The Last DJ

When it's good, it's really good.

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.

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]

A little more electric guitar would've helped, but these tales of capitalism gone amok are worth checking out.

His most consequential songs in years. [11 Oct 2002, p.83]

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]

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.

Petty sounds like a bitter old man howling at the moon. [Dec 2002, p.110]

The Last DJ is quintessential Petty, by turns strident and starry-eyed.

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.

Petty's thesis is strong, but his argument falters too often.

Pale fire, but fire nonetheless. [Dec 2002, p.130]