Comments on: Decade :: Ryan Adams, Heartbreaker (2000)

By: edzep54

edzep54 — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 16:21:45 +0000

Got hipped to DRA in ’03 by my son but didn’t get around to actually listening to it till about ’05 and since then he has been front and back, up and down, one of the most interesting artists that isn’t Pat Metheny or Wilco/Tweedy… Heartbreaker is a fine collection, but I’ll take Cold Roses, JCN, hell, even Easy Tiger to the deserted island before it if I had to choose… btw, his wife has a nice voice and just because her career didn’t cross the bridge from teen singer to adult stardom, she’s had far more success than any haters on this website thank you very much. He’s marching to his own drum and I wouldn’t want it any other way.

By: Aquarium Drunkard » Ryan Adams w/ Gillian Welch :: Revelator (2000)

Aquarium Drunkard » Ryan Adams w/ Gillian Welch :: Revelator (2000) — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 00:51:02 +0000

[...] I hadn’t heard this in years. Pulled out a hard drive today in order send this track to a friend as we had just been discussing Gillian Welch’s Soul Journey LP form 2003. The following cover of “Revelator,” off Welch’s album of the same name, has a Crazyhorse feel with Ryan Adams leading the charge backed by David Rawlings and Welch during the sessions that would ultimately yield Adams’ solo debut, Heartbreaker. [...]

By: Jeremy

Jeremy — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 15:09:05 +0000

COLD ROSES KILLS HEARTBREAKER BUT I UNDERSTAND IT’S INCLUSION.

By: Michael

Michael — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 15:48:31 +0000

one thing is being forgotten about the beauty of this album: it isn’t truly a solo effort. some of the best tracks (mentioned above by others) are supported and backed by some great artists; which, if memory serves correct, convinced mr. adams to record this album to begin with.

By: Satisfied '75

Satisfied '75 — Sat, 26 Dec 2009 04:36:11 +0000

ps – j. crosby, why u bein so ‘lazy’, son??

By: Satisfied '75

Satisfied '75 — Sat, 26 Dec 2009 04:35:17 +0000

I’ll always prefer Whiskeytown to Ryan’s solo bag of tricks, but Heartbreaker was most definitely the solo jam where he was firing on all cylinders. Hell of an album.

By: Lucas

Lucas — Sat, 26 Dec 2009 02:18:51 +0000

He’s one of the few artists that I still listen to on a consistent basis. I love Heartbreaker and I think it stands alone from the rest of his catalog. I sometimes wonder what newborn fans think of his music when they pickup just a random cd of his and expect to hear New York, New York. I think Cardinology was a huge step off from his previous work, but he can still make good music. Drugs, married life, etc. It’s just a matter of how bad he wants to make that music. Same as with anyone pursuing a passion. How badly do you want it?

By: Daniel

Daniel — Fri, 25 Dec 2009 22:58:20 +0000

Right. Fair enough. Surely you appreciate a little contrarian view rather than a whole bunch of sychophantic comments to your piece though, yeah? I think your opinions were well written and well expressed, just happened to disagree with them for reasons stated above. Apologies if it came across as agressive, that was unintended. I read your site a lot, so something keeps me coming back, obviously. Just hope you don’t expect fawning replies to everything you write. Keep up the good work!

By: j.crosby

j.crosby — Fri, 25 Dec 2009 19:35:12 +0000

@Daniel, the Adams mythos–true or not, and *neither of us* knows–is as much a part of his music this decade as he is. And that “dig” at the end is exactly that, a mythology. Who said it was true? Think it was referred to as “legend.” We’re not writing in-depth features over here, but rather summations of music and people to reacquaint readers years later. (And it’s been an enjoyable exercise for us, as well.) In that way, mentioning those things is absolutely necessary. Lazy? I don’t know, but I definitely didn’t sweat writing this. Just hoping it offers people something to think about, whether they agree or disagree, and gives them a chance to listen to some tunes that might’ve collected dust. Anyway, if you don’t like it or prefer something else, no big whoop. That’s why we have opinions. But let’s also not be overly aggressive simply because we’re anti-populist.

By: Los

Los — Fri, 25 Dec 2009 17:57:31 +0000

I must also disagree with the comment that Adams’ work since Heartbreaker hasn’t been of the same quality. Cold Roses, and in my mind Jacksonville City Nights are among his best, which have come after Heartbreaker.

By: j. neas

j. neas — Fri, 25 Dec 2009 15:41:10 +0000

Back when I first started writing for AD, I wrote a piece that talked about Adams' chameleon tendencies. As much as I love this album, I don't expect him to remake it. While my favorite Adams albums either tend more toward Heartbreaker's tone (29, Love is Hell) or lean more back into the loose vibe of Whiskeytown (Cold Roses), I don't fault him for moving around within the constraints of his music. He is a notoriously inconsistent songwriter, but if Bob Pollard can make a career out of that same trait (and boy, has he), then I think Adams will (and has) done the same. But even Bob nails complete albums every so often and for me, Heartbreaker is unquestionably one of Adams'. The myth/story of his struggles with addiction and hidden career of work only adds to the story. As much as this goes against part of my better journalistic instincts, sometimes it's better to just embrace the myth. The story is often much more interesting than the truth. Do we really care who wrote Shakespeare's plays? All that matters is that they exist. Do we really care whether Adams' was a prolific junkie? The music still exists. The facts are always interesting to know, but in the long run, I don't know that they are essential.

By: Neil

Neil — Fri, 25 Dec 2009 15:28:17 +0000

Wow, love it! Not many artists can create such diverse and heartfelt opinions of his work as the DRA.

Truth is that the answer lies somewhere between Dan and Jacobs words…probably. Even the man himself would I guess agree with both view points depending on the day of the week. To be contary>to change>to add>to subtract>to gain>to lose = lasting creativity…doesn’t it?

As for the hiStory (or the fact of the creative matter) who knows why some one gets the whole shebang and others can be more aloof to his magpie charms. The truth is that this artists creative/career arc is the stuff of legend and when an artist has as much unreleased quality material as this one does, then when does it matter what/when/whose view point is correct and of any real value, and imporantly, whether that be in the moment or in revision.

I think Keef was right when he declared that one song (take that as album) is only better than the next one because it always reminded them of the time they scored that hot chick…

Meself. I prefer Destoyer (but I would say that wouldn’t I). Or is it 48 Hours, Darkbreaker, Pinkhearts or Cardinology?

By the way what day of the week is it?

By: Jakob

Jakob — Fri, 25 Dec 2009 07:54:56 +0000

DAN – You sound every bit the failed artist as might try and belay the acclaim this record is given. Aka “hipster”. Fuck off.

As for the influence, impact, and importance of the album, it probably does rank highesdt for most among Adams’s listeners. However, he is one of my favorite artists and I’d argue that Cold Roses and JCN were both on par, perhaps because they happened to really hit me when I was first delving in to his music. But regardless, the magical consistency of Heartbreaker may have never resurfaces, but it’s the “warts-and-all” feel of the 2005 trilogy that really endear them to me. Also, the takes on the Destroyer sessions, especially “Bartending Lines,” occasionally one-up the final output. Still a beautiful record and fitting addition to this series. Thanks for the words, the songs, and the memories, AD.

By: Daniel

Daniel — Fri, 25 Dec 2009 07:11:20 +0000

Oh and for the record, let’s not beat around the bush here – the reason Adams future endevours will suck is not because the guy is married or the guy is ‘happy’ per say, it’s because he’s shacked up with an incredibly hot lady who just happens to make really awful music. And that influence will seep into his own work, because let’s face it – there’s only so many times you can lie to a hot chick by telling her the crappy poetry/music/art she creates is great before you start to believe it. I dont begrudge him for that either, hell I’ll do it myself if it gets me someone like Miss Moore!