While pre-ordered copies of Ryan Adams and the Cardinals’ new archival double-LP, III/IV, have already begun shipping out, you can not only get a taste of this excellent release before it arrives, but you can hear the entire 21-track effort right now via Adams’ official SoundCloud page, as well.
Most archival releases are best suited to longtime fans and completists, perhaps, but I can safely say that — after just a few spins — this thing appears packed with enough freshly polished gems and trademark humor to potentially recruit a few new Adams freaks. Personal faves so far include the single “No” (maybe the best radio-friendly modern rock song I’ve heard this year), “Typecast” with Norah Jones, and “Gracie,” a sad yet lovely song about Adams’ former dog getting caught in the middle of the demise of a former relationship. Even Heartbreaker loyalists might admit that “Gracie” belongs in the canon of Adams’ best breakup tunes, I’d say. Stream the album here or below.
*Update: The album is now streaming on SoundCloud.