2010s
The Petty Archives

Summer album preview: A dozen-plus to watch for
By Edna Gundersen and Steve Jones
USA Today - April 27, 2010

Mojo (June 15)
Lowdown: After 34 years, Petty and company haven't lost their rock 'n' roll mojo or their loyal 'n' patient fans, who haven't had a studio fix since 2002's The Last DJ. The band has sold 60 million records since its 1976 debut and remains a powerhouse on the road, racking up its biggest tour grosses to date in 2008. They'll add Mojo tunes to the hit-laden set list on a tour that runs June 25 through October.

Highlights: Inspired by his early band Mudcrutch, Petty recorded live in the studio with no overdubs or studio gimmicks. On Southern-tinged electric and acoustic songs, the band moves from rock and country to romantic balladry and an unexpected reggae romp. Petty's tales include a blues-rocker about Thomas Jefferson's dalliance with slave Sally Hemings.