Love Is Hell, Part 2

Review

Common Sense Media says

Exquisite, darkly poetic songs.
greenON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
yellowPAUSE: Know your child; some content
may not be right for some kids.
redOFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
not for kidsNOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age.

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Quality
 
Sometimes media can be age appropriate but a real waste of time. Our star rating assesses the media's overall quality.

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Parents say

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Kids say

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What parents need to know

Parents need to know that some of the images in these song lyrics, though more poetic than explicit, might be disturbing to sensitive teenagers.

  • Positive messages0
    Tortured social consciousness abounds.
  • Violence3
    There is some violent imagery, with an anti-violence message.
  • Sex0
    No explicit sexuality.
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What's the story?

This CD, intended to be the follow-up to Ryan Adams' 2001 Gold album, was initially rejected by his record label for being "too depressing." This is not the CD to play if you want bouncy, cheerful, feel-good tunes. It is an example of a talented young songwriter revealing his heart, soul, and fears to the world.

Is it any good?

 

It's true that the lyrics are filled with dark imagery and tortured introspection, but the songwriting and performances are extraordinary. Stark and exquisite, they tell vivid, visual stories of a bleak urban landscape and its tortured inhabitants.

A comparatively whimsical favorite is "English Girls Approximately," in which Adams sticks to more familiar alternative country territory. Another high point is the last track, "Hotel Chelsea Nights," best served warm with a side of self-pity.

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What families can talk about

Families can talk about the mood of these songs. What kind of mood are you in when you listen to them? What do you enjoy about these songs?

This review was written by Kathi Kamen Goldmark
Adult
April 9, 2008
AGE
 
Great, Weird choice?!
Great songs but the weird choice is on commonsense's behalf by chosing this album out of all of Ryan Adams thousands of records. Go for either Heartbreaker or Easy Tiger. Also Wonderwall on Love is Hell Part I.
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Adult
April 9, 2008
AGE
 
Lyrics got me
Ryan Adams is an amazing song writer. He is very different from the pack in that way. I prefer his album Rock 'N' Roll, but this album is also thoroughly enjoyable.
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This review was written by Kathi Kamen Goldmark
Artist:Ryan Adams
Release date:December 1, 2003
Label:Lost Highway
Genre:Alternative Rock
Parental advisory:No
This review was written by Kathi Kamen Goldmark
 

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About our rating system
ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids.
OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
Learning ratings
BEST: Really engaging, great learning approach.
GOOD: Pretty engaging, good learning approach.
FAIR: Somewhat engaging, OK learning approach.
NOT FOR LEARNING: Not recommended for learning.
Our child development rating guidelines

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