Most
of the 70's rockers have already passed their prime, and many aren't
even around anymore. Only a few remain and even fewer of them make
new music. Most are now just touring nostalgia acts, having given up,
because they're not chart toppers any longer, but not Tom Petty.
Usually
when artists produce their own work, the results are disappointing,
but not here. Tom petty and his cohorts spent parts of three years in
crafting this classic slice of Americana. The arrangements and
musicianship are top notch.
“Hypnotic
Eye” is the best Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers album in years.
It's a must have for anyone yearning for good 'ol rock, in an era of
multi-genre, multi-collaborative messes that aim to sell and don't
have anything to offer or even worse anything relevant to say.
The
cover design, reminiscent of the 60's era is the captivating perfect
touch.
Petty
and The Heartbreakers — guitarist Mike Campbell, keyboards Benmont
Tench, bassist Ron Blair, guitarist/keyboards Scott Thurston and
drummer Steve Ferrone — deliver! There's no over the top attempt to
create anthems of angst here, just straight-basic rock and that's
befitting of a group of many years with tremendous chemistry.
These
songs resonate and show us that Tom Petty that still has a lot to say
and doesn't care about the so-called establishment. Five of the
eleven new tracks are singles and that should tell you loud and clear
that this album not only rocks, but it's loaded with great songs. Of
the remaining songs in particular, "Burnt Out Town" and
"Shadow People" are among my favorites.
Lyrically,
Petty is in top form. His songs feature a cast of characters that
really connects with our emotions. Here he shows us that it's still
OK to be pissed off and to dream without having to conform to a more
adult contemporary mature musings. He and his partners in rhyme show
that they are happy to push onward whether there is any fanfare or
not. Ironically or not this 'don't care what happens, gonna do what I
want approach' landed this album at the top of the charts.
Without
rambling on too much here, I give it a top 5-star rating and suggest
you get it for yourself and rock on!
Hypnotic Eye - Singles
- "American Dream Plan B"
- "Red River"
- "U Get Me High"
"Forgotten Man"
- "Fault Lines"
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