Ryan Adams [ tickets ] has always worn his heart on his sleeve--not to mention his influences. So it is with his latest release.

The 14-track set features song titles like "Wish You Were Here," "She's Lost Total Control," and "1974,"--which bring to mind hits by Pink Floyd, Joy Division, and The Stooges. Yes, it's pretty clear Adams is referencing his rock-and-roll heroes with these song titles--and this is true of the album's sound, style and spirit, as well.

Opening with "This is It," a dead-ringer for a long lost Replacements track, Adams eschews the acoustic-guitar ballads of his previous solo work for much harder sounds, including STP-like thrash guitars ("Note to Self: Don't Die" and "1974"), pulsating new-wave drums ("So Alive), and dark, brooding bass ("The Drugs Not Working").

Adams' lyrics can sometimes seem unrefined, but overall he has a firm understanding of how to weave believable melodies over his rock-and-roll rhythms. So if the 29-year-old singer/songwriter sounds like he's enamored by the likes of Paul Westerberg, Joy Division, and early U2--give the guy a break. It's pretty clear he's been in love with the stuff since his early days. And "Rock N Roll" is all the proof you need.

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