Search - Tom Petty & Heartbreakers :: Echo

How could it be better...it can't!!!

04/20/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"As a long time (20 years) Petty fan who owns every album including his box set, I can't understand how Echo can be considered inferior to any of his other works. Yes, the sound is still the same - you've heard these tunes before - but isn't that what we love about Tom and the Heartbreakers in the first place. Echo is long overdue with a few classics that are among his best. The album flow follows the same patterns of the past, but once you play it through, you'll repeat the disc over and over until sooner or later you won't be able to get the damn songs out of your head. Not being able to put another disc in the player sums it up best. If that's not a sign of a 5-Star disc, I don't know what is. Lastly, just caught Tom and the Heartbreakers in NYC at Irving Plaza. Best show I've ever seen and they still forgot to play almost everyone of their greatest tunes including some from Echo!!! Bottom line: It's as good as it gets."

Underrated and overlooked

Laker Fan 67 | CA | 10/14/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I've recently come back to this cd after not listening to it for awhile...my loss because this is one of the most consistent and mature rock albums Tom Petty ever made. There are 3 gems on this that pu this over the top for me : Room At The Top, Swinging and Ome More Day, One More Night. A great effort by the most consistent, tightest rock band around."

Petty Does It Again

Barry | 05/31/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"There are some people who, quite sadly and unfortunatley, think aging rock stars don't have it anymore. That they should call it a day because they don't deliver the goods anymore. I can't think of anyone who fits that description, but the same can be said for the new hot acts who, let's face it, don't really deliver. Tom Petty is one of a number of rockers who are not only still out there giving us their absolute best, but he is a master craftsman and songwriter who still delivers strong, potent music as if it were still his late 70's to late 80's heyday. "Echo" is an astonishingly tight and rocking rock and roll album that proves that Petty's talent and musicianship is still as sharp as it's ever been. I will go so far to say that this CD is his best effort since "Full Moon Fever". The majority of the album, give or take 5 songs or so, is pretty much upbeat and rocking. The first track, "Room At The Top", has that classic Petty sound, but it's a track I don't really listen too. "I'm A Free Girl Now" is one those good 'ol Petty rock stompers that has that signature sound and edge to it that makes it, undeniably, a Petty tune. "Lonesome Sundown" is a pretty ballad-y type tune that starts off with a western-y type of piano intro that sounds like you were walking through the desert with your horse. Nice tune. "Swingin'" is another track that has that slow melody to it, with that Petty drawl. I don't think there is another modern rock artist out there who can pop out very simple, quick, instantly catchy rock tunes than Petty. This disc is filled with a few of them that grab you by the ear and don't let go until it's over. "Accused Of Love" is one such track. Others that fill the bill include "Won't Last Long", with it's driving guitar intro and melody and Petty's rhythmic vocals, this track is one catchy tune. "I Don't Wanna Fight" isn't the deepest song with deep lyrics, but it has a hard rock and roll rhythm to it and that's fine by me!. "This One's For Me" is another short pop/rock tune that is pleasing to the ear but, like a previous song title, "won't last long" after you hear it. "About To Give Out" is a song that has a strong rock tune to it and a great catchy vocal workout from Petty. Another great track. "Billy The Kid" is a song that starts off with a snappy intro and quickly delves into another rock riff. It's a great track. The title tune, "Echo", is a long and slower song that sounds like vintage Tom. "Rhino Skin" is an interesting track that says you need "elephant balls". Starts off slow, but then kicks into a catchy little riff. While most of the album is a top notch winner, there are a few tracks that I could of done without. "One More Day, One More Night", and "No More" are fine tunes, but both are soft and slow and don't deliver like the rest of the album. Petty has been hailed as a rock genius and one of the few rockers who tells it like it is in straight forward rock and roll. He is still that guy, and this CD is proof positive of that. Plus, you don't really become interesting until your an aging rock star anyway. Keep it up, Tom."