III/IV Pax Am Records***

Ryan Adams's interpretation of the word "retirement" is obviously very different to everyone else's. Since announcing a break from music in 2009, he's written two books, recorded a metal album and recently debuted new material in the US. It seems strange, then, that his latest release is a collection of songs dating from 2007's Easy Tigerrecording sessions. Like that album, III/IVis a meaty collection of polished, pacy blue-collar/ country rock songs that are perfectly adequate, but far from incendiary. Its double album format is also completely unnecessary, but despite its blatant "stop-gap" nature, there are some definite peaks across both discs ( The Crystal Skull, Numbers). Overall, however, III/IVseems to perfectly sum up Adams over the last five years: indubitably gifted, but in desperate need of some fiery passion. See ryanadams.com

Download tracks: Ultraviolet Light, The Crystal Skull