I'm sort of a casual fan, but I like him / them. A Greatest Hits Album (the one that had "Mary Jane's Last Dance" as a new song) was what got me started, and now I have Full Moon Fever and Damn The Torpedoes too.
edited 26th Nov '11 10:43:45 AM by MikeK
1993 or 2008 for Greatest Hits? 1993 had, as bonus tracks, "Mary Jane's Last Dance" and a cover of "Something in the Air" (Thunderclap Newman).
The 2008 reissue swapped the cover images (although the inner liner notes are still the same) and swapped out "Something in the Air" for "Stop Draggin' My Heart Around."
Which is odd, 'cos that track's already on Anthology Through the Years (a 2-disc compilation).
I much prefer Anthology 'cos it goes a little deeper in. In fact, GH actually skipped over an entire album (Let Me Up (I've Had Enough). It also skipped over Pack Up the Plantation but 'cos that's a live compilation it doesn't really count anyways.)
There's also Playback but that's 6 discs and a little much for a lot of casual fans. On the up-side, it has "Heartbreakers Beach Party" and "Gator on the Lawn" (two really goofy B-sides).
Either ways, both compilations only go up to 1993 — in 1994, TP switched record labels.
edited 26th Nov '11 10:55:09 AM by tigerthecat
By the way, here's my quickly-written opinions on the albums. I omitted the studio compilations, the E Ps (Official Live 'Leg, Bad Girl Boogie, and the just-released "Kiss My Amps" — don't ask) and the Wilburys albums. I'm not sure if I missed anything else 'cos I'm a bit tired.
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers (1976) — The classic debut. Should get. You're Gonna Get It! (1978) — Has some classics. Has a different feel from the first album. Damn the Torpedoes (1979) — If you're a casual fan who wants one studio album, this is the one. Hard Promises (1981) — In the vein of Torpedoes, but moodier. Long After Dark (1982) — Basically Torpedoes II. It's a good rocking album though. Southern Accents (1985) — This one's a bit of an oddity. Most of the tracks are good individually. As an album it has an uneven feeling, like you're not sure which way TP wants to go. Pack Up the Plantation — Live! (1985) — TP&HB were meaning to put out a live compilation since '80 or '81. Unfortunately, this doesn't really do justice. Has some good tracks, though. Let Me Up (I've Had Enough) (1987) — This is another oddity. It's one of those albums that grows on you. I think the order of the tracks was a bit uneven. Full Moon Fever (Solo) (1989) — A very fun album. Into the Great Wide Open (1991) — Unfortunately, the Lynne production doesn't seem to work very well with the Heartbreakers. It worked on FMF, but not here. Wildflowers (Solo) (1994) — I'm not sure why this is a solo album — it's more like "Heartbreakers-minus-Stan Lynch." It's really a switch from the previous albums. Not a bad switch, either. She's The One (1996) — This is another oddity; not really a Heartbreakers album but a soundtrack. It has a very Californian feel to it, if that makes any sense. It doesn't seem to work as an album, though. Echo (1999) — Good rocking album but pretty damn depressing. I have to be in the right mood to listen to it. The Last DJ (2002) — Cranky. Highway Companion (Solo) (2006) — Eh. It doesn't feel right to me. Mudcrutch (Mudcrutch) (2008) — To be honest, it's been a long time since I heard this in full. I'll post on it later if I remember to. Live Anthology (2009) — What Pack Up The Plantation failed to do. Really, the Heartbreakers are more of a touring band than a studio band (which makes it more unfortunate that I've never been able to see them in concert). Mojo (2010) — A good, solid album. Middle of the pack.
EDIT: Why dont the line breaks show up?
edited 1st Dec '11 6:28:56 AM by tigerthecat

Hello. I've been a lurker for a while (I'd say a year). I once made an account to make a small edit somewhere and then promptly forgot it (lol) so I just made this one. If you recognize me from elsewhere, hi.
Anyhow. I'm a huge Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers fan. To the point where friends call me a Pettyologist. (It started out as a joke. I considered Heartbreakerologist but it just doesn't seem right.) Anyways I know a lot of those little trivial facts. If you're a serious fan of something you'll know what I mean.
Anyways, Id like to know what tropers here think. Also if you've been wondering something about 'em post it here and I'll try to remember to check in here and see what I can dig up. I'm definitely no expert (some people would consider otherwise, though).
P.S. A few things:
1. Why T.P. and not [another artist you feel is more significant]? I like Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers.
2. I like the Tom Petty song "American Girl." That's a Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers song.
3. I like the Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers song "Free Fallin'." That's a Tom Petty song.
4. What's up with 2-3? Full Moon Fever, Wildflowers, and Highway Companion are Tom Petty solo albums (although Heartbreakers have appeared on all of them, and in the case of "Wildflowers" it seems to be solo in name only except the omission of one band member). All the others are Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers.
5. What's your favorite album/song/etc etc? I don't do favorites.