May 16, 2003 14:49

A 'HELL'-ISH DISPUTE

He says 'Love Is Hell' is finished, his record company say it isn't...

Ryan Adams says that he's finished his new album, but his record company LOST HIGHWAY disagree.

The album was reportedly targeted for a March release, and in an article written by Ryan Adams on his website, he said, "'Love Is Hell' is finished."

He added, "We don't know what to do with it... or should I say 'they' don't know what to do with it. I've heard adjectives like 'incredibly too depressing' and - this one's funny - 'dark.' Also not your best stuff.''

Frank Callari, Senior Vice-President of A&R/Artist Development for Lost Highway and Ryan Adams manager, said, "It was never supposed to come out in March... Ryan Adams wanted it to come out in March. He originally did some tracks in September, but then he started to rework some stuff. That isn't done yet." Talking to Rolling Stone, he said, "It's not on the release schedule. I'm not sure when it will be done."

Ryan Adams states that it is the label's attitude to the sound of the record rather than the recording schedule which is delaying its release. He said: "When I originally mixed the album myself in NYC, they said it was too experimental and rough sounding... same people who love the White Stripes album."

He continued, "And now I think they just think it's too alternative rock or something. 'Too dark,' ha ha ha."

A long-rumoured box set is also apparently in the pipeline and Callari predicts a release inside of a year. It is set to feature two previously unreleased albums with Ryan Adams side project The Pinkhearts - '48 Hours' and 'The Suicide Handbook' - as well as sessions he recorded with producers Scott Litt and Michael Blair.

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