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The Last DJ
by
The Last DJ Image
Metascore
61

Generally favorable reviews - based on 14 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 30 Ratings

  • 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.

Top Track

Have Love, Will Travel
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 14
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 14
  3. Negative: 1 out of 14
  1. Entertainment Weekly
    91
    His most consequential songs in years. [11 Oct 2002, p.83]
    All this publication's reviews
  2. PopMatters
    90
    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.
  3. E! Online
    83
    A little more electric guitar would've helped, but these tales of capitalism gone amok are worth checking out.
  4. Rolling Stone
    60
    The Last DJ is quintessential Petty, by turns strident and starry-eyed.
  5. The A.V. Club
    50
    Petty's thesis is strong, but his argument falters too often.
  6. Village Voice
    50
    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.
  7. AllMusic
    30
    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.

See all 14 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 14
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 14
  3. Negative: 1 out of 14
  1. DebraS
    Dec 9, 2002
    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 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.… Expand
  2. gregf
    Nov 26, 2002
    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
  4. JorgeB
    Dec 3, 2002
    10
    Excellent lyrics...Tom still has something to say that matters...the music is solid, the album, one of his best.
  5. Andre
    Oct 9, 2002
    9
    There is nothing wrong with this album. Classic Petty!!! The DVD that comes with it is great
  6. CMoney
    Mar 15, 2005
    9
    Very Interesting album, simple lyrics yes, to the point yes, petty voice older fading? yes. Despite all this, a very refreshing album with 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… Expand
  7. CliffS
    Oct 15, 2002
    9
    No matter what some critics say: This album is great! It takes a little bit of getting used to but if you listen more than once to it No matter what some critics say: This album is great! It takes a little bit of getting used to but if you listen more than once to it you´ll just have to love it! Have Love, Will Travel and Can´t Stop the Sun are two of the best songs Petty ever recorded.… Expand
  8. PaulH
    Jul 3, 2005
    2
    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 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.… Expand

See all 14 User Reviews

Awards & Rankings

65
#65 Most Discussed Album of 2002
74
#74 Most Shared Album of 2002

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