What does it sound like?:
Unlike its predecessors the newly released third album from Petty’s sideman-in-chief, Mike Campbell and his Dirty Knobs possesses some of that unmistakeable Heartbreakers sound. The Dirty Knobs slipped in (where IS Moose?) under the radar during Covid, and their first two albums consisted largely of fairly uninspired blues workouts and sub-Springsteen stompers. This time though, Campbell has ratcheted up the Byrdsian guitar flourishes to deliver the band’s best offering yet. Heartbreakers Benmont Tench and Steve Ferrone guest on a couple of tracks, and Lucinda Williams and Graham Nash provide duet vocals on Hell or High Water and Dare to Dream respectively. Opening song The Greatest is apparently a message of thanks to the audience that turns up at gigs, but it could equally be about Petty himself. Angel of Mercy and Hands are Tied could easily have been penned for the Heartbreakers, and Campbell’s vocals have never sounded more Petty-esque than they do here. There’s a rattling guitar mashup on Shake These Blues, and although the momentum slips a bit towards the end, this is 43 minutes well worth spending in the company of an old friend.
What does it all *mean*?
Mike Campbell was so integral to the Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers’ sound that it’s seemingly impossible to throw it off even if he wanted to. Nor should he.
Goes well with…
TP & the Heartbreakers circa Hypnotic Eye.
Release Date:
2024
Might suit people who like…
Guess…..
Boneshaker says
Boneshaker says
And I meant ‘goes well with TP & the Heartbreakers circa Mojo’ not Hypnotic Eye…
Twang says
I really liked the previous ones so I’ll be checking it out. MC is good on YouTube talking about guitar playing too (not only for guitar players). This is great:
Junior Wells says
@Twang yes indeed , great. You just want to crank the record up now. Such a great sounding guitar.
TrypF says
Thanks for the review Boneshaker, have duly gone out and bought it. Angel of Mercy is worth the price of admission alone.