Ryan Adams. Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons @6tee-zeven
Ryan Adams had a lot to write about on his latest record: after a high-profile divorce from singer / actress Mandy Moore, Adams released Prisoner to rave reviews. Drawing parallels to classic records from Bruce Springsteen (notably Tunnel of Love), Prisoner focuses largely on the difficulties of separation. Some tracks tackle the pressures of a marriage in crisis, though the majority of the record is a reflection of a man struggling to stand on his own in the wake of a major loss. “I don’t want to live in this haunted house anymore”, Adams sings at one point; finally ready to move on, but still full of regret. The record was a success commercially and fared even better with critics. Later in the year Adams released a 17-track companion album titled Prisoner B-Sides featuring tracks that did not make the cut.
