48 Hours, Darkbreaker, etc.

The release of The Suicide Handbook has me more optimistic than I’ve been in years about the possibility of finally seeing 48 Hours, Darkbreaker, and, perhaps, the Pinkheart Sessions receive official releases.

For a long time, these albums felt destined to remain part of Ryan Adams mythology with official releases always out of reach. Now that The Suicide Handbook has finally emerged from the vault, it feels like anything is possible. Hell, we got Blackhole.

Of the remaining unreleased projects, 48 Hours and Darkbreaker seem like the most likely candidates for an official release. Both have been discussed for years, both have developed almost legendary status among fans, and both represent important creative periods that deserve to be preserved as complete albums.

The dream scenario would also include Fucker and Forever Valentine, but those seem far less likely. Because they are tied to Whiskeytown, the obstacles to a release appear much greater. At this point, they feel closer to wishful thinking than realistic expectations.

Still, the fact that The Suicide Handbook is finally available after all these years is a reminder that these records are not necessarily gone forever. For the first time in a very long time, the possibility of hearing 48 Hours and Darkbreaker as officially released albums feels genuinely realistic.

And listening to SH on a Sunday morning fucking hits.