Release Date: July 29, 2014
Personnel: Tom Petty (vocals, guitar); Mike Campbell (guitars); Benmont Tench (piano, organ); Scott Thurston (guitar); Steve Ferrone (drums); Ron Blair (bass)
Produced by Tom Petty; Mike Campbell, Ryan Ulhate
List of Tracks: American Dream Plan B; Fault Lines; Red River; Full Grown Boy; All You Can Carry; Power Drunk; Forgotten Man; Sins of My Youth; U Get Me High; Burnt Out Town; Shadow People
List of Tracks: American Dream Plan B; Fault Lines; Red River; Full Grown Boy; All You Can Carry; Power Drunk; Forgotten Man; Sins of My Youth; U Get Me High; Burnt Out Town; Shadow People
Hypnotic Eye would be the final Heartbreakers album. The tracks play like an overview of the band's career, revisiting familiar themes and sounds.
"American Dream Plan B" deals with dashed expectations in an America that's no longer full of possibilities, Campbell's deep chords and Petty's withered voice create an edge. "Fault Lines" has a jazzy intro and builds towards a rocking psychedelia. "Red River" explores offbeat Americana, "Full Grown Boy" seems a distant cousin to "The Man Who Loved Women."
"All You Can Carry" reckons with the past, a heavy rocker. "Power Drunk" is a bluesy tune about a menacing figure, "Forgotten Man" takes a lamenting tone, "Sins of My Youth" takes a more reflective tone. "U Get Me High" is a steady rocker, "Burnt Out Town," delivers more blues. "Shadow People" was one of Petty's more ambitious tracks at this stage, although written before 2016, it does predict a menacing political atmosphere for America's future.
Hypnotic Eye's main appeal lies in listening to these seasoned musicians play together. The riffs are familiar and we know the territory.
