Hard Promises [Original recording remastered]

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Tom Petty's love affair with the more pop-oriented output of the Byrds and Dylan at their mid-'60s prime continued to find an increasingly wide audience in the '80s--and damned if some people didn't persist in calling it "new wave." Go figure. If writing hook-laden, instantly memorable pop-rock songs was both a sign of genius and one of music's toughest feats, Hard Promises (and its FM evergreens, "The Waiting" and "A Woman in Love") confirmed that Petty was one skinny, little, hard-working prodigy. Picking up effortlessly where Damn the Torpedoes left off, Petty and the equally conscientious Heartbreakers took nothing about their newfound fame for granted, delivering their fourth strong effort in a row, this one increasingly seasoned with touches of their Southern roots. The title hints at the tough underbelly beneath the jangly veneer of Petty's ever-accessible songwriting, exemplified here by "Nightwatchman," "Something Big," and "The Criminal Kind." All tracks on this edition have been upgraded via digital remastering, and the album's original inner artwork and lyrics have also been restored. --Jerry McCulley

Tracks:

The Waiting
A Woman In Love (It's Not Me)
Nightwatchman
Something Big
Kings Road
Letting You Go
A Thing About You
Insider
The Criminal Kind
You Can Still Change Your Mind

Amazon.com

Tom Petty's love affair with the more pop-oriented output of the Byrds and Dylan at their mid-'60s prime continued to find an increasingly wide audience in the '80s--and damned if some people didn't persist in calling it "new wave." Go figure. If writing hook-laden, instantly memorable pop-rock songs was both a sign of genius and one of music's toughest feats, Hard Promises (and its FM evergreens, "The Waiting" and "A Woman in Love") confirmed that Petty was one skinny, little, hard-working prodigy. Picking up effortlessly where Damn the Torpedoes left off, Petty and the equally conscientious Heartbreakers took nothing about their newfound fame for granted, delivering their fourth strong effort in a row, this one increasingly seasoned with touches of their Southern roots. The title hints at the tough underbelly beneath the jangly veneer of Petty's ever-accessible songwriting, exemplified here by "Nightwatchman," "Something Big," and "The Criminal Kind." All tracks on this edition have been upgraded via digital remastering, and the album's original inner artwork and lyrics have also been restored. --Jerry McCulley

Customer Reviews:

Another Masterpiece From A Righteous Rocker.......2007-04-22

HARD PROMISES is yet another masterpiece by Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, featuring such great FM standards as "The Waiting" and "A Woman In Love (And It's Not Me)", as well as such forgotten gems as "Letting You Go" and "King's Road." This CD features great remastering, greatly emphasizing a style whose inflences run the gamut from the Allman Brothers And The Outlaws to the Eagles and the Steve Miller Band to Springsteen, Seger, and the Band. Petty's advocacy of sanctions against Indonesia in retaliation for that country's trumped-up 2005 drug-smuggling conviction of a young Australian tourist makes HARD PROMISES an essential purchase for both your ears AND your conscience.

HIS FINEST WORK!.......2006-07-05

I have been into Petty since day one and I can honestly say that this is the one. Every band has that one album that is brilliant. Torpedos came close, but this is it. Best song in my opinion is Kings Road. A close second is Something Big. Other noteworthy tracks (I mean classics) are

The Waiting
A Woman In Love
Letting You Go
A Thing About You
Insider

If you've heard Petty over the years and haven't purchased anything. Don't start with the best of collections. Start right here. It doesn't get any better.

A TRUE Classic !!!.......2005-12-30

This is, without a doubt, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers' finest moment! I can still remember the battle he had with the record company over the pricing of this album! Due to the rise in oil prices (a main ingredient used to press vinyl albums), the record companies raised the standard list-price of an album from $7.98 to $8.98. TP fought his record company, going as far as threatening to name this album "$7.98"! Finally, the record company relented and priced the album at $7.98, thus allowing "Hard Promises" to be released to the masses! In addition to the classics "The Waiting", "Woman In Love (It's Not Me)" and "A Thing About You", also included is arguably the best TP & THB recorded song: "Something Big". BUY THIS DISC NOW!!!!!

Hard Promises (1981).......2005-10-09

While two years came between Damn the Torpedoes and Hard Promises, Hard Promises tends to be the weakest entry in Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers catalog so far. There are classic Petty tunes here like The Waiting and Insider, but much of the filler is weaker than it had been on previous albums. Songs like Nightwatchman tend to be rather goofy to me. Hard Promises is still a worthwhile edition to your Tom Petty collection, but it is just not as good as the albums that came before it.

Common man.......2005-09-22

If you don't like this album you're dead to the world. Best song - Something Big. Makes you wanna pull a gun on the man before you put a gun in your mouth. Classic period. Sorry all you music aficionados it's a feeling not a review.

Average customer rating:

Petty's best
Worth the wait
"Hard Promises" is REALLY "Something Big!"
Cold Hard Petty..at their best
It's Hard to Top This Stuff

Hard Promises
Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers
Manufacturer: Mobile Fidelity
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Rock | Styles | Music

General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music

Hard Rock | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music

Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) | Classic Rock | Styles | Music

General | Classic Rock | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Damn the Torpedoes
Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers
Echo
Long After Dark
Southern Accents

ASIN: B000000IS7
Release Date: 1992-09-21

Tracks:

The Waiting
A Woman In Love (It's Not Me)
Nightwatchman
Something Big
Kings Road
Letting You Go
A Thing About You
Insider
The Criminal Kind
You Can Still Change Your Mind

Customer Reviews:

Petty's best.......2007-05-21

While some say that Damn the Torpedoes is his best album, I tend to disagree. The song structures in this one is far superior. The album rocks a lot more and has some killer tunes which in my opinion seemes to lack on Damn. Anyway it is also an expensive Gold CD edition, which I never know if it is so superior in the end, but who cares since it sounds really great.

Worth the wait.......2003-11-13

This is without a doubt Tom Petty's finest recording. From the opening Byrds riff of "The Waiting", every song is a winner, and several are absolutely breathtaking. Two years after coming into their prime with what many would say is their best album, "Damn the Torpedoes", Petty and the Heartbreakers raised the bar lyrically while remaining at their musical peak. The worst songs were as good as their earlier material, while the best transcended anything done previously or since.

Some of the songs would have fit well on "Damn the Torpedoes" - the same sound, great performances, fine lyrics, and simply more of what TP fans loved 20-some years ago. Others went in new musical or lyrical directions and succeeded well, from the lighter pop sounds of "Letting You Go" and "You Can Still Change Your Mind" to the Dylanesque storyline in "Something Big". The icing on the cake, though, are the heartfelt and increasingly sophisticated lyrics that range from moving to passionate and even sublime on "The Waiting", "A Woman In Love", "Letting You Go", "You Can Still Change Your Mind", and especially the glorious "Insider".

"Insider", a duet with Stevie Nicks, is a quiet song that builds to a passionate, gutwrenching climax of understated but profoundly moving bitterness. I consider it the best song here (actually I consider it the best song ever written by Tom Petty), and the album title was taken from its lyrics. I can't imagine a better song about the pain of a relationship gone sour or lost.

"Hard Promises" was the last of 4 nearly-perfect albums of increasing quality between 1976 and 1981. This is Tom Petty grown up, but not old. After "Hard Promises" the band began a slow decline, producing 4 inconsistent and even bad albums before Petty's comeback with the Traveling Wilburys and Full Moon Fever. There were some really good songs even in that period of decline, and I respect the way TP tried going in new directions and took chances. But if you like the early sound of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, it simply doesn't get any better than this.

"Hard Promises" is REALLY "Something Big!".......2002-01-02

On this album, Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers really come into their own, thus coming up with a variety of unique musical styles and arrangements. This is evidenced in a majority of the selections featured on "Hard Promises". The album starts off with a rockin' flurry, courtesy of the first three numbers ("The Waiting", "A Woman In Love (It's Not Me)" and "Nightwatchman"), then mellows out with a soothing cool down, as noted in the tracks "Something Big", "Letting You Go" and "Insider". The CD almost ends just as it began, with the driven-homeness of "The Criminal Kind" and "You Can Still Change Your Mind". Even though Petty and the 'Breakers left a little of their Byrds and Dylan influences behind on "Hard Promises", this is still an outstanding effort, for the most part. Petty & crew really proved to the world they could stand on their own ten legs (even with a little help from Stevie Nicks, who provides backing vocals on "Insider" and "A Thing About You". Petty later returned the favor on Nicks' "Bella Donna" album, released later the same year "Hard Promises" came out [1981]), and it shows in the band's musicianship, as featured on this CD. Bob Dylan would be impressed with Tom Petty's awesome sound-alike vocalization on "The Criminal Kind". One of your first New Year's resolutions should be including this priceless musical gem in your CD collection. This should be one "Promise" that isn't "Hard" to keep, and thus, is one "Easy" sell!

Cold Hard Petty..at their best.......2001-08-14

If u are a fan of the band and want to get hold of some music which will touch many styles in one cd, then this is the one you want. It rocks!!

It's Hard to Top This Stuff.......2000-07-22

If you enjoy Tom Petty's music, you simply can't go wrong with "Hard Promises;" some might even contend that Petty and his band have never sounded better than on this album in 1981. The drab cover shot of Tom Petty in a record shop typifies his non-glamorous style, yet his music has held up solidly from the very beginnning. His tunes grab you with their tunefulness and hooks instantaneously, and his ability to make songwriting seem so effortless is unrivaled. Amazingly, no two Tom Petty songs usually ever sound that much alike, despite his unchanging style.

As for the actual songs on this great album, it's hard to go wrong with the leadoff 80's gem, "The Waiting," yet the album boasts even better songs. As usual, the lyrics are hard luck, the sound much brighter. "Nightwatchman," however, is a Tom Petty shot at humor and observation, a truly funny and astute song. His vocals sound great all over, yet particularly shine on "Something Big," where a tinge of typical Petty country-type sounds seep in. This album features its share of feel-good tunes as well, like on the bold sound of "Kings Road," where Petty flashes that classic jangly rock and roll that sounds perfect in the car as you're driving too fast on a beautiful day. "Kings Road" would sound awesome live, and actually is a precursor to future Petty classics off the album "Learning to Fly." "Letting You Go" is an endearing 60's style breakup song, containing bleak lyrics, yet featuring another feel-good type sound. The awesome "A Thing About You" keeps up the frollicking rock and roll pace, with an immensely catchy chorus and a rocking/honky tonk sound; check out Petty really letting loose on the guitars midway through. "Insider" is a very pretty ballad with Stevie Nicks contributing her perfect accompanying vocals, upping the true emotion in the song and blending perfectly with Petty's own emotional voice. With greats like "Insider," it's hard to believe only one hit escaped this album. Even second rate Petty tunes like "The Criminal Kind" - with its lazy slide guitar and observational lyrics - have an engaging quality that appeals to many people.

"Hard Promises" ends dramatically with another emotional gem, "You Can Still Change Your Mind." With such insightful and passionate lyrics, it's inexplicable why critics over the years have blasted Petty's words as being trite and meaningless. I happen to think he writes some of the best lyrics in the history of rock and roll. As I said, if you're looking for classic music, pick this one up.

Average customer rating:

Petty's best

Worth the wait

"Hard Promises" is REALLY "Something Big!"

Cold Hard Petty..at their best

It's Hard to Top This Stuff

Hard Promises
Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers
Manufacturer: Mca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Rock | Styles | Music
General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music
Hard Rock | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music
Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) | Classic Rock | Styles | Music
General | Classic Rock | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Damn the Torpedoes

Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers

Echo

Long After Dark

Southern Accents

ASIN: B000002PBL
Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

The Waiting
A Woman In Love (It's Not Me)
Nightwatchman
Something Big
Kings Road
Letting You Go
A Thing About You
Insider
The Criminal Mind
You Can Still Change Your Mind

Customer Reviews:

Petty's best.......2007-05-21

Worth the wait.......2003-11-13

"Hard Promises" is REALLY "Something Big!".......2002-01-02

Cold Hard Petty..at their best.......2001-08-14

If u are a fan of the band and want to get hold of some music which will touch many styles in one cd, then this is the one you want. It rocks!!

It's Hard to Top This Stuff.......2000-07-22

Tracks:

Promises (The Video)
Back In Your Face
Album Snippets

Album Description

The first single from their 1999 album 'Euphoria'. Pt.1 contains 'Promises', 'Back In Your Face', 'Album Snippets' (excerpts of the album tracks 'Demolition Man', 'Day After Day' & 'All Night') and the CD-ROM video to 'Promises'. Slimline jewel case. 1999

Album Details

Lead Single from the 1999 LP 'euphoria. This CD Sindge of 'promises' Includes the CD-ROM Video for Promises plus the Album Track 'back in Your Face'.

Customer Reviews:

Great Single!.......2003-08-26

Def Leppard hasn't lost their touch! Great Single!

Excellent CD Single.......1999-09-26

I like this CD a lot! The "Promises" video is just awesome. Go buy it!

Average customer rating:

No Promises...No Debts
Golden Earring
Manufacturer: Universal International
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Rock | Styles | Music

General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music

Hard Rock | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

Arena Rock | Classic Rock | Styles | Music

Rock | Imports | Stores | Music
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To the Hilt
Contraband
Switch
Grab It for a Second
Seven Tears

ASIN: B00005UBMV
Release Date: 2001-11-01

Tracks:

Heart Beat
Need Her
Sellin' Out
Snot Love in Spain
Save Your Skin
D Light
Tiger Bay
Weekend Love
Don't Close the Door
Don't Stop the Show
By Routes

Album Description

1991 reissue of the Dutch rockers' 1979 album for Polydor.Features the original cover art & all 11 of the originalcuts, including 'Heart Beat', 'Need Her' & 'Snot Love InSpain'. A Polydor release.

Average customer rating:

solid
Me-di-oc-re
Solid Earring
Fun doesn't mean stupid
Not really bad, Not really good

No Promises...No Debts
Golden Earring
Manufacturer: Umvd Import
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Rock | Styles | Music

General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music

Hard Rock | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) | Classic Rock | Styles | Music

Arena Rock | Classic Rock | Styles | Music

Classic Rock | Imports | Stores | Music

Rock | Imports | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Prisoner of the Night
Grab It for a Second

ASIN: B000025B9S
Release Date: 2003-03-25

Tracks:

Heart Beat
Need Her
Sellin' Out
Snot Love in Spain
Save Your Skin
D Light
Tiger Bay
Weekend Love
Don't Close the Door
Don't Stop the Show
By Routes

Album Description

1991 reissue of the Dutch rockers' 1979 album for Polydor. Features the original cover art & all 11 of the original cuts, including 'Heart Beat', 'Need Her' & 'Snot Love In Spain'. A Polydor release.

Customer Reviews:

solid.......2006-11-09

An avid ge fan will enjoy this cd. As other reviewers noted D-light is highly underrated as it rocks with typical goldenearring intensity. The lyrics are generally right on and both singers are pretty damm good . The variety of songs is quite interesting . Goldenearring was a progresive band so dont expect to hear the son of radar love on this cd , it takes a couple of listens to get the feel of the cd buts its worth it. The most underrated band in rock history who is still alive and well today , 2006.

Me-di-oc-re.......2005-11-12

Personally, I'm not really into their mid-late 70's work, like Contraband (I can't understand for the life of me what people see in this one) and Switch (same here), but No, Promises No Debts isn't all garbage. "Don't Stop The Show" is a great, quickly accesable, no bulls**t, straight-up hard rocker. "Save Your Skin" is also pretty good, but let me tell you that there's a highly superior version on 1981's 2nd Live, so seek that out if you want to hear this song at it's fullest. "Tiger Bay", "D-Light" and "Weekend Love" aren't great, but they're not terrible either. "By Routes" is just an instrumental filler track, and others, such as "Don't Close The Door", "Snot Love In Spain", and "Need Her" are too mediocre, or downright crappy, to even listen to.

With only a couple good tracks, I don't think No Promises is worth the money. At least collect their good stuff first. By GOOD stuff, I mean Bloody Buccaneers, Last Blast Of The Century, Together, Moontan, etc. Be WARY of Contraband and Switch. If you're a "Twilight Zone" person, like me, you'll prefer the likes of Bloody Buccaneers, Last Blast, etc.

Solid Earring.......2005-08-18

Not their best effort, but certainly a worthy entry in their long catalog. The previous review of this CD by Nicole, listing what she called the four excellent tracks (Heartbeat, Weekend Love, Don't Stop The Show, and Save Your Skin), hits the nail perfectly on the head. Those four songs are the outstanding highlights of this CD, and I would also include Selling Out for it's scathing lyrics. There are certainly one or two mundane filler tracks on here (Snot Love In Spain, Need Her), but the rest of the CD more than makes up for the one or two snoozers. If you're checking the band out for the first time, you'd be better off getting one of their other CDs first, as they have a number of better discs (Prisoner Of The Night (originally released in the US as Long Blond Animal); Grab It For A Second; their first Live; and probably Cut). But if you already like these four guys and don't have this one yet, don't hesitate to snatch it up - you'll definitely be glad you did.

I've been a big Earring fan since their first double-live album in '76, so of course my opinion is probably somewhat biased, but that still doesn't detract from the general solid quality of this CD. The superlative Save Your Skin is alone worth the price of admission.

Fun doesn't mean stupid.......2002-11-29

I just love this album, just for its simplicity and its lightness.I can also understand the disappointement of some other reviewers, but really this one has to be taken at a second degree and when you slide into the humour and the non-chalance of some the tracks, you can't do without a smile!
And let's not forget that No Promises contains the excellent SAVE YOUR SKIN,HEARTBEAT, DON'T STOP THE SHOW and the single WEEKEND LOVE.
If you want r'n'r to be serious and serious only...then I suppose you really are no fun and shouldn't buy this cd, if you like fun and extremely well-done r'n'r grab this one and enjoy.

Not really bad, Not really good.......2001-09-26

I like Golden Earring a lot but this album seemed rushed a little. This album was their final release for Polygram. I do however think that if you are a fan you will like this album. The tracks that rock are "Weekend Love", "Heartbeat" and "Snot Love In Spain". I'm glad they released this on CD finally because it was near impossible to get a hold of it previously. I don't think that this album will be remembered as a great album by Golden Earring but it will rank above their release "Keeper Of The Flame" which was very disappointing.