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Ryan Adams

Heartbreaker  Hear it Now

RS: 3of 5 Stars Average User Rating: 4.5of 5 Stars

2000

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Though he's only twenty-five, Ryan Adams, the lead singer of Whiskeytown, is the sort of artist who seems perpetually on the cusp of a masterpiece. He came close with his star-crossed band, which is currently trying to find a new record label, and now he's taking his own shot with Heartbreaker, his first solo album. Adams' sources run deep -- from Paul Westerberg to Hank Williams -- and he has the raspy, quavering voice and innate tunefulness to be worthy of them. And the boy is nothing if not sincere. Heartbreaker opens with Adams debating guitarist David Rawlings about a Morrissey song, and that's followed by a folk-rocking track called "To Be Young (Is to Be Sad, Is to Be High)," which recalls the exuberant Dylan of the mid-sixties. The dreamy, sweetly psychedelic "Amy" evokes the otherworldly wonder of Nick Drake; Emmylou Harris, Gillian Welch and Kim Richey add background vocals. Unfortunately, Adams' songs too often fail to rise above their plain-spoken details to take on the symbolic power he yearns for. Summoning legends at every turn, he makes you uncomfortably aware of what he hasn't yet achieved. His considerable talent and charm, however, make you hope that soon he will.

ANTHONY DECURTIS

(Posted: Sep 14, 2000)

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Review 1 of 3

joydoes writes:

Not Rated


I don't understand how this magazine's critics can sometimes completely fuck up album reviews. 3 Stars for Heartbreaker? 4 for Rock n' Roll? Obviously, the writer doesn't listen to music. Heartbreaker is the best Ryan Adams album. This kind of pissed me off.

Jul 15, 2008 09:11:47

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Review 2 of 3

sandysmells writes:

5of 5 Stars


There is something about this record that haunts me. The very first time I heard it I felt something like my heart being ripped out but then shoved right back in. His voice comes at me, first small and shakey, then strong and piercing (in the best way possible). All his music pulls at my emotions and make me feel something different than I felt before I began listening. Like his music creates something new. Every time I hear it. Personally and honestly, he just straight up kicks ass.

Jul 22, 2007 15:57:46

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Review 3 of 3

maaaate99 writes:

5of 5 Stars


ok. on first listen's of heartbreaker you think to yourself "wow, track 2 and 3 are great but the rest is all ballad-like and too country for someone cool like myself"...the problem is that you're so intrigued by To Be Young... and Winding Wheel, that you keep on listening to look for more beauty. the next stunner you recognize is the perfect duet with emmylou harris on 'Oh My Sweet Carolina'. Ryan Adams' only has one problem, if he had released this album in the same year as 'Hotel California', this album would've been more successful, but because it was the year 2000, he only got a whole lot of hype.
this is the album that when it finally hits you in it's complete form, it will stay with you forever. Ryan Adams captivates you with Heartbreaker with his incredible song-writing skills and eventually breaks your heart

Jan 20, 2006 14:37:13

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