2 (2016)/ Mudcrutch

"Tom Petty reunited his original band Mudcrutch in 2008. Their eponymous album was a good-natured ramble through the past. That relaxed country-rock vibe proved irresistible, so he reconvened Mudcrutch in 2016. "2" isn't quite a straight sequel: "2" is streamlined and tight. All five musicians contribute at least one song, but Petty is the quintet's undisputed leader, writing 7 of the 11 songs and setting the tone for 2, emphasizing a thick, swampy guitar grind that nevertheless finds space for the country breeze of Tom Leadon's "The Other Side Of The Mountain," Randall Marsh's '70s throwback "Beautiful World," Benmont Tench's retro-boogie "Welcome to Hell," and Mike Campbell's garage raver "Victim of Circumstance." All of these provide grace notes to a strong set of Petty songs that range from heartbroken ballads ("Beautiful Blue") and psychedelic stompers ("Hope") to Byrdsian jangle ("Save Your Water"). (...) [But] the main charm of Mudcrutch is their casualness." (S.T. Erlewine, Allmusic; 4 uit 5 sterern)