If anyone has the right to sound like Tom Petty it’s Mike Campbell, Petty’s longtime sideman in the Heartbreakers. On "Mission of Mercy" his fourth solo album, he and his backing band The Dirty Knobs establish their own unique identity while honoring Petty’s legacy.
Fresh off his best selling memoir, “Heartbreaker” Campbell’s songwriting and voice show more maturity while he blends his bar-band comfort zone with bolder sonic riffs. He goes from full throttle rockers to psychedelic experiments to ethereal ballads.
The title track is a lush, beautifully produced tribute to the genius of Brian Wilson and Kate Pierson of the B-52’s makes an appearance, enhancing an already quirky rocker.
Mike Campbell could have retired long ago and literally rested on his laurels... and the royalties from the many songs he wrote with Petty. But "Mission of Mercy" shows that he still has the drive to, as he says on the title cut, keep this dream alive. He masterfully expands on the music he’s been creating for over fifty years.