In pop music, product and image often go hand in hand and complement each other. Ryan Adams, for example, was known as a tough singer-songwriter with his heart on his sleeve in often lived-in love songs. 'Was', because in 2019 he was accused of transgressive and intrusive behaviour by a number of female artists to whom he initially promised to help them further their careers. Adams subsequently
… apologised and promised to go to therapy. Yet Wednesdays, the album he finished before his troubles began, is a different listen. I'm sorry', he sings in a high and fragile voice in the opening track I'm Sorry And I Love You. The atmosphere remains fragile and intimate on the predominantly acoustic and folky album, and is reminiscent of his acclaimed solo debut Heartbreaker (2000). Just like Neil Young, Adams knows how to link his craftsmanship as a songwriter to a disarming performance. Without that bruised image, Wednesdays would have been one of his better albums. (MR)more
