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Rating: "Highway Companion", is the latest musical endeavor from the blonde musician from Florida. A work, released four years after the previous and less convincing "The Last Dj", composed of minimal, rough, and unpolished sounds. A direct and vintage sound over which the author lays a series of very personal lyrics reflecting his state of mind and the harsh daily reality. Tom, in fact, is coming off a rather unhappy period in his life. The end of his marriage and the subsequent separation from his first wife, the tragic death of Howie Epstein (bassist of the Heartbreakers) due to an overdose, and issues with the record label have left more than one open wound in the musician's soul and spirit.
The songs from "Highway Companion" are a result and deal with different themes from the past. Among the twelve tracks that make up the album, sad shadows emerge, stories of loneliness, lack of ideals, and the need to have solid roots to rely on. In the end, it seems that Tom wants to leave us with a positive hope for the future dictated by the vital force of music. There are no Heartbreakers behind the instruments: only Tom, who also plays drums, bass, and keyboards, the great Mike Campbell on guitar, and the discreet presence of Jeff Lynne in the dual role of producer and session-man. It may be Lynne's presence, but the general mood of the work might remind us, with all due differences, of the sincere spirit with which Paul McCartney's "Flaming Pie" was created. "Highway Companion" delivers great emotions. The initial "Saving Grace" is a powerful rock 'n' roll reminiscent of John Fogerty and his Creedence. "Down South" is a ballad written with Bob Dylan in mind and heart. "Flirting With Time" and "Turn This Car Around" are classic Petty-sounds. "Jack" is driven by powerful Who-style chords. "Night Driver" is nocturnal and meditative with a beautiful electric piano as a backdrop. "Big Weekend" is carefree like the old "Yer So Bad". Finally, "Square One", "Demaged By Love", "This Old Town", "Ankle Deep" and "The Golden Rose" make up a quintet of refined and moving ballads. Pure joy for the hearing and the spirit.
"Highway Companion" is a coherent, mature, compact, and unified album that grows with each listen. Tom Petty, for the umpteenth time in his great career, has shown he can hold high the flag of tradition in contemporary rock music. For this reason, we will always be grateful to him.
Tracklist Lyrics and Videos
01 Saving Grace (03:47)
I'm passing sleeping cities
Fading by degrees
Not believing all I see to be so
I'm flying over backyards
Country homes and ranches
Watching life between the branches below
And it's hard to say
Who you are these days
But you run on anyway
Don't you, baby?
You keep running for another place
To find that saving grace
I'm moving on alone
Over ground that no one owns
Past statues that atone for my sins
There's a guard on every door
And a drink on every floor
Overflowing with a thousand amens
And it's hard to say
Who you are these days
But you run on anyway
Don't you, baby?
You keep running for another place
To find that saving grace
Don't you, baby?
You’re rolling up the carpet
Of your father’s two-room mansion
No headroom for expansion no more
And there’s a corner of the floor
They’re telling you is yours
You’re confident but not really sure
And it's hard to say
Who you are these days
But you run on anyway
Don't you, baby?
You keep running for another place
To find that saving grace
Don't you, baby?
You keep running for another place
To find that saving grace
Don't you, baby?
05 Jack (02:28)
You say what you want to Jack, I’m gonna get my baby back.
Trouble came right away, now you say she’s gone to stay.
Cough it up, hit the street, left without a word to me.
Oh Oh, you don’t know, how that girl could touch my soul.
You say what you want to Jack, I’m gonna get my baby back.
Suddenly you know my name, say there’s only me to blame.
It’s gonna rain, its gonna shine, gotta stay between the lines.
Rollin down a lonely road, you say I should let it go.
Wish you would come on down, if you need I’ll come around.
You say what you want to Jack, I’m gonna get my baby back.
Used to have a son named Joe, where he gone to I don’t know.
Maybe down in Mexico, livin off of Pattie’s door.
If you give me half a chance, I will make her sing and dance.
I’m gonna give her all my soul, I’m gonna play her Rock’n Roll.
You say what you want to Jack, I’m gonna get my baby back.
You say what you want to jack, I’m gonna get my baby back.
11 Ankle Deep (03:23)
Well, they raised that horse to be a jumper
He was owned by a mid-west bible thumper
His preacher was a Louisiana drummer
Took all winter to get through the summer
The fieldhand hit the switch and stumbled
Outside the big engine roared and rumbled
The stolen horse spooked and tumbled
She didn't speak for a week
Just kinda mumbled
ankle deep in love (x4)
He was caught up in a lie he half believed
Found her hiding high in the family tree
Washed his hands and put her cross his knee
She said daddy "you been a mother to me"
ankle deep in love (x4)
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