Love Is Hell

Ryan Adams | Format: MP3 Music

Product Details

• Original Release Date: May 4, 2004
• Release Date: May 4, 2004
• Label: Lost Highway Records
• Copyright: (C) 2004 UMG Recordings, Inc.
• Record Company Required Metadata: Music file metadata contains unique purchase identifier. Learn more.
• Total Length: 1:07:31
• Genres:
  • Rock
• ASIN: B000V9HVUC
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (72 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #17,990 Paid in MP3 Albums (See Top 100 Paid in MP3 Albums)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Lost Highway should be ashamed... May 5, 2004

By W. Price

Format:Audio CD

I, as I imagine most Ryan Adams fans, bought the Love is Hell e.p's seperately. I must say I was a bit surprised to see this in the stores yesterday (along with a bonus track!!!).
Well Lost Highway, what gives? Initially, you guys felt that this album wasn't worth releasing. Since then you've broken it in half and forced the fans to purchase each seperately and now you are releasing it as a whole and cohesive album (as it should of been in the first place) and trying to intice the fans to give you more of their hard earned money by placing an extra track on there... and this is what really kills me...Lost Highway has put a sticker on the CD that says, "...as the artist originally intended...". Are they serious??? If that is indeed how they truly feel then why the "Hell" wasn't it released this way to begin with?
Lost Highway should be ashamed of themselves.
Hey, this is a GREAT album and I would recommend it to anyone, but I still feel cheated. I shouldn't have to buy this album three times!!

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Shadowland March 29, 2006

By Joseph Friend

Format:Audio CD

I am sad to say that I LOVE this album. The reason why is because I cannot find any other Ryan Adams CDs that are even comparable to this masterpiece. I have spent little over a year listening and absorbing so much from these recordings.

I do find the CD to be somewhat depressing but there is an overwhelming uplifting aspect to the entire CD. For instance in `Shadowlands,' the beginning of the song really does sound like Adam is in the abyss crowded amongst tragedy and sorrow. Then, slowly his voice begins to shed the reverb, it sounds as though Adams is lifted and startlingly enough right here with us, which the music supports as well. He transcends his suffering into something so much greater and ultimately enjoyable for a listener.

I could go on about each one of his songs in such a way that is inescapable once you sit down and listen. Of course it still has all the enjoyable aspects of just pleasant music that don't require a listener to analyze every song. But if a listener would just take on the task of trying to figure out what the hell happened to Adams before/while writing this record then this record would become so much more than just a compilation of well crafted songs.

I mentioned this before, this album is completely different from his others and Adam's fans generally don't understand it. I find that extremely disappointing since his most skilfully crafted piece of work is but more than a cold murmur to them. There are some similarities to 29 but it doesn't feel as natural (I don't mean to suggest either improvised or planned) and sincere as `Love is Hell.'

I suggest if you are unfamiliar with it, get this record, start it on track six, once the CD is over start from track 1 and just let it unfold for you.... A timeless masterpiece and personal favourite trust me.

-Friend Read more ›

19 of 22 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Love may be hell but it sounds fantastic November 29, 2004

By Michael Henshaw

Format:Audio CD

I purchased this album in the two parts. Part 1 came out the same day as Rock n Roll and Part 2 came out a month later. After listening to both Rock n Roll and Love is Hell, I like Love is Hell more. There's a great deal of thought and soul that went into Love is Hell that is lacking on Rock n Roll. The second half of the album is not as strong, but as a whole Love Is Hell is a classic.

While the gold standard for Ryan Adams fans is his first album Heartbreaker, Love Is Hell is much more accomplished in its technical songwriting. Ryan Adams in an amazing talent and is on the verge of establishing himself as one of the great songwriters of our time.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Ryan Adams at his peak June 23, 2006

By drum6282

Format:Audio CD

If you're a fan of Heartbreaker and Gold, this may not be for you. This album is not like his alt. country predecesors. Instead, Love is Hell is an album with lush electric arrangements and unforgettable melodies. Ryan Adams is the master of making memorable melodies. This album is where he peaked. The opener, Political Scientist is (I hate saying this) like a lost Jeff Buckley song. Much of the album hints at Buckleyesque and Beatlesque type arrangements. At times Adams is quiet, other times he screaming...a very emotional album from start to finish. The only reason I couldn't give it 5 stars is because the album gets too long. There are 16 songs on here with a tune that's also on Rock n Roll...it fits well on this collection, but did you really need to make the album one more song longer? Other than that, I love this album.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars One Hell Of An Album June 3, 2005

By Erik Rust

Format:Audio CD

Lately, one doesn't know what to expect from the increasingly unpredictable rock n'roll problem child Ryan Adams. Luckily, his wounded heart and fractured psyche have produced one fine grab-bag of songs on LOVE IS HELL. The mood here is often cloudy and desolate, yet emotionally exuberant at times. "Political Scientist" comes on like a late night fog, while "This House Is Not For Sale" sounds like the best of his yearning, booze-lacquered early solo work. Then there's the naked, vulnerable retreading of Oasis' "Wonderwall" with it's fingerpicked delicacy and intimate caterwauling. Adams is not one to be bashful with channeling his inspirations as he unabashedly visits his Smiths influence with the dynamic "Does Anybody Want To Take Me Home?" and the enthralling title track "Love Is Hell." For all his misguided behavior, you can't deny the guy his songwriting cred as he seems capable of spitting out quality songs in his sleep. "City Rain, City Streets" and the jazzy, smokey "Hotel Chelsea Nights" serve as reminders to his considerable talent and penchant for heart on the sleeve expressionism. For all the heartache and self-loathing, this collection sure makes for a heavenly listen.