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John Mellencamp - Life Death Love and Freedom Audio CD

A fair review of the John Mellencamp "Life Death Love and Freedom" Audio CD. Please note that the below review is the views of the authors, and authors only. You can get a complete list of all John Mellencamp reviews here, or go back to the John Mellencamp tabs.

John Mellencamp Band: John Mellencamp
Title: Life Death Love and Freedom
Rating:
Release Date: 2008-07-15
Media: Audio CD

Tracks: 1: Longest Days 2: My Sweet Love 3: If I Die Sudden 4: Troubled Land 5: Young Without Lovers 6: John Cockers 7: Don't Need This Body 8: A Ride Back Home 9: Without A Shot 10: Jena 11: Mean 12: County Fair 13: For The Children 14: A Brand New Song

Songs of Death and Love ..
To me he appeared like a quintessential Rock star - albeit with a better than average panache of writing and singing - patriotic and aware and unlike the plethora of others, which probably did set him apart a bit. I have been listening to Mellencamp for many years, sporadically, a bit here and a bit there, both new and old stuff alike. A common man's Springsteen, a hero of the blue collar and a purveyor of art in the most common, rudimentary, honest form.

Apparently, with this 2008 disc, and a follow up Live of the same material, and another one in the backburner, Mellencamp is done being a (average & ubiquitous) Rock star. Appears the man who sang Like a Rolling Stone in 'Bobfest,' Dylan's 30th Anniversary Concert, is trying to find his groove without losing any sense of direction or conviction.

T Bone, the maverick producer behind some great modern albums like Raising Sand (Krauss & Plant), creates a damp dark rainy backdrop for Mellencamp's rootsy back up band and his deep gusty singing. The lyrics are among the best he has penned - it is like the man is resurged from a long & deep slumber - and moving with a reason.

Personally, I think this is one of his best works. When an artist like Mellencamp, with a relatively long history of record making, puts out something new, it becomes difficult to compare with earlier bodies of work. How can you compare this record to Lonesome Jubilee or Scarecrow? That was a different time - this is a different time; people change and he is no different. In spite, I would rate this one of his best, something I will be listening to for some time to come.

Look forward to the next one as well.
.


Will make you think, make you laugh, make you cry, make you love, and make you proud of who you are
Twangy guitar tones set the pace for the upbeat duet "My Sweet Love. The Good
"Longest Days" is about getting closer to the end of your life and realizing you are mortal and no longer invincible. " "If I Die Sudden" bounces along to a faded guitar strum. Mellencamp always had a way of telling a story through someone eles eyes, and he does it again on John Cockers. "Don't Need This Body" is another track about death drawing near. Only this time instead of illness bringing you down, it about all the work and struggle that life puts you through. "Without a Shot" is a dark and smoky journey. "County Fair" has a nice southern groove to it. Mellencamp ponders why we can't be more humanitarian in our own country on "For the Children. "

The Bad
Not really the material you recall from his work in the eighties.

The Verdict
John Mellencamp is slowing down a bit in his twilight years (and stripping back the instruments), but he still has plenty of things to say. Mellencamp's latest will make you think, make you laugh, make you cry, make you love, and make you proud of who you are and what you've done.


Mellencamp Cd ok
If you like his recent stuff, you will like this album. This cd is Ok it is just an evolution of his style,with a basic sound.


John Cougar music CD
The one I returned was the same. I am not satisfied with the quality sound of this music CD. It almost sounds as if it was recorded from a tape recorder. I guess you get what you pay for.


If you WANT to committ suicide, this is a great CD to do it to!
I'd rename it "Music to Commit Suicide To". This is without a doubt the most depressing CD I've ever heard. Without a doubt the whiniest music I've ever heard. It's appropriate that it came out after our WORST president in history was elected (Obama). No doubt many will buy this as they repent their election choices. Sales of sackcloth should go up, too!.


You can see a complete list of all John Mellencamp discography, or go back to the John Mellencamp tabs. There is also a good guide on how to read guitar tabs here.

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