Albums by this artist

Echo (1999)

Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers

Echo

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» BEN FRENCH | CO-DIRECTOR

Tom Petty Echo Warner Bros., 1999 RiYL: Bob Dylan's voice, Wilco's general sound, Neil Young's more straightforward work

Prior to Echo, it had been five years since Tom Petty released a legitimate album of original songs. True, he and his trustworthy Heartbreakers put out a soundtrack for "She's The One" (1996) and a six-disc box set, Playback (1995), chuck full of previously unreleased tracks. But neither were really a full-fledged Petty album, written and recorded for its own sake.

I guess that means Echo arrived on store shelves with more anticipation than usual. Fans assumed Tom's been working on a master album to blow away all his other releases. Cyber sewing circles figured this was going to be Tom's "divorce album," full of post-breakup punch and heart-wrenching vision. Aging critics were imagining a work in a league with Dylan's Blood On The Tracks or even just Springsteen's Tunnel Of Love.

But Echo really doesn't fit the profile. Don't misunderstand: The album is good. In fact, it might be his best album since Full Moon Fever, which would put it with his four or five best albums ever. But Tom Petty has never made a landmark album -- it's just not his gig -- and Tom Petty will probably never be considered a landmark figure.

That doesn't mean he can't cut some outstanding tracks.The first single, "Free Girl Now," is a perfect rocking Petty song, replete with straight-ahead drums and a two-chord progression that absolutely forces the listener tap his foot in unison. And what can you say after hearing "About To Give Out?" The piano works. The lyrics are silly, but who really cares? You put it in your tape player and just sit there, taking the subway to work or working in your bedroom, tapping your feet and nodding your head along.

The album does have some low points. The middle songs -- especially "Accused Of Love," "Billy The Kid" and "This One's For Me" -- just run together. "I Don't Wanna Fight" seems to be a note-for-note remake of Full Moon Fever's forgettable "Can't Get Her Out Of My Mind." And "Rhino Skin" is just plain stupid rock.

But none of the songs offend, and none of them ruin Petty's reputation as a reliable source of simple rock bliss. If anything, the songs on Echo could remind you how much you like hearing Tom Petty in the background. You might think to yourself, "I never realized Wilco sounded so much like this guy." Or maybe you'll just find a new personal favorite to slip on a mix tape.

Anyway you cut it, Echo will rest safely in the subconsciousness of American rock listeners, providing a well-suited soundtrack to everyday living.

BEN FRENCH | Ben founded NATN in the winter of 1998-1999 with fellow IU alums Troy Carpenter and Jonathan Cohen. During the day time, he's working for Nielsen Business Media, publisher of Billboard. Ben's favorite acts include Bruce Springsteen, The Clash, Sonic Youth, Elvis Costello, Talking Heads, Rolling Stones, and the Beach Boys.