Whiskeytown

[KatieKutthroat.]

Lately I've really been into Ryan Adams, so I decided to give his old band Whiskeytown a solid listen. So far I've only heard Stranger's Almanac, but I'm really digging them. Anyone else here a fan?

Oh, and I don't think there's already a thread for them, but if there is, I apologize.

[IWasaCamera]

While I prefer Ryan's own work, good band. Faithless Street is also quite solid.

[KatieKutthroat.]

I'll have to check that out next.

[CellarGhosts]

They're alt.country right? That's what I've heard at least, and I love alt.country so I'll probably check them out.

[KatieKutthroat.]

Yes they are. I think you might enjoy them.

[IWasaCamera]

Yep, some of the better alt-country around.

[CellarGhosts]

Yes they are. I think you might enjoy them.

Yep, some of the better alt-country around.
Alright guys, sweet. I'll check em out.

[Carlo Marx]

pretty good; but yeah, ryan adam's solo work is definitely better.

[IWasaCamera]

Agreed.

[CellarGhosts]

Bump.

Seeing as how I've been on a big RA kick lately I decided to give Whiskeytown a proper listen and I'm glad I did. Good stuff. But yeah, I'm with you guys...I prefer solo Adams.

[3eb23]

Bump. Been listening to Strangers Almanac a lot lately. I love going back to this album. BTW, does anyone think Ryan Adams sounds a bit like Johnny Rzeznik in "Turn Around"

[Genuma]

Only listened to Ryan's solo stuff. I should give this a listen, too.

[CellarGhosts]

Bump. Been listening to Strangers Almanac a lot lately. I love going back to this album. BTW, does anyone think Ryan Adams sounds a bit like Johnny Rzeznik in "Turn Around"
Strangers Almanac is my favorite Whiskeytown; so good. I think I know what you mean about "Turn Around", too. I sort of feel the same way about "16 Days".

[3eb23]

Strangers Almanac is my favorite Whiskeytown; so good. I think I know what you mean about "Turn Around", too. I sort of feel the same way about "16 Days".

That's funny cause I read a review that said 16 Days was Replacements-esque. And I remember back in the day when Johnny said that he listened to a lot of Replacements when he wrote their records haha. Coincidence?

...maybe i should finally listen to the replacements

[CellarGhosts]

That's funny cause I read a review that said 16 Days was Replacements-esque. And I remember back in the day when Johnny said that he listened to a lot of Replacements when he wrote their records haha. Coincidence?

...maybe i should finally listen to the replacements
Yeah I definitely hear a pretty strong Replacements influence in "16 Days", not to mention a number of other solo Ryan songs. That makes sense too, because early Goo Goo Dolls stuff is heavily 'Mats inspired. But yeah, I highly recommend checking them out; one of my favorite bands.

If you need a place to start, I think Tim is their best work so it wouldn't hurt to give it a shot.

[jamierose]

Ryan Adams has never done anything as good as Strangers Almanac solo I don't think. I love that record!! Heartbreaker comes closest though.

[CellarGhosts]

Gold is my favorite Ryan Adams release, including Whiskeytown but Strangers Almanac is still very good.

[CellarGhosts]

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b123/wtfduck/statements/bump-chef.jpg

[StreetSpirit76]

Haha, great bump. Picking up Strangers Almanac this weekend and Pneumonia is solid.

[CellarGhosts]

Haha, great bump. Picking up Strangers Almanac this weekend and Pneumonia is solid.
:bow:

Good call though. Strangers Almanac is my personal favorite Whiskeytown release though Pneumonia is a solid second. "Jacksonville Skyline" is one of my favorite things Ryan's ever written.

[StreetSpirit76]

:bow:

Good call though. Strangers Almanac is my personal favorite Whiskeytown release though Pneumonia is a solid second. "Jacksonville Skyline" is one of my favorite things Ryan's ever written.
Great, great song. Glad to hear you like Strangers Almanac so much. I'm excited to give that a listen.

[CellarGhosts]

Great, great song. Glad to hear you like Strangers Almanac so much. I'm excited to give that a listen.
For sure. "Sit and Listen to the Rain" is great too. I like "Don't Wanna Know Why" but the demo version from their unreleased album Forever Valentine is a lot better, imo. In fact I could probably upload that album here since it's unreleased stuff. But yeah, I'm sure you'll dig Strangers Almanac.

[StreetSpirit76]

For sure. "Sit and Listen to the Rain" is great too. I like "Don't Wanna Know Why" but the demo version from their unreleased album Forever Valentine is a lot better, imo. In fact I could probably upload that album here since it's unreleased stuff. But yeah, I'm sure you'll dig Strangers Almanac.
Actually just found a download of that haha, but thanks anyway. Also downloading a "B-Sides & Rarities" collection I found, although I'm not sure how complete it is.

[CellarGhosts]

Actually just found a download of that haha, but thanks anyway. Also downloading a "B-Sides & Rarities" collection I found, although I'm not sure how complete it is.
Oh, sweet. It's probably the same B-Sides & Rarities that I have, which is about 17 or 18 songs total so it's not totally complete but it's a solid collection. There's still more rare/unreleased stuff though. I'm pretty sure I've got all their stuff so if you need help finding any of the rest, let me know.

[StreetSpirit76]

Oh, sweet. It's probably the same B-Sides & Rarities that I have, which is about 17 or 18 songs total so it's not totally complete but it's a solid collection. There's still more rare/unreleased stuff though. I'm pretty sure I've got all their stuff so if you need help finding any of the rest, let me know.
Alright thanks, I'll probably start digging through it all next week. On a major Springsteen kick at the moment as you can probably guess ha.

[CellarGhosts]

Alright thanks, I'll probably start digging through it all next week. On a major Springsteen kick at the moment as you can probably guess ha.
Sure thing. I would've figured, haha. If I were lucky enough to be seeing him I'd be on a huge kick too.

[FeynmanWannabe]

For sure. "Sit and Listen to the Rain" is great too. I like "Don't Wanna Know Why" but the demo version from their unreleased album Forever Valentine is a lot better, imo. In fact I could probably upload that album here since it's unreleased stuff. But yeah, I'm sure you'll dig Strangers Almanac.

:bow:

Good call though. Strangers Almanac is my personal favorite Whiskeytown release though Pneumonia is a solid second. "Jacksonville Skyline" is one of my favorite things Ryan's ever written.
looks like share similar taste in the Whiskeytown catalog.

[CellarGhosts]

looks like share similar taste in the Whiskeytown catalog.
:highfive:

There's just something about the stripped down/"messier" version of "Don't Wanna Know Why" that makes it so much better than the album version, in my book. And yeah, "Jacksonville Skyline" is classic, such a great song.

[neo506]

love Whiskeytown

Check out American Aquarium (http://www.myspace.com/americanaquarium) Caitlin Cary (violinist for Whiskeytown) plays on their albums and live occasionally but I'm not sure if shes an official member

[CellarGhosts]

Good stuff!

[StreetSpirit76]

love Whiskeytown

Check out American Aquarium (http://www.myspace.com/americanaquarium) Caitlin Cary (violinist for Whiskeytown) plays on their albums and live occasionally but I'm not sure if shes an official member
Awesome. Adding this to my list of stuff to check out.

[CellarGhosts]

This guy's got some of the best covers on YouTube.

aeki1pIILxg

[StreetSpirit76]

Bump. Strangers Almanac is fantastic.

[CellarGhosts]

Indeed it is! Particular favorite tracks? "Excuse Me While I Break My Own Heart Tonight", "Houses On the Hill", "Inn Town", "16 Days" and "Yesterday's News" are where its at for me. Sooo good.

[StreetSpirit76]

All of those and "Avenues", although it really is excellent all the way through. I think I'm going to have to go with the popular vote and say this is my favorite Whiskeytown album so far. I still have to check out Faithless Street, but considering it's a debut I'm gonna go ahead and say it won't be quite as good as the other two (though I could be wrong). I downloaded Rural Free Delivery as well but I haven't given it a listen yet.

[CellarGhosts]

All of those and "Avenues", although it really is excellent all the way through. I think I'm going to have to go with the popular vote and say this is my favorite Whiskeytown album. I still have to check out Faithless Street, but considering it's a debut I'm gonna go ahead and say it won't be quite as good as the other two (though I could be wrong). I downloaded Rural Free Delivery as well but I haven't given it a listen yet.
"Avenues" rules too. As for Faithless Street, you'd be pretty accurate in that assumption. It's a good album but it's not as consistent as Strangers Almanac. Then again, all I know is the re-released version (which seems to be the only one available now, at least to where its' easy to find) with 21 tracks including several bonus tracks/older versions of songs that ended up on SA. It's got its share of gems but nothing on there is as good as the best tracks on SA, in my opinion.

And the Rural Free Delivery EP rules. There's a Black Flag cover on there and its' awesome haha.

[StreetSpirit76]

"Avenues" rules too. As for Faithless Street, you'd be pretty accurate in that assumption. It's a good album but it's not as consistent as Strangers Almanac. Then again, all I know is the re-released version (which seems to be the only one available now, at least to where its' easy to find) with 21 tracks including several bonus tracks/older versions of songs that ended up on SA. It's got its share of gems but nothing on there is as good as the best tracks on SA, in my opinion.

And the Rural Free Delivery EP rules. There's a Black Flag cover on there and its' awesome haha.
Yeah that's the one I have too (downloaded, since my Best Buy sucks and apparently yours doesn't haha).

Black Flag cover has me interested ha. I'm trying to sort of ease myself through everything though because I don't want to absorb too much at once, so I probably won't listen to that for a while. Still getting acquainted with Strangers Almanac and Demolition (which I think is great, contrary to popular opinion).

[CellarGhosts]

Yeah that's the one I have too (downloaded, since my Best Buy sucks and apparently yours doesn't haha).

Black Flag cover has me interested ha. I'm trying to sort of ease myself through everything though because I don't want to absorb too much at once, so I probably won't listen to that for a while. Still getting acquainted with Strangers Almanac and Demolition (which I think is great, contrary to popular opinion).
Haha, I still think that's pretty weird that they only had Gold and Cardinology. Bummer. But yeah I hear you. I kind of made the mistake of absorbing too much at once when I was first getting into Ryan's stuff so it took a while for a lot of it to really hit me but once it did I was obsessed haha. So good call.

Yeah, if you like Demolition you should like the rest of his albums as well. This is just a wild guess, but I feel like a lot of people who don't care for anything post-Gold were those who followed him from his Whiskeytown days and just ended up disappointed once he started just releasing album after album after Gold. But like I said, just speculating.

Knowing what I do about your taste, you might not be into Rock N' Roll (admittedly even I think this one gets pretty hard to digest save for a few gems) but even then, I think there's really only two or three songs on that album that are bad/that I skip over. For the most part its' just an 'okay' album with about three or four great songs. Cardinology is his worst, imo. Same thing applies to that one as to Rock N' Roll, in my mind. Only the gems on there aren't as good as the ones on Rock N' Roll, ha.

[StreetSpirit76]

Haha, I still think that's pretty weird that they only had Gold and Cardinology. Bummer. But yeah I hear you. I kind of made the mistake of absorbing too much at once when I was first getting into Ryan's stuff so it took a while for a lot of it to really hit me but once it did I was obsessed haha. So good call.

Yeah, if you like Demolition you should like the rest of his albums as well. This is just a wild guess, but I feel like a lot of people who don't care for anything post-Gold were those who followed him from his Whiskeytown days and just ended up disappointed once he started just releasing album after album after Gold. But like I said, just speculating.

Knowing what I do about your taste, you might not be into Rock N' Roll (admittedly even I think this one gets pretty hard to digest save for a few gems) but even then, I think there's really only two or three songs on that album that are bad/that I skip over. For the most part its' just an 'okay' album with about three or four great songs. Cardinology is his worst, imo. Same thing applies to that one as to Rock N' Roll, in my mind. Only the gems on there aren't as good as the ones on Rock N' Roll, ha.
Same thing has happened to me a few times haha. Eventually I learned to slow down and savor every album before moving on to the next one, which is what I'm trying to do with Adams.

Yeah I love Demolition, I think as an album it's a little hard to swallow since it's not really all that cohesive but the songs themselves are great. As a compilation of unreleased tracks I think it works really well, but that's just me.

I'll probably download the unreleased albums before moving on through his official discography, but I'm interested to see how I take to Rock N' Roll. The title isn't very promising haha.

[CellarGhosts]

Same thing has happened to me a few times haha. Eventually I learned to slow down and savor every album before moving on to the next one, which is what I'm trying to do with Adams.

Yeah I love Demolition, I think as an album it's a little hard to swallow since it's not really all that cohesive but the songs themselves are great. As a compilation of unreleased tracks I think it works really well, but that's just me.

I'll probably download the unreleased albums before moving on through his official discography, but I'm interested to see how I take to Rock N' Roll. The album title isn't very promising haha.
Haha, that's good. I've made that mistake checking out several artists before. That, and me getting into him right when Best Buy starts selling almost every album in his entire discography for $8.00. I was like "hey, I can afford this, why not?! Must have more Ryan Adams!" Haha.

Sweet. I know what you mean too. It doesn't work too well as an album per se but for a compilation it's solid. Still kind of crazy that he recorded four possible follow-ups to Gold and all of them got rejected by Lost Highway. The way I understand it, Suicide Handbook was "too sad" and 48 Hours was recorded two days after Gold was finished, and the label didn't feel like they could realistically release two albums that close to one another. Not sure what the exact reason was for them turning down Stockholm or Pinkhearts (the other two sessions that some of the Demoliton tracks are taken from). Both of those are pretty solid but neither one really feels like an album. Especially not the latter seeing as how several of the songs are kind of goofy, throwaway rock jams.

Ah, cool. Yeah definitely give Suicide Handbook and 48 Hours a shot but the rest of the unreleased stuff can wait until later, I think. Your call though. As for Rock N' Roll, this is how I understand it - The album was apparently Ryan's response to Lost Highway's initial refusal to release Love Is Hell (apparently because they didn't think it was commercial enough or something) so he just recorded a weird, grungy rock album. The album's title is kind of tongue in cheek, I think. Strangely, the title track is entirely piano and vocal and actually, one of my favorites ha.

[StreetSpirit76]

Haha, that's good. I've made that mistake checking out several artists before. That, and me getting into him right when Best Buy starts selling almost every album in his entire discography for $8.00. I was like "hey, I can afford this, why not?! Must have more Ryan Adams!" Haha.

Sweet. I know what you mean too. It doesn't work too well as an album per se but for a compilation it's solid. Still kind of crazy that he recorded four possible follow-ups to Gold and all of them got rejected by Lost Highway. The way I understand it, Suicide Handbook was "too sad" and 48 Hours was recorded two days after Gold was finished, and the label didn't feel like they could realistically release two albums that close to one another. Not sure what the exact reason was for them turning down Stockholm or Pinkhearts (the other two sessions that some of the Demoliton tracks are taken from). Both of those are pretty solid but neither one really feels like an album. Especially not the latter seeing as how several of the songs are kind of goofy, throwaway rock jams.

Ah, cool. Yeah definitely give Suicide Handbook and 48 Hours a shot but the rest of the unreleased stuff can wait until later, I think. Your call though. As for Rock N' Roll, this is how I understand it - The album was apparently Ryan's response to Lost Highway's initial refusal to release Love Is Hell (apparently because they didn't think it was commercial enough or something) so he just recorded a weird, grungy rock album. The album's title is kind of tongue in cheek, I think. Strangely, the title track is entirely piano and vocal and actually, one of my favorites ha.

Seems like Ryan has had a lot of difficulties with Lost Highway. I also read that Gold was supposed to be a double album but they wouldn't allow it, so they instead released a sort of bastardized (albeit really good) version of what he wanted. And I don't understand how an album can be rejected for being "too sad"? Haha. Seems like he should've been able to release whatever he wanted at that point since Gold was such a success, but I dunno. It is kind of nuts that he managed to write/record such a large amount of material in such a small amount of time, but I guess that's also part of the problem most people have with him. When you're that prolific there's bound to be a few duds that show up.

I kind of figured/hoped it was tongue in cheek haha. I'll check it out for sure after 48 Hours and Suicide Handbook.

[CellarGhosts]

Seems like Ryan has had a lot of difficulties with Lost Highway. I also read that Gold was supposed to be a double album but they wouldn't allow it, so they instead released a sort of bastardized (albeit really good) version of what he wanted. And I don't understand how an album can be rejected for being "too sad"? Haha. Seems like he should've been able to release whatever he wanted at that point since Gold was such a success, but I dunno. It is kind of nuts that he managed to write/record such a large amount of material in such a small amount of time, but I guess that's also part of the problem most people have with him. When you're that prolific there's bound to be a few duds that show up.

I kind of figured/hoped it was tongue in cheek haha. I'll check it out for sure after 48 Hours and Suicide Handbook.
Yeah, he did haha. I remember hearing that too, he said something in an interview once about how they took the remaining songs and put them on a limited edition bonus disc so they wouldn't have to pay him more if he were to release a double album. Something to that extent. I'm not sure why they'd reject it for being "too sad" unless they just wanted another (mostly) upbeat rock album to follow up Gold. I mean, that album has its share of depressing moments too. And like I've said before, Suicide Handbook really isn't all that depressing ha. I guess it could be if you were in a bad mood but mostly it's just a really laid-back, relaxing listen. Yeah, they can't all be gems ha. But as far as I'm concerned the number of worthwhile unreleased tracks outnumber the bad ones. Most of the bad tracks are stuff he either recorded as a joke (a number of thrashy punk-inspired stuff turns up throughout some of the unreleased material) or songs where he got a little too experimental (for lack of a better word).

Cool cool. Even if you don't like it at first, it may grow on you. When I first heard it I was mostly unimpressed but a couple songs on there lept out at me immediately and I loved 'em from the start. From there, the rest (save for a few songs) grew on me.

[StreetSpirit76]

1mijK9gHBYM

One of my favorite songs at the moment.

[CellarGhosts]

Great song.

[cshadows2887]

Finally gave Stranger's Almanac a listen. So fucking good. Love the hints of The Replacements. Of course those hints are wrapped in blinding genius.

[doyouhas?]

Surprised to see a thread for Whiskeytown. Does anyone have any of the unreleased Whiskeytown stuff? Like unreleased RA stuff, it rivals at worst and trumps at best anything Whiskeytown ever put out on an official album.

[kearn1tm]

Surprised to see a thread for Whiskeytown. Does anyone have any of the unreleased Whiskeytown stuff? Like unreleased RA stuff, it rivals at worst and trumps at best anything Whiskeytown ever put out on an official album.

Huh. I like The Suicide Handbook stuff, and it's better than a fair amount of Adams' released, but I'd never put it above Heartbreaker and, to a lesser extent, Gold. Is there other solo RA stuff beyond the TSH that I'm not aware of? I'm not up on my bootleg Ryan Adams knowledge.

[doyouhas?]

Huh. I like The Suicide Handbook stuff, and it's better than a fair amount of Adams' released, but I'd never put it above Heartbreaker and, to a lesser extent, Gold. Is there other solo RA stuff beyond the TSH that I'm not aware of? I'm not up on my bootleg Ryan Adams knowledge.


48 Hours is Nother one and possibly my favorite RA record. I believe is was recorded right after gold. A few of the songs ended up on Demolition, but most of the best stuff is just floating around the internet. There are a couple of other full albums (Destroyer, Darkbreaker) and lots of demo sessions with unreleased stuff. His entire catalog can be intimidating, but I've found it to be worth while.

[kearn1tm]

48 Hours is Nother one and possibly my favorite RA record. I believe is was recorded right after gold. A few of the songs ended up on Demolition, but most of the best stuff is just floating around the internet. There are a couple of other full albums (Destroyer, Darkbreaker) and lots of demo sessions with unreleased stuff. His entire catalog can be intimidating, but I've found it to be worth while.

That guy was always too prolific for his own good. I'll track down some of this unreleased stuff though. Thanks.

[punchmasterj]

Has Anyone got the reissue of Stangers Almanac? I've heard so many good things about it, but ive been having trouble finding it. Also, Faithless street, to me, gives a better impression of whiskeytown, I like how rough it is at some points (Drank Like a River), but can then bring it down a couple notches, with ease (Desperate Ain't Lonely). I love Strangers Almanac too, but for me its all about Faithless Street.

[doyouhas?]

The reissue of Stranger's Almanac is great. They really loaded it down with bonus materiel, enough to make it worth buying it again. Most large music retailers should carry it. If not, there's always Amazon.

[StreetSpirit76]

Surprised to see a thread for Whiskeytown. Does anyone have any of the unreleased Whiskeytown stuff? Like unreleased RA stuff, it rivals at worst and trumps at best anything Whiskeytown ever put out on an official album.
I have most of it I think. Definitely agree with the bolded.
Huh. I like The Suicide Handbook stuff, and it's better than a fair amount of Adams' released, but I'd never put it above Heartbreaker and, to a lesser extent, Gold. Is there other solo RA stuff beyond the TSH that I'm not aware of? I'm not up on my bootleg Ryan Adams knowledge.
Kind of a late pass, but you're really missing out if you haven't heard 48 Hours yet. "Walls" is one of my favorite RA songs and the album as a whole is one of the best things he's ever done in my opinion.
Has Anyone got the reissue of Stangers Almanac? I've heard so many good things about it, but ive been having trouble finding it. Also, Faithless street, to me, gives a better impression of whiskeytown, I like how rough it is at some points (Drank Like a River), but can then bring it down a couple notches, with ease (Desperate Ain't Lonely). I love Strangers Almanac too, but for me its all about Faithless Street.
I have it and it's fantastic. I'd recommend just purchasing from Amazon.

[cshadows2887]

Seriously, how good is Pneumonia?

[StreetSpirit76]

"Jacksonville Skyline" is one of my all time favorite songs.

[cshadows2887]

Listening to Rural Free Delivery for the first time. SO country, but also so good.

[SwiftSilentDead]

Love Strangers Almanac. Havent listened to much of their other stuff though. A few of the hockey bloggers I know are also into Whiskeytown, haha.

[MelissaMDaniels]

What was first - Whiskeytown or RA & The Cardinals?