Tributes and Other Stuff
By Scott J. Lusby
The Stony Brook Press - November 28, 1994

Over the course of the semester, I have received numerous discs from various major and independent record companies, trying to solicit a review of whatever bands they happened to be promoting. As this semester is quietly winding down (only one more issue left after this), I figured that it was about time I reviewed some of the more interesting discs I have received.

You Got Lucky, released by Backyard Records, is a tribute by various artists to Tom Petty. The fact that this compilation is made up of up-and-coming bands performing classic Petty tunes strikes me as being appropriate; Tom Petty would probably accept this, even like the idea. While I don't necessarily agree with the arrangement that some of the songs were recorded in, it doesn't mean that this isn't a disk worth picking up. There are some bright spots on You Got Lucky, even a couple of downright outstanding renditions of classic rock songs.

You Got Lucky starts off with perhaps its best track, "American Girl" performed by Everclear. This marked the first time I have ever heard Everclear perform (although I have heard of them), and I must say I was impressed. Their interpretation of "American Girl" was outstanding, lending a '90's "roughness" to the song. Other excellent numbers on the disc include "Stop Draggin' My Heart Around" performed by Lord Lucy with Lucky Post, "Don't Come Around Here No More" by Fig Dish, and Punchdrunk's rendition of "Nightwatchman," which finishes a close second to Everclear as the album's best performances. On the whole, You Got Lucky would make for an interesting Christmas gift for any music lover or Petty fan, should you be in the market for such a gift.