The album credits say this album was recorded live in the studio in just 10 days with arrangements done on the fly. This is such an old school record the band didn't even use headphones as they recorded. This direct, relaxed approach is evident in the music and two things are immediately clear about Mudcrutch. First, there is a lot more variety between this and a Heartbreakers record than there is between a Petty solo record and a Heartbreakers record, but anyone who has ever claimed to like a Petty record is going to find something to like here.
Mudcrutch is by no means a radical departure from The Heartbreakers, and that's a good thing. The qualities that make them such a timeless, uniquely American band are still prominent here. What makes Mudcrutch such a welcome diversion is the way they incorporate a few new influences and brilliantly blend them into the fabric of what has always been there. The Heartbreakers have perfected the art of making Byrds-influenced Southern rock records, a style that is uniquely American and timeless. The band still draws on '60s music, but Mudcrutch has found a secret weapon in the hands of the amazing Benmont Tench. He plays less piano and more organ for Mudcrutch, and does so in a way that turns this into a psychedelic Southern rock record. It's still uniquely American, but this has a very retro feel. The nine-minute epic "Crystal River" is a perfect example, as is the "I Won't Back Down" sequel "Scare Easy." Even "The Wrong Thing To Do," a song that borrows a tad from "Mary Jane's Last Dance," has that vibe. Those two songs represent two of the strongest moments on the album.
Where Heartbreaker records were obviously inspired by The Byrds, Mudcrutch reaches further back than just the '60s. "Six Days On The Road," "Shady Grove," and "This is a Good Street" have a great strut to them, reminiscent of the work of Carl Perkins, Elvis Presley, and Buddy Holly. Petty has been hosting a show on XM Radio called Tom Petty's Buried Treasure, filled with gems from America's musical past — Chicago blues, cowboy songs, and hippie music. Now rather than just admiring those styles, he's infusing his songs with elements of them and the result is music that is livelier and more invigorated than anything he's done in quite some time. That's not a knock on a record like Highway Companion — which is a fine record filled with great songwriting — but is high praise for a project that has a vibe of relaxed fun.
Article comments
1 - JC Mosquito
Excellent review. It'll be interesting to re-read it in a year's time, maybe two, and see where Mudcrutch fits into Tom Petty's canon of work.
Hi to all on Mudcrutch Farm! Rock hard and rock well!
2 - Josh Hathaway
Thanks, JC. It's an excellent record and I think you're right about holding this up in a couple of years. I'd like some of what they did here to follow them back to The Heartbreakers' next record.
3 - El Bicho
After listening to the album, I am now kicking myself for not trying harder to see them at the Troubadour. I did find some bootlegs, so that will have to suffice for now.
4 - Josh Hathaway
Thanks, Bicho. I hope and pray there is a live CD/DVD package out of that string of dates they played.
5 - Leo Valk
To Whom It May Concern,
I would like to give some attention to Abimito. I'ts a special musician. Abimito can be found on iTunes store.
Regards,
Leo Valk. (The Netherlands)