This week, we take a look back at Ryan Adams’ excellent second album, Gold
Ryan Adams has had a career of ups and downs, both personally and professionally. Through this, each of his records have been filled with struggle, heartache, and hope. His 2001 album, Gold, is heralded as one of the highlights of his career. It has some of Adams’ most up-tempo tracks such as Firecracker, Gonna Make You Love Me, and New York, New York. They are met with the tender When The Stars Go Blue, and the hauntingly beautiful La Cienega Just Smiled.
A promotional only release in the US was limited to just 1000 numbered copies, and pressed on red and blue coloured vinyl, matching Old Glory that adorns the sleeve. This issue is very rarely seen, as rightfully so, anyone who has a copy struggles to let them go, but even the regular black vinyl variant is the best way to enjoy this record.
The added bonus of the vinyl copy is that you get four extra tracks that were, at the time, unavailable and left off the commercial CD release. Adams’ original intent was for Gold to be a double album, but his label at the time, Lost Highway had other ideas. The four tracks, including the excellent Rosalie Come and Go, and Cannonball Days, were only included with initial CD pressings; something Adams’ was not happy about.
Ultimately, Gold is the album that projected Ryan Adams from a man with a guitar and a dream into the star he is today. His sound may have taken many twists and turns since, from releasing heavy metal under the name ‘Orion’, to releasing his own version of the Taylor Swift album, 1989, but Gold remains a vital part of modern Americana.
Head to our store for more rarities and collectables from Ryan Adams.
Be the first to comment