Rock N Roll may never die, but Love is Hell

There is no stopping Ryan Adams. He released his first album with his band Whiskeytown when he was 21. His first solo effort, Heartbreaker, a stripped down folk/country album about his broken heart, burst with sincerity. Adams has shared the stage with Elton John and Willie Nelson. He's the alternative-country golden boy that music fans either love or love to hate.\nNever allowing the same thing twice, his latest efforts, Rock N Roll and Love is Hell -- a full-length album and the first of two EPs respectively -- have left the country for the city. \nIn times past Adams' lyrics have been the driving force behind his music. Now, Rock N Roll is mainly garage rock with a little glam thrown in for good measure. In fact, "This is It," the first track on the album, makes listeners wonder if it is answering the question put forth by the Strokes' debut album. The electric guitars are in control now with Adams' cigarette-scarred voice taking second place. \nThat's not saying Adams has given up his trademark heartbreak songs. Lyrically, he's covering similar ground but in a punk-fueled setting. He only slips into a ballad once, ironically with the title track. \nAdams' fans might start to wonder if he's gone money-hungry by releasing an album and EP on the same day, then releasing the second EP just about a month later. "Political Scientist," the first track on Love is Hell, is the worst song Adams has ever released as he delves too far into Wilco territory without the understanding of how to structure the song. The disc climbs from that point and, unlike the full album, allows Adams to come back home with acoustic guitars. Songs like "This House is Not for Sale" and "World War 24" reminds us why Adams was so popular in the first place.\nWhile neither disc hits the standards set with Heartbreaker or his follow-up Gold, they complement each other perfectly. Rock N Roll shows off Adams' tattooed bad boy side while Love is Hell showcases the grown man that still longs for the perfect love. \nHad Adams removed three or four songs on the album and included the best of the EP he would have made a fantastic album. As it stands, he released two very good efforts that continue to prove he's a major league talent, even if he slips a little bit.