Ryan Adams

There’s a popular argument among older generations that music isn’t what it once was. Ryan Adams turns that argument on its head by combining elements of classic rock with contemporary songwriting for a sound that’s simultaneously nostalgic and refreshing. Whether he’s singing odes to the Big Apple with “New York, New York” or exorcising his inner guitar-rock demons with “Gimme Something Good,” Adams carves out his own niche in the realm of rock ‘n’ roll. He could easily be regarded as a modern-day Tom Petty, but also channels Neil Young and The Boss while staying true to himself.