Before I launch into this review, lets get one thing out of the way - I'm not familiar with Tom Petty. That's right, I own one of his albums (the soundtrack from She's The One) and have heard some of his other material, but I've never actually went out and bought one of his many albums. So when I listen to "Saving Grace" his latest single from his forthcoming album Highway Companion I do so without knowledge his earlier (perhaps better? perhaps worse?) music. That said, this song is great rocker no matter what.
From the minute it opens up it sounds both old yet contemporary. A rockabilly song with enough modern flair to keep it energized. Tom Petty's vocal are a perfect fit with the song style, just rough enough to work with the scratchy guitar riffs. The song has a good foot tapping beat and is a high energy, pumping rocker through and through. The song-writing is fine and isn't overly repetitive with it's chorus lines and isn't at all cheesy. That's brings me to the issue of song length, something that can really ruin a song for me. Luckily, "Saving Grace" is short and compact, just the right length for a piano and scratchy guitar riff song.
For me, this song works very well. It even may push me to do what friends insistence and recommendations have never (for some reason) been able to do - make me go out and buy some Tom Petty albums. 
"Saving Grace" is the first single from the album Highway Companion by Tom Petty, due out July 25th. The single can be streamed and listened to here.
Article comments
1 - Vern Halen
I hope this is an indication that the new TPTH will be a solid rock album. His last few albums have been OK, but not rockin' all the way through. In particular, I really believe he overthought The Last DJ. His albums are most effectve when they're full of 3 - 4 min radio tunes like this new single. Keep your fingers crossed!
2 - JP
Interesting to read an opinion of a Jeff Lynne production from someone without preconceived opinions of Lynne.
3 - horst bulau
listen you need to go out and buy southern accents
and wildflowers and greatest hits
in my opinion petty's 3 strongest pieces of work
4 - Cameron Graham
Horst Bulau - Thanks for the advice, I'll check those albums out.