ELO’s Telephone Line (A New World Record)

Electric Light Orchestra.  Check them out.  You know more of their songs than you think you do.  You probably hum them to yourself without even knowing it.  Telephone Line is one of the greatest songs, and one of their most hummable.  I find myself singing this out loud in the most awkward situation at least once a week.  I hope you enjoy.

For past songs, begin here.

Anyone who has read this article knows exactly how I feel about Mr. Tom Petty and his group The Heartbreakers.  I am going to attempt to put my bias aside and rate his albums from the perspective of an everyday Joe, and not this Tom Petty nut who’s typing so quickly his fingers hurt.

Tom Petty has released twelve albums with the Heartbreakers, three solo, and one with the re-incarnation of his old band Mudcrutch.  These are the sixteen albums I will rate, leaving aside his seven live and compilation albums, and his two terrifically-enjoyable Traveling Wilburys albums.  His solo albums and the album with Mudcrutch are difficult to differentiate from Heartbreakers’ albums because they use many of the same personnel and Tom was always the driving force behind his music, regardless of who played on the albums, though I am not attempting to lessen the impact of the Heartbreakers as a band.  They are one of the finest ensembles in music history, fronted by one of the greatest rock stars in music history.  If Petty weren’t such a dynamic force, singling himself from the group, the Heartbreakers as a whole would be spoken of in the same breath with The Who, Led Zeppelin, and The Rolling Stones.  They are a very talented group.  As it stands, they’re known to the world as Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers.

1. Wildflowers (1994) – If you only listen to one Tom Petty album in your lifetime, listen to this double-LP.  It’s a must for music lovers of any genre.  This album is the epitomization of the band*.  There are hard-rockin’ cuts, lullaby-sweet ballads, and everything in between.  This album will teach you about life, and make you a better person.  That’s a bold claim, I know, and it’s true.  *This album was technically Petty’s second ‘solo’ album, but every member of the Heartbreakers performs, minus original drummer Stan Lynch, who left the band earlier that year and was replaced by eventual full-time Heartbreaker Steve Ferrone.  When Petty goes ‘solo’, which he’s done three times (Full Moon Fever, Wildflowers, Highway Companion), it has more to do with his freedom to stretch musical boundaries and not be locked into a ‘Heartbreakers’-style album than it does with his use of new or different band mates.  Every Tom Petty album is a Heartbreakers album, in my humble opinion.

2. Damn the Torpedoes (1979) – This is Petty and the Heartbreakers’ breakthrough album.  It’s not rated second on this list because there are an assortment of all-time hits on it – Refugee, Here Comes My Girl, Don’t Do Me Like That, etc., but rather because the entire album feels like one conceived musical idea.  It’s like one song broken up into nine parts.  As a young songwriter, Petty crafts hard-cutting licks about rebellion and love, and everything has a pure feeling behind it, a lived-in voice spouting truths.  This album launched the band into the stratosphere, and it’s not difficult to hear why.

3. Full Moon Fever (1989) – Perhaps his most famous album because of the inclusion of some of his most popular songs, Free Fallin’ and I Won’t Back Down, it would be disingenuous to consider this album as only ‘a couple of hits plus filler material’.  This album is a well-conceived piece of music.  It is also Petty’s first ‘solo’ album, and his first to be produced by Jeff Lynne, headliner of Electric Light Orchestra (ELO), member of the Traveling Wilburys, and producer of numerous George Harrison albums.  On a personal note, I recommend everyone check out Zombie Zoo, one of my favorite pop-rock songs of all-time.

4. Into the Great Wide Open (1991) – This album has a scope and feeling different from those that preceded it.  Petty always had a prowess for storytelling, but here he crafts stories and spins fables within his music.  This was an achievement not to overlook in his career, if not more so for his songwriting than the music.  I consider this album to be Tom’s collection of short stories.  The lyrics are actually a terrific little read if you happen upon the liner notes.

5. Highway Companion (2006) – Called a ‘solo’ album, it is, once again, the entire band, and it’s a masterful return to form in the wake of a decade of personal troubles and musical anonymity.  This is actually the time when I re-fell in love with Tom Petty.  This album runs the gamut from big, bounding numbers to smaller, introspective pieces; akin to his greatest albums.  A tour de force that would be at the top of almost anyone else’s list, it falls to 5th here because Petty is that damn good.

6. Southern Accents (1985) – [Bold statement alert!]  My favorite Side-A of any album I have ever heard: Rebels, It Ain’t Nothin’ to Me, Don’t Come Around Here No More, and Southern Accents.  They’re each epically-good and they blend together masterfully to create the ultimate Side-A.  Side-B is rather forgettable, but after the strength, honesty, and power of Side-A, I don’t care.  If you don’t like Side-B, then don’t flip the record.  The album’s power derives from Petty’s acknowledgment and celebration of his Southern roots.  He reaches back to his childhood days in the Florida orange groves and paints a picture of a time gone by, a time that encapsulated the youth that drove him to become the man he became.  Outside of his debut album, this is the first time Petty truly acknowledges his roots, but unlike his debut album, this album occurs after he has mastered his craft, thereby giving him more finely-tuned emotional instruments to carry across his viewpoints.

7. Hard Promises (1981) – The photo on the cover, Petty walking through a record store, is timeless.  The album is even more so.  All ten songs kick ass!  The initial song, The Waiting, has become an all-time classic.  However, it’s the third song on Side-B that stands out to me – Insider.  When I wrote my article (love letter!) to Petty on this site, I included the entire lyrics of this song.  Why?  It is an unmistakably beautiful song and a powerhouse duet for Petty and Stevie Nicks (the so-called ‘unofficial member of the Heartbreakers’).  I wish I could place this album higher on the list.

8. Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers (1976) – This is their eponymous debut album, which is better than most debut albums.  This album contains Breakdown and American Girl.  Enough said?  Yes.

9. Mudcrutch (2008) – Here is one of Petty’s original bands, Mudcrutch, thirty years after they broke up.  The only changes from most Heartbreaker lineups are the addition of Randall Marsh, former band mate and now high school music teacher, on drums and Tom Leadon, of his own solo semi-fame, on guitar.  Mike Campbell and Benmont Tench, Heartbreakers-for-life, are also on-board.  In order to hear the songs Petty loved when he was a high school kid and up-and-coming artist, listen to this album.  There are some great Southern songs here, and it is a nice departure from the Heartbreakers-style.

10. Mojo (2010) – I can’t believe I’m already at #10.  This is the Heartbreakers doing blues.  Oh, and it’s good.  I hate putting it this low, but, hey, what can you do when listing Petty albums?  Their newest album, it shows that they haven’t lost a step with age.  In fact, they may be defying age right before our eyes.  Opposite of The Rolling Stones, the Heartbreakers haven’t slowed down or grown dull.  They’re as sharp and talented as they’ve ever been.  The album was recorded live, with everyone in a make-shirt in-home studio.  The raw sound is phenomenal.  A pure treat for us fans.

11. Echo (1999) – Written and recorded during his divorce and the final days of bass guitarist Howie Epstein’s life, this album seeps below the skin of the man and truly gives the audience a glimpse into the ethereal.  It is a beautiful album, one that would top the list of thousands of bands, but for Petty it’s a small step backward.  There is no denying it is pure Petty through-and-through, but at a certain point it ceases to feel like an album and feels more like a peek behind the curtain.  The pain in Petty’s life during the recording may have altered the artistic value of the music.

12. You’re Gonna Get It! (1978) – This album has a number of great songs (I Need to Know, Listen to Her Heart, You’re Gonna Get It, Hurt, Magnolia), but it’s a testament to his catalogue that I had to put it this low.  My only complaint is that it seems like a compilation album, not a natural one.  On second albums, which this is for the Heartbreakers, bands tend to mix a couple of new songs with a plethora of other songs that didn’t make the debut album.  Petty’s ‘other’ songs are better than most, so this album still contains great music, but it doesn’t flow as an album.  Individually, there are five great songs out of the ten, but, as an album, it’s not solid.

13. Long After Dark (1982) – Worth it for the song You Got Lucky, alone.  This is early-Petty, not done great, but done well.  I often pull out the album and listen to it for nostalgia’s sake.  Some songs may be forgettable, but they’re still enjoyable.  After your first few fantastic albums and burgeoning, explosive fame, you’re due a lackluster one.

14. Songs and Music from “She’s the One” (1996) – Tom Petty’s music is so far beyond the scope of this mediocre movie (directed by Sean Penn) that I am upset by the fact that he has only scored this one mediocre movie.  Angel Dream (No.2) and Walls are essential listening for any fan of Tom Petty.  Looking for a lovely wedding song?  Look no further.  If he was given time to develop a full album for the album’s sake, instead of for a movie, I’m sure Petty would have improved upon the final product.  As it stands, this album has a few gems.

15. The Last DJ (2002) – Released during the same period of disillusionment as Echo, this album doesn’t equal the former’s depth of meaning.  In this go-round, with the return of Ron Blair on bass, Petty attacks the music industry, but it isn’t as scathing or meaningful as Petty’s fans have come to expect.  It’s still catchy, and better than most radio music, but it’s also slightly generic, a trait you never expect from Petty.

16. Let Me Up (I’ve Had Enough) (1987) – An album of this quality would be in the Top-10 of almost every other band imaginable, but for Petty, it’s a low.  It has one great rockin’ song, Jammin’ Me, but the message of the album is weak (media and tv control) and, overall, the songs aren’t as powerful as those on other albums.  Is there any meaning behind his two weakest albums being aimed at popular media and the music industry?  Yes.  With The Last DJ and this album, Petty abandons one of his strengths – meaningful, personal lyrics – in order to attack an outside force.  Petty doesn’t often make mistakes, but the approach of these two albums can be deemed as a mistake.  We don’t get much of the meaning behind what Petty is feeling; only that he is angry and wants us to know.  I’ve come to expect more from Petty, which is why this album ranks last.

Vampire Weekend’s Oxford Comma (Vampire Weekend)

Switching up genres, I catch up to the present and present a modern band that I enjoy.  Kitschy?  Perhaps.  I find modern music such as this to be akin to America, who I also enjoy.  [If you don’t know the band America, look them up.]  Is it wholly original stuff?  No.  Is it fun and entertaining and easy to listen to?  Certainly.  I own both their albums on vinyl and listen to them often on the weekend when it’s nice outside and I’m enjoying a beer.  Every generation needs an America.

For past songs, begin here.

Sam Cooke’s Wonderful World (The Wonderful World of Sam Cooke)

One of the sweetest voices of all-time.  Sam was a singer, songwriter, producer, Civil Rights activist, and all-time great performer.  This is only one of his many songs.  I recommend you listen to them all.

Sam died tragically at the age of thirty-three under mysterious circumstances following a motel shooting.  Police say he frightened the white, female desk clerk, who shot him dead in self-defense, while friends and family say he was beaten and shot by Civil Rights opponents.  Regardless of the circumstances, his death touched the very heart of American music, as Sam was considered the King of Soul.

For past songs, begin here.

Otis Redding’s I’ve Been Loving You Too Long (Otis Blue: Otis Redding Sings Soul)

Let’s move directly to one of my favorite male singers of all-time (tied with Sam Cooke for #1).  Otis was simply Otis – pure, true, vibrant, alive, soulful.  Man, could this guy sing!  I love the way his voice slightly cracks throughout, as if the he cannot bury the hangdog inside.  He lived his music.  There was nothing false or disingenuous about Otis.  He simply was.  He tragically died young at the age of twenty-six in a plane crash while touring, mere days after recording his biggest hit, (Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay.

His hoarse, gravelly voice is the antithesis of the sweet soul-singing of Sam Cooke.  Respectively, they’re two of the greatest singers ever.  Next week, I’ll bring some home-Cookeing for comparison.

For past songs, begin here.

Adele’s Rolling in the Deep (21)

This may very well be THE song of last year, but I’m including it as the first song of this year to kick things off in style.  With only her first two albums, Adele has quickly cracked my list of Top-10 female vocalists of all-time (popular music); joining Mama Cass, Joni Mitchell, Etta James, Aretha Franklin, and others.  This live version of the song finds her on The David Letterman Show, bringing the house down with a powerhouse performance.

For past songs, begin here.

Mavis Staples’ Christmas Vacation Theme (from the 1989 movie Christmas Vacation)

Here is the opening theme song from my favorite Christmas movie of all-time.  I linked the version from the movie, so that you can enjoy the opening cartoon segment.  Merry Christmas to everyone!

The SNL Cast performs Winter Wonderland (December 1975)

When I was young and first heard this version, I fell in love.  I always bust a gut when Chevy, Dan, and John join the others on-stage.  Everyone seems to be relishing the moment and enjoying it to the fullest, and isn’t that what the Christmas season is all about.

Bing Crosby’s White Christmas (from the 1954 musical White Christmas)

There aren’t many Christmas songs better than this one, and this one has always had a special place in my heart.  It’s so rich and joyous.

Trans-Siberian Orchestra’s Carol of the Bells (Dead Winter Dead)

Earlier recordings of Carol of the Bells always freaked me out, eliciting visions of Halloween fear rather than Christmas cheer.  Then, Trans-Siberian Orchestra came along and turned the song into an action movie theme.  Who’s pumped for Christmas?