Review: Ryan Adams

The starting time I wrote down was 8:40 p.m., which was when the P.A. system started playing whatever ironic '80s disco song brought the band on stage. The show ended a few minutes before the time I wrote down -- 10:15 p.m -- because, like almost everyone else in the theater, I couldn't believe the show was over.

 

Above: His release form was so Machiavellian that our photogs wouldn't sign it, so we hired an illustrator to render an image of Ryan Adams (above). Any resemblances to a character from "South Park" are coincidental.

That 95-minute span included a 15-minute intermission and, during the opening set, an 8-minute, meandering, useless joke/debate about banks and ink pens. So do the math: 95 minus 23 equals 72 minutes of music. My ticket was $42.65. That's 60 cents a minute or $36 an hour. In this economy.

Welcome to the world of Ryan Adams, the biggest prima donna/ego-maniac in the world of independent music. He canceled his previously scheduled show in October because he was sick. His fans forgave him, dealt with that and the four-month delay in the redemption of their $40 investment and showed up en masse on Friday to get their money's worth (and, presumably more). Instead they got more bullshit from a guy living on a reputation that went south years ago.

 

Above: The Cardinals, practicing Cardinology.

If you accept, excuse or rationalize any of this behavior, you're an enabler, a victim of co-dependancy. Get over him. He shat on you, pulling the same thing Marilyn Manson does to his fans. Google "Ryan Adams setlist." In previous recent shows, he did 24 songs. You got screwed out of one-third of your money.

Right: the first set was good, and the band -- arguably a band as good as any out there (Wilco included) -- sounded great. But the lighting of the stage was atrocious. Mr. Precious was shrouded in shadows and darkeness. It looked like the stage for a Tool show. But Adams is no Maynard. The Star wouldn't sign the photo-release form that the Adams tour required so we had no photographer there (they wanted rights to everything). Wouldn't have mattered. The photogs who were present said the lighting sucked, unless you wanted to shoot the drummer, the only guy under the spotlight. 

HIs fans tried to make this the kind of show they paid for, but the tempo and the temperature flagged, especially during the second set.  During "Goodnight Rose," the volume of conversation in the place nearly exceeded the sound coming off the stage. People got bored. Get over yourself and play some Whiskeytown, dude. Even Robert Plant indulges his Zeppelin fans.

For the record, the eight songs in the first set: "I See Monsters," "Everybody Knows," "Fix It," "Let It Ride," "Two," (long, boring, annoying comedy interlude), "When The Stars Go Blue," "Come Pick Me Up," "Born Into a Light."  The eight songs in the second set, after a 15-minute intermission: "Wonderwall," "Freeway to the Canyon," "Mockingbirdsing," "Goodnight Rose," "Oh My God, Whatever," "The Rescue Blues," "Peaceful Valley," "Bartering Lines."

The show ended so fast the sound guys were caught off-guard. And for 30 minutes, fans loitered in the lobby, finishing beers they thought they'd be able to nurse for another 45 minutes or so. They looked like diners who just watched their waiters take away the entree they were still eating.  Your friends who screw your girlfriends aren't the only ones full of shit, Ryan Adams.

| Timothy Finn, The Star

Setlist: We're Only In Kansas City (So Who Cares); I'm Bored, Let's Go Home; Are We in Kansas or Missouri?; My Bladder Is Full Let's Get Out of Here; Is This Show Almost Over?; Weren't We Just Here Last Month?; Are They Still Here (What Are They Waiting For?); We Should Have Started Later (and Ended Sooner); We Should Call In Sick Again (But Not Come Back); Come Pick Me Up (Screw All My Fans). Encore: Are You Kidding?

Comments

[YIKES]

Wow. I was there and I have to say this was one of the best Ryan Adams shows I have seen. Sure it may have been a little short, but it was amazing.

Anyone reading this review should understand that the show was great and he put on a great show other than the length of the set. So he only played an hour and a half? That is the typical length of most live acts.

[Tim Finn]

No it isn't. You are excusing him. He quit early. And he played less than 90 minutes: more like 70 minutes. "A little short"??? That's like "He only hit me in the face once." Nice try.

[Cory's brother]

Ryan Adams is .... and continues to be ... a worthless ass in a concert setting. He is and has always been a prima donna-ass bitch ... ... ... ... It's very sad, because he's so talented. I wish ... so much, he'd get the fuck over himself ... Hello, assface, I NEVER KNEW MY FATHER AND MY BROTHER COMMITTED SUICIDE, YOU ARE NOT SPECIAL. You are, in fact, a whiny pussy. Get over yourself and actually play a concert, you faggot.

[Joe O'Flaherty]

Tim,

I didn't go. Ten years ago when I discovered Whiskeytown and his first solo release, Heartbreaker, I was extremely impressed and excited about what he could do. Gold was a fantastic record. Then I saw his show in Columbia in the Fall of 2001. To this day I still struggle to understand what I saw. At times it was amazing and at other times I was confounded by his juvenile jokes and antics.

I then saw him in Lawrence in 2004 and it was quite good. He was well behaved and his talent was quite apparent -- and enormous...

Now I'm just bored with him. Didn't go to the show last night because I felt like I was in an abusive relationship. You nailed it. I refuse to enable him any more. He is as talented as any artist I have ever seen. But he's pissed it all away.

I wonder if this is what many of Gram Parsons contemporaries felt about Gram. Perhaps if Gram had not died young, his reputation may have gone down the exact path Ryan is leading his.

Great review. Well said, and stick to your guns on this guy.

Joe O

[what up]

Tim, come on, dont hold back, you can tell us, your loyal readers how you really feel.
....hehehehe...dang!!!! ;)

PS
note to self;
Do NOT piss off the Star photogs,,,or TF ; )

[Dr.]

I have seen this before, this "performer" obviously has MS; MultiScrotomocious

[MikeA]

Tim- Perhaps you could be a little more open about your feelings!

[Geordan]

Back when this show was announced on this blog a while back, I mentioned that Adams would find a way to &$%@ the show up and once again, AGAIN, insult his remaining fans. Well, I told you so! I gave up on this arrogant pile of human waste years ago........

[Steve]

I don't get the Star on weekends, but I don't think this review will make the paper!

[andy]

YIKES, I don't know what concerts you go to that are only 90 minutes - WITH A 15 MINUTE INTERMISSION. how lame. i'm so glad that i didn't go. listening to 'heartbreaker' from time to time is just going to be enough for me. what a choch tool-bag.

[Why, RA?]

I had been looking forward to this show for a long time. The first set was good and I was excited for what was to come after a strange booze break. The set after the intermission was disjointed and all over the place. I have never seen a band leave so fast. This was a major dissapointment. The crowd sat there halfway confused and annoyed like we had just gotten punked. Where were the cameras at? When will this episode air?

["Super Dongman"]

Tim,
Great review! Screw Ryan Adams! Since we're allowed to cuss on the Star now, I want to get some things off my chest as well. The following people/groups can kiss my big, huge Dong: All of these "reunion" concerts, Don Harman, Katie Horner, the 1992 Kansas City Royals, the 1970-2008 Kansas City Chiefs, your Mom, the guy who wrote the theme song to "Friends", Sprint, Time Warner Cable, trolls, the guy behind the counter at 7-11 (my cap DID NOT expire and I want my free Pepsi!), my Sociology teacher who just starting teaching the course and gave me a letter grade of a "B" (she has a PHD in PE the last 25 years and decided to start teaching Sociology this year, what does Sociology have to do with dodgeball?), and finally Johnny Dare, who won't answer my e-mails but when I see him in public, he tells me he wants me on the show again!

[Bill Lavery]

Hey, Tim, are you angling for some work for the Onion? Great piece. Love the setlist.

Bill Lavery, Village Records.

[Thomas]

This is a bit much. The first set was excellent, and the second meandered a bit. The show was too short. The sound was good. The band is great. And Ryan was in good humor, as far as I could tell.

How does the per minute price compare to recent Sprint Center concerts?

The idea that Ryan's reputation went south years ago, or that he needs to play Whiskeytown--just bunk. Ryan has a well-deserved reputation for being a dick, but he's still a great songwriter, and he doesn't need to go back more than 10 years to fill up his set list.

[blee]

i was there, too. first time i'd seen him live. sound was excellent and in the balcony where i was, the crowd was relatively quiet. for what we got musically, it was ok. i guess i didn't go into this with great expectations, so i'm not as pissed off as tim. ryan sure does what he wants when he wants. always leave them wanting more is a good idea, but always leave them early?? not so good.

[steve wilson]

I think he was halfway decent in Lawrence in 2004 because he was touring with his pal Jesse Malin. Jesse never gives an audience less than his all, which would have embarrassed the little prima donna. Ryan has gone on and on about Jesse's 'genius.' I'm a big fan of Malin's but it ain't genius - it's investment (in his art and his audience), something foreign to Mr. Adams, sadly.

I didn't see this show because a)I don't care anymore.
b)I'm in Nashville (where no one cares about him either).

[Travis]

I blame Mandy Moore!

[Speaking of d@%ks!]

'Super Dongman' (appropriately-named, but NOT for the reason he thinks) says he hates "Trolls," and yet his post is the perfect example of what a loathesome, lonely Troll would post. Who knows, maybe you can go hang with Ryan Adams on the tour bus. You seem like two peas in a pod!

[wendellgee]

This might be the greatest concert review I've ever read. Sounds like it was way more entertaining than Mr. Adams' performance!

[CjC]

Did ryan adams screw all your friends? behind your back?

but really, i agree and i had such high hopes

["Super Dongman"]

Gee Travis, what strong words you have for me.

[andy]

it's a lyric from adams' song "come pick me up" CjC.

"thank you ted, that was the joke."

[murphy]

you seemed to not notice the fact that the cardinals sounded Awesome, especially ryan adams voice. and for actual fans of ryan adams, its fun to hear him and the band banter about banks and pens. that's one of the funnest things about concerts is we actually get to hear the band members joke around.
tim, any review i've read of yours has been so negative...sometimes i feel like you hate music. i think you need to calm down a bit and remember why you are a music reviewer in the first place..which i hope is because your are knock-down drag-out in love with music.

ps. i think ryan was pissed off at the lame sound guys. yes, he shouldn't have taken it out on the fans and cut the set short. but when your keyboard isn't even on, i can see getting upset.

[Peter]

I thought the quality of the show was excellent sans the ridiculous stage banter.

But After a 4 month wait, I expected a fucking ENCORE at least. Maybe a couple.

The guy puts out 3 albums a year and 2/3 the material is boring, mediocre filler.

I think the fact that he can't tell his good material from his crap is his Achille's heel as an artist. When he's good he's brilliant...when he's bad he's a boring ripoff artist.

I mean...seriously, "Cold Roses?" It's the best album the grateful dead never wrote.

So anyway...it was $34.50 sorta well spent. Beats paying $250 to see some crap ass band at the sprint center trying to relive 1986.

But I don't think I'll bother next time around unless a complimentary blowjob from Mandi Moore is included in the ticket price.

[DF]

Brilliant, Tim. Absolutely brilliant.

[mankvill]

This is the best review I have ever read.

Ryan Adams is a dick.

[Darrell Lea]

I enjoyed the music last night quite a bit. I thought Ryan and the band were in top form for the time they played.

I'd not paid a bit of attention to Ryan Adams prior to a year ago, when my guitar student wanted to learn some of his songs. Considering the level of vitriol he brings out in some people, I can understand why he's getting out of the business.

p.s. I disagreed with your Springsteen review a few weeks ago as well. That record has brought me more happiness in the month since it came out than I could have possibly expected. Guess I'm just a happy, whistlin' fool...

[Denver]

Tim you are totally right on. I'm a die hard RA fan and was terribly disappointed with the show last night. Although being a RA fan you have to go to a show with no expectations. It's just Ryan being Ryan.

The last show he played here in KC was nearly perfect, then I followed him to STL and the show was pretty much the same as the show last night, short first set, intermission, second set, and no encore.

It's really hit and miss with him, an understatement I know. For those who don't like to gamble, I would recommend never taking a chance on an RA show, your disappointment will ruin your love for the music, just stay away and put on the cd.

As always Tim, love your blog, keep up the good work.

[Bryan Adams]

Dear Ryan,
I downloaded every one of your albums from the internet. Never paid a dime. After last night's half-ass performance, consider us even-steven.

Hugs

[aquaman]

Hey Tim - do you just keep your Ryan Adams and Bob Dylan reviews in a file and bring them out when they come to town? Looks like you pleased your readers (fans) - I wish you would let loose with this kind of "objective" journalism about the horrible sound, seating and overall concert experience at the Sprint Center - oops, I forgot who your signs your checks...

Flame away Kool-Aid drinkers!

[Tim Finn]

Here's a link to the previous RA/Cardinals review at the Uptown in October 2007, when he played for almost two hours, with encores and no intermission. http://backtorockville.typepad.com/back_to_rockville/2007/10/review-ryan-ada.html
Funny you should mention Dylan; his fans, too, just don't want to believe that he can have an off-night or poor showing. It happens.

Here's the link to the Dylan show in August.
http://backtorockville.typepad.com/back_to_rockville/2008/08/review-bob-dyla.html

Here's a link to the story we did on the crappy sound at Sprint Center.
http://www.kansascity.com/223/story/819619.html

And to Murphy, who wrote: "you seemed to not notice the fact that the cardinals sounded Awesome, especially ryan adams voice." I wrote: "The first set was good, and the band -- arguably a band as good as any out there (Wilco included) -- sounded great."

You wrote: "For actual fans of ryan adams, its fun to hear him and the band banter about banks and pens. that's one of the funnest things about concerts is we actually get to hear the band members joke around." True, but not when the banter eats up what amounts to 10 percent of the show. People in my section were grumbling about it; one guy shouted "Shut up and play!" It wasn't just me.

You wrote: "Any review i've read of yours has been so negative...sometimes i feel like you hate music. i think you need to calm down a bit and remember why you are a music reviewer in the first place..which i hope is because your are knock-down drag-out in love with music.

As for positive reviews, look at recent reviews of the Pretenders, the Solange/Estelle show Thursday night at VooDoo, the Todd Snider show, the AC/DC show ... Reviewing shows is also about consumer advocacy. A concert is a covenant between fan and band. Fans spend their money with expectations in mind: the show will be long enough, they'll play songs I want to hear, the sound will be good, the band will be courteous ... etc. It's not just about loving the music; that's implicit. Who goes to hear music they don't like?

[Opie]

He didn't even play "Cuts Like A Knife".

What a hoser.

Love,
Opie

[Elliot]

Hey! Tim doesn't hate music. And he's not encouraging us to hate music. He's rightfully criticizing prima donna "artists" who don't deliver on the promise of a concert ticket. And to Thomas, yes, Sprint Center concerts are expensive. But when the Boss plays for three hours and 15 minutes, I don't feel cheated. He's the kind of artist that leaves everything on the stage. So...fair play to you, Tim. Thanks for being honest.
-Elliot

[Nick]

Everyone should have gone to the Voodoo Lounge last night for the Red Guitar/Sometimes Three show. We played long sets of melodic rock and roll with great lighting and killer sound for about 200 people who all seemed to have a great time. And the tickets were 5 bucks!

[Who dat?]

Sorry, Nick....but I've never heard of ya. 200 people showed up? I'll bet your power of estimation is WAY off. Nice try promoting your band, though.............and Murphy, who posted earlier, seems like a Royal A-hole....or Ryan Adams, take your pick.

[MikeA]

At what point in the show did he apologize for missing the original date in KC and thank everyone for their patience?

[layne_says]

tim,
you are a treasure to kansas city. thanks for the amazing review. i still love ryan's albums but seeing him last time dick around between songs turned me to seeing him ever again.

[Gretchen]

I was not going to read this review since I'm not a Ryan Adams fan but my son suggested I read it for it's entertainment value - he was right. I do agree with Tim Finn - when I spend bucks anywhere (concert or otherwise) I want the best value. I spent top dollars to see The Police and wasn't disappointed. I spent less to see Billy Joel - again not disappointed. In this economy it's OK to price things out including entertainment.

[greenm]

Looks like this review's been waiting awhile to come out...he may not have been perfect - however, what you wrote was anything but spontaneous...or accurate. Seemed angry. Minutes in a show? $/hour? Is that your new standeard - a "value" show (as one of your fans posted). Wow - jam bands rule then - right? You're smarter than that and you're just wrong on this. You've played right along with the common thread on Ryan since it's been popular to do so and now - pow - here's your moment - except he was just average - not great, not horrible - and you let him have it anyway. As young as he is - Ryan doesn't seem so much the amateur as you, Tim.

[Bubba]

That diagram of a phallus is FREAKING hilarious! I remember when he first came out, some fans mistook RYAN ADAMS for {B}RYAN ADAMS. Please don't flatter him like that!

[mankvill]

I can't believe he didn't even play Summer of '69

[Bryan]

I totally agree...I saw the pedal steel player after the show and wanted to tell him thanks for the rip off.

[Tim Finn]

The mgmt of the Uptown told me: On at 8:30, off around 11. That fit with the format of other shows (follow the link above). So he shortchanged us big-time with two eight-song sets, with a break in between -- an audience that bought its tickets for a show in October that was postponed because he was sick (and no mention of that either). Why did he cut 45 minutes out of the show? Was he being spontaneous or was this all in the cards? If so, why a freaking intermission for an 80 minute show?

As for the "common thread," his reputation didn't emerge out of thin air. He's notorious for this. Ask anyone at the infamous Lied Center show. Then he complains that he has a reputation he doesn't deserve. "Young'? He's almost 35 and he's been doing this since the early 90s.

Angry? No more than a lot of people leaving the place Friday with big WTF?? looks on their faces.

And as for $/minutes: You bet. A concert is a commercial transaction, like a movie or a meal. It has a value attached. Fans are customers and they deserved to be treated like it, with respect. He treats them like a nuisance. And he seems to think that his fans don't see other -- and more esteemed -- performers (Springsteen, Petty, Krauss/Plant) treat their audiences with great respect. Why can't he do that?

It's not just the length of the show that's important, it's what is put into it. The Pretenders only played about 20 minutes longer than RA, but they played six more songs, including older stuff and hits, and they didn't stop 15 minutes in the middle. Worth every penny.

Otherwise what are the standards? That they just show up, start when the feel like it and play as long as the feel like it? That's what he did. And we're just supposed to take it? It was totally amateur. Why do you tolerate it?

[BS71]

I was at the show. This was my 3rd time seeing Ryan Adams (the last was at the Lied Center, so my expectations were pretty low).

There is no excuse for what he did. Let me repeat: no excuse. A Friday night, a full house, a "make-up date."

He might be a brilliant songwriter, and even a great performer. However, he is anything but professional.

[VinceM]

There were definitely a lot of puzzled looks from the audience as the show ended. The banter was awkward and not especially funny. The Grateful Dead noodle jam completely derailed "Goodnight Rose" and "Rescue Blues" was disappointing. Ryan's piano either didn't work or was completely inaudible on that one. The show was definitely not worth paying $42 for. That said, the man has enormous talent and the show last night had some brilliant moments. It's too bad it ended right as it was heating up.

The last concert I attended was Todd Snider at the Voodoo last month. Ryan Adams could learn a lot from him.

[a]

once again, it's great to see tim just put people in their place. stop letting performers off the hook, people.

[Otis]

Tim...You say your ticket was $42.65. Did you actually pay for your ticket? I think not. So while I see the point of your little mathematical ROI analysis, don't make it sound like you got ripped off personally. Your review raised some valid points, but it was pretty childish. Are you hoping for a call like Jim DeRogatis got? Would that make you a big star???

[Tim Finn]

Yes the ticket was paid for by The Star. My not getting "ripped off" personally doesn't get him off the hook for ripping off everyone else. As for the childishness, well he has cornered that market hasn't he? This was probably the eight time I've seen him. Only once -- when he opened for Alanis Morrissette at Starlight -- did he not express his apparent annoyance or disregard for his audience. That show was brilliant. He is frustrating to the point of exasperation. And I know absolutely nothing about any call to Jim DeRogatis.

[Jeffrey]

Thanks Tim for keeping them honest for the commercial and the artistic side of the this. I have quit good restaurants and retail locations because of bad service. When I give away my paycheck, I expect some respect, and when I receive that I will support, follow, and tell my friends about your music, food or what ever product your shelling out. A great product without the R E S P E C T ... means nothing to me.
Keep holding there feet to the fire Tim!

[Otis]

Here's the call from Ryan Adams to Jim DeRogatis. I'm sure you'll enjoy it.

http://mp34u.muzic.com/posting/1066