Tom Petty

Often bandied about in "greatest record ever" conversations, Damn The Torpedoes might be the brightest jewel in Petty's crown. It's silly with singles, attitude-packed writing and lean musicality, from the opening "Refugee" to the Southern-touched finale, "Louisiana Rain." Here the band achieves a distinctive signature sound behind Petty's nasal snarl, lending chestnuts like "Even the Losers," "Here Comes My Girl" and "Don't Do Me Like That" an inimitable authority. Without a single misstep, this may well be Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers at the peak of their powers.

Damn the Torpedoes is the Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers album we've all been waiting
for--that is, if we were all Tom Petty fans, which we would be if there were any justice in
the world, live shows for all, free records everywhere and rockin' radio. Mostly justice.
Songs like "I Need to Know" and "Listen to Her Heart" from 1978's You're Gonna Get It and
"Refugee," "Here Comes My Girl" and others from this year's model are bedrock --... More >

This is a breakthrough for Petty because for the first time the Heartbreakers (his Heartbreakers, this L.A.M.F. fan should specify) are rocking as powerfully as he's writing. But whether Petty has any need to rock out beyond the sheer doing of it--whether he has anything to say--remains shrouded in banality. Thus he establishes himself as the perfect rock and roller for those who want good--very good, because Petty really knows his stuff--rock and roll that can be forgotten as soon as the record or the concert is over, rock and roll that won't disturb your sleep, your conscience, or your precious bodily rhythms. (Grade - B+)