What the hell has gotten into Ryan Adams these days? He appears on his latest album cover in a sassy, Tommy Hilfiger pose, in front of an upside down American flag. He's got a video on MTV2, and rumor has it that in concert, he turns around and shakes his booty like J.Lo.
Gold is a departure from the minimalistic and heartbreakingly beautiful songs of last year's Heartbreaker. The subject matter hasn't changed much, but the production is sometimes gluttonous. Adams still sings about heartache, handguns and being drunk and alone, only this time with giant keyboard riffs, gospel choirs and a warbly, Morrissey-esque vocal style. Not to say some of these aren't great songs. The first single "New York, New York" is a rockin' ode to heartbreak in the Big Apple that'll convert any country music hater. But it's the simple songs between the big showstoppers that are the real gems. In Ryan Adams' case, less is more.
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