“Cause I’m a heartbreaker.  I’m a heartbreaker.  But I’m gonna try to change your life if it’s the last thing I do.  Cause you might be a heartbreaker, too.” - The Lonely Hearts

I don’t know which would be better:  To be the talent scout for Tooth & Nail Records or to be the promoter for the talent once it is signed and recorded.  Either way, you can’t freaking lose.  These guys have the best jobs in the music industry right now as far as I’m concerned.  If you look back, you will note that Anberlin’s and Mae’s albums (both on T&N) were on the Best of 2005 here at Gigatracks.  Now, those T&N kids have unearthed another gem:  The Lonely Hearts.

The Lonely Hearts first album is called “Paper Tapes” and from front to back…from “Passive Aggressive” to “Movie Night”…this thing sounds and feels good.  Really good.  All year I’ve been knocking the music industry over the lack of solid albums hitting the shelves this year.  There’s been a few, but 2006 for the most part has been slow, painfully slow.  And to think, my year might still be suffering in the same doldrums if it hadn’t been for my picking up an article on David Ellefson’s (Megadeth) faith and the review for “Paper Tapes” was on the subsequent pages.  The review peaked my interest and I went rushing around Winston-Salem trying to find a record store that carried it.  I went 1 for 4 on the search, but oh the one…

To some, the vocals stylings will remind one of Ryan Adams.  Get past it.  I can hear it at times, but the music and the fullness of the record plus the strength apparent in the vocals make Ryan Adams latest stuff look more like backwash than music.  Every article that I’ve found about the band mentions them with some combination of the following:  Neil Young, Bob Dylan, Gram Parsons, Sheryl Crow, Wilco, etc.  Even more apparent, from the namesake of the band right on down, are The Beatles.  All of the above (well, except The Beatles) shift them directly into the world of Americana music.

But there’s a difference.

Americana has gotten worn out lately.  And just like Nashville these days, Americana, too, needs a good swift kick in the butt.  The Lonely Hearts do it with subtlety, but nevertheless, effectively.  So if you’ve been trying to grab hold of Son Volt but you can’t handle Jay Farrar’s voice.  Or if you want to like Ryan Adams, but you’re discouraged that he hasn’t learned he doesn’t need to produce every single thought he has.  If Wilco is musically pleasing, but doesn’t give you enough tracks to sing along to.  If you like Americana, but you just want a little more “pop”, then this is the record for you.

Highlights of the album are “War Brides”, “Love and Politics” and “Good Intentions”…and the best track I’ve heard this year:  Heartbreaker.  It could be that Will Holland has finally helped me to come to terms with the demons of my past with this song.  And hey, isn’t that what music is for?  Maybe that’s why it is so good to me.  Or maybe, it just plain rocks.

Do yourselves a favor and pick up The Lonely Hearts.  Meanwhile, I’ll be applying for a job at Tooth & Nail.