tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7621501513493185029.post3264895924482513996..comments2024-03-27T12:50:36.135-04:00Comments on Everybody's Dummy: Tom Petty 16: Highway Companionwardohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07825405583474881509noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7621501513493185029.post-32977432683829577652021-01-17T16:11:59.123-05:002021-01-17T16:11:59.123-05:00“Uh-oh, Jeff Lynne” – I think a lot of fans had th...“Uh-oh, Jeff Lynne” – I think a lot of fans had that reaction when this came out. Fortunately, Petty kept him under control this time, with acoustic guitar dominating most of the arrangements and a minimum of vocal and keyboard overdubs. <br /><br />I think that you’re a bit hard on this album. It’s at least as good as "The Last DJ", although it’s very different. For one thing, the songs have some great, if simple, grooves, whether fast (“Saving Grace”, “Big Weekend”) or slow (“Down South”, “Turn this Car Around”). The ballads are as touching as ever (“Square One”, “Damaged by Love”). “Flirting with Time” has a genuinely nice callback to the psychedelic 60’s with the chorus and solo, although I do have to concede your beef about the "Full Moon Fever" type drum sound with this song in particular. I don’t think there’s a single drum fill on the entire album. “Down South” is yet another delightful expression of Tom’s whimsical side, yet also manages to be moving. “Jack” is a toss off, but still fun. Reminds me of Nirvana, of all people.<br /><br />As for the charge of repeating himself – well, Tom pretty much always worked with the same basic template, tweaking it with each album. So, some songs are going to inevitably remind one of other songs. That doesn’t bother me too much. Tom was smart to restrict the original album to LP length – the style may have gotten monotonous if extended to CD length. Overall, as far as 21st century Petty is concerned, I’d recommend this one to new fans first over those albums that preceded or followed it. <br />trfesokhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12631886869696528704noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7621501513493185029.post-41499788618740657292010-03-26T11:14:56.119-04:002010-03-26T11:14:56.119-04:00Admittedly, his quality has dwindled over the year...Admittedly, his quality has dwindled over the years. 3 still means "good", if not "great". I still get enjoyment out of Damn The Torpedoes, Hard Promises and She's The One, followed by Wildflowers and (most of) Southern Accents. <br /><br />But his albums don't always do his talent justice. He puts on a great live show, as we shall soon see.wardohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07825405583474881509noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7621501513493185029.post-69309198295307706992010-03-26T10:20:36.559-04:002010-03-26T10:20:36.559-04:00Why do you like Tom Petty, Wardo?
Your average ra...Why do you like Tom Petty, Wardo?<br /><br />Your average rating for his albums is barely above 3, he's ol' Three-Chord Tom, he frequently worked with The Devil Jeff Lynne, his voice is off-pitch voice and the man could use time on a Stairmaster®. He seems mediocre at best based on your 18 reviews of his non-Wilbury, non-Mudcrutch output.<br /><br />Why do you like him or, if you don't, why give him so much attention?<br /><br />JTAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com