Disco de Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers: “You're Gonna Get It!”

Considering how much he's slowed down of late, it's probably not surprising that some people forget that Tom Petty started out as a rocker. Indeed, he put out so many excellent albums for so long that it seemed he would never stumble. This album is a case in point. Often disregarded or ignored, it is in fact excellent, filled with little noticed gems. Here Petty is in his element, and what an element it is, mixing the country styling of The Byrds, the folk mastery of Brewer and Shipley with the rock sensibility of Creedence. He defines a new era in `classic rock'. Rightly placed alongside mainstream rock giants like Mellancamp and Springsteen, Petty is like them but definitely has own style, his own version of Southern charm. Check out the propulsive `Need To Know' and the driving `When The Time Comes'. Equally good are `No Second Thoughts', the title track and `Restless' all of which are quite smooth. Petty also evidence a lyrical subtly that marked him for greatness, even at this early stage, check out `Listen To Her Heart' which expresses supreme trust and confidence in a lover, not exactly a typical stance for a rock song. The great thing about Petty is his music never ages, it sounds just as fresh and exciting today as it did when the album came out, if anything, it has improved with age.

This album is often overlooked, but is a gem. Before he got the production values that went with higher budgets, the band achieved a well-produced work with great arrangements and harmonies. I'm a huge fan of the song "Magnolia," which brings me to another point. As a devotee of Southern rock, this album sounds more Southern than many of his other works (esp. "Magnolia").

Unfortunately, while I've seen him twice in concert, he seldom plays many cuts from this album. Go see him anyway, because he plays for a long time and really relates to his audience. It also helps that he comes off as a nice guy.

Listening to this CD for the first time in years, it sounds MUCH better than its classic predecessor. Released only two years later, it doesn't sound nearly as dated as the debut. There isn't a bad song, and nine of ten are really good. You won't find an anthem like American Girl or Refugee, just great straight-ahead rock. For my money, this album has aged better than the more-popular debut, and as others have noted here, the characteristic sound of the next few albums begins to emerge on this one. It's pure listening pleasure from start to finish - every song 3 minutes of good hooks and harmonies and lyrics about the one thing in life that always used to matter most - women. Songs like Hurt and No Second Thoughts are just as good as the more-familiar I Need to Know and Listen to Her Heart.

I originally bought this album for the sake of completeness, having only heard "I Need to Know", and was shocked it turned out to be of such high quality. I can't say why these songs weren't played more on the radio or by TP et al. in concert, but I have to admit there is a forgettable quality to them. I didn't remember any except the radio hits, and I remember every song on other Tom Petty albums I'd consider much less well done. Maybe this is rock junk food - delicious guilty little pleasures you forget a half hour later. But what a great half hour! Like the first reviewer here, I wouldn't recommend this as a starting point for anyone, but I think it's a must-have for those who love Damn the Torpedoes or the early TP/Heartbreakers sound in general. One star off for not being up there with Damn the Torpedoes or Hard Promises, not for anything actually wrong with the CD - it really doesn't have a bad moment.

This album is worth its price for the opening track When The Time Comes alone - a flaming beauty of a song with a stirring emotional resonance and poetic lyrics that must count as one of the greatest rock songs ever written. It is anthemic, like

at his best, in its jangling guitar-driven onslaught and cascading riffs.

The album's exuberant rock is infused with the guitar-style of

. Other great songs include the title track and the tender I Need To Know while the intense Listen To Her Heart is equally catchy and memorable. The rest of the songs are good, solid rockers but none of them reaches the awesome grandeur or impressive tuneful heights of the aforementioned masterpieces.

I would strongly recommend getting this album as the aforementioned opening track is not included on any Tom Petty compilation album as far as I know. If you like the melodic power rock and pop of the late 1970s like The Cars, Patti Smith,

and Blondie, you'll love this great album.

Petty's second album, and what an album it is. Not a real long album, but not a bad song on the list.My favorites are: You're gonna get it,Magnolia,I need to know,listen to her heart and restless. If you like classic rock, than get this.