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Review: The Cardinals Featuring Ryan Adams
Wildly prolific, alt-country whiz Ryan Adams went from starving for attention to not wanting any attention at all. Were it his decision, he’d file “Cardinology,” his new album out Oct. 28, under “Cardinals,” the handle for his four-piece backing band, instead of “Ryan Adams.” But the idea of ditching his brand name was apparently nixed by his label, leaving the marquis last night at the Paramount to read “The Cardinals Featuring Ryan Adams.”
Adams’ newfound appreciation for humility was probably a response to the bad rep he’s gotten for his verbal jarring. He walked the straight-and-narrow at the Paramount by letting the music speak for itself for most of the first set of a muscular, two-and-a-half-hour, two-set show. In between instantly intriguing “Cardinology” numbers including “Fix It,” “Magick,” and “Cobwebs,” wherein he and fellow guitarist Neal Casal harmonized “If I fall, will you catch me?,” Adams blew his nose and bit his lip through a barrage of playful catcalls and unsolicited song requests.
Eventually the urge to banter became too much. Adams ribbed Casal about Casal’s new guitar, which Adams had anointed “Sparrowmyth.”
“Only this guy could come up with that,” Casal confided to the audience.
“It’s a play on Aerosmith,” Adams countered.
A repartee about Joe Perry, coke, and barbecue sauce ensued between the two. It was so quick and witty, it was either rehearsed or Adams and Casal are two totally synced-in dudes. The second set didn’t nullify the former, but it definitely affirmed the latter.
Under a backdrop of two entrancing, blue neon roses, Adams and Casal — augmented by Chris Feinstein on bass, Jon Graboff on pedal steel, and Brad Pemberton on drums — let it ride with “Off Broadway” and “Two,” from last year’s “Easy Tiger,” and “Cold Roses” and “Easy Plateau,” from the double-disc “Cold Roses.” And then the show, tainted only by a limp cover of Oasis’s “Wonderwall,” came to a resounding end when, for the first time all night, Pemberton banged on the gong behind his drum kit.
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By Chase
October 14, 2008 3:21 PM | Link to this
“limp cover of Oasis’s ‘Wonderwall’”
Seriously? You had it nailed until that line. That was probably one of the best songs I have ever heard at a live show! There may have been other weak points, but you are completely delirious if you think that was a poorly done song.
By ameliajade
October 14, 2008 3:26 PM | Link to this
I wish Ryan had left some of the Cardinals behind and let his true talent shine through. Ryan has an outstanding collection of music from the alt-rock genre and more. His lyrics have always been the heart of the song. Unfortunately, you couldn’t hear many of the lyrics because of the volume of the Cardinals’ instruments, especially the drums. I wanted to rip those drumsticks out of Brad Pemberton’s hands at times.
The music’s loudness overpowered Ryan’s songs. At times, one could hardly recognize a song because of the noise. Also, the band jammed and jammed to several known songs, which did nothing for them, except increase the length. I know many male fans love this, but not everyone.
As a long-time Adams fan, I was frustrated during the concert and sad after it. Ryan has seemed to have lost himself in the noise of loud instruments and the increased jamming on songs. What suffers is the beautiful lyrics. I hope he again looks at his best work.
By Lewis
October 15, 2008 11:53 AM | Link to this
Even Oasis—Noel at least- has said that Ryan Adam’s cover of Wonderwall is better than the original. Very beautiful rendition, very moving. I’d agree with the rest of the review, but that just stopped me dead, couldn’t let it go by without comment.