Highway Companion

Hanging with Louie was not the only exciting part of my day yesterday. After five years of eager anticipation, waiting at my doorstep upon my arrival home was the latest offering from Mr. Tom Petty, called Highway Companion.



Although technically a solo album, the feel of the Heartbreakers is all over the CD. The thankfully-not-looking-like-Adam-Duritz-anymore stylings of Heartbreaker lead guitarist Mike Campbell are ever-present. In my completely unbiased opinion as a Tom Petty superfan, Highway Companion is an excellent album and I recommend one and all to give it a listen.

With the exception of the rockin' "Saving Grace", the album leans on acoustic guitars and relaxing melodies. Perfect for that long road trip or a quiet time of reflection.

The best song on Highway Companion is a beautiful ballad called "Square One", seeking forgiveness and atoning for past mistakes. Even after only a couple of listenings, it has already landed a place my the all-time Tom Petty song list. This is definitely one to add to iTunes. It's the rare song that had me at the just the lyrics:

Had to find some higher ground
Had some fear to get around
You can't say what you don't know
Later on won't work no more

Last time through I hid my tracks
So well I could not get back
Yeah my way was hard to find
Can't sell your soul for piece of mind

Square one, my slate is clear
Rest your head on me my dear
It took a world of trouble
It took a world of tears
It took a long time
To get back here

Try so hard to stand alone
Struggle to see past my nose
Always had more dogs than bones
I could never wear those clothes

It's a dark victory
You won and you also lost
Told us you were satisfied
But it never came across

Square one, my slate is clear
Rest your head on me my dear
It took a world of trouble
It took a world of tears
It took a long time
To get back here

Besides it being a great song, there's something about the way he sings the lyric "Rest your head on me my dear", that is true perfection. Really. It is.

Trust me, Highway Companion is worth dedicating 45 minutes of your time to. I just hope I don't have to wait another five years to hear what Tom Petty has to say next.

Quote of the Day:
"Some artists are great simply because they do not write bad songs. Tom Petty is one of those artists" -Brian Heisler