Ryan Adams - Love Is Hell

·1 hr 41 min·5 clips

Bill and Brian tackle Ryan Adams' rejected masterpiece 'Love Is Hell,' revealing why the label said no and how it became his proudest work.

Bill and Brian open the episode by introducing Ryan Adams' album 'Love Is Hell,' noting they will do a partial track-by-track review due to its 16-song length. They mention the album is a longtime favorite for both hosts. Brian provides background on Ryan Adams, detailing his childhood in Jacksonville, North Carolina, early band Patty Duke Syndrome, and rise with Whiskey Town and solo debut 'Heartbreaker.' The hosts discuss how Lost Highway Records wanted Adams to be a mainstream success like John Mayer but rejected 'Love Is Hell' for being too alternative. This led Adams to quickly record 'Rock and Roll,' released in 2003, with 'Love Is Hell' later issued as two EPs and then a full album. Bill shares his personal introduction to Adams via Brian playing the 'Wonderwall' cover. The hosts debate the allure of lost albums and tortured artists, connecting it to 'Love Is Hell.' They then review select tracks, starting with 'Political Scientist,' noting its dirge-like piano and production by John Porter. They discuss 'This House Is Not for Sale' as one of the first songs they played together. Other tracks highlighted include the title track 'Love Is Hell,' 'Wonderwall' (which earned Adams a Grammy nomination), 'The Shadowlands' for its EQ production trick, 'World War 24' for its chord structure, and 'English Girls Approximately,' which Brian performed early in his guitar playing. They note guest musicians like Ricky Fatar and Marianne Faithfull. The episode concludes with the hosts reflecting on why the album is great: it represents Adams' uncompromising vision and features diverse sounds from power pop to country ballads.

As heard by us

A longtime favorite Ryan Adams album gets a warm, fan-level airing, sharpened by guitar memories and lived-in affection.

The Great Albums episode on Ryan Adams' Love Is Hell comes across as a familiar, fan-level conversation about a record Bill and Brian clearly know well.

Read the full review in PlayNext →

Why you'd press play

You get Ryan Adams' Love Is Hell, 16 songs, and Bill and Brian treating a longtime favorite like a room worth wandering slowly.

Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →

Listen to the show on

Apple Podcasts Spotify

Play clips from this episode More from The Great Albums