On my list if all-time greatest albums is a slot reserved for Tom Petty. It holds what I feel is his greatest album: Into the Great Wide Blue
It is one of the last good albums to be made as the dying art which was the whole album telling a story, or of a concept, in its entirety. Today, the goal is a couple of singles and some filler, and is a small market behind other delivery methods.
The album talks about him, what he has been, and what he had hoped to be. He talked about ideas such as being a rebel without a clue to taking control of his life and not living up to the expectation of others. He spoke about having some fun and just being able to make some noise.
It was a very riveting and passioned album, full of tracks just far ahead of average to be good - but telling a whole story that is great. Is there any one single phenomenal song? Not really... There are no bad songs, either. It's just above average, which is a feat to do across a whole body of work.
It was typical Tom Petty and, I think, the best of his work and thus belonging in my list of favorites. He will be missed.