Stream Ryan Adams' New Self-Titled Album On NPR Now

New York, NY (Top40 Charts) Ryan Adams now seems to have discovered how to live at a human pace. His self-titled 14th album is his first in three years — a span that would have seemed inconceivable a decade ago. But the former Whiskeytown singer has settled down in several ways in recent years, for reasons both healthy (sobriety, marriage) and less so (a painful and career-threatening inner-ear disorder).

It's only natural that, like 2011's Ashes & Fire, Ryan Adams sands down some of the singer-songwriter's rough spots, in ways that can affect peaks and valleys alike. But Adams still hits terrific highs here — most notably in "My Wrecking Ball," which locates the singer's blood-and-guts barrenness, and "I Just Might," during which he channels early Springsteen in a way that suits him.

Adams' output was erratic for so long - not to mention checkered with unlikely detours, including the occasional ragged punk record - that albums this sure-handed actually take a little getting used to. But Ryan Adams rewards the extra attention: It's the sound of a genius who's only recently relearned what it's like to walk on steady footing.

The album is preceded by two singles, "Gimme Something Good" and "My Wrecking Ball".

https://www.npr.org/2014/08/31/343973366/first-listen-ryan-adams-ryan-adams

Ryan Adams Tracklist:
01. Gimme Something Good
02. Kim
03. Trouble
04. Am I Safe
05. My Wrecking Ball
06. Stay with me
07. Shadows
08. Feels Like Fire
09. I Just Might
10. Tired of Giving Up
11. Let Go