Full Moon Fever [2017 LP] [180 Gram Vinyl]

by Tom Petty

Overview

Although Let Me Up (I've Had Enough) found the Heartbreakers regaining their strength as a band and discovering a newfound ease at songcraft, it just didn't sell that well. Perhaps that factor, along with road fatigue, led Tom Petty to record his first solo album, Full Moon Fever. Nevertheless, the distinction between "solo" and "Heartbreakers" is a fuzzy one because Full Moon Fever is essentially in the same style as the Heartbreakers albums; Mike Campbell co-wrote two songs and co-produced the record, and he, along with Benmont Tench and Howie Epstein, all play on the album. However, the album sounds different from any Heartbreakers record due to the presence of former Electric Light Orchestra leader Jeff Lynne. Petty co-wrote the lion's share of the album with Lynne, who also is the record's main producer. In his hands, Petty's roots rock becomes clean and glossy, layered with shimmering vocal harmonies, keyboards, and acoustic guitars. It's a friendly, radio-ready sound, and if it has dated somewhat over the years, the craft is still admirable and appealing. But the real reason Full Moon Fever became Petty's biggest hit is that it boasted a selection of songs that rivaled Damn the Torpedoes. Full Moon Fever didn't have a weak track; even if a few weren't quite as strong as others, the album was filled with highlights: "I Won't Back Down," the wistful "A Face in the Crowd," the rockabilly throwaways "Yer So Bad" and "A Mind with a Heart of Its Own," the Byrds cover "Feel a Whole Lot Better," the charging "Runnin' Down a Dream," and "Free Fallin'," a coming-of-age ballad that could be Petty's best song. Full Moon Fever might have been meant as an off-the-cuff detour, but it turned into a minor masterpiece. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine

Product Details

Release Date:	06/02/2017
Label:	Geffen / Island
UPC:	0602547658593
Rank:	12689

Tracks

1. Free Fallin'
2. I Won't Back Down
3. Love Is a Long Road
4. A Face in the Crowd
5. Runnin' Down a Dream
6. I Feel a Whole Lot Better
7. Yer So Bad
8. Depending on You
9. The Apartment Song
10. Alright for Now
11. A Mind with a Heart of It's Own
12. Zombie Zoo

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Tom Petty   Primary Artist,Noise,Guitar,Vocals,Keyboards,Tambourine,Lead Vocals,Handclapping,Sound Effects,Guitar (Acoustic),Guitar (Electric),Guitar (12 String),Vocals (Background)
Roy Orbison   Guest Artist,Vocals (Background)
Howie Epstein   Guest Artist,Vocals (Background)
Benmont Tench   Guest Artist,Piano
Mike Campbell   Guest Artist,Bass,Guitar,Soloist,Mandolin,Keyboards,Slide Guitar
George Harrison   Guest Artist,Guitar,Guitar (Acoustic),Vocals (Background)
Del Shannon   Guest Artist,Noise,Sound Effects
Jeff Lynne   Guest Artist,Bass,Noise,Guitar,Keyboards,Handclapping,Sound Effects,Vocals (Background)
Phil Jones   Drums,Percussion
Jim Keltner   Drums,Maracas,Marimba,Tambourine
Alan Weidel   Handclapping
Kelsey Campbell   Voices,Sound Effects
Trembling Blenders   Vocals (Background)

Technical Credits

Bill Bottrell   Engineer
The Clarks   Composer
Gene Clark   Composer
Don Smith   Engineer
Jeff Lynne   Composer,Producer
Dennis Kirk   Engineer
Mike Campbell   Composer,Engineer,Producer
Tom Petty   Composer,Producer
Dave "The Blade" Knight   Assistant Engineer
Alan Weidel   Guitar Technician,Assistant Engineer
Kelsey Campbell   Screams
Robert Sebree   Photography
Tony Dimitriades   Management
Aaron Rapoport   Photography
Steve Hall   Mastering
Awest   Art Direction,Illustrations
Tiny Bouchet   Art Direction