Ryan Adams reacts to Times review

On Friday, Pop & Hiss published a review of Thursday night's Oasis concert at the Staples Center, a piece of criticism that has since elicited a response from opener Ryan Adams, who played that night with his backing band, the Cardinals. Reviewer Mikael Wood praised Adams' recent "Cardinology," but a comment later in Wood's review hit Adams the wrong way, and prompted the artist to respond with a post on his blog.

Here's the portion of the review that concerns Adams, as well as the musician's response to it. First, the review:

Opening the show with his sturdy alt-country backing band the Cardinals, Ryan Adams tried to work a similar mixture of antagonism and affection. Here's another darn sunshiney anthem, he said (in slightly more colorful language) before playing "Go Easy," a typically melancholy cut from this year's fine "Cardinology."

Apparently irritated by the audience's reluctance to receive his music with the hushed reverence it deserves, Adams retreated to sarcasm (not to mention bizarre, possibly booze-fueled ruminations on Jethro Tull and "the tyranny and horrors of math"). As Thursday's headliners demonstrated, though, that's a weapon that requires experience to handle.

Adams was none too pleased with the phrase "possibly booze-fueled," as the artist makes clear that he is now sober, and struggled with substance abuse for 10 years.

Adams writes in a post titled "LA TIMES--Apologize for YOUR REMARK" (the spacing is copied from Adams' post):

I want to stand in the light and even if, even if in the review of OASIS you did not like the music I make as part of a band, you can say that.

but you cannot have my sobriety.

it is MINE and the gift i choose to give to my friends first,

the fans of my and OUR music,

and

to any kid or adult lost somewhere too, that look, me too, me too,

But the standing here and standing up is the work.

Please remove your comments or apologize for inferring myself or my band members were on substances.

Because you were wrong.

You were every very wrong to take that from us.

As a journalist you don’t have to know the life story of a person.

but in this case,

you were wrong.

Take it back, LA TIMES journalist (if you haven’t already)

Ryan Adams

Here is the Times' review of "Cardinology."

-- Todd Martens

Photo credit: Getty Images

Comments

[David Delacroix]

To Mikael Wood:
Apparently, your "journalistic" qualifications lean toward the obscenely superficial. As for this fan of the Cardinals, I also have to demand that you retract and apologize for your comment regarding Ryan's sobriety. YOUR integrity deserves scrutiny, Mr. Wood. Please apologize- sobriety is no easy road.
David Delacroix

[Jim Becker]

I was at the show; Ryan Adams and the Cardinals sounded fresh, melodic, and energetic.... I've not heard him before except for maybe one or two tunes and both me and my 13 year old musician daughter not only appreciated the great musicianship from RC&C but also his very subtle sense of humor when joking with the audience... very human, very musical, very good.

[darren]

ryan adams and the cardinals is a better show than oasis i must say. There live sound is phenonimal and ryan adams is a very gifted individual who knows how to craft a great song.give the man a break for once!

[Bill Lloyd]

Ryan Adams is a filthy drunk. I WATCHED him drink backstage before the show.

[Bryan]

dood the writer said "possibly booze fueled." that's disclaimer enough, no retraction necessary. adams doth protesteth too much (let alone "possibly" drinkseth too much).

[Scott Thompson]

Maintaining sobriety is a battle that at times may seem fruitless and one of the few rewards offered to individuals who are able to keep fighting is the respect and admiration recieved when you are successful .

The LA times by suggesting Ryan was drunk is taking away from his sobriety which is not something that should be made light of...

Imagine making a Cancer or Aids joke in front of someone who has the disease...

even if the disaease is still in remission you don't need to be reminded of it.

Shame shame shame on the LA times...

[Ahmad]

Sobriety should be it's own reward... Screw admiration, and screw what other people write or think. Ryan Adams is obviously so far up his own a-- that he can't see that. Whether he's drunk, or on drugs, or not, he definitely still acts and writes like he's intoxicated.

[Robert]

It may be rare to comment on a comment, but since this comment section is moderated, why would your paper allow the comment made by Bill Lloyd wherein he claims to have WATCHED Mr. Adams drink backstage before the show without some sort of proof or verification. It seems reckless to allow such a bold assertion to be made here without further proof. What exactly did Bill Lloyd observe him drink for instance? Why was Bill Lloyd backstage?

What exactly is the point of a moderator when you allow such reckless unsupported comments to be made without verification.

[Norma Spano]

Nice cheap shots. Perhaps your talents would be better served aiding Mr. Blackwell with his Worst Dressed List.

And yes, that was a tongue response to your one article. Get it?

I have seen RA a number of times and yes, his antics have been interesting to say the least but his sobriety or lack thereof is not for your speculation and quite frankly, don't you have better things to write about? Like his MUSIC???

[Geoffrey Phillips]

Right on Ryan! I am sober also and if I ever found myself under baseless destructive speculation about my sobriety I would quickly set the story straight too. This kind of poison affects everyone who has witnessed the miracle of your recovery.