Tom Petty - "Hypnotic Eye" -- new album (and tour) this summer*

Truthfully, I hear no similarities whatsoever to his early work. He's still talking his way through songs, pretty much as he's done since the Traveling Wilburys.

I downloaded it and barely got through one listening. It's pleasant enough and will probably sell well. It didn't grab me at all. I deleted the files.

 

I guess he's never hear any of Dylan's records since 99. Some of his best ever.

 

To a point, I understand where you are coming from. However, at the same time, you could buy the album, decide what you think of the music, and even comment about it. You don't have to wait for others.

 

My impression so far: Petty's strongest album since "Wildflowers" (yes, I know that one was a solo album, but still...). That said, I don't really think "Hypnotic Eye" is evocative of Petty's '70s releases.

 

Or he could listen to the whole album on Spotify. After all, not everyone can afford buying music they're merely curious about. That's how I decide, whether I wish to purchase the physical product.

 

I love this record. I am still getting to know it. You get me high, American Dream Plan B, and Shadow People are my favorite tracks so far. The keyboards and heavy guitar remind me of Mojo...but this record seems less jam driven a little bit more focused than Mojo...some clever lyrics...

 

Rick did you buy this directly from Tom Petty's website?

 

I see the Blue Ray is available on Amazon.ca? Why are they not available on TP's site?

 

I had a chance to hear HE for the first time last night (...I have the Blu-ray edition..). I absolutely love this album on first listen, which I'm quite shocked by really. I expected I would like it well enough, as there is not much from Tom that I don't enjoy, but every song on HE stuck to me immediately. The band sounds tight and focused on this record, and Tom came up with some excellent songs and melodies. Granted, Tom does not sing or have the vocal power like he used to in the 70s/80s, and I can understand the issues people have with his singing voice sounding more like talking these days......but there are definitely catchy melodies in these tracks, even if they don't come across as forcefully as they did in the "old days".

 

it takes about 3 listens for the melodies to surface.

 

I mentioned this in a precious thread, Stan has some swing with his drumming style. Steve is good but, lacks any swing IMO.

 

Thanks for posting that!

Great review of a great album and artist.

Wynn stole my brain when he wrote that, including the comment pertaining to Petty's output the past 35 years, maybe the baseball part of our brains connected.

Anyway, I find it impossible for some to listen once and toss it. I find it simultaneously grabbing with hooks - but also sliding me in deeper and deeper with seductive rhythm , wisdom-god lyrics, substantial musical interludes and- well hypnotic rock and roll seduction.

I am finding new and interesting layers and corners upon each listening

 

Yes, but with the bonus track Playin' Dumb (which is a kick-ass track) included with the FLAC downloads which is also on the Blu-ray audio.

 

I bought the blu ray audio version.
It is available at Sunrise on Yonge St for all my Toronto friends.
First listen, I liked it.
The lyrics are good, it rocks, very guitar driven as Mojo was.
My first thought was it is Mojo Two.
Which is okay with me because I think Mojo is one his Petty's best.
SQ is good.
The album rocks out.
I think these songs will come across great in concert.
Glen

 

i wouldnt say the album rocks but its a very good album, a bit too clean sounding but overall very good.

 

Well it certainly isn't an album of MOR ballads.

 

neither is it a Cinderella album. like a lotta people lately, it has a bit of a late Dylanish americana flavor to it.

 

Hey, every thread is precious.

Steve Ferrone is a great drummer. So was Stan Lynch. There are so many highly significant factors and subtle factors in in the evolution and changes in the Heartbrakers sound, but the switch in druumers isn't even near the top in importance IMO. Ferrone is different, but not in any way a downward step. He rocks, profoundly.

 

Fine. I just don't appreciate people who complain when they are expecting, more like demanding, others to do the work.

 

The bonus track on the blu-ray "Playin' Dumb" is very nice. Should have made the album. There are at least 4 tracks I could drop in a heartbeat that it should have replaced.

 

If you think Cinderella is a good example of an album that rocks, I guess
we just have a if different definition of the term.
Maybe we should start a thread..albums that rock..

 

yea Night Songs rocks quite a bit harder than this particular album.

 

Yes I did. It arrived last Thursday

 

I would 110% agree with the proposition that Petty's body of work as a whole is superior to Springsteen's body of work as a whole. Your mileage may vary, and that's cool.

 

I thought this thread was about how loud this album is. But now we are discussing Petty and Springsteen and Dylan. Those three together again!
It's all opinion anyway. I think The River and Tunnel of Love are great masterpieces of pop/rock music, others think they are lesser Springsteen.
I think Echo is the best Heartbreakers album as a whole, others think that's odd and that it's lesser Petty.
I think Time Out of Mind and Love and Theft are two of Dylan's best, that many agree with.
Let's just say they all are great and hopefully they make people happy and dance until the end of electricity.

Having said that, I strongly maintain that Petty seems to be the one who still has fire in his belly. Now if Springsteen has a Rocky V moment and loses everything and starts wearing his scruffy era clothes again, then we may have a contest.