Artist: Ryan Adams

Album: “Easy Tiger”

Release date: June 26, 2007

Label: Lost Highway

Availability: CD, iTunes

No one can accuse Ryan Adams of not working hard enough. Adams has released at least one full-length LP every year since 2000’s “Heartbreaker.” Since that country-rock debut, each record has offered a different sound – from the New York indie rock sound of “Rock N Roll” to the straight-up country blues of “Jacksonville City Nights.”

“Easy Tiger,” as its name suggests, is Adams’ suggestion to himself to slow down and remember his roots. As a result, “Tiger” sounds more like his debut than any of his other work. While it might be viewed as a step backward, Adams really is at his best when he’s the Ryan Adams we heard in his debut.

But, while Adams feels comfortable here, that doesn’t mean the listener benefits as well. The songs are typical inoffensive country-rock, and there are some good ones – “Halloweenhead” is the album’s biggest rocker with likable but vague lyrics, and the closer “I Taught Myself How to Grow Old” beautifully plods along after a classic blues harmonica intro. Still, most songs don’t do anything lyrically or musically to expand the genre, resulting in a collection of songs you swear you could’ve heard somewhere before.

Adams can’t seem to get a break – he’s not anything except a country artist, as evidenced by his previous work. But he should at least get points for trying. On “Easy Tiger,” it sounds like Adams just phoned in an album that would keep long-time and new fans alike happy.