I've also just recently picked up Heartbreaker. Got it in the 10-CD changer now giving it the run through with a few other CDs I've recently acquired (including Michael Penn's MP4). Ryan is definetly one of those out-of-the-mainstream artists that bears some listening to. I don't think he would suit the majority of dB listeners though. His music is best described as Americana-folk-altcountry with a punk vibe on some songs. One of my favorite song lyrics from Ryan is "I started this damned country band because punk rock was too hard too sing".
Personally I don't think this is his best effort. I loved Whiskeytown's Stranger's Almanac. However, it was a major label release with a lot of studio polish. Whiskeytown's indie releases both have some beautiful songs. If anyone were to want to listen to Ryan for the first time I would recommend SA before Heartbreaker.
He's only 22-23 years old and you can tell he's got a ton of talent. Already been on Austin City Limits with Whiskeytown and Emmylou Harris, Kim Richey, and Gillian Welch sing with him on HB. You can hear echoes of Dylan, Springsteen (Nebraska), Neil Young, and mostly Gram Parsons on his new CD. If this kid can just keep his head on straight I truly believe he will some day put out a masterpiece work.
Ryan has his critics and he is regularly trashed (and praised) on the Uncle Tupelo mailing list. But he's got a lot of supporters. So for those of you looking for something new and don't absolutely hate any song with a pedal steel, then check him out.
Kervo
Ryan Adams
Kervo
location: Sterling, VA
listening to: Spotify
registered: 2001.02.19
posts: 133
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I've also just recently picked up Heartbreaker. Got it in the 10-CD changer now giving it the run through with a few other CDs I've recently acquired (including Michael Penn's MP4). Ryan is definetly one of those out-of-the-mainstream artists that bears some listening to. I don't think he would suit the majority of dB listeners though. His music is best described as Americana-folk-altcountry with a punk vibe on some songs. One of my favorite song lyrics from Ryan is "I started this damned country band because punk rock was too hard too sing".
Personally I don't think this is his best effort. I loved Whiskeytown's Stranger's Almanac. However, it was a major label release with a lot of studio polish. Whiskeytown's indie releases both have some beautiful songs. If anyone were to want to listen to Ryan for the first time I would recommend SA before Heartbreaker.
He's only 22-23 years old and you can tell he's got a ton of talent. Already been on Austin City Limits with Whiskeytown and Emmylou Harris, Kim Richey, and Gillian Welch sing with him on HB. You can hear echoes of Dylan, Springsteen (Nebraska), Neil Young, and mostly Gram Parsons on his new CD. If this kid can just keep his head on straight I truly believe he will some day put out a masterpiece work.
Ryan has his critics and he is regularly trashed (and praised) on the Uncle Tupelo mailing list. But he's got a lot of supporters. So for those of you looking for something new and don't absolutely hate any song with a pedal steel, then check him out.
Kervo
Personally I don't think this is his best effort. I loved Whiskeytown's Stranger's Almanac. However, it was a major label release with a lot of studio polish. Whiskeytown's indie releases both have some beautiful songs. If anyone were to want to listen to Ryan for the first time I would recommend SA before Heartbreaker.
He's only 22-23 years old and you can tell he's got a ton of talent. Already been on Austin City Limits with Whiskeytown and Emmylou Harris, Kim Richey, and Gillian Welch sing with him on HB. You can hear echoes of Dylan, Springsteen (Nebraska), Neil Young, and mostly Gram Parsons on his new CD. If this kid can just keep his head on straight I truly believe he will some day put out a masterpiece work.
Ryan has his critics and he is regularly trashed (and praised) on the Uncle Tupelo mailing list. But he's got a lot of supporters. So for those of you looking for something new and don't absolutely hate any song with a pedal steel, then check him out.
Kervo
