Highway Companion Review

Release Date: Jul 25, 2006
Label: American
Genres: Pop/Rock, Rock & Roll, Album Rock, Southern Rock, Heartland Rock
Number Of Tracks: 12
This album does indeed seem to be ideal music for road trips, but Petty changes gears pretty quickly, down-shifting to the bittersweet acoustic "Square One."

Sound:	9.3
Lyrics:	8.8
Impression:	8.8
Overall rating:	9
Users rating:	8.5
Comments:	22

Featured review by: unregistered, on august 01, 2006

Sound: Okay, this CD's style of music changes with almost every song, but it is 100% Petty. The first track "Saving Grace" is really blues oriented, and the second song "Squere One" has minimal drums, and one rythem guitar, and then later a slow slide solo from mike. Some of these songs sound like they came strait from Mudcruntch (for those that don't know, it was one of tom's first bands), and others sound identical to slower tracks from Wildflowers(another great album, by the way). I like it, because it's just another solo album with Mike Campbell and Jeff Lynne, Which reproduce the Heartbreaker's sound perfectly, so it doesn't sound like a solo album at all. // 10

Lyrics and Singing: About the lyrics, they are well thought and meaningful most of the time, and on this album there are a lot of exceptions. Some of the words don't fit right, and owning all of his albums, I'm disappointed, because usually, he pieces them together so well. That's not to say that all of the lyrics are trash, there are some songs like "Squere One" or "Flirting With Time" or "Down South" that use powerful ryming combonations and some soon-to-be classic petty lines. // 7

Impression: To his others albums, I would say if you had to pick one, any Petty fan would pick Wildflowers or Into The Great Wide Open, or full moon fever, of some other great Heartbreaker album (but not Echo. It sucked). That wouldn't keep me from buying this album, it has some songs that I like a lot, and others that I reach for a remote or dial or something to switch it with. On this album Tom plays in addition to rhythm guitar and harmonica, lead guitar on a track, bass on a track, and percussion throughout the whole thing. // 8

overall: 10

Reviewed by: flagman4, on september 26, 2006

Sound: As usual, Tom Petty creates a collection of tunes that are great to listen to, sing along to, and learn to play on the guitar. With most of the album centering around Tom's acoustic Gibson and great lyrical talent, there are some excellent tunes on this album. "Saving Grace" is a beasty rocker, with a crusing feel ala "La Grange", while songs like "Square One" Make you want to just break down and cry, and demonstrate Petty's natural talent for songwriting. // 10

Lyrics and Singing: The lyrical content of the entire disk is very mature, with clever phrases and rhyme-schemes used to perfect affect. And while this is something that one should expect from Tom Petty, especailly at this point in his career, is is still a veritable treat for the poetically minded listeners among us. Some of Petty's lines on this album are beautifully thought out, and even if some of them don't make sense instantly, they all tie together in the end. As they should. // 10

Impression: The impression of this album is much like early Heartbreakers stuff, though not too terribly removed from writing such as Johnny Cash's acoustic tracks, or Bob Dylan's more 'down to earth' tunes. A lot of the time, unlike a lot of the 'orchestration' Petty has done in the past, you feel like it's just Tom sitting in an armchair with his guitar. The rest of the time, you can hear a flair for arrangement that most other writers simply can't measure up to. Excellent album overall. // 10

overall: 9

Reviewed by: aussierocker, on august 02, 2006

Sound: This is Tom's new solo album. He works with long time guitarist Mike Campbell and co-producer Jeff Lynne. This album continues Tom's musical maturation as an artist and manages to sound both familiar yet fresh and definately an album to buy if you love Tom or meaningful rock and roll in general. The music here is more mellow, mature and class than his early stuff and is much in the vein of Full Moon Fever, Wildflowers and Into The Great Wide Open. // 9

Lyrics and Singing: Classic Petty lyrics on this album. Tom Petty is one of the finest lyricists of his generation. This album is no exception. He can find the right lyrics for the right song and make the music reflect his words effectively. He can write a song and has consistantly done so for 30 years. // 9

Impression: After one listen you will be hooked, this is a consistent album with no throw-aways. It's simply a work of art, and the more you listen, the better it gets. The songs will stick in your head and there is a chorus hook and memorable guitar break on all the tracks. This would not be his best ever album but would sit with all the great albums (most if not all his work) he has released. I love and appreciate the music of TP on this album and how he can put out a great album outing after outing. This is a mid tempo collection of songs best served by his decision of being a solo project. Fans who wish for a rock/blues Heartbreakers record will be treated to just that in the next year or two. Highway Companion and the next HB album were recorded together. // 9

overall: 8.3

Reviewed by: strickler78, on august 02, 2006

Sound: My first impression is that this is a laid back CD. There's not the same variety of music as say wildflowers, but it's still very good. A lot of the songs are really mellow but very musical. Mike Campbell's guitar work is awesome and stellar as usual. Very underrated guitarist. // 8

Lyrics and Singing: Tom is a great lyricist, always has been in my books. The stories he tells paint beautiful pictures in the listeners head, and he's very beleivable. A great story teller. He seems like a very down to earth guy just listening to his lyrics. He sounds like he's had the pleasure of travelling everywhere and he writes what he sees. // 9

Impression: At this point in his career, this is the album that I almost expect him to make. He seems a little older and alot wiser. It didn't have the variety of instruments as his other solo albums, and I wish he played a little more piano on this record, but I still like it very much. There's nothing I really hate about it. Another classic album Tom, keep it up. // 8

Comments

[strickler78]

This is another great tom petty record, one of the best musicians of all time, can't wait to see him in concert

[abyssofwoe]

This is a killer album.
Tom is a musical genius.

[Taylor Lamour]

Tom Petty is a great storyteller through his music i am excited to hear his album

[bonoisawanker]

tom is the man

[Savage Animal]

Awesome album...seeing him live on the 5th

[epiphonist13]

I saw him last year while on tour with the Black Crowes and was a little dissapointed, he gave them only 45 minutes to play and then took 2 hours to set up. By that point my interest was elsewhere. THis cd is great though!

[strickler78]

If anyone has tabs for Highway Companion, please post, I want to learn as much as I can, it's such a great cd

[Marcolin]

I am going to see Tom Petty on August 8th and i can not wait, he is one of the greatest song writer ever !! and strickler78 !! I have Highway companion tabs that i fuigured if you need them ..

[allsenseslost]

im seeing him on the 12th with the allman brothers and im pretty psyched. i read in rolling stone he plans on playing a bunch of the new stuff but i hope he plays a lot of the classics.

[_TheWorst]

The single from this album reminds me a lot of "La Grange" by ZZ Top. I always thought that was kind of funny considering all the trouble his publicist caused about the slight resemblence of the Dani California to Last Dance with Mary Jane.

Ah well though. This is a neat little album anyways.

[FamousHooligan]

tom rocks

[raymanbaracuda]

***It's Mary Janes Last Dance not The Last Dance with Mary Jane***

[Thomaslikespigs]

tom petty = kickass.

[raymanbaracuda]

Yeah I like Tom Petty alot even though Let Me Up (I've Had Enough) wasn't that great.

[dimebag7]

TOM PETTY!

[Sir-Shoelace]

this is a pretty sweet album, i'm gonna see him september 29th and i'm really happy.

[Big Tommy P]

aah, Tom Petty, now there's a guy who deserves a place in the top 10 songwriters of all time, just listen to American Girl for proof, too bad he won't come to australia

[raymanbaracuda]

Tom Petty should be in the top 10 goofiest looking people list but should also be in the top 10 of the badass motherfr's also.

[GN'R Dude]

Only heard the first 4 songs so far but I really like it, it really makes me want to see him August 13

Checked.

[FloydFan89]

Petty is one of my favorite artist of all time, and I whish I had the money to see him

[abyssofwoe]

This album is nothing short of amazing.

get it now.