Tom Petty Discography

The Tom Petty discography is filled with a lot of great music. He started out as a sort of junior Roger McGuinn, doing latter day jingle-jangle rock. However, his style has evolved considerably since then to include folk, blues, psychedelic and a little bit of everything else. What's remained is that distinctive, slightly  Dylan-esque Southern vocal drawl that fans love so much

1. "Damn the Torpedoes" - Although Tom Petty, with his band The Heartbreakers, had already released a few other albums by 1979, this release became the  standard by which all other Petty records would be judged. It is great, from top to bottom, and still may be his best to this day. There's the hits, like "Refugee," "Don't Do Me Like That," and "Here Comes My Girl," but even album cuts, like the gentle, acoustic "Louisiana Rain," stand up well -- even to this day.
2. "Hard Promises" -"Hard Promises" continued the creative winning streak Petty started with "Damn the Torpedoes." Although not as onsistent as the former -- the second side is weaker than the first -- it still contained a lot of great Petty. "The Waiting" is arguably Petty's best-ever single, for instance, while "A Woman in Love (It's Not Me)," may be the saddest thing he's ever recorded. This album was delayed because Petty had been fighting over his label's decision to increase the price of the album, which makes  a song like "The Waiting" all the more relevant.
3. "Long After Dark" - "Long After Dark" was a mixed bag. There were great moments, suh as the angry "You Got Lucky," along with a lot of mediocre stuff. It's just not an overall great album. But it's best material, including "Change Of Heart," make it at least worth a listen.
4. "Southern Accents" - "Southern Accents" found Petty getting in touch with his Floridian roots. It's all over the place musically, which came as a shock to those expecting Petty's Byrds-inspired rock. There was the psychedelic "Don't Come Around Here No More," which reveals a lot more of producer Dave Stewart's hand, than Petty's. The album's gentle title cut, which speaks honestly about the world in which Petty was raised, is one of many highlights.
5. "Full Moon Fever" - "Full Moon Fever" was Tom Petty's first solo album. While it was clearly not a Heartbreakers' work, it was still Petty all the way. The album was produced by ELO's Jeff Lynne, and many have criticized its chirpy backing vocals. However, therea are still some great rockers, like "Runnin' Down a Dream" and "I Won't Back Down," as well as the beautiful "A Face in the Crowd." Lastly, "Free Fallin'" is the song that made the best usage of Petty and Lynn's unique partnership. It sounds like both of them, yet like neither of them at the same time.
6. "Into the Great Wide Open" - This album finds the band working with Jeff Lynne again, only this time it's a full band effort. It's highlighted by a title track, which finds Petty commenting on the oftentimes fickle music business. And nobody understands the strange beast that is the record business better than Petty.
7. "Wildflowers" - This time, for another solo effort, Petty turned to Rick Rubin to be his producr. And it worked perfectly. Whether the contemplatative "It's Good to Be King," or the rocking "You Wreck Me," this is perhaps Petty's most consistent album since "Damn The Torpedoes." 
8. Songs and Music From "She's the One" - This is a soundtrack, and not an 'offiial' Petty release. Yet with the Lucinda Williams duet on "Change the Locks," the cover of Beck's "Asshole," and Beach Boys' Carl Wilson on backing vocals, it's a must for any true Petty fan.   
9. "Echo" - This album was produced by Rick Rubin, and chronicles Petty's divorce. It's also the first time the Heartbreaker's great guitarist, Mike Campbell, takes a lead vocal, which happens on "I Don't Wanna Fight."
10. "Mojo" - Mojo finds original bassist Ron Blair back in the fold for a more blues-based Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers effort. It shows that Petty and the band have still got it, all these years along.