Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers

Mood stabilizing album. Very nice mixture of blues and country and ... clashic voice (?) 4,67

It's so interesting to hear Tom Petty when he was still hungry and had everything to prove. There's a rough around the edges quality of this album that I enjoy, and even though it only has one all-time classic on it it's still a great listen.

On his debut album Tom Petty keeps his rock and roll songs relatively lean and to the point (10 tracks clocking in under 31 minutes) but even with that direct approach he and his crack band give the individual songs depth through their sharp playing and inventive arrangements. Petty also has a lot of personality (and even displays some swagger on a few of the tracks), which makes the better songs on this collection even more memorable. Most of this record ranges from very good to great - the singles like "Breakdown" and "American Girl" and terrific, as are deep cuts like moody "The Wild One, Forever" and the proto-New Wave "Rockin' Around (With You)"; a few of the other numbers though (like "Hometown Blues" and "Mystery Man") are not much more than run-of-the-mill genre exercises.

Modern sounds,

Solid album but not one I'd expect to see on the list. It's got a few really good songs but I'd only rank it as his third best (at most)

A hint at the greatness that is Tom Petty. This is not the album I'd pick but it's hard to beat "Breakdown" and "American Girl" and the rest of the record is solid enough

It’s like a soundtrack to 1970s America — cruising, drive-in movies, Farrah Fawcett posters and KISS baseball jerseys, delivered with an effortless cool. Tom Petty comes across like your friend’s older brother who drove a Firebird with an 8-track deck and an overflowing ashtray, and who knew where the party was. Songs like “The Wild One, Forever,” evoke barroom jukeboxes, how I miss them.

Whoa did this album grow on me. Already a big fan of Full Moon Fever and Wildflowers, liking this more with each listen.

Really like this one!

Yeah, a good album. The vocals were the best part, gives it a lot of character. I would have liked more range on the guitar, but it was good listening

Solid debut album by TPHB but there was better to come. A great mix of jangly Byrds inspired folk rock and Rock and Roll, with a touch of the blues. American Girl is a classic! 4

30 minutes and 38 seconds of pure American rock and roll. Breakdown and American Girl are the standouts. But honestly, there’s not a stinker in the bunch.

Not his best work IMO. Still a solid 4 on this list

Richtig Gutes album. Ein paar Ohrwürmer sind drin. Mach auf jeden fall spaß zu hören.

Two great classics along with some okay 70s rock

All timer of the classic Americana genre. This album almost falls into the A-Side/B-Side trap, but ultimately lands the place with “American Girl”

I think this album has to get a 4 for American Girl alone! What a catchy, all-time bop!

Pretty awesome

It was pretty good. I don’t have much else to say about it.

Fave tracks: home town blues and the wild one, forever

stuck between a 4 and a 5 but really enjoyed this

I wish I’d gotten wildflower. I still actually have to listen to that but you wreck me is one of the best songs ever. Also it’s such a beautifully dreary day out and this website gives me some random sunny rock album???? Guys!!! Why!!! That being said this is a pretty good album. I love breakdown obviously, and American girl is excellent. There are some other noteworthy cuts too, like the pretty fun opener, the very nice hometown blues, wild one forever, which has a great performance from Tom… honestly most of these songs are really great. There’s no real problem, it does exactly what it’s going for, it just happens to be incredibly derivative and not very influential. It’s just your good ol’ run of the mill -very great album- ya know? It’s very very good, very very great even, even though it doesn’t technically reach the peak of an album that should be remembered reaches. 8.9/10

Divorced dad music

an american girllllll

Bien, se pasa un buen rato escuchándolo, aunque no tengo ni reconozco temas conocidos. Pero como obra unitaria se escucha bastante bien. Es coherente consigo mismo.

Olen kuunnellut Tom Pettyltä enimmäkseen vain Greatest Hits-levyä, mutta tämä Pettyn ja Heartbreakers-yhtyeen debyyttilevyhän osoittautui oikein toimivaksi. Biiseissä on hyviä tarttuvia melodioita ja myös tarpeeksi potkua. Harmi ettei Pettyä enää kuulla tämän haasteen tiimoilta. Mielestäni esimerkiksi Damn the Torpedoes tai Full Moon Fever olisivat olleet hyviä lisäyksiä 1001-listalle.

Très cool, s'écoute super bien. Pas un titre exceptionnel qui sort du lot en revanche.

Really enjoyed this one! Has the great classic rock sound that I love. I know some of his later stuff so it was fun to listen to some of his earlier work. Favorites - "The Wild One, Forever"

A decent little rock and roll album, nothing too flashy but gets the job done. It is rather short at only 30 minutes, but it’s a nice 30 minutes. Standout Songs: Breakdown The Wild One, Forever Anything That’s Rock ‘N’ Roll American Girl

At first, I thought I wanted more from this album. I could always feel the energy that every song brought, but I thought there was another level, more layers that were missing. But as the album progressed, I could accept how direct it was because of just how intense the energy is. It’s not powerful in an overly forceful way, there’s just a constant flow of joy that’s broadcasted through the music. Enjoying Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers (the artists too!) is a very easy task largely due to its straightforwardness. You don’t have to overthink how pleasing it is to hear Tom Petty sing his heart out over a truly electric riff during a song like American Girl. In just thirty minutes, the band takes full hold of your attention and gives you an experience that is more than worthy of your time. Faves: American Girl, Hometown Blues, Anything That’s Rock ‘N’ Roll, The Wild One, Forever, Fooled Again (I Don’t Like It)

Pretty good

Solid album. What I’d expect from them.

I own a physical copy, and though this isn’t my favorite Petty album, it’s a fun listen. The hits are the standouts for sure (like Tom Petty as Lucky in King Of The Hill) but the rest of the album is unremarkably fine (like Tom Petty as himself in The Postman). 3.5⭐️

3.5, rounding up since 'American Girl' is so damn good

I'm aligned with the consensus on this one - 1 very good song (Breakdown), one all-time classic and the rest fine but forgettable. The line between 3 and 4 stars for me is whether you think American Girl is just a masterpiece vs. a generational anthem. I'm going generational anthem.

You can see the promise in tom petty with this early album. When it hits it really hits. But you can also see his search for his sound.

This album is short but good. Lots of filler though there are some straight classics on this album

Who doesn’t love Tom Petty? Such an authentic sound, as open as a highway on the plains.

A great time

Tom Petty never gets old but he does have a lot of very similar songs personally nothing tops Last Dance with Mary Jane

качественный но дедовский и не мое

Very good debut. Two classics on this that rock decades later. Rest is good. But American Girl is amazing

Its hard sometimes when you feel like you already knew what to expect and what was coming, but you like it. I was familiar with this album and like it a lot. It is a little rougher than I always expect from Petty but that's not bad. It does start to feel a little repetitive but not enough that I still don't enjoy it.

Tom Petty is one of my favorite artist when it comes to straight forward American Rock n Roll Blues. Breakdown is so smooth and soulful. American Girl is just a great song. One thing I really like about Tom Petty is how simple and straightforward the music is but he's just really creative in it's expression and knows how to put alot of heart in to a song. New favorites: Wild One Forever, Anything That's RnR, Strangered in the Night,

It was fun to hear Tom Petty's first album. With songs like Breakdown and American Girl, it's pretty wild this didn't catch on in America until the UK started liking it. I thought it was pretty great. The two hits are such classics, and my favorite new to me song was Anything That's Rock 'N Roll. The rest held the album together nicely too. Solid debut!

Love this. Classic rock that holds up well.

Really like Tom Petty’s music and voice. Really miss him.

Petty clean rock I like it but I also see how it was a bit overlooked in its time Standouts Breakout Fooled Again (I Don't Like It) American Girl 4/5

Det är ju riktigt ok root-rock. Har alltid haft en dålig bild av honom, så jag blev positivt överraskad. En fyra

Pretty good effort for a debut album. Breakdown and American Girl are the standout songs for me. I’m interested enough to go searching out some of his other albums that some of our reviewers have said are better. 3.5 stars rounded up.

I like Tom Petty, but the fact that this is the one and ONLY album of his on this list bothers me. I’d expect someone with such a prolific catalog to have more than their debut album on this list (considering that there’s THREE godforsaken Kings of Leon albums here…). Anyway, there’s great singles on this, but I feel this lacks the polish and the power of other albums of his. I’d rate this a 3.5, rounding up to 4.

Had only heard the hits, which are SCCs. The rest of the album isn't exactly groundbreaking, but it sure was fun.

Love Tom Petty, absolute classic, wish it was longer

And fuck me. Now we are graced with yet another groundbreaking trailblazing 70s rock album with a homophobic/sexual on the cover. Whoop dee do. Yeah ok I do like this especially compared to the last one but I'm good to be honest. Only 30 minutes thank the good lord. There may not be a song about a teenager in this one yippee! Tom Petty I apologize I was unfamiliar with your game I'm really rocking with this. Idk what you did but you did it. It still feels modern yet classic. This is cunt as fuck Mr. Petty. You have cooked my g. Favourite: Fooled Again (I Don't Like It) Least favourite: The Wild One, Forever

‘Zippy ripper with highlights’ makes for a bad haircut, but a good album.

Still remember one time in the pub when I casually mentioned Tom Petty, might be, maybe, potentially overrated. My friend then proceeded to name thirty (30) Tom Petty bangers off the top of his head. Ever since then, I’ve been in awe of the man (Tom and my friend a take your pick).

Love Tom Petty and this early album him and the band sound almost Rolling Stones-esque. Great rock and roll songs. Loved it.

Opener and finisher are mega bangers

Not a big Tom Petty fan but I really liked this new-to-me album. It sounded fresh and lively: two words I'd never thought I'd use about Tom Petty. My favorite tracks were the first two and the last one. The fact that his first album has his two best songs (American Girl & Breakdown) speaks to his limitations but maybe I just haven't listened to enough Tom Petty?

Enjoyed

We know the hits but it’s fun to hear the others from an album. Such a unique voice.

Not much to say, pretty good album with catchy songs, American girl is a treasure. Lyrics wise, not very innovative or groundbreaking, your typical ending to a 80s/90s movie

This one frustrates me. Not because I don't like it; obviously, I like it quite a bit. The band hasn't fully formed its sound yet, and due to the protracted recording process, it's not the most cohesive album. Still, I think its slight disjointed nature actually gives it a lot of charm; as such, it's always just outside my top 5 Petty records. It also doesn't hurt that it features "American Girl" (one of the greatest songs ever written), "Breakdown" (another killer hit that has rightfully stood the test of time), "The Wild One, Forever", and "Fooled Again" (two of my favorite early Petty deep cuts). However, it is highly questionable at best that this particular album is in this book, given its supposed purpose; it is absolutely fucking insane that it's the *only* Petty album represented. To choose it over Damn the Torpedoes - the Heartbreakers' commercial breakthrough, still their most recognized and beloved album, one of the most influential and enduring "heartland rock" albums of all-time - AND Wildflowers - Tom's defining artistic statement, an album that was well-praised enough upon release and continues to grow in stature 30 years later - is completely asinine. Hell, the argument for Full Moon Fever's inclusion is just as strong. It's ridiculous enough that an artist of Petty's reputation only has one album in this sea of 1,089; the fact that it's *this* album is just absurd. Maybe it's Dimery's British influence popping up again (this record broke in the UK before America), but even still, there's no way he wasn't aware of at least Damn the Torpedoes. Ugh. Anyway, I *do* really like this album. High 4 stars. I just don't agree with it being here conceptually. 4/5

Bit of bluesy rock and roll, never really listened to Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers before, not sure why just never appeared on my list. I suppose I had an idea of him being a 70s and 80s heart throb with dodgy tunes, not sure where that came from. Nice bandolier on the cover and leather jacket. And of course the song Luna, my cats name.

It was so smart of them to put American Girl as the final track, taking this respectable 3-star album and turning it into a solid 4-star one that you’ll immediately want to replay. The one-two punch of Rockin’ Around and Breakdown set the stage for a tight 30 minute album of short but sweet tracks. As bands of the era seemed to only grow bigger and more bloated, Tom Petty showed them that all you really need is a good hook and a chorus to sing along too. A good start to a great career, and a perfect entry point for new listeners.

Kedvenc/Favourite: Breakdown Kicsit nyálas volt néha, de amúgy jó. Elég egyszerű minden szempontból, de működik, fülbemászó és élvezhető. Tetszett, de azért annyira nem nyűgözött le. It was a little sappy at times, but otherwise good. It's pretty simple in every way, but it works, it's catchy and enjoyable. I liked it, but I wasn't that impressed.

On the whole, this album was an enjoyable listening experience. I could hear a mixture of country, early rock and roll, blues, and reggae because of the steel drums.

Never listened much Tom petty and the heartbreakers, but outside of the great hits , this is a solid 70s rock album and can see why he had such a long lasting career Fave: fooled again (I don’t like it)

Great rock album, feels like it was made for a road trip ending on american girl is absolute brilliance.

It was amazing, the strings all throughout the album really made it a work of art

Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers is a solid slice of ’70s classic rock, driven by enjoyable riffs and straightforward charm.

Such a unique voice. Very listenable album. It all flows together pretty well. Learning that I really like these shorter albums (<35min). Capping it with a GOAT shout in American Girl is awesome. Couple songs almost felt jammy. If I could give half stars it’d be 4.5 but alas, it’s not a 5 for me, so 4 it is.

Pretty good!

American girl obvi the best

Good singalong tunes

This was last year of college, one of the ‘must have’ albums to be cool.

Was best lekker

I liked this album, but didn’t love it. I preferred Damn the Torpedoes.

Great album! Of course I knew the hits, but the rest of the tracks are very strong too. Tom Petty could play the guitar, there's no denying that. "American Girl" should get you grooving - it's infectious and fun.

I'm was surprised. Genuinely, because I used to not like Tom Petty or at least what I had heard, but this album is rock solid. I don't think I like every single song but I think this might be a Wings situation, who I have a 3 but later thought I should have given it a 4, bought the vinyl because it's just a very good album. This was not one of my favorite of all time but I can see myself getting the album and listening to the entire thing without too many complaints. I like how brief this is, 30 minutes, but it's tight and unpretentious rock with fun lyrics, crips instrumentation, and a clear vision. Tom Petty can't sing all too well, but when he tries it sounds good enough and above all else, at least he doesn't sound like Bob Dylan because that would be a real tragedy.

Tom Petty was one of those singers who wasn’t a great technical singer, but his voice was distinct, it had personality and 60% of the time, that beats great every time. This album didn’t really take off in the U.S. when it came out. As usual, the United Kingdom was way ahead of us when it came to musical taste, and disco was still crushing in America. However, America caught up and Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers later became a more accessible punk rock for mainstream America. You can tell this is Petty’s first album because a lot of the songs are simple and about rocking. The songs are short and sweet, just get in, rock their faces off, and get out. The opening song, Rockin’ Around (With You) gives me a Beatles vibe, like early Beatles. It seems like a throwaway song, but it gives you a perfect example of what to expect, a solid rock record with good harmonies and great choruses. Then, when Breakdown comes on, you think, this isn’t the Beatles. Breakdown is more Tom Petty’s version of the Eagles. The chorus with the backing vocals gives you chills. It was the first single off this album. Hometown Blues isn’t exactly a memorable track, but it does have Donald “Duck” Dunn playing the bass on it. Duck was the bass player for the famous Stax Records in-house band, Booker T & the MG’s. I can imagine the Heartbreakers thought they were playing with royalty that day. The Wild One, Forever sounds like Petty’s first shot at trying to right a Bruce Springsteen or a Jim Steinman song. Follow me as I digress. Have you noticed that a lot of early Springsteen songs are similar to Jim Steinman songs? Steinman wrote the music for most, if not all, the Meatloaf albums. Listen to Bat Out of Hell and then Born To Run and tell me it doesn’t have a similar vibe? a By the time we get to track 6, Strangered in the Night (great title), we get to our first and, probably, only song that featured a murderer on the track, as Jim Gordon is playing the drums. Gordon was great drummer who did a lot of session work. He also happened to play drums in a little band called Derek & the Dominoes. Perhaps he’s more famous for murdering his mother by stabbing her to death with a butcher knife. Apparently, the voices in his head told him to do it. He was diagnosed as schizophrenic, but California sentenced him to life in prison anyway. Just a sad situation all the way around. Back to the rocking, as Track 7, Fooled Again (I Don’t Like It) gives me an AC/DC vibe, at least the riffs do. It sounds mean and evil. Ooooh, I really like this song. It’s an album cut that I think could have been a classic rock hit. It’s just different from most of the songs on here. It’s less, let’s rock, and more, I’m going to kill you. Mystery Man, track 8, kind of sounds like a nice 80s country song. Which is odd because this album came out in 1976. Makes me think of the Bellamy Brothers mixed with Van Morrison. It’s a cool little song. Luna, track 9, has a Fleetwood Mac feel. It’s funny, a lot of these songs sound like they could have been done by other bands, but they are truly Tom Petty songs. This is a slinky song, until we get to the jingle bells, which seem… odd. Whoa, this song really took off in a weird direction for a second. The album finishes with one of my all-time favorite Petty songs, American Girl. This song was a homerun and the highest charting song for Petty in America off the album, hitting number 9 on the Hot 100 chart. It was a big hit, probably because as Americans, we love us some us. This song is so fun to sing along to and is so peppy, while the lyrics are more melancholy. That guitar solo at the end has to be one of the most memorable in rock. As I move through the album, I can see why it wasn’t a juggernaut, the singles, Breakdown and American Girl, are undeniable, but most of the songs, while not filler, just aren’t up to the kind of songwriter Petty would become in later albums. Petty was one of those songwriters who never ran out of hits. Even at his death, he was still putting out great music. I think, while he’s plenty rated, 100 years from now, we'll look upon him as one of our great songwriters with the likes of Dylan, Lennon and McCartney and Jon Bon Jovi. If you’ve never heard this album, it is for sure a must list

very cool, loved the rock parts, so fun to listen to

classic

You know… Tom Petty kinda sounds like Bob Dylan. Extra star for American Girl.

luv tom petty

On a forced 5 scale, it's 3.5 making it a 4. Good stuff

Absolutely class 30 minutes. There's no reason to make an album any longer than 40 unless every song belongs there. Some songs don't live up to the best on here, but to be fair American Girl is probably one of the best songs ever. This album has made me spin off and listen to other Petty albums moreso than any other one so far.

Great album from a great artist!

This album had some hits, but then some songs that didn't add much to the experience. Iconic voice.

Tom Pettyn tuotannosta on tutumpia 80-luvun lopun/90-luvun alun hittilevyt ”Full Moon Fever” ja ”Into The Great Wide Open”, mutta tämä oli aivan hyvää kuunneltavaa...

I only recognise the name Tom Petty but have absolutely no idea of his music. It's pretty good. Sure, it's just pretty straightforward rock and roll but it's pretty good at that. I'd give it a 3.5/5 but I'm feeling generous after a run of really kinda crap stuff, so it gets rounded up.

Loved that it ended with American Girl like the live shows always did. Great debut.

I liked the music. Hate the album cover though. Stop staring at me like that. Put that smirk away.

Did I like this? I asked myself as I listened to it a third time.

I don't listen to much Tom Petty. But when I do...

great fun

A solid record! Its only 30 minutes long and tbh I really liked that. Good stuff!

Only knew Tom Petty from his 80s hits and the Travelling Wilbury’s, so this was great. Really catchy, well written songs. Particularly liked Anything that’s Rock N Roll and American Girl.

7 - GOOD

It is a crime that this is the only TP album on this list! Not his strongest, but an amazing debut.

1e nummer vind k eig wel heel nice! Had niet verwacht dat ik dit zo leuk zou vinden

This is a very good album, but it's mostly showing Petty's potential and what was to come. It has "American Girl," but, otherwise, it's just solid rock music. However, it was a sound that he would refine and would make him one of the biggest rock stars of all time. And you can hear that on this album if you listen.

Album Review: Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers (Self-Titled) Rating: 83.1/100 Overview A dive into the debut album that started it all. The record balances rockabilly roots with a gritty, almost punk edge, showcasing a band playing with "iconic hunger." Track-by-Track Notes 1. Rockin' Around (With You): This track has a very fun, up-tempo rockabilly feel. It definitely clarifies why the band was originally plagued by the "punk rock" label—there is a raw energy here. 2. Breakdown: A certified classic. Knowing the backstory regarding the gritty rise to fame (the "Gibbon woman" and the allegedly haunted, dingy recording studio) makes this sound even grittier than before. 3. Hometown Blues: Heavily influenced by Elvis; a strong rockabilly vibe. 4. The Wild One, Forever: Loved the opening here. It is very soft, and the drums serve a purely melodic purpose rather than just keeping time. 5. Anything That's Rock 'n' Roll: Features a fun Rolling Stones/Elvis Costello beat. It makes perfect sense why this track found such success in the UK. 6. Strangered in the Night: The riff sounds a bit like "Day Tripper," but paired with surprisingly dark lyrics. 7. Fooled Again (I Don't Like It): feels like a staple rock song of the era, featuring that classic background organ but driven by stronger rock vocals. 8. Mystery Man: This one felt a bit out of place. It is very twangy and disrupts the pacing of the more upbeat sections. It feels like it is "just kind of there." 9. Luna: A very haunting track. The tone shift here works really well, specifically as a setup for the high energy of the finale. 10. American Girl: The iconic song and a generational hit. It always brings to mind Elliot dancing in Scrubs. The upbeat tempo masks a deep, generational yearning—Tom Petty wanting more, backed by a band playing with hunger.

I gotta give it a 4 bc I can't give this a 3 it's too good. Still need to listen again, I'm impressed

You can never go wrong with some Tom Petty and the heartbreakers. Favourite is obviously not what you’re thinking, it’s ‘breakdown’ off this album. The whole album is good, first song to the last song.

I think that we can all agree that Tom Petty is if not the greatest one of the greatest guitar players of this generation. This album has my favorite Tom Petty song "Breakdown". Also who can hate on "American Girl", no one that's who. I've said this multiple times before on here but one of the best things about this era is that vinyl was the primary means of getting music out so you better have 40ish minutes of bangers to get on here to make it worth the money. This album clocks in at a bit over 30 minutes and while not every song on here is Breakdown or American Girl you know that it made the cut because it was better than some other garbo they had.

Álbum com energia e canções muito agradáveis. Celest Pandamon.

Rock, 1976 -> 4

Can’t go wrong with Tom Petty - album has classic songs like Breakdown & American Girl. Fav *new* song - Mystery Man I own the greatest hits vinyls

My two favorite TP songs are on this album: Breakdown and American Girl.

Super catchy as to be expected from Tom Petty. Weird to listen to it around Christmas time because I kept thinking they were holiday jingles for some reason. A lot of bells and like rock a billy stuff

4.7 pretty good

quisiera darle cinco estrellas solo por american girl, pero

Tom petty bb

I'm honestly confused as to why I liked this... But I did? 4/5

A couple of belters and some filler. Another candidate for a best of album to be included?

Wish I would have taken the opportunity to see him before he passed. RIP Tom This album isn't his best, but it's still pretty dang good. I'm a sucker for that late 70's era of rock. I'm adding breakdown to the "best of" playlist.

Tom Petty is always good. This isn't his best work, but it was a great start.

American Girl is a classic. Breakdown/Mystery Man pretty his discoveries

Standouts Breakdown Fooled Again Luna American Girl

A great first album for a band that went on to change music.

nice album I've heard most of the songs before Tom Petty is a legend.

better than expected :)

This was good - super enjoyable, very solid songs. American Girl absolutely slaps. A really solid 3.5 stars for me.

It's good as far as softish American rock goes

It was pretty good

Not my favorite and not the worst? A few recognizable hits sprinkled between some surprisingly country-laced jams cementing this as The Example of southern rock in my opinion.

Breakdown and American girl weigh heavily on my rating enough to shift it a full star up. This album is like a sandwich when the best parts are the bread.

Did not disappoint. Great album. This one definitely put Tom on the map.

'American Girl' feels like the blueprint for everything Kings of Leon would go on to write

Nice classic rock vibes; some songs I had heard before, some new, and while some were very basic, I liked quite a few of them.

Solid rock album.

It feels appropriate that this closes with "American Girl," the best song, as an indication of where Tom Petty was headed. The rest of this album is fine, but it's not particularly surprising that "Breakdown" is the only other song that broke through. While I'd argue "The Wild One, Forever," deserves more attention, most of this album sets up what was to come from Tom Petty. Noteworthy in its own right, but a preview of better things to come.

Never listened to this whole album before despite being a big Petty fan - as debuts go, it's not exactly Appetite for Destruction or Ramones, but it's pretty damn good. We all need more Tom Petty in our lives.

4.2/5 debut tom petty short and sweet great songs just can’t go higher bc it’s not his best

really enjoyed this one. was surprised by not knowing any of the songs as I have long considered myself a fan.

goated

This album ages like fine wine. Breakdown and American Girl are absolute classics but frankly there aren't many sour notes on this album. Tom was just getting started so I would say his influences are clearly showing on some of the songs here but that doesn't make it bad just makes it not as fresh as what would come. Dude is an all time rock n roll legend.

It's fun, it's got some bangers (Breakdown lives in my head) and it's 30 minutes long and not punk. Thanks Tom.

Short and sweet. A very American-rock sound, if that makes sense (fitting for the final song).

Formidable start for Perry’s career, already cranking out some great tracks. Other tracks are less impressive, so I’m going to keep this to a four but the highlights are excellent

Overall: 7/10 I love Tom Petty's voice so much, I find it really unique in a way that I can't really pinpoint. Some of the songs on here feel fresh, despite the fact that Petty and the gang were obviously heavily influenced by groups and artists that came before them. The big problem with this album for me is that (apparently) a bunch of the songs were written and recorded in a single afternoon, and that's unfortunately pretty obvious once you know that factoid. There's quite a bit of filler for a 30 minute album. Regardless, Tom's energy saves this from being a dud, and I think it's still a solid debut. The band and Mr. Petty himself would go on to do better things. Fav Song: American Girl

This album gives the vibe of your older sisters new boyfriend coming round on a Saturday night cos your parents are out for the evening. Your sister has asked a few friends over for drinks. It’s not a party as such, just a group of about 6-8 people having some casual yarns over a white wine or beer. You’re inside playing PlayStation cos you didn’t plan ahead and ask a friend to come over. Oh well, Final Fantasy IX is a one player game anyway. This new boyfriend walks past you on his way back from going to the bathroom and grabbing a fresh beer. He looks at the tv screen and says ‘bro this looks cool, but you should come outside and have a beer with us’. Sheepishly you grab a beer and walk outside as your sister looks angrily in your direction. All her friends have known you for a while though, and they are pretty chill about you joining in. Eventually your sister calms down about you being there, and you end up having a couple of beers and joining in on the yarns. You’re pretty naive and a lot of the conversation flies over your head, but you are treated like an equal. This guy is the fucking man.

Solid enough rock with some good riffing grooves but just a bit MOR for me

Good album. I like Tom Petty's voice on stripped-down stuff. Mystery Man and Luna are highlights. Again, mostly, the good songs on this album are the popular ones.

Overall I'm a fan. Some classics like American Girl and Break Down, and the rest was solid.

Oof I love Tom Petty so much and also am pretty biased to Gainesville (go gators) but I think I normally stick to listening to greatest hits playlists. The non hits on this album didn't do much for me. All that being said, it gets a 4 because I wouldn't be mad if his albums were all I had to get to the hits.

Tom Petty is one of my top 10 all time artists but other than the two hits on this freshman album the rest was just Meh. I’m giving it 4 stars because those two hits would buy him the runway to make killer albums like Full Moon Fever, Wildflowers & Into the Great Wide Open.

I've not been getting on terribly well with mid-70s US rock albums on this list but this is an exception. It's an interesting debut.

Very enjoyable

Not the most original out there, but endlessly listenable classic rock.

This album kicks so much ass.

Live in New York, 2019: https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_k87opMBpZGg_ylfn1VdjczZTzyo0yLvbw - Live in New York - 2019

Tom Petty is one of the true greats. I can’t say this record is the best front-to-back example of his genius, but “Breakdown” and “American Girl” sure are. Best Track: American Girl

Great

Un disco che andrebbe molto bene per le pulizie di casa urlando i testi

Very good but not great.

Again with the debut albums. Tom Petty (and the Heartbreakers) have a gift for making catchy, short, smilingly simple but well crafted songs. I wouldn't have chosen this album though to represent America's favorite Floridian though.

Tom Petty's overall output would be higher, but there were a few misses on this debut album. Still very good though.

Strong debut album.

Simple soft rock with well structured bass lines. I did find myself bobbing my head to some songs like I do when listening to those I've know for a long time. Maybe it just gives off that familiar vibe.

I glimpse at the greatness to come. Tom Petty was an immense talent and song writer.

Amazing

I saw Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers in concert right after this album came out. I didn't know anything about him. I was underwhelmed by the music and walked out. I imagine he played this music that night. It's mostly average rock and roll with the hits standing out (American Girl is my favorite song by him). I love everything that came after this and still kick myself for walking out on him all those years ago. My youthful pretentiousness caused me to miss out on his burgeoning genius.

I always assumed Tom Petty was a Greatest Hits artist. If you’ve heard his bigger songs then you’ve got it. But this was pretty delightful from beginning to end. Not a bad song on the whole album

Oh heck yeah, love me some Petty! Brilliant rocker with a deep catalog. I would assume this is the first of 2 or 3 albums on this list. This one includes two of classic rock's all-time songs with "Breakdown" (150M listens!) and "American Girl" (426M listens!) along with excellent glue tracks like "Anything That's Rock & Roll", "Fooled Again (I Don't Like It)" & "Hometown Blues". Pretty solid album from top to bottom. Hard to deny his rock and pop sensibilities. He has stood the test of time, is constantly on the radio (along with 3 songs from this album) and has an undeniable influence influence on music. 4 stars.

Pretty good album, Tom Petty to me is not a super groundbreaking artist but it's good songwriting that meshes old school rock 'n' roll with Americana and pop. Quite enjoyable and American Girl is a classic rock staple, although I don't think it's quite consistent enough for 5*, there are few weaker tracks here

3 for me but American Girl makes it a 4. Banger.

You can't ever go wrong with one of the best songsmiths ever.

A strong and confident debut that lays the groundwork for one of rock’s most consistent careers. While not quite a masterpiece, it’s packed with promise and unmistakable charm. Petty’s knack for melody and storytelling is already evident, and the Heartbreakers sound tight and hungry. “Breakdown” and “Fooled Again (I Don’t Like It)” are standout tracks, but it’s “American Girl” that steals the show — arguably one of the greatest album closers of all time. That chiming guitar riff and restless energy hint at the brilliance to come in later albums. It’s a shame this is the only Tom Petty album on the 1001 Albums list, as it only scratches the surface of what he would go on to achieve.

Quite liked it, and good to finish on a high with American Girl

3.5 stars

For a long time Tom Petty seemed like a classic rock figure relegated to radio, a greatest hits artist with massive hits. And to be fair, he’s a monster hit maker. But he and the Heartbreakers are also one hell of a band, taking swamp soul, straight up rock, blues, and honky tonk and masterfully blending them for a hell of a good time. This is a good fuckin’ rock album, and it has me seeing the light on how great Tom Petty was. Can’t wait to dive even deeper.

I don’t get the point of the first track but Breakdown is probably my favorite Tom Petty song. A friend once told me that it’s impossible for a Rock ‘N Roll fan to dislike this band. I don’t think I have ever listened to an entire Heartbreakers’ album but this is pretty good on the first listen. Also, I had no idea that American Girl was so early

Jangly, raw, energetic. A great southern rock sound. Rolling stonesesque with that loose, swaggering, bluesy tone (Mystery Man) or Status Quoesque (Anything Thats Rock N Roll). In fact I can hear a bunch of different bands here. In a good way not in a rip off way. Still maintains that original feel. I like it. Smooth, easy listening rock and roll. Favourite track - Breakdown. 7.5/10

A good start to a great career

Banger, not that good for doing marine mapping projects tho

As I grow older, I gain a greater appreciation for Tom Petty's music. Great stuff.

Rockin’ Around // Breakdown // American Girl // 3.5/5

I was surprised at how much I enjoyed this album. Some classics on this one.

Tom Petty once said he liked "... the particular noise the Heartbreakers make." Me too, Tom, me too.

Solid. Couple new ones I didn’t know before

Hometown blues, the wild one and American girl are enough to give this album 4 stars

Well I guess I am finally diving back into Tom Petty thanks to the 1001 albums to hear before I die challenge. I feel I should preface that Tom Petty is by no means a great or even good singer, but man does this guy have some killer lyrics up his sleeve that really help make up for his lack of singing ability. I feel that aspect actually makes Tom Petty a much more relatable rockstar of sorts as he is kind of like the average joe with a sharp as a knife pen game. The songs here aren't ever meant to be anything super extraordinary or grand, they are simply some nice and laid back Rock songs to pass the time. I can totally understand why some people wouldn't dig this album, but they are honestly missing out on a pretty solid Rock album. Some of my favorite tracks are Breakdown, Mystery Man, and of course American Girl. If you don't want something that is straightforward and to the point I would suggest listening to something else, but I can happily say that is sometimes exactly how I want my Rock music to sound.

Songs of my youth.

Tom Petty's music is a fun experiment in "imagine if the American heartland was good, actually"

Love TP. Not the best and not my fave but still iconic and a great listen

God I love tom petty so much, what a loss. Loved this one. American girl is top tier

Really liked it. Nice vibe, some songs were really really good especially for a genre I don't really love

A couple of great tracks here - 'Breakdown', 'American Girl' - I could listen to either of them on repeat for a long time. Saw TP & the HBs in the early '80s - great band, great show. I think 'Damn the Torpedoes' is a stronger album, but for a first record, this one ain't bad at all!

Tom Petty sounds like he’s drunk and has a few marshmallows in his mouth. The production and songwriting is great, though.

I'm gonna be real with you, I was a moron. For the longest time, I just never got into Tom Petty. He was just... there, you know? On the radio. Never really took the time to listen, and I figured I wasn't missing anything. Then I wised up. It might've had something to do with him being on King of the Hill as Lucky, but whatever it was, it made me go back and give him a real shot. And man, was I stupid. I started with the first album, this debut. And it's just amazing. It’s got that raw, hungry sound. It’s not over-produced; it's just a band playing great songs. Tracks like "Breakdown" and "American Girl" are classics, but the whole thing is good, from start to finish. I'm now going through his whole catalog, and I can't believe I missed this for so long. This is just a great rock album, and I was a fool for sleeping on it.

Some of the tracks felt a little strange compared to his later work. You can already hear the Tom Petty rock style in this album that would make him a legend.

America's greatest songwriter. I feel like he was just starting to hit his stride here. Breakdown and American Girl are timeless. There were a couple strange ones in here that prevented this from being a regular front to back listen. But damn I love me some tom petty

Tom Petty rules. Incredibly consistent front to back with American Girl being a standout closing track, and a longtime favorite of mine. Not much to say beyond that. Just rock solid classic rock music. Not earth shattering, so it doesn't crack a 5, but very very good.

Classic

Muy buen disco, el primero de Tom Petty. Sonido clásico de la banda

Classics throughout. Starts strong and ends strong.

I have a bit of a blind spot with 70s classic rock. Plus, I haven’t always loved Tom’s voice. But this is a fun little album! Breakdown is especially great.

Make it last all night (make it last all night) 4/5 Highlights: Fooled Again (I Don't Like It) Mystery Man American Girl

The music was incredible, not a big fan of Tom Pettys singing, but i understand why hes a legend. 7/10

For me this record is pretty darn good. It's not my favorite of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. However, I think it has the best song ever written and sung by Tom Petty in "American Girl"

I enjoyed this and would revisit.

Some nice casual classic rock tunes, quick listen.

Just one hit, very WOD-esque

When I first played this album years ago, I nearly wrote it off as too understated, too modest in its ambitions. It’s not a record that clamours for your attention at first listen; rather, it quietly creeps up on you, gradually revealing its depth. The song writing is sharp, the arrangements finely crafted, and the performances confident. For listeners who take the time to engage and return to these tracks, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers’ debut proves itself a rewarding listen. Yet, I can’t help but feel there are moments where the album holds back just a little too much. There’s a restraint, a politeness that keeps it from bursting into the upper ranks of great rock albums—moments that could have benefited from more volume, more abandon, a looser edge. Still, what it may lack in wildness, it makes up for with craftsmanship and heart. Four stars. Would I listen to this album again? Yes. Would I buy this album? I did. 1 "Rockin' Around (With You)" - 4 2 "Breakdown" - 4 3 "Hometown Blues" - 4 4 "The Wild One, Forever" - 4 5 "Anything That's Rock 'n' Roll" - 5 6 "Strangered in the Night" - 4 7 "Fooled Again (I Don't Like It)" - 4 8 "Mystery Man" - 4 9 "Luna" - 4 10 "American Girl" -4 Total - 41 Average - 4.1

Full of classics! Maybe it’s because I didn’t grow up with him, but the whininess in voice gets to me sometimes.

This isn't my favorite of the Tom Petty I've heard but it is immediately a very hard hitting album. Really unique, sort of hard to put among its contemporaries in 1976. Its got elements of classic rock, maybe some precursor to glam? It comes fast and sort of jets all over the place. I liked it, but it was a little hard to figure out what they were going for.

8/10

Yep, that's classic rock.

I’m a die-hard Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers fan. This album is interesting because I can hear the makings of what the band became when they were fully fleshed out and at the top of their game. Petty’s songwriting is exceptional and I throughly enjoyed it throughout the album. The only reason it’s not a five-star album for me is that I know their potential. It’s about a half-star shy of brilliance, which they achieve with later albums.

Chill

3.5

This is a classic case of great artist good album, but, with only one entry, it's the wrong album. Damn The Torpedos not only showed the band coming into its own, but it was the album that cemented Tom Petty as a major figure in rock history. The self-titled is a stellar debut, but I think only hints at the greatness to come. This could have been sequence better. I think "Strangered in the Night" would have been a better opener for the album, and kept the rest of side one the same. Then open the second side with "Fooled Again (I Don't Like It)" followed by "American Girl" and bury the other three at the end of side 2. (8.6)★★★★ Tom's solo Wildflowers should have been on the list but it also got snubbed

"Breakdown" is the highlight, but there are better Tom Petty albums. 4 stars

It's a great album, but maybe not even a top 5 Tom Petty album, so it's inclusion as the lone Petty album is an odd one. Obviously, "American Girl" and "Breakdown" are awesome. The rest of the album is solid too, with "The Wild One, Forever" being the other big highlight. 4.5 stars.

I've always thought that Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers have universal appeal but is also basically no one's favorite act. They're great, and the sheer number of undeniable classics across the catalog. I had never listened to this album in its entirety, but like so much Petty, I'd say it's overall good not great. American Girl is obviously fantastic, and many of the other songs are very good. I don't see a lot in this (or most Petty) that's inventive or innovative, but damn if the man can't just write a ton of extremely good rock songs.

Its Tom Petty, whats not to like?

Some true classics on this one, but didn't scream "5"

A few classics and lot of great rock n roll. Ranking Tom Petty for Tom Petty, this album is great, but not the absolute classic that Tom Petty has released.

Didn't realize American Girl was on here! I really liked Luna and the first track.

Quick album at only 31 minutes

yee haw

Great album! Never listened to tom fully

Pretty solid debut. You've got "Breakdown" and "American Girl" leading the way, and both are still instantly recognizable nearly 50 years later. That kind of staying power doesn't come from luck. The songs are just that good. The rest of the album isn't packed with radio staples, but it has enough energy and heart to keep things interesting. Petty's voice already had that laid-back, everyman charm, and the band plays with confidence throughout. The album closes strong with "American Girl," which might be one of the best final tracks on any debut rock album.

Awesome. 2 of the best hits with decent enough songs through the rest of the album

Some bangers. Some snoozers. A lot of Temu Bruce Springsteen. Glad TP found his own voice after this.

classic rock, liked it

Excellent early Petty

Straightforward and genius.

At first, i thought Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers was just going to be a 3 star album but the more i kept listening to it, the more i leaned towards 4 stars. I do know of this band quite well but not much of this album, the most i have heard relating to it is hearing Stevie T's cover of Breakdown which i didn't even know was a cover until i listened to this album. This album is a pretty great one as it has the perfect mix of both soft and hard rock in all of the songs and they all had some pretty great melodies. This album also went at a good pace with the album only being 30 minutes and not feeling like its too long or too short. This was certainly a really good listen. Best Song: Fooled Again (I Don't Like It) Worst Song: Rockin' Around (With You)

4.5 I like it

Legend. I miss him.

that was a great album! I did not know this group and it gave me a lot of energy

I was enjoying the songs. A little bit repetitive but still I liked the melodies and the tunes

Gets better with multiple plays, but it’s a little frustrating that Petty heads for an outro after a bridge, instead of singing another verse.

Good stuff, particularly for a debut album. Worth 4* for American Girl alone.

This is a great album, but Petty hasn't quite hit his stride yet. He's got so many albums that edge this out. He really gets going by Damn the Torpedoes.

On the one hand, as a fan of Tom Petty's work with and without the Heartbreakers group, I enjoyed this album for more than just the hit singles. There were some impressively written deep cuts, particularly in the second half, running from the biting groove of "Strangered in the Night" through the Hammond organ-led sway of "Luna". On the other hand, I can still recognize this as a debut album, where the writing isn't as strong in places, particularly in the number of songs that are about playing rock and roll and blues music. A little more detail in the storytelling and stronger compositions in a few areas would have elevated this record to match the quality of its closer, "American Girl". Taking both sides into account, I consider Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers' debut record to be good if not great. I know they will reach greatness with Damn the Torpedoes, but for now, this was still fun to revisit.

Off the cuff remark: splendid blasts of American guitar pop-rock. Standout track: saving the best to last, American Girl Revisit?: Yes. Genre-bending life-changing classics? No, but driving (literally and figuratively) good time tunes that are worth revisiting they are.

Pidän

Pettyn eka levy ja isot hitit vielä edessäpäin

Great album. Beautifully mixed. Great songwriting. Must have inspired a lot of subsequent indie rock. Lovely layers of sound on most songs.

Tom Petty is an American legend for a reason. One of his many great albums. Most of the songs are memorable, with a few classics. He is truly a fan of any music that's originally American and wears his influences on his sleeve. Listening to this album, you can also hear how influential he is on later artists. I wouldn't say this is a perfect album, but it's a great album anyway. 4/5

Good early Petty. American Girl is a classic.

Three great songs book end what is clearly the start of an iconic group and career. Everything in between those three songs was not a whole lot to write home about.

Best Song: American Girl I like Tom Petty. That being said, this isn't the best I have heard of Tom Petty. It isn't bad per se, just not as good as other stuff I've heard from Tom & The Heartbreakers. How can anyone hear American Girl and not think of the woman getting kidnapped in Silence of the Lambs is beyond me!

4.5?

sounds like my parents in the best way

Great album

Tom Petty is like Bob Seger. You don’t seek him out but when he comes to your attention again, you’re all in. This is a good album. My only take away is that I don’t think I’d return to it. I don’t have a reason why.

I was at Tom Petty’s very last show ever. We sat in the very back row of the Hollywood Bowl. He put on an incredible performance, one of the best. As we were leaving I made a comment about how next time I’d be willing to spend the big bucks to be closer. I’m just thankful I got to see him at all. He’s a legend. He’s the coolest.

Tom Petty's debut with the Heartbreakers is one of those albums that doesn’t need to shout to be heard. Right from the opener “Rockin’ Around (With You),” you get that easy, confident swagger that would become Petty’s trademark. The production is lean and punchy, the guitars are crisp, and the whole thing has this raw, no-frills charm that feels very American — like driving down a dusty road with the windows down. I’ve always thought “American Girl” is a perfect closing track, full of bright, jangly energy and that unforgettable urgency in the chorus. But it’s not just that one song — “Breakdown” has that cool, slinky groove that sneaks up on you, and “Hometown Blues” keeps things grounded. There’s a simplicity to the whole album that works in its favor; it doesn’t overreach, it just plays to its strengths with honesty and style. For me, this album feels like the start of something big — not perfect, maybe, but definitely full of promise. It’s packed with heart, and it knows exactly what it is.

LOVED it. 4.5 stars

Solid rock album

I was surprised how much this reminded me of gaslight anthem since I thought they were mostly just influenced by Springsteen. Solid enough album but man, American Girl is a banger and a great closer.

Pretty great debut album, with two absolute classics in "Breakdown" and "American Girl". Tom Petty knew who he was from Day 1 and that's very cool to me. I do wish some of the songs were a tad longer so that they could breathe and we could hear more of the band do their thing.

This is my second consecutive album which has been basically been at 30 minutes long. While the last one was from someone I had never heard of and really not good, that certainly wasn't true for this one. Tom Petty is one of the great rockers of all time. Saw him back in the mid 90s and it was a great show. That said, I don’t own much of his catalog, and I have never listened to this album at all. While I am very familiar with the couple of hits on this record, the rest of this was uncharted territory. The opener, Rockin’ Around (With You) is a great way to kick off the record. Breakdown follows and is a great tune, best one on the record for me. I wasn’t a fan of Hometown Blues, but the album picked back up with The Wild One, Forever. I quite like Petty’s voice, even if it isn’t the most technically amazing one in the business. And he’s great on this song, including in the harmonies. The yo yo continued for me as Anything That’s Rock ‘N’ Roll and Strangered In The Night were just average for me, though I liked the flipping of the guitar between speakers on the former. Fooled Again (I Don’t Like It) was a step back in the right direction, a definite highlight for me. I started listening to Mystery Man, and almost instantly it gave me an Into The Mystic feel. Since the theme is somewhat the same, and the titles aren’t that far apart, I wonder if Van Morrison’s tune inspired this one. Regardless, I really liked this song. Luna has some aspects that I liked, especially the flowing portions of this song, but the repetitive keyboard sections brought this down for me. Finally, American Girl is one of those classic 70s rock anthems and a truly great way to close the album. In summary, lots to like in this tight 30 minute set, but it’s not an album that is great from front to back. Frankly, I am surprised that this is Petty's only album on the list, either with or without The Heartbreakers. At least one of Full Moon Fever, Wildflowers, or Damn the Torpedoes warrant inclusion, if not all of them. Still, happy to have visited this album for the first time.

Americana Dad rock

It’s good

They broke out of the gate hard. Not as polished as later albums,but that isn’t a bad thing here. Breakdown and American Girl are classics.

American Girl is my Petty fave.

I love Tom Petty, one of the best rock vocalists ever, and this is a great debut album. Starts super strong, a few forgettable tracks in the middle, but American Girl is a phenomenal finale, an amazing song. Petty was also a brilliant songwriter and that shines through on here. Only complaint is I wish some of the songs were longer, would love an instrumental freakout on Breakdown. A legend, gone too soon

pure Americana

I live Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers!love the sound and the songs. This was a good debut but not great! Breakdown and American Girl will live on however! Great hits, but a weak album. It got me hooked! But better albums were in his future!

4 out of 5. Good debut here with some solid songs.

Feels like Axl Rose if he was more into weed than booze. Great songwriting, classic rock energy, and some real hidden gems beyond the overplayed hits.

Breakdown var bra

Great album, definitely makes me want to listen to more Tom Petty

okay Kim u were onto something

7/10…heartland / 70er Rock

Gone too soon

I didn’t realize Am Girl was on the this album from 1976!

Très rock and roll, un peu répétitif. Une voix un peu nasillarde. Des moments chills parfois À écouter quand j’ai envie d’écouter de la guitare et des sons rock.

Cant hate Petty. 4.1/5 Favorites: Breakdown, Strangered In The Night

This is the beginning of one of the proverbial American bands of our generation. The album is rough in places but shows what Tom Petty and company are capable of. I thoroughly enjoyed the album even with its less than stellar production qualities. Favorite songs are “Anything That’s Rock ‘N’ Roll”, “Hometown Blues”, and “American Girl”.

Damn good album. I have the same complaint about it that I’ve had with a few others on this list. What’s with the quick fades? Let the songs breathe a bit. Let the musicians jam a bit. Several of the tracks on this one clock in at less than 3 minutes with a fade ending. Maybe that was done to make them more likely get airplay? Bad decision if you ask me. The songs were too good to be so short.

OK, I'm gonna go there even though I shouldn't... There are two "must hear" Christina Aguilera albums? And only one Tom Petty record? And this is the pick? Don't get me wrong—I'm a massive Tom Petty fan (read my remembrance from when he died in 2017 if you're at all interested: https://blog.discmakers.com/2017/04/musicians-who-died-in-2017/) and I have a soft spot for this record. But I'd hardly classify it as his best or the ONE you HAVE to listen to. It's great to get to hear where Petty and the Heartbreakers launched from, and if this were the fourth of his picks, then yeah, let's get some perspective. The meat of the band is on display: good harmonies, simple tunes that are less simple than you think, sparse lyrics that pack a whole bunch into little phrases. Benmont Tench on keys and Mike Campbell on guitar, playing melodic solos and interstitials. But it sounds pretty raw, and Petty really bloomed as a songwriter shortly after this. This has some classics—Breakdown and American Girl, for sure—and a bunch of sleepers (Anything That's Rock n Roll and Fooled Again among them). It's solid and it rocks, but he's got more than one 5 in his collection. C'mon man.

FOOLED AGAIN (I DON'T LIKE IT) IS MY FAVE TRACK FROM IT!

classic classic rock. has a few bangers and the rest are respectable

A few meh points but overall very good.

American girl = all the stars

Classic rock with a southern shrug. The big tracks carry the weight, the rest coast along without much trouble. You can hear the band figuring it out, which is kinda sweet in its own right. There’s a kind of charming mess to it. A few moments of brilliance, a few moments of “oh, that’s it?” I wouldn't call it deep, but it knows how to smile and nod. You get the hits and you get the warm-up laps. Tight runtime, too. Bonus points. Spins: 3 Playlist Additions: - Rockin' Around (With You) - Breakdown - American Girl

Favorite Track: Breakdown

I had totally forgotten about this album. Usually it’s a Petty's 80‘s hits you remember. But it’s really worth it to listen to this album.

great

A really awesome debut, with a few killer songs and a bunch of good songs.

Goed drumgeluid, echte liedjes. Leuk om gewoon aan te zetten

As I'm writing this, it's the end of a small, little marathon I went on to catch up on albums I haven't listened to and reviewed. And lemme tell y'all, after boring-ass post-punk and an hour of French hip hop (even if I **did** like), it's nice to end on something completely uncomplicated. I had no preconceptions going in (I've heard "Free Fallin'" a million times, but I knew it was gonna be irrelevant), and leaving the album all I could really think to say was "That's some good ol' rock n' roll, I tell you." That's what this album is and that's pretty much all it is: 70's rock n' roll. I mean, it's not Grand Funk; it's a little heartland in spots, and a little Elvis Costello in others... And I'm the kind of person where saying "that's pretty much all this is" isn't an insult in this context. Like, honestly, if you're coming into this expecting to have your mind blown, you're gonna be severely disappointed. It does what it does, and it does it extremely well. It gave me what I expected and asked for: what more could I want? And how much more can I repeat myself here? Like, gosh, "American Girl" is a great closer, goodness... Really, in the end, my biggest thought about it is just wondering why this made the cut and not FULL MOON FEVER. And not even because of the hits; I mean, within the last six years that thing made the GRAMMY Hall Of Fame **and** the 2020 Rolling Stone 500 list. We can debate on how much either of them really mean, but where's that kind of acknowledgement for this album? Hell, why does Pere Ubu get two albums but not Tom Petty? But, eh, I'm veering into the territory of complaining I don't like just to fill space. In any case, it's good that Tom Petty is here at all, and this is a perfectly good record. What a nice way to close out my night.

I’m at a 4. I always wanted to listen to a Tom Petty album, based off of some of the bigger hits I know (mainly Free Fallin’, let’s be honest), but I didn’t quite realize we were basically getting a 5th Elvis Costello album already. For better or for worse, that’s my immediate key comparison here – so much of this style reminds me of Elvis Costello’s first 2 albums. It’s obviously not 1:1, as Tom Petty’s vocal style on this album is a bit more gravelly, evoking more of a Springsteen meets Dylan-y vibe, & the Heartbreakers are going for more of a classic rock vibe as opposed to a sort of “pop infused with punk rock” vibe that The Attractions went for. It’s still close enough that a lot of my praise towards those Elvis Costello albums apply here. In that sense, I’m kind of just a broken record. Genuinely, there’s not that much to say, other than scattered bits of praise – I love the Steely Dan vibes of “Breakdown”, I love the simplicity of the lyrics on “Hometown Blues”, I really liked the guitar section on “Anything That’s Rock ‘n’ Roll”, I appreciate the blatant Bob Dylan impression on “Strangered in the Night”, & “American Girl” is just a great track. Besides that, it’s just some good old rock & roll – not quite at a 5, but a very solid 4. P.S.: I can’t believe “Full Moon Fever” isn’t on this list. Gonna have to get to that one in my own time.

Petty is legendary for a reason. Great album all around! 8.2/10

1. Rockin' Around (With You) - 8/10 2. Breakdown - 9/10 3. Hometown Blues - 8/10 4. The Wild One, Forever - 7/10 5. Anything That's Rock 'n' Roll - 7.8/10 6. Strangered in the Night - 7.5/10 7. Fooled Again (I Don't Like It) - 7.8/10 8. Mystery Man - 8/10 9. Luna - 8.4/10 10. American Girl - 8/10 8/10

Great album haven’t heard his stuff before but this is great

Great album. Love Tom Petty and this is one of my favorite eras of his.

Solid debut album.

pretty good! most of these are new to me, a few hidden gems in there. I liked Breakdown and Strangered in the Night. I like the blues-y stuff too. Tom Petty pretty much always hold up

p good

So far, reminds of just some slightly more slurred dad rock. I like the instrumentals though, its got some real good harmonies. Jazzy sounds and other things, something I'd throw in the background to do dishes with my Dad. I'm picturing going on a milkshake date while listening to some of these songs. Pretty catchy. CALLED IT!! Both parents were big fans, dad more of his older work lmao

Amazing that American Girl is buried as the last track.

Tom Petty...hes always good for a couple of hits. Thats true here