I'm concerned, it's (blasphemy coming, beware!) better than Heartbreaker.

I mean, seriously, is it the amazing harmonies? The clean arrangements, the great recording quality, Ryan's voice being stronger than ever? The streamlined songwriting? WHAT could people possibly hate about Easy Tiger???

Well, there it is (intended) - my first post.

My name is bonadrag and I am a Ry-ahaulic.

I can only speak for myself. The production killed me, just too slick. And I am the first to admit, I want Neal out, ASAP. So that was a big one. Not that I hate the album, there are some great moments, I just think he needs to try something new with some different people [or go back to Ethan Johns...just saying...;)]

[Sydneyfan]

Hello, I'm new to TBY, even though I've been reading it for a while. The truth is, I avoided joining for a while, and avoided posting for even longer because I'm a bit embarrassed. About three months ago, I suddenly, unexplainably became a Ryan Adams fanatic. Like, super-crazed-checking-foggy-every-half-hour fanatic. I guess I should just accept it.

I worked for a division of Lost Highway, so I had gotten all of Ryan's records since Heartbreaker, and Easy Tiger was the first one that actually grabbed my attention, so that's why I'm finally posting now.

My question is: why is everyone always ragging on Easy Tiger? I've gone back and listened to EVERYthing Ryan - Whiskeytown, Suicide Sessions, live performances from early tours, anything I could get my hands on. And ET is just as good as everything else. I'm a musician, and as far as I'm concerned, it's (blasphemy coming, beware!) better than Heartbreaker.

I mean, seriously, is it the amazing harmonies? The clean arrangements, the great recording quality, Ryan's voice being stronger than ever? The streamlined songwriting? WHAT could people possibly hate about Easy Tiger???

Well, there it is (intended) - my first post.

My name is bonadrag and I am a Ry-ahaulic.

Sipowicz has already covered a lot of what I feel about the album too. I found the production mundane but more significantly, I found the majority of songs fairly weak in comparison with much of Ryan's previous catalogue. Bland, MOR tunes and a lot of what seemed to me to be fairly lazy lyrics. True, some of the Easy Tiger tracks sound much better live (eg Goodnight Rose ) but others don't really do it for me either way.

Anyhow, it's an interesting discussion point so thanks for bringing it up. And welcome to TBY. :)

[SkortBrun]

Until I learn of a solid release date, I can only get a little excited about it. Once I see a press release with details I'm sure I'll be really excited, even though Easy Tiger ended up being a bit underwhelming.

[ferris wheel junkie]

when we hear more about it i'll get excited

[raer7385]

i'm excited about the new album in the hope that it will be the exact opposite of ET. i wouldn't go by reviews, didn't they praise ET?

hello, bonadrag!
to answer your question, ET was just not coherent enough for me. ryan's vocals were a major turnoff, they felt too forced. after hearing most of those tracks performed live with great vocals to then hear the album, i almost gagged. he really does have a beautiful, solid voice. with the exception of "i taught myself" and "sun also sets" i didn't feel any truth to this album like i have with his previous work. it felt too overproduced.

i still have faith in the man, if he stays true to himself.

[taparoo]

I'm really excited for it. I don't really know what to expect, but I'll buy it regardless of the reviews or reception.


And to answer your question, bonadrag - I don't despise the album, I actually think it's a decent album compared to his others. My problem is much the same as the others who've posted, just to a lesser extent I think - that it was just too 'clean', and didn't feel as intimate or 'raw' as his other efforts (Cold Roses, JCN, HB). I still enjoy the album though.

[lukin]

Yeah, I answered the same way. I'll buy it regardless, but I seriously think that if it's not at least better than ET I might just retreat to his old albums and forget about buying future ones unless they get rave reviews.

There's no way I'd rely on reviews as my source of decision making. I read heaps of good reviews for Easy Tiger and then albums like Cold Roses had very mixed reviews. I'll buy it regardless anyway, but I'm not holding my breath after Easy Tiger.

[of_the_girl]

I'll buy it no matter what, can't say I'm overly excited just yet. Not really much to be excited about....when there is news of a definite release date or something, then I will be. I'm just hoping it's not Easy Tiger v2.0

[Highlander]

Something - anything new. I'd like to see him (them) release a live album of new material, sometimes the studio versions seem a bit tamer.

[SkortBrun]

I'd like to see him (them) release a live album of new material

I like this idea :upyours

[hold on magnolia]

Welcome bonadrag! The problem I have with Easy Tiger is it doesn't feel cohesive. It feels like an over produced mix tape to me. The songs don't flow together well. The production is way too flashy and slick.
It's coffee shop music, an album you can put on in the background but not pay much attention to. It doesn't stand out among ryans catalogue.
Every once and awhile I will pull it out and listen to it. I think it has some good songs on it. I just think he is capable of making a better record.
But hey, that's just my opinion! There are plenty of people on here who love the record and would agree with your opinions. It makes for great conversation. Hope you post more.

[Faded Rose]

I couldn't vote in the poll because I couldn't really agree with any option. I'm trying to look forward to a new Cards album but I'm afraid that I'll be disappointed. If it was a Ryan solo album I'd be VERY excited. I can't believe the format will be that different to ET and that was such a bit slick disappointment. The individual songs were OK but the album itself was just too "middle of the road". It wasn't haunting or edgy - the 2 things he does so well.

That said - of course I'll buy it - how much I play it will be a different issue.

[Ewok's Groupie]

I liked Easy Tiger.

[Tim Simmons]

ET is way too polished and some of the tunes are kinda bland.

Great album to get into RA with, but he's made much better albums.

[jumpshipmusic]

Welcome bonadrag! And nice username :)

When I first heard Ryan (Gold era) I went kinda bonkers too.

But it interesting you bring up ET. Many of us don't care for it much. I like the songwriting on it, but I agree with the people who say it's too slick. Take for instance the album version of "Everybody Knows" and live versions of it. ET is not as exciting to me as Cold Roses or Jacksonville.

I still do believe Ryan can step up his game and deliver us some great music.

[Libertine4Life]

i cant wait. hope we get a studio version of Freeway To The Canyon

[maddiehope]

I'm looking forward - always. He's capable of so much, and I'm sure it'll come out again.


And in response to bonadrag:
Easy Tiger was way overproduced for Ryan's style of writing. His songwriting talent is covered up by all the little bells and whistles and the polish of Easy Tiger. The rawness and the honesty of his lyrics and his voice almost sound hypocritical on that album - he's best represented by minimal production.

and welcome to TBY, btw. :)

[ewok.online]

Also, the "great recording" for ET sounds like someone shoved Ryan into a Mac and rung him through Protools.

Heartbreaker and Gold sound great (and this is without taking the tunes into account).
Really great. The sonics are real. ET sounds too shiny, like every instrument got cranked above 10 kHz.

My point is, Ethan Johns is the man.

[Faded Rose]

I wonder if it's his "newer" fans who like ET so much?

[ewok.online]

I think that was the point, sadly.

[Faded Rose]

I would recommend that they work back and listen to his early stuff but maybe if they came to ET first that may be the type of music they prefer. Personally I really love the songs on things like Destroyer, 48 hours and the sad solo stuff that is rough around the edges. LIH too and things like 29. I find it hard to believe that folks prefer ET to any of those albums - but maybe prefer is wrong maybe they just like everything he does. Perhaps they're right and we're wrong. Unfortunately I really do believe if it's a Cards album we're going to be stuck with this Cards style. Please Ryan - prove me wrong.

[Libertine4Life]

what i dont get is why do the ET songs sound so good when played live, and yet different and almost soul-less on record?

[Faded Rose]

Because the album's been over produced and slicked up to appeal to a bigger market? I don't really know - that's my guess. I find too that a lot of the songs sound very similar and the whole album just sort of melts into a middle of the road comfort zone. Individually I find the songs fine especially as you say, live.

[Ewok's Groupie]

I wonder if it's his "newer" fans who like ET so much?

I actually got into Ryan when I saw him open for someone in 2002 or 2003. And then I bought Love is Hell. After hearing Love is Hell, I went out and bought everything else. I bought Easy Tiger when it came out, and I do like it. Do I think every song is amazing? No, but that is rarely the case for me, anyway. I like certain songs more than others on every album. But Easy Tiger is, in my opinion, pretty good. I see why people don't like it, but I do. I mean, that's just where he was at the time. That's what artists do. Generally, their work reflects where they are in their lives at the moment, and Ryan was happy, in a relationship with someone, and trying to make things work - all of this is reflected in the lyrics and even in the overly-glossy production. While I do tend to emotionally connect to more raw material, I can appreciate the more polished stuff from time to time, as well.

[scuba.steve]

I buy any ryan adams album and even collaboration albums, like Willy Nelson, on iTunes (preorder) and in the store! Gotta support your favorite artist!