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Under The Influence: Ryan Adams
With a sense of willful naiveté we sometimes regard our heroes as god-like. Some part of us believes their talents were simply handed to them, like Apollo giving the caduceus to Hermes. But the truth is, most of the time their talents are absorbed, not simply accepted. The same way a child takes on the characteristics of her two parents, musicians study, obsess, and imitate the attributes of their musical forebears.
Arguably the most prolific songwriter of our time, Ryan Adams is, at the same time, a prodigy and a pupil. Adams has put out over twenty albums in the past twenty years, between his various projects. He has covered the gamut of musical styles, everything from the softest singer-songwriter lullabies, to the most obnoxious metal you’ll ever hear.
In 1994, Ryan Adams and Caitlin Cary formed the alt-country band Whiskeytown. For six years the band evolved and expanded their sound, but they managed to root themselves in alt-country. And if there is one person who, to the listener, seems to influence Whiskeytown’s body of work, it’s Graham Parsons. Compare the Whiskeytown song “16 Days” with Parson’s “A Song for You.”
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In 2000, Adams left Whiskeytown to pursue a solo career. The Graham Parsons bug continued to infect him. Parsons’ old singing partner Emmylou Harris even sang back-ups on Adams’ debut solo release ‘Heartbreaker.’ But through the years one of his other influences became more prominent in his songwriting: The Smiths, especially lead singer Morrissey.
The influence of The Smiths had always been there, but it became more prevalent on 2003′s ‘Rock N Roll,’ and 2004′s ‘Love Is Hell.’ Most likely you’ve recognized the Morrissey-like vocals and Smiths-spaced musical composition. But if not, take a listen to the songs “This House Is Not For Sale” from ‘Love is Hell,’ and “Anybody Wanna Take Me Home” from ‘Rock N Roll.’
All artists are influenced by someone. Ryan Adams just so happens to be one of those who actually influences other artists. No doubt, in future ‘Under the Influence’ articles his name is bound to show up. But that’s why we began with him.