Tom Petty - "Full Moon Fever" (MCA Records, 1989) [Key Tracks: Runnin' Down a Dream, Love is a Long Road, Free Fallin', I Won't Back Down]
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"My sister's ex-husband can't get no lovin', walks around dog-faced and hurt. Now he's got nothin', head in the oven... I can't decide which is worse "
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Since the last time I posted (the epic Melvins "Houdini") I have received a lot of new records, none perhaps as cool and unexpected as today's entry. My friend Matt, with whom I don't get to do enough with, gave me Tom Petty's epic LP, which is not only one of his best, but is also the last great rock album of the 1980's.
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Carl's Favorite Songs - #29 - Dream On by Aerosmith
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Full Moon Fever was a solo album for Petty, although the term solo has never been so inappropriate. True, his Heartbreakers sidekicks were not technically involved with writing this LP, but most of them appear to play regardless. Other significant musicians appear as well. Jeff Lynne, of ELO fame, played huge role in songwriting with Petty. A few lesser known stars also appear, such as Roy Orbison, George Harrison, and Del Shannon (I kid, I kid, these guys are icons). Petty even covers a Byrds song, which seems unnecessary, but fun. Petty has always flown under the radar but maintained integrity (although "Last Dance with Mary Jane" almost shattered that streak).
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Mostly this album is about time and place. It brings back a lost sound of rock and roll, and as Matt informed me and I later confirmed in biographies, this LP was known as Travelling Wilburies Vol. 2 to many since it was a continuation of the vibe and theme started by the all star super-group. It threw away everything that the 70's and 80's did to music and tried to reinvent the wheel... being at once a tribute to early rock without being a throw-back novelty. Petty is at the top of his game here, and if you ever wanted to buy one LP from him, not counting the endless parade of greatest hits repackages, this would be an excellent start to hear Petty as the musician and rock icon. Its rare that an artist's most commercially embraced LP is one of his best artistic achievements as well, but here you go... proof that the exception proves the rule. Sure, "You Got Lucky" isn't on here, but what album is perfect?
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Horns up, and its good to be back. And thanks again Matt!!!
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