Rolling Stone (9/5/96, pp.60-62) - 4 Stars (out of 5) - "...a fine mix of brainy pop and brawny rock that finds Petty synthesizing rather than compartmentalizing these two aspects of his musical persona. SHE'S THE ONE also serves to remind how deceptively effortless good songwriting can be..."
Entertainment Weekly (8/9/96, pp.56-57) - "...SHE'S THE ONE may not be the most serious album Tom Petty has ever made, but, in a way, that makes it one of his most enjoyable." - Rating: A-
Q (9/96, p.120) - 4 Stars (out of 5) - "...it varies--like Petty's entire career--between barroom stodge...and fabulous, elegiac pop....Best are the centrepieces, `Walls' and `Angel Dream,' both reprised. They're Petty's forte--one big idea...beautifully put..."
Musician (10/96, p.82) - "...you don't necessarily have to see the film to pick up on the surreal cinematic vibe wafting through these Rick Rubin-produced sessions....Petty has the kind of warm, friendly voice that's as familiar and inviting as your neighbor's backyard barbecue..."
New York Times (Publisher) (8/6/96, p.C13) - "...an album of troubled love songs....Mr. Petty writes tunes that seem to have always existed. Behind the offhand delivery, the songs have the classic virtues of economy and directness."
Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers: Tom Petty (vocals, acoustic & electric guitars, harmonica, piano, harpsichord, bass, tambourine, timpani); Mike Campbell (acoustic & electric guitars, piano, bass, marxophone); Benmont Tench (piano, organ); Howie Epstein (bass, background vocals).
Additional personnel: Lili Haydn (violin); Michael Severens, Gerri Sutyak (cello); Curt Bisquera, Steve Ferrone, Ringo Starr (drums); Chris Trujillo (percussion); Lindsey Buckingham, Carl Wilson (background vocals).
Producers: Rick Rubin, Tom Petty, Mike Campbell.
Engineers: Jim Scott, Sylvia Massy.
On their soundtrack to Edward Burns' film "She's The One," Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers are as sharp as ever, executing smart, expertly crafted pop tunes studded with sparkling hooks and concise, memorable lyrics. The opener, "Walls (Circus)," sets the tone with twangy guitar and staccato '60s-style organ adorning an impossibly catchy song of love and acceptance that is philosophical yet totally unpretentious. From there, Petty and band glide easily from the raucous rave-up of "Zero From Outer Space" to the heart-stoppingly beautiful, acoustic guitar-driven "Angel Dream" (presented in two different versions).
Petty is a connoisseur of rock and roll, and he proves it here with two brilliantly chosen cover tunes: Lucinda Williams' "Changed The Locks" (curiously retitled to the present-tense "Change The Locks") and Beck's "Asshole." Petty stakes his claim to both with the help of his stalwart bandmates. Anyone who has ever appreciated Petty's songwriting gifts and the Heartbreakers' empathic accompaniment should receive this offering with open arms.