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Does Mellencamp still have what it takes in the biz? Clint and Doren give their opinions. Press Play
By Clint Rhodes
In the beginning there was Johnny Cougar. Cougar was the cocky rebel who burst on the scene with a knack for creating likeable tunes such as “I Need a Lover,” “Hurts So Good” and “Jack & Diane.” Followed by a maturing John Cougar Mellencamp, who delivered mega hits like “Pink Houses,” “Small Town” and “R.O.C.K. in the U.S.A.” Twenty-nine years later, Mellencamp is still making great music with a message.
At 56 years of age, Mellencamp’s latest effort, Life Death Love and Freedom, focuses on these related themes with a combination of blues, folk, country and rockabilly. “Longest Days” opens and sets the tone for the album as Mellencamp announces, “All I got here/Is a rearview mirror/Reflections of where I’ve been.” He concludes, “Life is short/Even in the longest days.”
T Bone Burnett produces another masterpiece, similar to his incredible work with Robert Plant and Alison Krauss on “Raising Sand.” In fact, many of Mellencamp’s songs sound oddly familiar to the Plant/Krauss duo thanks to the help of some beautiful backing vocals by Karen Fairchild of Little Big Town. The two voices mesh smoothly together on the stunning, yet simple, “My Sweet Love.”
Long considered the voice of the Heartland, Mellencamp has always been a poet with a pen. He continues to paint vivid pictures through his words as he speaks from the heart to the heart of America. “I won’t bother you no more/If you can just get me in the door,” Mellencamp pleads as he asks Jesus to welcome him home on the gospel-tinged “A Ride Back Home.”
Despite its dark tone, Mellencamp’s album offers a glimmer of hope by closing with the promising “A Brand New Song.” “Life is always in motion/New people to count on/Here we find a purpose/To sing a brand new song.”
Mellencamp is older, wiser and more eloquent than ever. As a result, his new material mirrors his observations over an accomplished life. Perhaps he recognizes his own mortality as he sings, “This life’s been right to me/I got a whole bunch more than I deserve,” on “If I Die Sudden.”
Mellencamp may see the end coming, but he knows he’s not done yet. His powerful presence is far from fading, as Mellencamp adds another successful chapter to his musical career. “Life Death Love and Freedom” isn’t a pick me up; it’s more of an eye opener. This is clearly Mellencamp’s best work since 1985’s Scarecrow. Just PRESS PLAY.
Press Pause
By Doren Michael
Well, I’m not sure who John Mellencamp is anymore. It seems like more and more artists are “reinventing” themselves. I would have to say that Mellencamp’s latest, Life, Death, Love and Freedom, isn’t as much a reinvention as it is a tempo change for him. This album steers directly towards heavy political overtones, which I don’t really care for in this era, the time for that was the ’70s.
I really haven’t enjoyed anything since he dropped his John Cougar persona. Even though I respect T Bone Burnett, his production skills add no great listening pleasure for me on this latest effort. The songs are lyrically deep, emotional and pessimistically realistic, but I don’t feel the same thing in correlation to the music, like you would experience with a good Bob Dylan record, even though he does stay within his blue-collar themed style that he’s become so familiar for. Though one highlight would have to be “Troubled Land” with its Tom Petty-ish style overtones.
Mellencamp’s voice still does sound remarkably good. It has weathered the years very nicely and settles in quite perfectly with the tone of this record. But please bring me back the Scarecrow. Oh, how I miss those days of his playful side. It seems sometimes that his long and hard struggles with record labels and the industry have left him jaded and too serious. I cringe every time I hear his great song “Our Country” being used to sell automobiles; one sell-out aspect I never thought he’d partake of.
And anyone that saw his heartfelt, powerful speech and performance during his induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame noticed his weathered skin and small-framed body. However, he could still entertain and belt out some of the fan’s favorite songs. Even though Madonna was also inducted that same night, Mellencamp easily took the show.
His charisma and genuine affection for his country, family, fans and friends is unparalleled. I just wish this album had been able to catch that “lighting in a bottle” just a little bit more. And on that unfortunate note, I must PRESS PAUSE.