Customer Reviews

Cuttin' Heads

5 star:		(32)
4 star:		(17)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(9)
1 star:		(7)

 

 

As Mellencamp has aged his music has become more experimental and relaxed, and on "Cuttin' Heads" he continues to evolve in this manner. The opening track, dealing with interracial relationships, is your typical Mellencamp song except this time employing rapper Chuck D. from Public Enemy to do an intelligent rap at the end of the song. The rhytm is purely hip hop country in true Mellencamp style. He mixes black and white music with politics and it turns out nicely. Who can't help but repeat the line "Lay low proud Poppi"? and "Shout It Out". This moves right into the best song on the cd "Peaceful World". A very catchy harmony and chorus of "Come on baby take a ride with me, I'm up from Indiana down to Tennessee, Everything is cool as can be in a peaceful world". Again, a song about racism, well thought out and with the added bonus of India.Arie's vocals and harmonies. "Deep Blue Heart" is unusual for Mellencamp in that this sounds like a ballad, and to my knowledge of 1982's "American Fool" to 1998's "John Mellencamp", he has never really done a straight ahead ballad. This, too, is well crafted, with the help of Trisha Yearwood. At this point in the cd it seems clear that Mellencamp is using a more r&b, soulful sound than on previous records but then you have "Crazy Island", a nice jab at Americans and our egocentric take on the world. "Just Like You" is a sharp, poignant love song about relying on your partner (or whomever) from time to time to bring some happiness and hope into your life. It's side two that things change a bit, and not necessarily for the better..."The Same Way I Do" is rather forgettable but the humor and narcissism of "Women Seem" is interesting and catchy, and then something new comes along like "Worn Out Nervous Condition" which does not strike me as your typical Mellencamp song, and in fact, he alters his voice here to nice effect I think. My least favorite track is "Shy". What was Mellencamp thinking??? At fifty you don't sing a song that has a chorus, "Sexually I'm Shy Shy Shy" even if he's pretending to look through the eyes of a teenage boy, it still doesn't gel and using a reggae beat doesn't quite work for Mellencamp. "In Our Lives" is a nice closing epitaph and summary about there being no right way to live your life and how Mellencamp comments on his own behavior and feelings about his world right now. So, another solid entry from Mellencamp who, in my humble opinion, has far outshined comparisons to Bruce Springsteen and Bob Dylan as a talent.

Aside from the eerie photo of JCM that graces the cover of CUTTIN' HEADS, this is his best CD in years. Mellencamp's trademark Americana sound still resonates in these tracks but 50 year old Mellencamp isn't afraid to stripdown and focus instead his own lyric-driven sensibilities. The result is a refreshingly mature sound that is bound to win JCM new fans without alienating die-hards. A true message that doesn't have to beat the listener over the head to get his point across, tracks like "Cuttin Heads" and "Peaceful World" are sobering and timely (especially in the aftermath of the Sept 11 disaster.) I bought this disk yesterday and have been listening to it non-stop. Best tracks: "Peaceful World," "Deep Blue Heart," "Women Seem," and "Cuttin Heads."

John Mellencamp is not only one of America's richest and most rewarding artists, but a true and unabashed voice of the normal man or woman alive today - not only from and about the beating heartland.

Be it the working man or the intellectual, the lonely mother or the estranged victim of racism. Hell, be it the struggling rich rock star (yes, himself, all tongue in cheek but barebones honest too), Mellencamp's songs are first and foremost about people. Human beings.

This grit and soul coupled with his almost criminally addictive pop and rock sensibilities rooted in his own characteristic country sound make almost all his songs and albums essential listening.

Cuttin' Heads at first seems maybe only catchy, raw and playful like Dance Naked (1999) was and not up to the plush standard of his masterful and more evocative gems; Scarecrow (1985), Lonesome Jubilee (1987), Big Daddy (1989) and Human Wheels (1993), but don't be fooled.

Listen closer and the songs will unfold themselves. It's actually a melting pot: he successfully takes echoes of the trance hip-hop and Latin influences he toyed with on Mr. Happy Go Lucky (1996) and mixes it with the wise and reflective gentlemen rock of his overlooked self-titled John Mellencamp (1998) album from three years ago.

Chuck D. (Public Enemy) pops up in a muscular performance on the title track and the absolutely wonderful Peaceful World takes it's deserved place among the most immaculate of Mellencamp's songs (yes, right by Pink Houses and Jack And Diane). As does Women Seem - a great song about the 'little' difference between the sexes (if there ever was one) and it's also a very self-aware joke of his former life style. Bravo.

Crazy Island (yup, that's America) talks of "mysteries in your mansions and good fortunes in your plans" and goes on to state "you're well-respected, we all know, now let's check on your children.." In these times it's haunting. To say the least.

Cuttin' Heads is warm, intelligent and fuzzy rock. Right from the bottle.

While once on a sold-out European tour in 1992, Mellencamp was asked how he could relate to an audience so far from home when he's obviously such an American artist. The camera-shy (read: camera-annoyed) John looked up and said firmly: "Well, see, I write about emotions and they're universal. And I love creation."

Just like Bob Dylan (on 2001's Love & Theft), Mellencamp is at a place where the joy of creation and raising your voice can be both racy, provocative and thoughful - simply for the one reason of being able to be just that and wanting to share it.

And 'now more than ever' - as he once sang himself.

Highly recommended.

John Mellencamp has consistently released one classic album after another and "Cuttin' Heads" is no exception.The title track tackles racism and contains an excellent rap from Chuck D.Peaceful World is one of the strongest cuts on the album and the timing of its release was unbelievable in light of the tragic events that took place on Sept 11.The duet with Trisha Yearwood is nice but Crazy Island just makes you want to stomp your feet, clap your hands and shoulder shuffle.Just Like You is typical Mellencamp and could fit on any of his albums gracefully(with the exception of the classic trilogy,Scarecrow,Jubillee,Daddy, which will never be matched nor bettered).Mellencamp slows things down on The Same Way I do which results in a beautiful love song which is followed by the brilliant Women Seem that is already a cult favourite with the live audience.Shy is the only filler on the album in my opinion,I just can't take to it.but the album ends with a Jubillee type In Our Lives which is simply superb.All in all I would recommend this album to anyone and give a big thumbs up to Mellencamp for another classic album.

Long awaited, self-produced worthy follow-up to Lonesome Jubilee. Yes, the attitude is back in the voice and the songwriting is the best since that awesome album from '87.
Add Don Gehman behind the mixertable and you've got an album that
leaves all he did in the 90's gasping for air...
The titletrack, co-written by and featuring Chuck D, is one of the heaviest songs from Mellencamp both music and lyricwise.
And the hits just keep on coming; Peaceful World, Crazy Island, Women Seem and In Our Lives are all pontential singles.
Cuttin' Heads was recorded during sessions made both in 2000 and 2001. Easy to here that a lot of time and work has gone in to producing it. Nice attention to details.
Out of the 10 songs at least 8 stands out as classics after almost a weeks nonstop listening.
I'd say 4,5!

Ever since he dropped that annoying "Cougar", John Mellencamp has made one solid album after another. For those who may consider him a second-rate Springsteen (and, we must admit, that was just what we thought at one time), the fact is, he is a genuine talent with his own voice, vision and sound. This is another workmanlike effort (we mean that as a compliment, we think he'd take it as one) filled with songs about race, politics, love and sex. Don't expect any major departures ( although he always throws in a twist or two--here, for example, a guest appearance by rapper Chuck D)...just another 10 well-crafted songs sung in his gritty, Midwestern tenor, accompanied by his good, old, American band.

I've always been a John Mellencamp fan (all the way back to Jack and Diane). It's been a while since I've bought one of his albums, but I bought this one on a whim. I should have read some reviews first. I'm very disappointed. Cuttin' Heads and Peaceful World are ok songs, but there isn't a standout in the bunch. Too many of them are too mellow. Pass on this album if you like the older stuff.

I have to say first that I have been a Mellencamp fan for years. For the most part, I found each of his his releases to consistently explore new ground, and new elements to his songs. My first go 'round with the Cuttin' Heads tracks left me with a wide range of reactions, but as with other Mellencamp releases, the second, third and subsequent plays begin to engage you with hidden elements Mellencamp incorporates in his work - the lyrics and musical arrangements in particular. There is a little too much background vocals on some of the tracks for my taste - on Cuttin Heads, Shy and Peaceful World - John is best with rock. Nonetheless Peaceful World is classic Mellencamp. Just Like You, The Same Way I Do and Worn Out Nervous Condition are toned down, smooth flowing rock. Women Seem is quiet and personal - on his recent tour, John sang it accompanied only by his acoustical guitar - great. If you like what John Mellencamp produced over the last 5 to 7 years, you will like what you hear on this CD. Remember to listen to it several times before you make up you mind.

I've noticed a trend in the reviews here. Nobody finds the negative reviews helpful and everyone finds the positive reviews helpful - hmmmm. Also, the negative reviews seem to come from longtime fans. Add me to that list. I've been listening to Mellencamp (Cougar) since I was in college 20 years ago. I bought this CD prior to a long trip and listened to it about 3 times all the way through. It was really disappointing. My gosh, it was almost boring. Maybe those of us who remember the early work are still hoping for a return to the gritty sounds of classics like "I Need A Lover" or "Don't Misunderstand Me." If that's what you're looking for, you'd probably be well advised to stay away from this one. Mellencamp isn't "fighting authority" anymore.

No one really expects wonders from John Mellencamp these days, some would argue they never really did. But we, as fans, still hold out hope that he'll release something on a par with The Lonesome Jubilee or Scarecrow. On 1998's self titled album he was halfway there - a handful of those songs were crackers while the rest failed to fire. Mellencamp's still got plenty to say and if ever there were a time for his brand of soul-searching rock it's now. Unfortunately, Cuttin' Heads is of a similar nature to prior albums - some superb songs, some nice-trys, and some pass-me-bys. The first song here 'Cuttin' Heads' is an interesting experiment in rap/rock/gospel with Chuck D, while 'Peaceful World' with India Arie on backing vocals is the obvious crowd-pleaser and is an ear-ctaching first single. 'Deep Blue Heart' is thoughtful, beautifully written and the standout track; however just when you think Mellencamp is reclaiming former glories he begins to coast. 'Just Like You' is prototype Mellencamp, it's a pretty good song but one that John has written a bunch of times already in the 90's. 'Crazy Island' is his state of the nation address and is a upbeat/singalong but ultimately throwaway rock number. Elsewhere there's some nice touches and a few solid grooves - but it all sounds a little familiar. Commendably, John Mellencamp has always written for the masses, however whether Cuttin' Heads will be heard much outside his loyal fanbase remains to be seen.