2000s
The Petty Archives

In Rotation
Review by Rick D'Anjolell
Wilmington Star-News - Friday, November 1, 2002

Tom Petty | The Last DJ
Tom Petty has always managed to maintain his distinctive blend of Brit rocker, garage rocker and Dylanesque balladeer while thumbing his nose at corporate America. The 12 songs on The Last DJ find Mr. Petty and the Heartbreakers still on top of their sound and shunning the idea of sponsored tours of contrived boy band radio hits.

The title track holds a mirror up to the record business while the cynical Money Becomes King rings with sincerity. Mr. Petty seems to have plenty of angst left in him.

Other standout material includes the up-tempo Have Love Will Travel, the country-rock Blue Sunday and the jangle pop of You and Me. Mr. Petty is growing older, but his approach to music hasn't changed.