As the lead singer for the critically acclaimed band Whiskeytown, Ryan Adams emerged as country-rock’s golden boy with the 1997 release of Stranger’s Almanac. Though actually the North Carolina-based group’s third offering, it was their first on a major label (Outpost/Geffen) and, for many listeners, the true introduction to the talented young singer/songwriter. Three years later, Adams marks another milestone with his impressive solo debut, Heartbreaker.

Stranger’s Almanac drew Adams a lot of comparisons to Replacements’ frontman Paul Westerberg. Heartbreaker lends credence to this perception. In addition to being comfortable in a variety of musical tempos, like Westerberg, Adams isn’t afraid to show a sense of humor about his work: The disc kicks off with an obviously spontaneous 40-second disagreement between Adams and guitarist David Rawlings about an unnamed Morrissey track.

Adams maintains a self-deprecating style when the music is off, but the level of talent involved in this record shows how seriously he takes his work. In addition to the virtuoso Rawlings -- the best guitarist you’ve never heard of -- Gillian Welch appears throughout the album, and Emmylou Harris lends her voice to the lovely ballad "Oh My Sweet Carolina," a song that would do Gram Parsons proud.

It’s easy to see what draws all of these talented performers into Adams’ world: his songs. The musical portion of the disc is launched with the raucous "To Be Young (is to be sad and high)," a jangly rocker in the vein of Bob Dylan’s "Subterranean Homesick Blues." The gorgeous "AMY" features harmonies reminiscent of Crosby, Stills & Nash.

Heartbreaker is as straight-ahead a CD as you’ll find this year. (Adams says proudly in the liner notes it took only 14 days to record it.) More than the craft behind the recording, it’s all about the songs -- they are what brings this project home.