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Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
With a touch of Robyn Hitchcock in his vocal timbre, a smidgen of Steve Earle in his narratives and instrumental writing and a heap of Gram Parsons in the fullness of his overall sound and structure, Ryan Adams steps well above Whiskeytown with Heartbreaker, his solo debut. By turns raucous, wistful, raspy and simply sweet, Adams makes the most of a top-shelf acoustic band, including Gillian Welch and David Rawlings and even a guest spot from Emmylou Harris on the tenderly yearning "Oh My Sweet Caroline". There is little dependence on the usual alt-country twang and a far more rounded sense of textures here (the multiple vocal tracks on "Amy", for example, sound Beatles-esque), with glockenspiel, organ and more signalling a sonic field of extensive depth. His spare guitar and stretched-thin vocal delivery alternate smartly with a bigger-shouldered guitar and throaty voice, never leaving behind a band conception straight out of Parsons's oeuvre. Adams signals occupancy of the post-alt country vanguard--if there is such a thing. --Andy Bartlett
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
24 of 24 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
When Whiskeytown split, I wasnt sure whether Caitlin Cary or Ryan Adams would produce the better solo album, if either of them chose to go solo, that is, but this album deserves to go down as a classic.
Heartbreaker is a gorgeous collection of emotive, downbeat alt. country, bar two tracks (Shakedown on 9th Street and To Be Young...) which are perfect for those, 'alone in the car and no-one can see me' moments.
The music is very simple, and the production rough, but the lyrics and Adams' voice are perfect. The emotions here are familiar with anyone who has loved and lost, songs such as Come Pick Me Up and Why Do They Leave? are quite simply, perfect.
My favourite tracks personally are Come Pick Me Up and AMY, both of which are downbeat, slow folky-country, and excellent.
If you are buying this album after Gold, however, it's worth taking note that this is much more downbeat, and a little more country...with less istrumentation. A lot of the songs are just vocal, guitar and piano, and can sometimes sound a little sparse.
Heartbreaker is a gorgeous collection of emotive, downbeat alt. country, bar two tracks (Shakedown on 9th Street and To Be Young...) which are perfect for those, 'alone in the car and no-one can see me' moments.
The music is very simple, and the production rough, but the lyrics and Adams' voice are perfect. The emotions here are familiar with anyone who has loved and lost, songs such as Come Pick Me Up and Why Do They Leave? are quite simply, perfect.
My favourite tracks personally are Come Pick Me Up and AMY, both of which are downbeat, slow folky-country, and excellent.
If you are buying this album after Gold, however, it's worth taking note that this is much more downbeat, and a little more country...with less istrumentation. A lot of the songs are just vocal, guitar and piano, and can sometimes sound a little sparse.
19 of 19 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
I had read so many reviews of this album that told me to buy it before I actually did, now I feel its indispensible to my collection. Never has an album title been so apt, songs that speak some of the innermost thoughts that everybody has had. However, if I had bought this album just after breaking up with someone I fear it may have pushed me over the edge. Instead it reminds me of how I have felt, but never in a bad way. 'Come pick me up' is basically the best send off. Saying do what you like but I'm fine. Do it as many times as you want to, I'll be fine, but whats it doing to you? Complete with kick ass harmonica. For me an album high point. 'Sweet Carolina' speaks to the heart and brings a tear to my eye. Another favorite, but as a whole they're all great. Ryan Adams has had his heart broken and thank god, or we would never have got this album.
16 of 16 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Heartbreaker is the name of the album, and is perhaps prophetic of the albums effect on it's listeners... it broke my heart just listening too it, and this was during the happiest time of my 18 year life yet when i was personally as far from heartbreak as could be... or maybe not. You've got to have it to break it! But this album reminded me what it feels like to be heartbroken. But only the best bits, when the sun just starts to rise again. This, you must understand, is not a complaint!
Initially drawn into Ryan Adams by a friend who played me Come Pick Me Up (a track to which i was instantly addicted), i bought the album a week or so later. And instantly i was thrilled with the emotion that is woven between every song. Oh My Sweet Carolina is one of the best songs ive heard for a long time. Other tracks such as AMY, Winding Wheel and of course, Come Pick Me Up, make this album stand out from your average album. You see, this is far far from your average album!
Words to describe it are not in abundance because none quite seem to describe the whole album. So i'll just use about as bland a generalisation as i can and say this album is simply breathtaking. Don't expect guitar solos, dont expect drum riffs and dont expect to dance around. Expect instead to feel as if every emotional song on this incredible album was written for you. This isn't an album to jump around too. This is an album to identify with, this is an album to explain things to you. This is an album for your lowest low and your highest high. This is an album of reflection and celebration and comiseration.
Put simply, just buy it!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
A classic already
I was Gram Parson obsessed and that is how I originally found Whiskeytown/Ryan Adams. I do believe, even with his latest release this month, that this is his best album. Read more
Published 7 months ago by Andromeda
Heartbreaker
Great stuff.
The CD is as good as new.
The book the CD all is good.
Thank you!
The CD is as good as new.
The book the CD all is good.
Thank you!
Published 10 months ago by Luis Fonseca
Excellent +
As a 50+ rocker I have to give credit to Mr Adams for somehow making me finally appreciate pedal steel and harmonica. Read more
Published on 3 April 2010 by Gull
Banal, tuneless, no-brained lyrically, with blatant lunging for other...
Listening to this I know why Paul Westerberg let him have it.
Does Ryan Adams feel anything? He's supposed to be Mr. Heartbeak. Read more
Does Ryan Adams feel anything? He's supposed to be Mr. Heartbeak. Read more
Published on 18 Aug 2009 by Simon Turner
Ryan Adams - Heartbreaker indeed
This is sort of mental peace offering to myself. I do dislike Ryan Adams new album Cardinology with a vengeance but that must not distract from what a brilliant catalogue of work... Read more
Published on 28 Nov 2008 by Red on Black
Good start
For me, this is ryan's 3rd best album (after gold and easy tiger) yet i still give it 5 stars, that pretty much says it all (I'm going to keep writing anyway). Read more
Published on 3 April 2008 by Jayy Mannon
Great songs
This, along with 'Gold' and Demolition' are my favorite Ryan Adams albums. Mellow. Sweet. Spare. Great lyrics. Read more
Published on 15 July 2007 by Chris Rawlings
This is My Winding Wheel
First of all, this guy is a living genius. For this guy it really is about the music. A modern day Bob Dylan or Johnny Cash. Read more
Published on 12 Mar 2006
Yes it was Viva Hate Ryan!!
Ryan Adams (born David Ryan Adams on November 5, 1974) is an alt-country and rock and roll singer/songwriter from Jacksonville, North Carolina. Read more
Published on 14 Feb 2006 by "franklymrshankly"
nice and gentle
His solo debut record 'Heartbreaker' is a nice, gentle record in a country pop style with very well vocal work from Ryan Adams. Read more
Published on 9 Mar 2005 by Koos
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