Mojo
by Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers
Metascore
72

Generally favorable reviews - based on 18 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 18
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 18
  3. Negative: 0 out of 18
  1. Billboard.com
    84
    It's not news that these guys rock, but on their first new album in eight years the Heartbreakers have their Mojo working like they never have before-which is a fine thing indeed.
  2. Boston Globe
    80
    While 12-bar twang, mean girls, and swampy harmonicas do populate the track list, Mojo is a rock record — and a good one at that.
  3. Rolling Stone
    80
    The performances are natural knockouts – cocksure grooves, pithy knife-play guitars and little overdub fuss – worked up, then nailed, some on the first full take, at the band's suburban Los Angeles rehearsal space. Petty can't help stressing the authenticity here.
  5. PopMatters
    80
    It has some of the most well-written songs he’s released since at least as far back as 1985’s Southern Accents and, song for song, it maybe the finest recording of the band’s career.
  6. Mojo
    80
    Tom Petty's turned his attention to a resume of his life so far -- 15 crunching, clever, moving tracks that make his earlier point far better, indicting the rest by breezy example. [July 2010, p. 96]
    All this publication's reviews
  7. Paste Magazine
    80
    The album may be the loosest of his career, an unfussy, shuffle-mode assortment of blues-infused jams and steel guitar-haunted ballads that abandon the structural perfection that shaped his canon.
  8. Q Magazine
    80
    A bluesy, guitar-heavy record just like they used to make, then. What's not to llike? [Aug 2010, p.124]
    All this publication's reviews
  9. Entertainment Weekly
    75
    Tuneful and gently flowing, Mojo is endowed with the qualities diehards expect from Tom ''Watch Me Rock Out Without Breaking a Sweat'' Petty. What it lacks is instant classics (didn't he used to be good for a few per album?).
  10. Chicago Tribune
    75
    These aren’t classic Petty songs, but they are sturdy vehicles for a terrific, if frequently underrated band.
  11. The New York Times
    70
    While there are still nods to the Heartbreakers’ 1980s bigness here, and to the bigness of others, they’re offered in an offhand style.
  12. The A.V. Club
    67
    Petty is a talented enough fellow to make even the most routine roots-music exercise sound lively and deeply felt—especially with Mike Campbell pumping out clean-burning guitar solos beside him—but while Mojo is amiable enough, it rarely sounds vital.
  13. Austin Chronicle
    67
    It's slightly indulgent at more than an hour long, but more likely that's just Petty's way of offering love for what his ageless band can do.

Awards & Rankings

99
#99 Most Discussed Album of 2010

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.1

Universal acclaim- based on 27 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 21 out of 27
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 27
  3. Negative: 1 out of 27
  1. CodyT.
    Jun 17, 2010
    6
    A great return for the Heartbreakers. But far from perfect. This album, while a little too long and bloated, does have redeeming qualities A great return for the Heartbreakers. But far from perfect. This album, while a little too long and bloated, does have redeeming qualities though. Styles range from Zeppelin-esque rock (I Should Have Known It) to honky tonk (Jefferson Jericho Blues) to reggae (Don't Pull Me Over). When Petty and his band DO bring home the bacon and fry it in the pan, its well worth the purchase.… Full Review »
  2. LeoT
    Jun 17, 2010
    10
    WOW! These guys never disappoint. highly recommended.
  3. AndyB
    Jun 16, 2010
    10
    Possibly the most honest blues album i've heard in a very long time. The honesty that presents itself in every track is incredible.
See all user reviews »