TOM PETTY / Full Moon Fever (1989)

After seven studio albums with The Heartbreakers, Tom made his first 'solo' album (that some of The Heartbreakers actually play on). It wasn't a big departure from what we were used to; it's largely the production that makes it sound different, a change that was no doubt heavily influenced by Jeff Lynne (of ELO fame, and a fellow Wilbury). Lynne's contribution to production lessened the traditional US Rock vibe of the band line-up and instead accentuated keyboards and sugary-ness. At times it even has a distinctly 1960s British pop influence.
It's a little too polished for my tastes these days, but once upon a time I adored it, granting it semi-permanent residence in my CD player for days at a time. Sadly, I never had it on vinyl; I suspect it would've sounded better on the format.

Songs of Note: Runnin' Down a Dream; The Apartment Song

4 valley vampires out of 5

TOM PETTY AND THE HEARTBREAKERS / Southern Accents (1985)

I don't expect I'll ever meet anyone who claims it's Petty's best work, but I don't think it deserves to be overlooked as much as it is. It used the traditional Petty / Heartbreakers sound as a base and added some experimentalism to it. It's not in your face, and it doesn't change the band's sound too much, but it's there and it speaks for itself. There are strings, a horn section, keyboards and even some sitar.
It's not an album that will grab you by the lapels on first listen, so give it some time before you decide if you like it or hate it. Expect some filler but nothing that offends the ears with blandness.

Songs of Note: Don't Come Around Here No More; Southern Accents

3½ rebellious dogs out of 5

TOM PETTY AND THE HEARTBREAKERS / Greatest Hits (2003)

Like it says in the post title, this is a Best of...  It's a good introduction to Tom's work and a great way for the fans who found him through the success of Into The Great Wide Open (1991) to develop an appreciation of his early years. He's been producing consistently good work since 1976.
For existing fans there's two new tracks. One is a cover of Thunderclap Newman's Something in the Air, and the other… The other is the one I'd pick as being the best damn Petty track I've ever heard. I've linked both below (even though there are better tracks than Something in the Air on the album).

Songs of Note: Something in the Air; Mary Jane's Last Dance

5 Southern flights out of 5

TOM PETTY / Wildflowers (1994)

The sound on Tom's second solo album took me by surprise; it was closer to Neil Young than the Heartbreakers. A quick scan of the liner notes revealed that master knob-twiddler Rick Rubin had replaced producer Jeff Lynne, and things began to make sense. After repeated listens it began to make a lot of sense.
Its greatest strength is in its simplicity, and while there are a few tracks that fade into the background, 90% of it sounds as fresh today as it did on day of release.
Lyrically it's Petty through and through, just more refined, and as I get older I connect with them more and more.

Songs of Note: You Don't Know How it Feels; Honey Bee

4 long ways from home out of 5