From harmony-central.com

                       Ryan Adams
                       Heartbreaker
                       Label: Bloodshot

                       As the lead singer for the critically acclaimed band
                       Whiskeytown, Ryan Adams emerged as country-rock’s
                       golden boy with the 1997 release of Stranger’s Almanac.
                       Though actually the North Carolina-based group’s third
                       offering, it was their first on a major label
                       (Outpost/Geffen) and, for many listeners, the true
                       introduction to the talented young singer/songwriter.
                       Three years later, Adams marks another milestone with
                       his impressive solo debut, Heartbreaker.

                       Stranger’s Almanac drew Adams a lot of comparisons to
                       Replacements’ frontman Paul Westerberg. Heartbreaker
                       lends credence to this perception. In addition to being
                       comfortable in a variety of musical tempos, like
                       Westerberg, Adams isn’t afraid to show a sense of humor
                       about his work: The disc kicks off with an obviously
                       spontaneous 40-second disagreement between Adams
                       and guitarist David Rawlings about an unnamed Morrissey
                       track.

                       Adams maintains a self-deprecating style when the music
                       is off, but the level of talent involved in this record
                       shows how seriously he takes his work. In addition to the
                       virtuoso Rawlings -- the best guitarist you’ve never
                       heard of -- Gillian Welch appears throughout the album,
                       and Emmylou Harris lends her voice to the lovely ballad
                       "Oh My Sweet Carolina," a song that would do Gram
                       Parsons proud.

                       It’s easy to see what draws all of these talented
                       performers into Adams’ world: his songs. The musical
                       portion of the disc is launched with the raucous "To Be
                       Young (is to be sad and high)," a jangly rocker in the
                       vein of Bob Dylan’s "Subterranean Homesick Blues." The
                       gorgeous "AMY" features harmonies reminiscent of
                       Crosby, Stills & Nash.

                       Heartbreaker is as straight-ahead a CD as you’ll find this
                       year. (Adams says proudly in the liner notes it took only
                       14 days to record it.) More than the craft behind the
                       recording, it’s all about the songs -- they are what
                       brings this project home.

                                                          -- Steve Baltin
                                                       September 6, 2000

                                                                        Release: September 5, 2000
                                                                        To Be Young
                                                                          Real
                                                                                  MP3 (473k)



                                                                                               


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