Heartbreaker
With a touch ofRobyn Hitchcockin his vocal timbre, a smidgen ofSteve Earlein his narratives and instrumental writing, and a heap ofGram Parsonsin the fullness of his overall sound and structure, Ryan Adams steps well aboveWhiskeytownwithHeartbreaker, his solo debut. By turns raucous, wistful, raspy, and simply sweet, Adams makes the most of a top-shelf acoustic band, includingGillian Welchand David Rawlings and even a guest spot fromEmmylou Harrison the tenderly yearning "Oh My Sweet Caroline." There's 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, soundBeatles-esque), with glockenspiel, organ, and more signaling 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