HEARTBREAKER 
                             Ryan Adams 
                             (Bloodshot) 


                                Opening a record with an argument about
                             Morrissey's back-catalogue might not seem like
                             the best way to rope in listeners, but it works like
                             a charm on this solo debut from Whiskeytown
                             frontman Ryan Adams. 

                              Actually, the studio snippet in question, featuring
                             Adams and guitarist David Rawlings debating
                             whether Moz's Suedehead was first featured on
                             Viva Hate or Bona Drag, gets heated enough that
                             the pair agree to a $5 bet. 

                              Five bucks richer, Adams then ambles off on a
                             50-minute mood swing that is equal parts The
                             Smiths and Steve Earle. 

                              To Be Young (Is To Be Sad, Is To Be High)
                             echoes the brash tunefulness of The Stones circa
                             High Tide And Green Grass, all bright hooks and
                             bad attitude, but the disc ultimately gives way to
                             darker spaces. As with Whiskeytown, behind
                             Adams' impish charm is an almost paralyzing
                             sense of fear and loathing, and the two elements
                             are most effective when cast in the same song
                             (Come Pick Me Up, Why Do They Leave, the
                             stunning lump-in-throat lilt of Sweet Lil Gal).
                             Listen for turns by Emmylou Harris and
                             singer-songwriter Gillian Welch.