It started even before Ryan Adams hit the stage. The problem was that he couldn't find the stage. Or so he said when he finally arrived onstage at Northrop Auditorium Monday after a 45-minute intermission.

Thereafter, Adams became a nonstop commentator between songs, making smart-alecky and self-deprecating comments, telling jokes (and reviewing them) and generally babbling (some of it made sense, some of it didn't). Sure, the crazed patter is part of his charm. But he's really about superior songwriting, which was abundantly evident during his 1 ¾-hour performance.

Often remembered more for his temperamental outbursts in concert than for his musical performances, the Americana hero, 39, focused on material from this year's "Ryan Adams" album. He opened with the record's first track, "Gimme Something Good," his catchiest tune in years even if it echoes Tom Petty. The new "Stay with Me" also seemed Petty-ish.

But it was another classic band whose sound seemed to infuse Adams' vibe on Monday – the Grateful Dead. "A Kiss Before I Go" was a sweet Dead-like country plaint, and the ensuing "Easy Plateau" found a Dead-evoking space-jam groove and featured a long, elegant guitar solo by Adams. However, the Dead indulgences of the repetitious "Peaceful Valley" led to the night's most tepid response from the crowd. Clearly, neither Adams nor guitarist Mike Viola would be a candidate to join a Dead tribute band in the role of lead guitarist.

Adams, who was in good voice all night, seemed at his best when he was at his most vulnerable lyrically and most gentle musically – namely the gorgeous "Oh My Sweet Carolina" and the sensitive "English Girls Approximately."

The set featured 17 songs, including a cover of Bryan Adams' "Run To You," which seemed more ironic than rewarding. In other shows on this fall's tour, Adams has typically performed 20 or 21 songs.

The stage was decorated with video games (including Asteroids), a giant faux Fender amplifier and a peace flag. The lighting was complex and artful but rarely shined on any of the five musicians. Given the dim lighting and Adams' voluminous shaggy mane, it was nearly impossible to see his face.

But at least the sell-out crowd got to experience his personality in abundance, for better or worse, and hear him play a new guitar for the first time that he'd purchased that day from Willie's American Guitars in St. Paul (where Viola also bought a new Les Paul that he was playing).

Compared to other Adams' performances in the Twin Cities, this one was neither an unforgettable nightmare nor an unqualified triumph.

Opening the concert was Butch Walker, who is best known for writing and producing hits for Fall Out Boy, Avril Lavigne and others. Accompanied by Adams on drums (with a visible face) and other players, Walker showed that he can hold his own as an artist, with his likable Jackson Browne-like voice and well-crafted country-tinged tunes.