Full Moon Fever is the debut solo album by American musician Tom Petty, released in 1989. It features contributions from members of his band The Heartbreakers, notably guitarist Mike Campbell. It also features contributions from Jeff Lynne, Roy Orbison and George Harrison. They were all in the supergroup the Traveling Wilburys with Petty, who released their debut album the previous year.

Jeff Lynne (the main force behind famous band ELO) produced the debut Wilburys album, along with Full Moon Fever. They both feature his trademark production style: a very flat and dry snare sound, heaps of acoustic and chiming guitars and a rootsy yet polished sound. He also writes and does backing vocals on most of the album. As with the Wilburys record, Full Moon Fever features 50s and 60s rock and roll influences.

The album features Petty’s biggest hits, “Free Fallin’,” “I Won’t Back Down,” and “Runnin’ Down a Dream.” I love all of these tracks, although the latter does drag on a bit for me. George Harrison also plays on “I Won’t Back Down” and fellow Beatle Ringo Starr plays drums in the video (although not on the record).

The only track I dislike is “Love Is a Long Road,” which has inspired gasps of disbelief from some friends! I am just not a fan of the overblown 80s rock style of the track, with its minor chords and synths. The following “A Face in The Crowd” also isn’t a favourite of mine, but the chorus is rather pleasant.

From “Feel a Whole Lot Better” onwards, the album is absolutely flawless for me. The former is a cover of the Byrds song from the 60s. The cover doesn’t add anything new, but is a nice addition to the album, as it displays how the jangly Rickenbacker guitars of the band inspired Petty and Full Moon Fever. Apart from the simple lullaby “Alright for Now” the rest of the album is full of these 60s and Rubber Soul-era Beatles influences, with a very upbeat and easygoing feel.

*Petty holding a Rickenbacker guitar on the cover, known for its bright sound

This album is part of a period where the Wilburys (aside from Bob Dylan) were working together to create multiple albums with this homespun, toe-tapping feel; Cloud Nine by Harrison, the two Travelin’ Wilburys albums, Armchair Theatre by Lynne, Into the Great Wide Open by Petty and the Heartbreakers (Petty would remain with the band for the rest of his career, only releasing a few solo albums). These albums are all produced by Lynne, feature heavy collaboration with each other and have this distinctive sound that I love.

9/10