On the Shelf 174: Mudcrutch
Sep. 16th, 2016 01:27 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
bedsitter23One of my favorite records of the last 10 years is an odd one- the 2008 self titled album from Mudcrutch.
I say odd, because it is Tom Petty's band and Petty is not usually revered in indie circles and places like Pitchfork. I, of course, don't have to justify Petty. "American Girl" is a fantastic single that is as good as any thing REM or the Smiths ever recorded. Also, the new generation does seem to love Petty, and you see that influence felt in bands like The Gaslight Anthem or The War on Drugs.
There can only be little argument that Petty isn't a great singles artist. I don't know that I can say he has had a definitive album, but some will make the argument he has- and Damn The Torpedos, Full Moon Fever and Wildflowers (and maybe a couple of others) do come up in those arguments as strong contenders. But regardless, his string of singles is amazing and is still strong way late in his career- "It's Good to Be King", "The Last DJ" and "Saving Grace".
Mudcrutch does it for me though. i am not sure why. The debut featured a band Petty had before the Heartbreakers riffing on the songs they played in the early 70s. On paper, it's much of the same band- Petty, Mike Campbell and Benmont Tench, with the addition of Tom Leadon (brother of Eagles guitarist Bernie Leadon).
But there has always been something about a band that is hungry and this time coupled with the chance for Petty to get loose; so it's back to basics and those obvious Petty influences like Dylan and the Byrds paly a significant role.
What ended up was a fantastic album by the band that I consider as strong as an album statement as Petty has ever recorded.
I was really excited in a sequel, though, we know lightning rarely strikes twice.
I think Mudcrutch 2 does a really good job of recapturing that spark. Is there a significant single? I would say "Trailer" provides that. But the rest of the album is no slouch either, with most songs capable of standing up for themselves and apart from each other.
If you like Petty, it's a must.
I say odd, because it is Tom Petty's band and Petty is not usually revered in indie circles and places like Pitchfork. I, of course, don't have to justify Petty. "American Girl" is a fantastic single that is as good as any thing REM or the Smiths ever recorded. Also, the new generation does seem to love Petty, and you see that influence felt in bands like The Gaslight Anthem or The War on Drugs.
There can only be little argument that Petty isn't a great singles artist. I don't know that I can say he has had a definitive album, but some will make the argument he has- and Damn The Torpedos, Full Moon Fever and Wildflowers (and maybe a couple of others) do come up in those arguments as strong contenders. But regardless, his string of singles is amazing and is still strong way late in his career- "It's Good to Be King", "The Last DJ" and "Saving Grace".
Mudcrutch does it for me though. i am not sure why. The debut featured a band Petty had before the Heartbreakers riffing on the songs they played in the early 70s. On paper, it's much of the same band- Petty, Mike Campbell and Benmont Tench, with the addition of Tom Leadon (brother of Eagles guitarist Bernie Leadon).
But there has always been something about a band that is hungry and this time coupled with the chance for Petty to get loose; so it's back to basics and those obvious Petty influences like Dylan and the Byrds paly a significant role.
What ended up was a fantastic album by the band that I consider as strong as an album statement as Petty has ever recorded.
I was really excited in a sequel, though, we know lightning rarely strikes twice.
I think Mudcrutch 2 does a really good job of recapturing that spark. Is there a significant single? I would say "Trailer" provides that. But the rest of the album is no slouch either, with most songs capable of standing up for themselves and apart from each other.
If you like Petty, it's a must.
