Review: Ryan Adams

Review: Ryan Adams

Ryan Adams 'Easy Tiger': Aidin Vaziri | After Ryan Adams released just about every dumb idea that popped into his head (seriously, last year he posted 11 albums' worth of rap, punk and screamo on his Web site), it's nice to see him bring back some quality control with his ninth release, "Easy Tiger." The album effectively revisits the bittersweet 3 a.m. roots-rock sound of his former band, Whiskeytown, casting off the pointless noodling that marked his past few outings in favor of a renewed obsession with "Harvest"-era Neil Young that manifests itself in gorgeous, soul-searching ballads such as "Rip Off," The Sun Also Sets" and "Off Broadway." There are a few detours along the way, the most notable of which are the chugging "Halloween Head" and a polished duet with Sheryl Crow on "Two," but overall, Adams seems to have regained some much-needed focus.