The breakup song has long been a staple of the singer/songwriter canon. Ex-Whiskeytown singer Ryan Adams takes things a little further and makes whole albums about the subject. Both a lyrical and musical journey from New York to Los Angeles, Gold harks back to the West Coast sounds of the 70s when James Taylor and Elton John (pre-Captain Fantastic album) ruled the radio waves.

Our journey begins in the Big Apple with the infectious first single 'New York, New York'. An ode to the city he loves and the woman he is leaving behind, Adams creates the perfect alt-country single that still fits nicely amongst the other 15 tracks. In 'Answering Bell' Ryan starts to question the broken relationship, however it's not until the beautiful 'La Cienega Just Smiled' that he reveals the pain he harbors inside: "I'm too scared to know how I feel about you now." From this point onwards its pure West Coast tunes with that unmistakable sound of the Hammond organ floating in and out of each track.

Standouts include the gospel tinged 'The Rescue Blues', the hurtful yet brilliant, 'Nobody Girl' and the Rolling Stones-style rocker 'Tina Toledo's Street Walkin' Blues'. If that isn't enough, Adams pulls out a superb soul number in 'Touch, Feel & Lose'. Ending in the simple 'Goodnight, Hollywood Blvd' you wonder if his days in sunny California are numbered.

But never fear, this is his second album in as many years so chances are we don't have to wait too long to find out.