If someone were to get all hypothetical, philosophical, and poetic on you by posing the question: "what does love sound like?" that would be the perfect opportunity to give that person a little wink, and slide a copy of Heartbreaker across the table. The album contains the voice of a man whose pain is audible with each syllable, and backed up by instruments that seem to be solemnly nodding in agreement. His lyrics have been naturally disinfected of all lies by the circumstances of a broken heart. The quiet, simple lines of "Call Me On Your Way Back Home" carry more weight than a hundred I-love-yous. The comfortable sweetness of "In My Time of Need" makes you wonder if perfect bliss is just a rocking chair, a pretty girl in a yellow sundress, a pitcher of lemonade, and a quiet summer day. Even when Ryan Adams expresses his love for his home state of North Carolina, it turns into one of the most beautiful songs written about a U.S. state.
Whether you are currently in love, have been in love in the past, or hope to find love in the future, Heartbreaker has the power to catch you off guard and leave you completely disarmed, if only for a few brief seconds.
