Adams has always been a prolific songwriter and this year he threatens to release three albums of all new material. Somehow, I expect that to happen. The genius of Ryan is that as his output increases, the quality of his songwriting maintains its strength and consistancy. That said though, if it had been a single album, Cold Roses would have made one of the best albums of the decade, an alt-country classic. It still ranks pretty high up there.

Ryan certainly wears his influences on his sleeve and he’s often been criticized as wearing them a little too close. This time around, Ryan is dabbling in Grateful Dead “Workingman’s Dead/American Beauty/Europe 72” territory – not a bad thing, though. Cold Roses is a remarkable collection. Songs like “Magnolia Mountain,” “Sweet Illusions,” “Easy Plateau,” “Dance All Night,” and “When Will You Come Back Home,” are some of his best songs yet. I for one, can’t wait for the next two albums he’s set to release this year.

Written by Bruce Warren

Release Date: 5/3/2005

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