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Zero 7
Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed albums.
The Last DJ
EMAILPRINTby Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers
Generally favorable reviews
Based on 14 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?
Based on 28 votes
Read user comments
Rate this album >
Album Info
Label: Warner Brothers
Release Date: 08 October 2002
Discs: 1 disc
Genre(s): Rock
Summary
The latest from Tom Petty is a concept album (or diatribe, if you will) about/against the domination of popular music by large, greedy corporations. It was released on October 8, 2002 by a large, greedy corporation.
Also On Metacritic
MUSIC: Tom Petty: Hihgway Companion
What The Critics Said
All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...
Entertainment Weekly
His most consequential songs in years. [11 Oct 2002, p.83]
PopMatters
Earnest and straightforward, as rock and roll should be.... The Last DJ is clearly an expression of what Tom Petty feels right now, and his honesty -- coupled with his talent -- is revitalizing.
Read Full Review >E! Online
A little more electric guitar would've helped, but these tales of capitalism gone amok are worth checking out.
Read Full Review >Billboard
It's always sort of tough to rally behind an artist dissin' the music industry—I mean, how do you support someone who's living a rock star's life but still complaining, right? But Tom Petty makes it all too easy here, slyly balancing bitter references to modern-day payola, shifty execs, and even the struggles of artists over 40 with wistful imagery of rock'n'roll dreams.
Read Full Review >Mojo
Taken all together these songs pack a powerful punch and make for a much better record than we might have expected. [Dec 2002, p.108]
Uncut
Pale fire, but fire nonetheless. [Dec 2002, p.130]
Rolling Stone
The Last DJ is quintessential Petty, by turns strident and starry-eyed.
Read Full Review >Village Voice
Tom's not quite so lovable when he's preaching his anti-non-Petty doctrine in a series of songs that often don't rise above the level of mediocrity themselves.
Read Full Review >The Onion (A.V. Club)
Petty's thesis is strong, but his argument falters too often.
Read Full Review >Q Magazine
Petty sounds like a bitter old man howling at the moon. [Dec 2002, p.110]
Blender
Sadly, though, if Petty's fourteenth album fails to emulate the success of his best work, it won't be because corporations have conspired to turn off his mic, but because it's simply not as good. [#10, p.127]
Stylus Magazine
While Petty is to be commended for putting himself on the line in some manner for his beliefs, the spirit of music would fare better if people of his stature took a harder stance than he does here.
Read Full Review >All Music Guide
Throughout The Last DJ, Petty sounds utterly lost -- and instead of liberating him like it did in the past, it paralyzes him, boxing him into a corner where he can't draw on his strengths. It's the first true flop in a career that, until now, had none.
Read Full Review >What Our Users Said
The average user rating for this album is 8.6 (out of 10) based on 28 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.
D Smith gave it an8:
Petty is making a strong and true point about the modern music industry. All modern music is either some black guy talking really fast synth beat, or a bunch of the same guitar chords. None of it requires any skill, and I have to give Petty a pat on the back for stepping up and publically recognizing that. However there were some songs that were not quite up with the others, especially in the second half of the album.
Brandon S gave it a9:
Fantastic album. I've never been more baffled by many people's distaste for this one. After the awful "Echo," I was worried that Petty had lost it. Instead, he returned in top form.
Paul H gave it a2:
I'm a big Petty fan, but I have to admit that I just hate this album, it's easily his worst. the title song may be one of the worst songs I've ever heard in my entire life. the only song i did like is "dreamville" and i'd recommend getting that one off of itunes or something.
C Money gave it a9:
Very Interesting album, simple lyrics yes, to the point yes, petty voice older fading? yes. Despite all this, a very refreshing album with petty playing too more piano sounds than he has before. Songs are very strong and have alot of feeling behind them. Terrific album
Debra S gave it a 10:
The Tom Petty that we all know and love, still sounds as great as ever, just keeps getting better everytime, he is the best and the best is yet to come.
Jorge B gave it a 10:
Excellent lyrics...Tom still has something to say that matters...the music is solid, the album, one of his best.
greg f gave it a 10:
I saw Tom and bought his album. He still has it. I would recommend this album to any one who still has the balls to be a rebel
