evansec's Full Review: Echo by Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers
Typically when an artist from a well-established band branches out into a solo career, the days of the band are over in the public eye. Examples include 10,000 Maniacs, Talking Heads, and, most notably, The Beatles.
Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers is most certainly not one of those bands. Lead singer Petty has embarked upon a huge career as a solo artist, releasing largely successful solo efforts and even joining the supergroup The Traveling Wilburys, all the while coming back to the band that made him a star.
Echo (1999) is the most recent release from Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. Before hearing this album, I had only moderate respect for the band, but they didn't hit me emotionally. After one listen to this album, my outlook changed forever.
Each track has a classic rock sound combined with intelligent lyrics that are clearly geared toward a new audience. Echo is, perhaps, the band's most heartfelt and detailed album yet.
Room At The Top (Track 1):I've got a room at the top of the world tonight. I can see everything tonight. I've got a room where everyone can have a drink and forget those things that went wrong in their life. After having this CD for over a year, this song still gives me goosebumps. I sometimes sit on my couch and blare this beautiful rock ballad on my stereo. It starts off with almost a musical whisper, with Tom's soft, twangy vocals over an acoustic guitar and a guitar that almost sounds organ-like, a la Procol Harum's "Whiter Shade of Pale." Petty harmonizes with himself in the chorus, which eventuall leads to loud guitar riffs and a slow-yet-constant drum beat. It is a beautiful rock ballad that can bring tears to the most steel-souled person.
Free Girl Now (Track 3):I remember when you were his doll; I remember you under his thumb. Yeah, baby, when he would call everytime you had to come. Hey, baby. You're a free girl, now. In this song Tom borrows from and satirizes The Rolling Stones while wailing like a cross between Iggy Pop and Bob Dylan. The electric guitars in this one almost sound like classic steel guitars. The lyrics, however; about a man happy for a woman who has broken a bond with an evil man, are the best part of it all. Yes, Tom Petty, bona fide feminist.
Swingin' (Track 5):Yeah, we went down...swingin'. Like Benny Goodman. Yeah, we went down....swingin'. Yes, we did. This and "Room at the Top" have to be my favorites on the album. The song's beat, vocals and harmonica is reminiscent of Bob Dylan's "Like A Rolling Stone," yet Petty gives it lyrics and a sound that somehow make it his own. You also have to give gredit to a song that mentions Glenn Miller, Sammy Davis, Tommy Dorsey and other famous swingers. (I think the only one he doesn't mention is Austin Powers.) A song that proves that rock-folk can still make it today.
Won't Last Long (Track 8)Don't let me down like you did. It's not the same, over and over again. Yeah, this is not my day. I'm down, but it won't last long. Just a good, raging rock song, continuing a tradition of uplifting Petty songs that probably began way before "I Won't Back Down." It's fast-paced with lots of traditional rock sounds, slowing down in the middle with a beautiful acoustic interlude. Then, of course, it immediately goes back to the feel-good rock sounds that the song is all about. Thanks for cheering me up, Tom.
This One's For Me (Track 11):And you don't even know what you've got 'till it's walking away. Yeah, you don't even know what you've had 'till it laughs in your face. This has almost a 60's bubblegum pop feel to it. But, of course, Tom couldn't make it sound anything but good. The empowering "Hey, it's my time to get stuff" lyrics probably make it so happy-sounding. Add some great harmonizing and blended guitars and this one is a song that just plain rocks.
Rhino Skin (Track 14):You need rhino skin if you're gonna begin to walk through this world. This is a somewhat dark, cynical song on the album. It begins with a slow, minor-keyed electric guitar overlapped by Petty's dismal vocals. The percussion kicks in and adds a beat to the song. I can easily see someone riding a motorcycle in a film while this song is playing in the background. It is dark, introspective and beautiful.
Never in my life had I thought I would be so moved by a Tom Petty album. This is the one that changed it all for me. Since purchasing this, I have also grown to love Tom's Wildflowers LP and much of the Heartbreakers' earlier works. This album proves that Tom has an ability to create the Great American Rock Song and back it with intellect in musical composition and lyrics. Tom, you prove that things do get better with age.
Released in 1999, Echo features Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers at their finest, with the songs Room at the Top, Counting on You, and the superb title t...More at Buy.com Marketplaces
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