AUDACIOUS is the best word to describe Cold Roses. After sending fans swooning with Heartbreaker then reeling with Love Is Hell, this is a return to the country rock Adams does best.

This double album (the first of three releases promised for 2005), packaged to show his love of old George Jones records, is a little uneven, but admirable in its sweep.

Disc one is more reflective, recalling Neil Young's On The Beach, and full of break-ups. Will You Come Back Home vies for attention, but the second disc is the one you'll return to. Its strong suite of songs, from the memorable Let It Ride to the embittered title track, captures the essence of country.

Updated: 09:24 Thursday, June 02, 2005