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Editorial Reviews
Some time in the last few years Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers took a left turn. Maybe it was when Petty woke up in the night with the idea of reuniting his first band, Mudcrutch, to cut the album they never got a chance to make back in the early 70's. Maybe it was when the Heartbreakers assembled the mammoth multi-disc 'The Live Anthology,' which detailed thirty years of concerts. Maybe it was when they gave all their home movies, outtakes and live footage to director Peter Bogdanovich to create the Grammy-winning four-hour career documentary 'Runnin Down A Dream.' There have been side projects and experiments since the band last went into the studio to cut a new Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers album.
With 'MOJO,' they have taken their recent freedom and experimentation to heart. They have gone off the reservation and all signs indicate they aren't coming back.
The first thing that hits you about 'MOJO' is that the spirit of the Mudcrutch sessions has carried on with the Heartbreakers. This is the sound of a band playing together in a room not a studio - facing each other, all singing and playing at the same time. The music is alive, with no overdubs or studio trickery. What you hear is what they created on the spot at that time.
Tom Petty says, 'With this album, I want to show other people what I hear with the band. 'MOJO' is where the band lives when it's playing for itself.'
As for the songs, 'MOJO' showcases a wide variety of American music from rock 'n' roll to country and both electric and acoustic blues. And then there are the images in Petty's lyrics which slip in on the melodies and set up a home in your head: The barefoot girl in the high grass chewing on a stick of sugar cane, the run-in with the law that begins when a carload of buddies decide to party with the motel maids, and the hilariously audacious idea of opening an album with an electric blues rocker about Thomas Jefferson's love affair with Sally Hemings. Petty would probably chuck a rock at anyone who called him a poet, but he sure is a southern writer of humor and sensitivity.
'MOJO' has juice and guts but it also has some sweet balladry for the slow dancers and even a wacked-out reggae number that is unlike anything that the Heartbreakers have done before. It's the kind of album nobody's supposed to be able to make anymore. It got here just in time.
With 'MOJO,' they have taken their recent freedom and experimentation to heart. They have gone off the reservation and all signs indicate they aren't coming back.
The first thing that hits you about 'MOJO' is that the spirit of the Mudcrutch sessions has carried on with the Heartbreakers. This is the sound of a band playing together in a room not a studio - facing each other, all singing and playing at the same time. The music is alive, with no overdubs or studio trickery. What you hear is what they created on the spot at that time.
Tom Petty says, 'With this album, I want to show other people what I hear with the band. 'MOJO' is where the band lives when it's playing for itself.'
As for the songs, 'MOJO' showcases a wide variety of American music from rock 'n' roll to country and both electric and acoustic blues. And then there are the images in Petty's lyrics which slip in on the melodies and set up a home in your head: The barefoot girl in the high grass chewing on a stick of sugar cane, the run-in with the law that begins when a carload of buddies decide to party with the motel maids, and the hilariously audacious idea of opening an album with an electric blues rocker about Thomas Jefferson's love affair with Sally Hemings. Petty would probably chuck a rock at anyone who called him a poet, but he sure is a southern writer of humor and sensitivity.
'MOJO' has juice and guts but it also has some sweet balladry for the slow dancers and even a wacked-out reggae number that is unlike anything that the Heartbreakers have done before. It's the kind of album nobody's supposed to be able to make anymore. It got here just in time.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
104 of 113 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
The Heartbreakers have evolved distinctly throughout their 30+ years of recording together. Listening to their catalog from the beginning to the present, one travels from an era of short, punchy garage-rock tunes in the 1970s, to the laid-back pop hits of the Jeff Lynne era, to their current period of meditative rock planted firmly in the band's primordial roots.
It's a natural progression, what with Petty's lament of modern music with the Last DJ in 2002, his efforts to keep '60s and '70s-era classic rock alive through his Buried Treasure radio show, the success of last year's Live Anthology, and a rapidly decentralizing music industry that's no longer ruled by the gatekeepers of Top 40 radio. It almost seems that Mojo just... had to be.
If Mudcrutch was Petty's country album, Mojo is his foray into blues recording (sprinkled with a little psychedelia and reggae to taste). Like Mudcrutch, Mojo is freewheeling, high-energy, and upbeat, and prone to a little jam session here and there -- which would have been unthinkable in the days of the neatly-trimmed Full Moon Fever or Into the Great Wide Open. Without a single bad song in the mix, Mojo is a cohesive album you can listen to from beginning to end.
Personally, I am digging latter-day Tom Petty. The band is as good as they've ever been, and each member seems to have increasing freedom to showcase their immense instrumental talents and unrivaled ability to complement one another. Mike Campbell's guitar is on fire through the whole album, and Scott Thurston breaks out of his shell with fine blues harmonica on several tracks.
As a departure from the past musical stylings that made the band successful, Mojo will certainly raise some eyebrows and not be to everyone's liking. Frankly, I think that's a good thing. These guys aren't trained monkeys paid to crank out the same songs over and over again. They're world-class musicians, and they deserve the chance to breathe a little. Play on, boys.
It's a natural progression, what with Petty's lament of modern music with the Last DJ in 2002, his efforts to keep '60s and '70s-era classic rock alive through his Buried Treasure radio show, the success of last year's Live Anthology, and a rapidly decentralizing music industry that's no longer ruled by the gatekeepers of Top 40 radio. It almost seems that Mojo just... had to be.
If Mudcrutch was Petty's country album, Mojo is his foray into blues recording (sprinkled with a little psychedelia and reggae to taste). Like Mudcrutch, Mojo is freewheeling, high-energy, and upbeat, and prone to a little jam session here and there -- which would have been unthinkable in the days of the neatly-trimmed Full Moon Fever or Into the Great Wide Open. Without a single bad song in the mix, Mojo is a cohesive album you can listen to from beginning to end.
Personally, I am digging latter-day Tom Petty. The band is as good as they've ever been, and each member seems to have increasing freedom to showcase their immense instrumental talents and unrivaled ability to complement one another. Mike Campbell's guitar is on fire through the whole album, and Scott Thurston breaks out of his shell with fine blues harmonica on several tracks.
As a departure from the past musical stylings that made the band successful, Mojo will certainly raise some eyebrows and not be to everyone's liking. Frankly, I think that's a good thing. These guys aren't trained monkeys paid to crank out the same songs over and over again. They're world-class musicians, and they deserve the chance to breathe a little. Play on, boys.
46 of 50 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
64 minutes in length approximately. The sound is clean with a slight blending ("bleeding") of instruments that's one of the trademarks of musicians playing together in one room. The disc is slipped in,bare,inside the cardboard fold-out holder,which,inside,has a posed,b&w photograph of the group in the studio. The booklet contains the lyrics to each song,along with recording dates. There are b&w photos of the group throughout the booklet.
That subtle feeling of recording together is Petty's (and the band's) nod to recordings done "in the old days",when there was a certain sound and feel to rock 'n' roll albums. This is another indication (another being the live set released a while back) of Petty's mind set of late-straightforward,honest music,played by a band who know their way around. At this stage in Petty's (and the bands)career,it would be easy to try and sound "contemporary",or worse,simply rely on past glories. Instead they have produced an honest collection of real music. Sitting across from each other seems to have invigorated the band into playing some of their finest music yet,especially guitarist Mike Campbell.
This album is full of r&r,blues,country,and anything else (the reggae feel of "Don't Pull Me Over") they feel like playing-all with that Petty/Heartbreakers sound. There's even a jazzy walking-bass line underneath the opening guitar salvo,on "First Flash of Freedom",which,throughout,very subtly anchors and carries this song. This track also has the sound and feel (especially the vocals) of Petty's solo album "Highway Companion",and would fit snugly in that album. The album is a good balance of up tempo songs ("Candy") and slower ballads ("The Trip to Pirate's Cove") that together paint a true picture of this band. Tracks like "I Should Have Known It","Jefferson Jericho Blues",'Running Man's Bible",and "U.S. 41",among others are full of that bluesy (especially "Takin' My Time"),r&r sound,that,combined with Petty's images,through his lyrics,show that the band has been re-ignited in the studio.
Everyone will have their favorites,but most long time listeners will probably agree that the bands sound and approach has been re-energized. Maybe it's Petty's stage of life,maybe it's Petty's and the bands reaction to present day music,maybe a combination of things. But whatever the reason(s)this album is an example,an affirmation,of how basic rock 'n' roll should sound. With this album TOM PETTY AND THE HEARTBREAKERS are keeping rock 'n' roll alive. Hopefully the band will continue to play (and record) music like this in the future-but for now,this collection of songs will do nicely.
That subtle feeling of recording together is Petty's (and the band's) nod to recordings done "in the old days",when there was a certain sound and feel to rock 'n' roll albums. This is another indication (another being the live set released a while back) of Petty's mind set of late-straightforward,honest music,played by a band who know their way around. At this stage in Petty's (and the bands)career,it would be easy to try and sound "contemporary",or worse,simply rely on past glories. Instead they have produced an honest collection of real music. Sitting across from each other seems to have invigorated the band into playing some of their finest music yet,especially guitarist Mike Campbell.
This album is full of r&r,blues,country,and anything else (the reggae feel of "Don't Pull Me Over") they feel like playing-all with that Petty/Heartbreakers sound. There's even a jazzy walking-bass line underneath the opening guitar salvo,on "First Flash of Freedom",which,throughout,very subtly anchors and carries this song. This track also has the sound and feel (especially the vocals) of Petty's solo album "Highway Companion",and would fit snugly in that album. The album is a good balance of up tempo songs ("Candy") and slower ballads ("The Trip to Pirate's Cove") that together paint a true picture of this band. Tracks like "I Should Have Known It","Jefferson Jericho Blues",'Running Man's Bible",and "U.S. 41",among others are full of that bluesy (especially "Takin' My Time"),r&r sound,that,combined with Petty's images,through his lyrics,show that the band has been re-ignited in the studio.
Everyone will have their favorites,but most long time listeners will probably agree that the bands sound and approach has been re-energized. Maybe it's Petty's stage of life,maybe it's Petty's and the bands reaction to present day music,maybe a combination of things. But whatever the reason(s)this album is an example,an affirmation,of how basic rock 'n' roll should sound. With this album TOM PETTY AND THE HEARTBREAKERS are keeping rock 'n' roll alive. Hopefully the band will continue to play (and record) music like this in the future-but for now,this collection of songs will do nicely.
35 of 42 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
We've all been there with a rock 'n roll act past their prime. They release a "blues" album. And it's OK. There are like 3 catchy songs and 8-10 mediocre songs. So when I heard Mojo was coming and it was "bluesy" with a "reggae" track my heart sank a little. Here we go again...
Well, I'm happy to say there is not that album. The songs are wonderful. This is easily Petty's best effort since Wildflowers. Yes, there is a definite blues influence but it still sounds like a Heartbreaker's album, too. The playing is top-notch. These songs sound great. Stuff I didn't even initially like (First Flash of Freedom) now sounds like it belongs in permanent rotation on the iPod. This is really good stuff.
On a more curious note, I have a playlist on my iPod called "new stuff" that basically has everything downloaded to the iPod in the last 30 days and today it had the Stone's Exile on Main Street and this album in it. The two really complemented each other very well as I listened to it. I never thought of the Stones as a big Petty influence but it is definitely there on Mojo. This may be the first album I spring for the Blu-Ray version. This band really sounds fantastic on this album.
Well, I'm happy to say there is not that album. The songs are wonderful. This is easily Petty's best effort since Wildflowers. Yes, there is a definite blues influence but it still sounds like a Heartbreaker's album, too. The playing is top-notch. These songs sound great. Stuff I didn't even initially like (First Flash of Freedom) now sounds like it belongs in permanent rotation on the iPod. This is really good stuff.
On a more curious note, I have a playlist on my iPod called "new stuff" that basically has everything downloaded to the iPod in the last 30 days and today it had the Stone's Exile on Main Street and this album in it. The two really complemented each other very well as I listened to it. I never thought of the Stones as a big Petty influence but it is definitely there on Mojo. This may be the first album I spring for the Blu-Ray version. This band really sounds fantastic on this album.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Satisfied but not blown away
I was told that this was Petty returning to roots. I don't think I agree. Two cuts stand out for me; Running Mans Bible and Don't pull Me Over. Read more
Published 23 days ago by rkr4evr
Finally, Mike Campbell!!
Always one of my favorite guitarists, Mike Campbell has proven himself, during the span of close to forty years, the quintessential foil to all that Tom Petty does. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Robert Marchese
mojo
Im a huge To Petty fan so when this album was released i was really looking forward to it. Then i listen to it. Read more
Published 1 month ago by J. Patterson
A pleasure to listen to.
I just opened my vinyl copy of MOJO and I am blown away by how good it sounds. The music is awesome and Petty delivers a solid set of vocals. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Harold
Great music, Tom Petty's still a great writer, but no blues singer.
I think it's cool that Tom Petty decided to more directly explore the music born in the region where he comes from--blues in the south. Top notch band, of course! Great songs, too! Read more
Published 4 months ago by Baberufus
Outstanding Blu-ray audio disc
I must admit, I'm not what you would call a huge Tom Petty fan. Seeing this Blu-ray audio advertised peaked my interest however, so I bought it. Read more
Published 6 months ago by Rushead 2112-Hemispheres
Great !
Tom Petty and his group show us again how to enjoy and play good music. This MOJO is a heal to one's soul !
Published 7 months ago by Mauricio Leonardo Torem
This is a joke?
This is a joke. A DVD can handle 48khz/24bits!
This is a Bluray disc and we want the highest quality possible. Multichannel and stereo LPCM at 96khz/24bits will be perfect. Read more
This is a Bluray disc and we want the highest quality possible. Multichannel and stereo LPCM at 96khz/24bits will be perfect. Read more
Published 7 months ago by Cucu Spiridon
WTF happened to Tom Petty?
I have never been a huge Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers fan. A good song here and there over the years. Read more
Published 7 months ago by Chris Mac
Getting older, wiser and better: Mojo is a masterpiece
Mojo is perhaps another turning point in Tom Petty's long, forever searching career. Always keeping true to himself and duly helped by Mike Campbell and his other Heartbreakers... Read more
Published 8 months ago by Paulo Alm
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SoundUnwound - the personal music encyclopedia
Mojo is Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers' 11st studio release.
Tom Petty, Benmont Tench, Mike Campbell, Stan Lynch, Steve Ferrone and four other artists have been a member of Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers.
Tom Petty, Benmont Tench, Mike Campbell, Stan Lynch, Steve Ferrone and four other artists have been a member of Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers.
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