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Tom Petty - 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 ‘70s to ‘80s Heartbreakers effort is certainly not a detriment.
The album is chiefly remembered for three hit singles: “Runnin’ Down a Dream,”
“I Won’t Back Down” and the classic “Free Fallin’,” which might, justifiably, be known as Petty’s quintessential song. The rest of the album consists of songs that could be considered throwaways, but this would undercut how enjoyable and well-made the rest of the record is. Items like “Yer So Bad,” “Love Is a Long Road” and “Zombie Zoo” will never make a greatest hits collection but they are memorable for being the direct, catchy numbers Petty has always specialized in creating.
Additional excellence comes courtesy of producer and co-writer Jeff Lynne, best known as the front man for the Electric Light Orchestra and Petty’s bandmate in the super-group the Traveling Wilburys, who lends an immaculate pop sheen to the songs on “Fever.”
This album also solidifies Petty’s place as perhaps the premier crafter of great driving music. Few artists can claim their albums sound like a cross-country excursion contained within one disc, and “Fever” demonstrates Petty’s mastery of the medium, with or without his classic backing band.
Reviewer: Adam Rowan
new
Reviewer's Rating: 8.5
Reader's Rating: 10.00
Reader's Votes: 4
Added: 3-Jun-2009
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