The Last DJ [Enhanced, Import]

The album can effectively be broken into two parts: the first half comes out with a kind of ironic, "funny because it's true" poetry (poetic justice, really since they got banned from the radio for what basically amounts to talking about freedom of speech), and the second half is more typical Tom Petty album rock music.

Some highlights: "The Last DJ" is about radio having no soul -- "As we celebrate mediocrity, the boys upstairs want to see how much you'll pay for what you used to get for free."

"Money Becomes King" is a criticism of how rock concerts have become like everything else in the arenas they visit (i.e. hockey, football, basketball, etc) -- overpriced, missing heart, and full of "VIP sections" that take up the best seats in the house and are often filled with people that aren't fans, but rather just want to be seen there.

"Joe" is a particularly ruthless, tongue-in-cheek song that pokes at record company executives (and modern pop acts that seem to be more about doing a striptease than the music, for that matter) -- "Or bring me a girl, they're always the best, you put 'em on stage and you have 'em undress... Some angel-whore who can learn a guitar lick--Hey, now that's what I call music!" and of course the sentiment "You get to be famous, I get to be rich"

Bottom line: Tom Petty tells it like it is in style. Even the more obscure tracks on the album have heart, and the album feels anything but tired out.

Their newest album, "The Last DJ", is mostly another concept album which has gotten a lot of heat by critics and even loyal fans of TP after its release. In it he takes shots at radio stations, the music business, and today's society. Even so, the album shows that TP has still got it. Many people don't like the new TP as they do his early music but although he has gotten more creative he has not changed.

Alright, here is my overview of this album:
1. the last dj- great single. takes a shot at modern-day radio. banned by some radio stations. makes a good point and is a catchy pop tune at the same time.
5/5
2. money becomes king- takes a shot at the way the music industry has changed with a story about a musician (joe) who becomes corrupted. what can i say... how about one of the best written songs in a long time. nuff said.
6/5!
3. dreamville- reminiscent of a "wildflowers". nice little ballad. filler, but good filler (way i see it, filler is just good songs in between great songs, depending on the artist of course.)
3/5
4. joe- in your face insult to the music biz with an attitude! really sticks it to the man here which is classic rock n roll! TP plays the role of a big music company c.e.o. who is an a-hole.
4/5
5. when a kid goes bad- classic petty. nice little slow rock jam. title basically explains the song.
4/5
6. like a diamond- lovely song. catchy chorus. sort of a love song.
4/5
7. lost children- title basically explains song. starts off with the heaviest rythym riff of the album and combines it with soft vocals and lyrics and pulls it off (only TP!)
4/5
8. blue sunday- story song. more descriptive lyrics. somehow pulls off a catchy chorus. acoustic. good filler (refer to #3)
3/5
9. you and me- sort of a love song. more upbeat than "like a diamond". good song.
3/5
10. the man who loves women- fun song. ukulele in this song. a little different but alright so it gets...
2/5
11. have love will travel- another ballad. best song on the album. nuff said.
5/5
12. can't stop the sun- takes another shot at music biz but not as bad as "joe" or "money becomes king" does. great song to top everything off.
5/5

TP is a living legend and a great songwriter. If he isn't in the RNRHOF (I'm not sure if he is yet) he should be. I don't recommend "the last DJ" to anyone who is unfamiliar with TPATHB or only has listened to their 80's greatist hits (which is probably the most bought TP album) simply because he has become more creative and a little different with his latest releases.

Overall: 5/5 (yes, no album is perfect, but you should only expect the best it can be, and he certainly gives.)

PEACE OUT! TP FANS!