Ryan Adams's stint with the ‘90s roots-rock pioneers Whiskeytown and his early solo albums—most notably 2001's Gold—might have cast him as the reluctant face of alt-country, but that's only the beginning of his story. A prolific recording artist, Adams was involved in 14 albums from 2000 to 2014, often dabbling in areas far from his alt-country roots. Whether it's 2003's classic rock-driven Rock N Roll or his heavy metal detour with 2010's Orion, Adams's musical inclinations are as unpredictable as his live shows—making him one of the most compelling artists around.