Artist : Ryan Adams Album : Rock N Roll

Is Ryan Adams dipping into self-parody when he sings, "Let me sing a song for you/That's never been sung before"?

For all of the numbers are reminiscent of classic rock tunes, in keeping with the album title. Shallow sounds a bit like T. Rex, 1974 is Rolling Stones-esque, Note to Self: Don't Die is pure Nirvana, while So Alive would be right at home on a U2 record.

Nevertheless, it is an uproarious rock album with raw and contagious guitar riffs and killer hooks.

"Everybody's cool playing rock n roll/I don't feel cool at all", he reveals on the title track.

Other songs are laced with self-deception, and the usual rock star whining about life, drugs and fame.

However, the hype surrounding Adams is as difficult to understand as that elevating "the great white hopes" (The White Stripes, The Strokes and The Vines).

They all show some good rocking, but you cannot help feeling they are merely following the leaders.

-- Hera Diani