I thought I would close out 2024 with a post about how Love Is Hell by Ryan Adams is my third favorite album of all time. While Pet Sounds by The Beach Boys and Abby Road by The Beatles are one and two respectively, Love Is Hell holds a very special place in my heart and is deeply intertwined with my soul. The main reason for this is the comfort it has given me over the years since its release in 2003.
Before we get into why it's such a salve for me, let's be clear on which edition is the best listen. The initial two EP release in 2003 is the best one. Tracks are as follows:
1. Political Scientist
2. Afraid Not Scared
3. This House Is Not For Sale
4. Love Is Hell
5. Wonderwall
6. Shadowlands
7. World War 24
8. Avalanche
1. My Blue Manhattan
2. Please Do Not Let Me Go
3. City Rain, City Streets
4. I See Monsters
5. English Girls Approximately
6. Thank You Louise
7. Hotel Chelsea Nights
On the single disc edition released about a year after the EPs, the song "Anyone Want To Take Me Home" is added to make it a full sixteen tracks. As a giant Ryan Adams fan, I don't think this song belongs on Love Is Hell. It fits more with Rock and Roll in terms of style and theme. So, please listen to the double EP edition.
There is also a Japanese version with seven extra tracks that feel more like B sides if more of the main tracks were released as singles. I would recommend these tracks to listen to as an addendum to the main fifteen tracks on the EPs. In addition, "Wonderwall" was released as a two part single which has two extra tracks and one extra track respectively. These are also more addendums and not really germane to the Love is Hell vibe.
Now that we have gotten all the nerdy music collector stuff out of the way (and it did have to happen), let's talk about how this record illustrates that Ryan Adams is the greatest living American songwriter.
The album as a whole brings you into a very dark yet oddly comforting world. Adams is an impeccable story teller, weaving tales of love, heartache and the human condition seamlessly together. The style and theme is perfect for being alone with your thoughts. It's especially poignant for the end of the night, in the darkness, and right before sleep.
Going to sleep is like a little death, isn't it? I'd bet that every single person out there has, at least once, said to themselves, what if I go to sleep and never wake up? Everyone has things they say to themselves for comfort. My comfort in these moments...my go-to comfort time and time again...is Love is Hell by Ryan Adams.
It kisses me in the lonely darkness of night. From the opening piano of "Political Scientist" to the pomp of "Hotel Chelsea Nights," it holds me close in the night like a warm blanket in the bitter and freezing air of a seemingly endless eternity. Adams' lonely voice spill out into the darkness, loudly echoing into my fucking soul. He taps in to an Americana vibe on each and every track, deeply connecting to the heart and essence of this country. It's a haunted and lost America we are led in to by a deeply gifted artist.
The first track is "Political Scientist" which tells the story of human relationships in a decaying community. Class strife is all consuming in this track. The next track "Afraid Not Scared," seems to be set in the same place with the same folks suffering from the same melancholy and societal malaise. Far too many people feel stuck, right? But yet in "This House Is Not For Sale" some people want to stay in the place they call home. Despite the changes in our culture, a triumphant tone is struck. We can make it!
The title track is next as we return to relationships. I imagine a dive bar in a small town as the setting. Love is indeed hell. Terrifying. And yet beautiful as the track right after this one highlights. A cover version of the Oasis song "Wonderwall," Adams' version has been called superior by the writer of the song himself (Noel Gallagher). The echo and the minimal instrumentation just fucking guts me. Could anything in music be more beautiful than this?
The next song is "Shadowlands" which is, hands down, the saddest song I've ever heard. It compels you to wonder where in his heart it came from. It's a gift of music in those most wonderful and deeply painful moments that far too many of us experience. The build/outro at the conclusion is uplifting in its tragedy.
"World War 24" comes next and it's my favorite Ryan Adams song of all time. The love story here is eloquent and beautiful. The detail in the lyrics is shovel to the head stunning in its visual imagery. I feel like I'm that character and can see it all....
The first EP concludes with a delightful track called "Avalanche." It reminds me a great deal of those great AM gold ballads of the late 1970s.
EP two kicks off with an ode to Manhattan. I've always loved it when artists tell a love story about a city. Adams's voice is particularly wonderful on this track. It's a soundtrack for a snow globe.
Next we have a track that sums up Adams' acoustic talents. "Please Do Not Let Me Go" is classic Ryan telling a story about relationships. Deep introspection and hope for the future...
"City Rain, City Streets" is spiritual sequel to "My Blue Manhattan." It could be any city really, small or large. We've all been one of "those" walks in our town. This is most definitely the soundtrack to that walk.
"I See Monsters" is likely his most autobiographical song. He plays it on nearly all of his tours. He honestly out Paul Simon's Paul Simon on this one. A deeply dark and terrifying track...
"English Girls Approximately" is probably my second favorite track on the EPs being the brit rock maniac I am. It's another uplifting track on an otherwise melancholy affair. The lead in to the chorus is just fucking perfect and always sends shivers up and down my spine.
Gratitude is the theme on "Thank You Louise." The double tracked voices on the chorus really drives home the respect he has for the character he creates in this song. A great ode to family.
The last track reminds me of John Lennon (solo), Elton John and Billy Joel all rolled into one. Another AM Gold track that would have been a great hit in 1979. A perfect closer to a perfect collection of songs.
Do yourself a favor. Take this double EP set under your wing and keep it in your heart forever. It will soothe your soul and cure your melancholy every single time you play it.