Heartbreaker
Ryan Adams
2000
Album Summary
Heartbreaker is the debut solo studio album by American singer/songwriter Ryan Adams, released September 5, 2000 on Bloodshot Records. The album was recorded over fourteen days at Woodland Studios in Nashville, Tennessee. It was nominated for the 2001 Shortlist Music Prize. The album is said to be inspired by Adams' break-up with music industry publicist Amy Lombardi.According to Adams, the album's title originates from a poster of Mariah Carey: "My manager called and said, 'You have 15 seconds to name this record,' "My eyes focused on this poster of Mariah wearing a T-shirt that said HEARTBREAKER. I just shouted, 'Heartbreaker!'"A Deluxe Edition, featuring bonus recording session takes and pre-album demos, was released on May 6, 2016 on PAX-AM records.
WikipediaI loved that song he did for Robin Hood Prince of Thieves. It was number 1 for 16 weeks. And what a 16 weeks they were. This doesn't stand up to that monster.
didn't actually listen to this because fuck Ryan Adams, instead i listened to A Tribe Called Quest - Thank you for your service.... We've got it from here Q-Tip's product is as slick as ever and opener Space Program followed up quickly with We the people.... set the tone for the rest of the album. Solid wall of sound has the best use of a Elton John sample and i think is a stand out non single track. This is a fitting final album for an amazing group, RIP Phife
2.5 - If this album was a sexual encounter, it’d be a third date and in the middle of dinner she says she’d rather be friends. I’m reminded of live acoustic music you might hear at a winery. It’s contemplative, downtempo. Your mind wanders to boring places as you listen. How does this tiny vineyard town support a music scene? How many musicians make their living playing these winery venues? Why is this dude on the guitar wearing so much turquoise jewelry?
Beautiful music from a reprehensible human being. I went out of my way not to pay for this, and probably can't make it a repeat listen.
Did not listen, due to the sexual controversy surrounding the artist. The 1 is a reflection of my distaste with Ryan Adams.
Never heard this album, nor listened to Ryan Adams. The first track, “To Be Young”, is a good example of the mood of the music and the mood of the lyric completely and intentionally opposed to one another. Not sure to what purpose, but intriguing. Good instrumental settings and performances. Good acoustic guitar with sensitive coloring backgrounds—well-produced. Vocally pleasing, effective use of hushed melodies. Not a trained voice, and lacking range in the natural register, but effective, given the genre. Emmylou Harris’ backing vocal on “Oh My Sweet Carolina” is not an example of her better work. (I suspect her agent was trying to keep her relevant, when by 2000 she was over the hill.) Kim Richey does better on “Come Pick Me Up”. The lyrics are vague enough to allow multiple interpretations, more of a collage of impressions than a conveyor of meaning. Adam’s frequently tries to be Dylan-esque (“Damn, Sam”, “Don’t Ask for the Water”, etc.) in lyrics, guitar finger-picking, vocal style, and in harmonica accompaniment, but he’s obviously not in the same league. (Although I bet he makes Dylan wish he’d learned to play the banjo.) “To Be the One” is powerful. “The empty bottle misses you, and I’m the one it’s talkin’ to”. That hit home. “Shakedown on 9th Street” and “To Be Young” demonstrate that Adam’s can rock. He should do more. Overall, a good album. 3/5
The only reason I had heard of this guy was cuz he used to pork Mandy Moore. This is a fantastic album and I’m not what you would call an alt-country fan at all.
This is really my lane. Gritty vocals, heartfelt lyrics, and folky instrumentation. Sucks that Ryan Adams is such a piece of shit.
Great sounds and not a lot of weak points. Unfortunately made by a sexual predator, so only useful in looking at associated acts and adjacent sounds.
This albums is actually pretty solid. It just sucks dick that the dude is the fucking worst.
Super fedt album. Kan mærke han følelser helt ude gennem højtalerne. God blanding af stille og skaldede numre
I will admit to not listening as close as I should. But this was good working/ reading music. I’ll flag this to listen to again.
I liked this. Some really good songs on here. I think I might dig into a bit more Ryan Adams.
A fucking + Love this one. Gold was the album that made me fall in love with his music, but this one made me open my eyes and say “Holy SHIT”!
Great album. Too bad he is a slime who uses his status to prey on young women.
Es un buen álbum, muy suave y delicado, tiene lo suyo y me recuerda a Taylor Swift. La verdad es algo que puedes escuchar en un día tranquilo, me encanta, se apega mucho a mis gustos y es muy Indie/Country.
Knew Ryan Adams had something of a cult like following. Now I realize why. This was so so good.
Topp kvalitet. Svært bra musikk til å ha i bakgrunnen. Skal høre det en gang til og plukke ut sanger til tut tut
I know he's reportedly a big-league asshole, but I love this guy's music. This is clearly (in my opinion) his best album. There isn't a song on here that I don't love. I listened to the whole album twice. It's so good.
Dylanesque? This is really good. Would you call it Neo-country? It's not normally my thing but it's beautifully balanced with a laid-back vibe that's floats along seamlessly from track to track. Reading the reviews it seems there's a lot of people hung-up about his nastiness. Well he doesn't strike me as a saint but can you point me in the direction of someone living his lifestyle who's never acted like a jerk? Trendy chattering classes......
I liked this a lot, it was a good mix of folk and country. I have not listened to that much out of the genre so it was enjoyable. Would listen to it again.
I liked most of this album, though there were a few songs that didn't quite hit the right spot.
Not my cup of tea musically, but I found myself greatly enjoying this album.
well, i didn't like the other album on the list, but this one struck me quite differently.
Este disco sí lo escuché con prejuicio porque ya he escuchado otros dos de Ryan Adams (más la reversión que hizo de todo el 1989 de Taylor Swift) y me gusta. Me gusta su voz, cómo canta, regularmente sí sus letras y también su música. Acá está muy country rock y está padre, los sonidos de las armónicas me encantan. Además, creo que tiene un buen balance de tristeo y algo más animadito o esperanzador. Lástima que haya sido un agresor sexual a decir de un puñado de mujeres (entre ellas, la Phoebe Bridgers) y pues ahora esté cancelado. Mis canciones fav: "To Be Young (Is to Be Sad, Is to Be High)", "Amy", "Call Me on Your Way Back Home", "Come Pick Me Up". 8.5/10
This was very good folk. Take a listen again sometime with a cup of coffee and really listen.
OK so I don't like or understand country. But there's a certain strain of "alt-country" I can get behind, even if I'm ignorant of the style it's an alternative to. Bright Eyes are a good example, and some moments of this album sound reminiscent of them. Much of it is more rugged, with some straight-ahead rocking and some Americana kinda ballads. I've listened to at least two Ryan Adams albums in the past, but this one clicked better with me. I also just discovered that he covered Taylor Swift's 1989 album, and it's possibly even better than the original. I'm feeling a solid 4 for this one. It's good stuff.
Sad, chill, alternative country music. Created after a breakup, this album is great listening for anyone going through the same thing.
To be young: excellent My winding wheel: excellent Amy: very good Oh my sweet Carolina: very good Bartering lines: good Call me on your way back home: very good Damn sam: good Come pick me up: excellent To be the one: average Why do they leave?: excellent Shakedown on 9th street: above average Don’t ask for the water: average In my time of need: very good Sweet lil gal: very good 8/10
Favoriete nummers: - To Be Young (Is to Be Sad, Is to Be High) - Bartering Lines
I always wanted to hate RA but I dated a girl who was a big fan and went very slowly and reluctantly from "a couple songs are alright, I guess" to "damn, this guy's good." Later albums have some higher highs but this is probably his best album front to back (though there are a couple of duds) so four stars. Too bad he's a big creep.
I really liked this album. The lead song is really good, and the rest of this album was well-crafted, heartbreaking music.
Liked it, not what I expected. Never heard of the artist, good for a melancholy evening.
Pretty catchy and easy to listen to. The songs harken a merry database of lyrics to bring it all home
Ryan Adams, not to be confused with Canadian menace Bryan Adams, broke out onto the scene as an alt-country singer/songwriter with something to prove. Recorded in only 14 days, Adams took his relationship woes and put them into wonderful, tender songs. It's true, Adams is a spectacular songwriter. He's also a terrible person. How do we approach such a personal album from someone who has done terrible things? I don't know. I know that I like the music, and I don't like Adams, so how could I possibly rate this fairly? Whatever, it's great. Of course it's great. Fuck Ryan Adams but this album has so much to offer.
gleich Doppelt von Bob Dylan begrüßt (Maggies farm auf to be young is to be sad, und der Stimme auf my Winding Wheel). Amy ist ein Highlight (das Zupfmuster, die Trommeln, das songwriting). oh my sweet caroline hat den trockenst gemischten gesang ever (so ungefähr anti-fleet foxes). wenn er ned so schön singen würde könnte man manchmal Tom Waits meinen (Bartering lines). Intim alles und nachdenklich - manchmal gehts mir aber nicht so ins herz wie er wohl beabsichtigt hat.
Alt Country Blues...First time of listening and what a surprise! I like this Album. from the plaintive "Amy" to the more Bluesy Numbers like "To Be Young" and "Bartering Lines" is this a break up record comparable with "Rumours" (Only kidding folks!) but this is good and I am pleasantly surprised by the quality. I was a much expecting much more Bryan than Ryan! A rightful place in this list as far as I am concerned.
Heartland rock, very Bob Dylan influenced. A lot more harmonica than I was expecting. Ballad heavy. Drunken bar singer going through a bad breakup. It's good, maybe could've cut one or two, but overall a good, dour record. Favorite tracks: "Come Pick Me Up", "In My Time of Need"
3/23/22 This guy gives me modern day Bob Dylan with an influence of James Taylor. Added 2 song to my playlists. This would be a good calm study album for the background, but I did enjoy it! Easy listen! Favorite Song: Come Pick Me Up
Listened to on 3/23/22 4/5 Favorite song: come pick me up, to be young Very easy listening with light country vibes and lots of emotional baggage
This is some top quality Dylan worship, no? Or am I easily confused by harmonicas? Either way, I enjoyed this. I think I've heard this album a couple of times before, and gave it a couple of play throughs for the list. I think with more listens this might rise to 5 stars? 🤔 Fave track - "Come Pick Me Up" - that's a tune!
Forgot what a great album this is. My favourite Ryan Adams album before...beautiful songwriting from beginning to end. Country tinges with a touch of rock and roll swagger. Love the opening discussion about Morrissey and what album(s) have Suedehead. Sounds great on vinyl too. 4.5 stars
Who knew all that self-loathing had a basis in reality? When an artist tells you who they are, believe them.
This album was very very good. Not quite five stars, but close. I don't know much about Ryan Adams, but I am interested in trying some of his other work after this. Lots of great emotional story telling in this one. Reminded me of Bob Dylan with a much better voice.
Что такое кантри - я знаю. Что такое альтернативный рок - тоже. Что такое альт-кантри? Теперь знаю!;) Кантри здорового человека, которое звучит совсем не как кантри и как бы говорит тебе: "присаживайся рядом и погрусти со мной о вечном". Как ветвь развития жанра точно необходима к прослушиванию. Под меланхоличное настроение - тоже. 7 из 10.
One of my all time faves. Takes me back to when I heard it the first time in London 2002.
Ótimo álbum, meio rock, meio country, meio folk. Gosto muito da voz do Ryan e da sua gaita. Melhores músicas: Minha amada Come Pick me Up, Oh My Sweet Carolina, Why do they leave e In My Time of need
it feels like the classic heartbreak album and im all for it. the cover adds to the theme of the album. call me on your way back home stood out to me for its rawness and emotion
To Be Young and My Winding Wheel are brilliant tracks which I love to listen to, but the rest of the album doesn't quite live up to them
I’d never listened to Ryan Adams before, but I totally loved this album. Apparently Ryan Adams is a reprehensible human, but sometimes (often, actually), shitty people make great music. This is the first album thats come up that I hadn’t heard before that I’m sold on.
This album was so close to a 5 in my book. I really really liked it but I feel like if I'm questioning a 5 then it isn't a 5.
Never heard of this guy before but the album was okay. Something I would listen to but does not hold a permanent place on my playlist.
Another surprising find...I have heard of Ryan Adams for years but never listened to him. This album was fantastic, a great blend of blues, rock and Americana.
Thought it was great. A beautiful album, gotta look into more country. Kind of like if Dylan did a 808’s and heartbreak? I know that makes no sense
Ok, this was a solid 4 for me. I think it could be higher if it wasn't for the startlingly loud harmonica that would appear out of nowhere. Just when you are listening intently to the lyrics and getting drawn into the music....HARMONICA screeches in your ears. It fits the music perfectly but just....turn it down!
Quite a good album in the end.. Fireside, guitar vibe and with it some good melodies that are catching and not too redundant. The voice sounds great too. Liked it. 3.5/5, maybe small 4/5
This was a pleasant album after the endless punk and rock albums I’ve been getting. I only know ryan adams from his 1989 cover album Chloe made me listen to and this is a much better introduction to him than that. Adams voice and songwriting is great and songs like Amy and come pick me up are the best showcases of that. However, shakedown on 9th street is my favorite song on the album even though it’s totally out of place compared to the rest of the tracks
Enjoyable. Easy background music. Reminded me of David Gray on a few of the songs, but with a bit more of a bluesy feel. Good relaxing music. Hadn’t ever listened to his music before. Bummer to read he’s apparently been a real asshole to several female musicians. Puts a damper on enjoying his music.
Ryan Adams is a hell of a songwriter. He has clearly studied the work of the great country songwriters as well as Bob Dylan. His ability to tell a story is perhaps unrivaled in 2000s alternative country. The music itself isn’t terribly groundbreaking, but it highlights the vocals and allows them to do what they do best.