Customer Reviews

Hard Promises

5 star:		(30)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I have been into Petty since day one and I can honestly say that this is the one. Every band has that one album that is brilliant. Torpedos came close, but this is it. Best song in my opinion is Kings Road. A close second is Something Big. Other noteworthy tracks (I mean classics) are

The Waiting
A Woman In Love
Letting You Go
A Thing About You
Insider

If you've heard Petty over the years and haven't purchased anything. Don't start with the best of collections. Start right here. It doesn't get any better.

This is, without a doubt, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers' finest moment! I can still remember the battle he had with the record company over the pricing of this album! Due to the rise in oil prices (a main ingredient used to press vinyl albums), the record companies raised the standard list-price of an album from $7.98 to $8.98. TP fought his record company, going as far as threatening to name this album "$7.98"! Finally, the record company relented and priced the album at $7.98, thus allowing "Hard Promises" to be released to the masses! In addition to the classics "The Waiting", "Woman In Love (It's Not Me)" and "A Thing About You", also included is arguably the best TP & THB recorded song: "Something Big". BUY THIS DISC NOW!!!!!

"Hard Promises," in my opinion, refers to the tough task TP&HBs had in following the greatness (artistic and commercial) of "Damn The Torpedoes." They completely made good on that "promise" with this record. I personally like "Hard" more than "Damn," which may only be because it received slightly less overkill/exposure when it was released. Both are absolutely outstanding. Back in the day when bands were allowed (by their record companies) to develop their sound over the course of a few albums, greatness was often born. That is the case here. "Damn" marked the beginning of their peak creativity, and "Hard" found them calmly enjoying the view from the top. Most bands quickly slide downhill after they peak, but TP&HBs mananged to remain there for this album and then slowly (very slowly) "descended." Over the years they've managed to hit other career peaks as well but never as naturally and confidently as on "Hard Promises."

"Hard Promises" released by Tom Petty in 1981 had the seemingly impossible task of following his 1979 commercial breakthrough "Damn The Torpedoes." What's amazing is that Petty follows up his best work with another classic and finds himself searching deeper with more soul-searching lyrics than before and delivering them with a voice that displays true emotion proving the point that he just may be one of the most underrated singers in rock. Although not as consistent as "Torpedoes," "Promises delivers a punch and wallop that isn't too far behind. Opening with one of Petty's finest moments, "The Waiting" could easily have come off of it's predecessor with it's streamlined, radio ready sound. "A Woman In Love (it's not me) and "Letting You Go" were two minor hits for Petty but no less listenable than any of his major hits. In fact the latter is one of THE most underrated songs in Petty's catalogue. It's one of those songs that when you hear it, you remember it but it's sort of a forgotten gem and one of the best songs of his career.

By this point in his career Petty was proving himself to be just as effective at writing heartfelt country-styled ballads as he was rockers. "You Can Still Change Your Mind" and "Insider" pick up where "Louisiana Rain" left off. "Insider" is a particularly moving ballad with incredible counterpoint vocals from no other than Stevie Nicks. This is quite easily one of his most emotional and poignant songs up to this point and of his career. "Kings Road" and "A Thing About You" are great, fun rockers, the latter bordering close to the generic but Petty was still fresh enough at this stage of the game to keep it from falling into that category. The remaining songs include the humorous tongue in cheek "Nightwatchman" and "The Criminal Kind." "Something Big" showcases the sort of acoustic direction that Petty would explore further in his late 80's and 90's work and right up through his most recent Mudcrutch release. The remastered sound is crystal clear and as usual the dependable Mike Campbell provides the perfect licks where appropriate whether it be a subtle note or the stinging guitar lines in "A Woman In Love."

Tom Petty confirmed with "Hard Promises" that he was no one-hit wonder. If "Damn The Torpedoes" proved that Petty belonged in the big leagues, "Hard Promises" did nothing but confirm that he was here to stay!

If you enjoy Tom Petty's music, you simply can't go wrong with "Hard Promises;" some might even contend that Petty and his band have never sounded better than on this album in 1981. The drab cover shot of Tom Petty in a record shop typifies his non-glamorous style, yet his music has held up solidly from the very beginnning. His tunes grab you with their tunefulness and hooks instantaneously, and his ability to make songwriting seem so effortless is unrivaled. Amazingly, no two Tom Petty songs usually ever sound that much alike, despite his unchanging style.

As for the actual songs on this great album, it's hard to go wrong with the leadoff 80's gem, "The Waiting," yet the album boasts even better songs. As usual, the lyrics are hard luck, the sound much brighter. "Nightwatchman," however, is a Tom Petty shot at humor and observation, a truly funny and astute song. His vocals sound great all over, yet particularly shine on "Something Big," where a tinge of typical Petty country-type sounds seep in. This album features its share of feel-good tunes as well, like on the bold sound of "Kings Road," where Petty flashes that classic jangly rock and roll that sounds perfect in the car as you're driving too fast on a beautiful day. "Kings Road" would sound awesome live, and actually is a precursor to future Petty classics off the album "Learning to Fly." "Letting You Go" is an endearing 60's style breakup song, containing bleak lyrics, yet featuring another feel-good type sound. The awesome "A Thing About You" keeps up the frollicking rock and roll pace, with an immensely catchy chorus and a rocking/honky tonk sound; check out Petty really letting loose on the guitars midway through. "Insider" is a very pretty ballad with Stevie Nicks contributing her perfect accompanying vocals, upping the true emotion in the song and blending perfectly with Petty's own emotional voice. With greats like "Insider," it's hard to believe only one hit escaped this album. Even second rate Petty tunes like "The Criminal Kind" - with its lazy slide guitar and observational lyrics - have an engaging quality that appeals to many people.

"Hard Promises" ends dramatically with another emotional gem, "You Can Still Change Your Mind." With such insightful and passionate lyrics, it's inexplicable why critics over the years have blasted Petty's words as being trite and meaningless. I happen to think he writes some of the best lyrics in the history of rock and roll. As I said, if you're looking for classic music, pick this one up.

THis is TOm Petty and his band at their best. This album was never equalled. THe only weak point are the drums, really annoying, flat sound. The rest is close to perfection (well, if you like pop anyway...). Congratulations. This album was released in 1981.

. . . but possibly the best Tom Petty album. This underappreciated piece of work just barely edges out the much more acclaimed Damn the Torpedoes, in my humble opinion. There's nothing really revolutionary going on here: just ten of the best songs from one of the rockingest bands that ever rocked. The two singles, "The Waiting" and "A Woman and Love", that open up the album are restrained, emotional ballads. And the album has a few more: the gorgeous "Insider", the wistful "Letting You Go". But even more fun are the harder songs like "Kings Road" (possibly my favorite Petty song), the gloriously reckless "A Thing About You", and the self-assured "Nightwatchman". The Heartbreakers have never been better, ranging between subtle beauty and hard-charging power. Definitely buy this underheard album; if you like Petty at all, you won't be disappointed.

Hard Promises...what an album. Damn the Torpedoes was the bestselling Heartbreakers album. Did it deserve sellings: Yes. Is it better than Hard Promises: No.

Weak spots? That is a hard thing to think of for this album. Best of Heartbreakers right here. Real rock 'n' roll. A classic album. Need nice slow songs? "Insider" & "You Can Still Change Your Mind" is there for you. Upbeat, fun songs? You got it: "The Waiting" "Kings Road" & "A Thing About You"

If you want a great Petty album or rock 'n' roll album of any kind, take Hard Promises

Many folks cite "Damn the Torpedoes" as the best album Petty and his band have ever made, but for my money, it's this disc instead.

Why? I think it has more texture and a little more sophistication - plus the smart, tuneful hard rock songs Petty fans know and love. For every hard rocking "Woman In Love" - which moves in crescendos and fits and starts -there's also "Something Big," a moody, enigmatic tale fueled by Benmont Tench's organ. Other highlights include "The Insider," featuring Stevie Nicks, "A Thing About You" which barrels ahead and goes straight for the throat, and, of course, "The Waiting," which mixes the rock n roll with a little folk-rock sensibility.

If you love that last song, I'd suggest the live compilation, "Pack Up The Plantation," which contains a wonderful live version.

Song for song, I think this is the best of the "old" Petty albums - the ones that range from the group's debut to "Long After Dark." After that, the group - now with bassist Howie Epstein in tow - charged off in different musical directions, like the concept album "Southern Accents" or Petty's Wilburyish solo album, "Full Moon Fever." "Hard Promises" is the best of the old guard.

Following his breakthrough album "Damn the Torpedoes," "Hard Promises" is equally good with a number of first rate songs. The band has rarely sounded better. "The Waiting" is the best known song, but others stand out such as "Letting You Go," "A Woman in Love," and the Stevie Nicks duet "Insider." Petty's best albums are remarkably consistent, with no bad songs. This one is no exception.