Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers
Babylon - Polydor 1972 Comments:It is my impression that this album (soundtrack) is one of the somewhat overlooked Tom Petty releases. If this feeling is true, it's a real shame, because the album is bursting with great songs. Perhaps Petty himself helped to push the album a little to the side, by neglecting it a little at his concerts.
Once you get used to the slightly different sound compared to the previous albums "Wildflowers" and "Into the Great Wide Open" you’ll discover a really great album. It is not as polished as ”Into the Great Wide Open” and not a solo album like ”Wildflowers”.
Only in a few cases you may notice that it is a soundtrack. There are i.a. a couple of short instrumentals and two tracks appear in two versions – fortunately both tracks are really good.
The opening track "Walls (Circus)" is one of the tracks that regularly appeared in his setlists. That is well understood; it's a great number; nice melody and good beat. The track was also released as a single. The reprise "Walls (No. 3) is a little faster, but just as nice.
The slightly heavier "Change the Locks", written by Lucinda Williams, also came out as a single and Petty and the Heartbreakers here deliver a nice cover version.
Also third single "Climb that Hill" is on the heavier end; still unmistakably Tom Petty.
One of several highlights is the subdued, almost J.J. Cale-esque, “Angel Dream”; it also comes in two versions; I do prefer (No.4) but both are fine.
"Hope You Never" is classic Tom Petty; good beat, lots of good-sounding guitars and nice melody.
"California" sounds like an obvious single choice. It is unabashedly catchy; my first favorite. It goes right into the blood.
One song you may overlook at first is the almost Beach Boys-esque "Hung Up and Overdue"; and it's not just because Carl Wilson sings harmony. A really great song; perhaps the strongest on the album.
Tom Petty released many fine albums; and this absolutely belongs among the very best.
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