Though the 1989 release of "Full Moon Fever" marked the first official Tom Petty solo album, this designation seems misleading. For the 13 years before and the 20 years after this record, he led the Heartbreakers. Petty was always the singular voice behind the band's roots rock-meets-country-meets-New Wave identity. True, guitarist and founding member Mike Campbell commonly co-wrote songs on the Heartbreakers' albums and the other band members each had a specific niche they filled with economy and skill. However, Petty has always been the band's de facto leader. Look no further than the group's name,Tom Petty AND the Heartbreakers. He also always been the one who consistently articulated the small-town, Southern-fried view of life present in all of the band's best songs.
This sensibility is present throughout "Fever," and the fact that Petty's solo debut sounds like another
Adam Rowan
Full Moon Fever
Though the 1989 release of "Full Moon Fever" marked the first official Tom Petty solo album, this designation seems misleading. For the 13 years before and the 20 years after this record, he led the Heartbreakers. Petty was always the singular voice behind the band's roots rock-meets-country-meets-New Wave identity. True, guitarist and founding member Mike Campbell commonly co-wrote songs on the Heartbreakers' albums and the other band members each had a specific niche they filled with economy and skill. However, Petty has always been the band's de facto leader. Look no further than the group's name,Tom Petty AND the Heartbreakers. He also always been the one who consistently articulated the small-town, Southern-fried view of life present in all of the band's best songs.
This sensibility is present throughout "Fever," and the fact that Petty's solo debut sounds like another
