Tom Petty’s latest album resembles classic style
Tom Petty is still the same Tom Petty he was 30 years ago — a laid-back blues guitarist who plays without a worry in the world.
Except now it seems Petty needs a little more push to get his iconic voice out of his throat, since he is not writing hit songs like “Mary Jane’s Last Dance” and “Free Fallin,'” which in part is due to the changing world of popular music.
The 64-year-old still writes what he’s famous for, which is his melodic guitar work and songs about love, life on the road and becoming something out of nothing. His first song on the album, titled “American Dream Plan B,” is an example.
“Hypnotic Eye” is the 13th studio album by the American rock and roll god, along with his band, The Heartbreakers.
You can tell Petty is starting to run out of ideas but might have enough for just one more album, which is sad considering he wrote so many classic rock songs that led to bands being formed and even babies being born.
Tom Petty is still trying to write the classics he once did, which is blatant in songs like “Power Drunk” and “Forgotten Man.” They both have the same characteristics of his ’90s era hits, including a catchy chorus.
Now in a time of the electronic dance music craze, the songs might not become popular as easily as they once did unless he collaborates with electronic music producer Skrillex. Hopefully Petty doesn’t become that desperate for a hit song and sticks to being the one and only man he is.
The song “You Get Me High” could possibly become a hit as a little dance-along song at a downtown bar. It has many elements of early country music but blended with more upbeat guitar work.
Petty still showcases how laid-back of a musician he is in the song “Sins of my Youth,” with his simple lyrics and simple instrumentation writing style.
The song “Burn Out Town” is a blues-y track that will take any Blues fan by heart. It has steel guitar and harmonica solos in it — the two greatest things in blues rock.
One album that didn’t strike big isn’t going to hurt him. He still has songs that are going to last forever as hits. Overall, Petty is still going to be the “Rock God” he’s always been.
