It opens with the crisp and upbeat “Welcome to New York,” where his vocals are slightly reminiscent of Bono from U2. His version of Swift’s “Blank Space” is haunting and heartbreaking. He is able to give “Style” his own unique twist, where the listener can recall Bruce Springsteen. “Out Of The Woods” is acoustic and nostalgic.
He showcases his inner rocker on “All You Had To Do Was Stay,” while his bold version of “Shake It Off” is distinct and refreshing. “I Wish You Would” is poetic and captivating. Equally noteworthy is “Bad Blood,” which will make the listener sing along. The highlight vocal of the album is his stellar version of “Wildest Dreams,” which deserves to go No. 1 on the charts someday.
“How You Get The Girl” is another acoustic masterpiece, while “This Love” is more subtle. It closes with the upbeat “I Know Places” and the cathartic “Clean.”
The Verdict
Overall, Ryan Adams’ 1989 album is wonderful. Taylor Swift would smile upon this bravura effort. He is not afraid to display his vulnerability as a recording artist on this collection. It garners an A rating.
For more information on singer-songwriter Ryan Adams and this studio offering, check out his official website.
