Customer Reviews

Life, Death, Love and Freedom

5 star:		(49)
4 star:		(23)
3 star:		(10)
2 star:		(10)
1 star:		(13)

 

 

Despite its scintillating title John Mellencamp's new LP "Life, Death, Love and Freedom" is one of the quietest records of his career, but its lyrical depth, coupled with rich, intimate simplicity, makes it a formidable one. This is essentially folk music with some exceptions, yet these songs very much pulsate with electricity and character.

Vocals and guitar generally take the forefront, with Mellencamp's sentiments hanging loose in the balance. It's dark, even cryptic, but it's also bold and exciting, especially from a talented songwriter who could simply churn out a dozen radio-friendly southern rockers if he wanted to. Evoking similar themes as heard on last year's warmly received "Freedom Road," Mellencamp sounds as inspired as ever in his comments concerning the state our country is in. He speaks to those frustrated about its current state of affairs and the need for change, yet never lets negativity win.

Many of the songs have already found public exposure such as "Jena," the controversy-arousing response to the by-now infamous controversy that occurred last year in Jena, Louisiana, as well as "If I Die Sudden," a resigned, dignified approach to mortality he has introduced into concert setlists. Frenetic, bouncy lead single "My Sweet Love" injects the otherwise downtrodden album with its near-syrupy sentiments.

"Mean," an understated, nearly spoken-word protest of another's jaded outlook on life, finds Mellencamp wise and observant, but never too cynical to see the silver lining or lose a sense of innocence.

"I'm not following your frame of mind/Complaining about this life all the time/Surely something good here as the world spins by/Could you please stop being so mean?"

"Without a Shot," an astoundingly eloquent criticism of the Iraq War, finds Mellencamp wading through the rubble of our nation and struggling to make sense of it all, marking what is definitely one of his finest moments as a songwriter.

"So we open up our eyes at midnight/See the setting of the sun/Foundation is crumbling/The inner structure's gone/Used up by corruption/And the passage of time/We hope we've got some fight left/'Cause our children, our children are dying."

Further standouts like "Troubled Land" ("I got a pain in my side/But I keep traveling on") and "Don't Need This Body" ("Well all my friends are sick or dying/And I'm here all by myself/All I got left is a head full of memories/And a thought of my upcoming death") shed further light on the current state of quiet desperation working its way into the tiniest nooks and crevices of our nation. Something has got to give, and Mellencamp's passion and fury combine to produce a vivid snapshot of America in the 2000s.

He concludes the album with "For the Children," a gentle reassurance to youth growing up in a confusing time ("I hope you can be a child of life/With big dreams for everyone/And know that dying's as natural as birth/And our troubles here, they don't last long"), and "A Brand New Song," an ode to reinvigorating livelihood and looking to a brighter future.

It may not have brash, in-your-face entertainment value or artistic pretensions (Starbucks label affiliation aside - give the guy a break, he needs a way to get his music out there in this unpredictable, adversarial market), but "Life, Death, Love and Freedom" is pure, wall-to-wall beauty and truth. If all singer/songwriters could be as soul-searching and thoughtful as Mellencamp proves himself to be on this album, this world would be a richer, more rewarding place to live and breathe. Sure, there are no easy-as-Coca Cola concert singalongs like "Jack and Diane" or "Small Town" here to guzzle down, but Mellencamp, like most talented artists, has evolved.

For all of those living in fear, frustration and heartache in today's world, he reaches out through his words and music. All he asks now is that you might pay him a listen.

Here is John Mellencamp in all his American Glory. People who still bank on his stalwart hits like "Jack and Diane" just because it's still in heavy rotation on FM top forty are missing the best of this man's career. Songs like "A Troubled Land" and the beautifully melancholy "A Ride Back Home" are songs for the everyman and everywoman in the United States who are feeling spiritually bankrupt these days. This is truly a CD for the downtrodden, made for hard times, crafted for the helpless and the hopeless. I'm betting this one will go down as one of Mellencamp's masterpieces long after he stops making music. "Life Death Love and Freedom" is proof that there are still great songwriters out there and not all of them have sold their soul to the pop machine.

Okay, for those John Mellencamp listeners that fell in love with his music by purchasing `Uh-Huh', `Scarecrow', `Big Daddy' or `Lonesome Jubilee' at some point in their lives, let me say that you should not purchase "Life, Death, Love and Freedom". With the exception of `My Sweet Love', you will be sorely disappointed. There is very little that is radio friendly. I can only compare it to the reaction from fans of Bruce Springsteen that purchased `Nebraska' thinking it would be another `Born in the USA'. That is the bad news.

The good news is that the lyrical strength of this release is truly impressive. They might represent the best introspective words ever written regarding reflections of a person growing old (`with less days in front of the horse than in the back of the cart') and awareness of one's mortality. That said, "Life, Death, Love and Freedom" is very dark. Few young listeners will appreciate the significance and older listeners may have to hide the gun that they may want to put to their head after a few listens.

Within the past few years, a trend in the recording industry has been to take an established artist and develop material that is stripped down to essential elements (Neil Diamond, Jakob Dylan, Johnny Cash, etc.). Caveat Emptor - that is what you are getting here. With a few exceptions, this is essentially a folk release As such, it will probably find a small audience to appreciate it. That is a shame because it is a very, very good folk CD. You just have to be into that genre. I am, and after fifteen straight listens, it is still in my CD player.

......Now if you'll excuse me I have to go buy some bullets.....

"Life Death Love and Freedom" is yet another strong outing by John Mellencamp. It seems as though some people will not be satisfied with John's music until he goes back to creating formulaic rock gems from when he was in his 20s and 30s. He was clearly a master of creating those types of songs, but he obviously has moved on and is focused more on a hybrid sound of blues, rock, and folk. Is that a good thing? I definitely think so.

Perhaps at some point in the future John will go back to his early days and release a pure rock and roll album, but for now he has released a string of interesting albums that show a personal evolution. Ever since he dropped the Cougar from his name John has been writing thoughtful lyrics with political and social overtones. His music is now blending in with the tone of his lyrics more comfortably now more than ever.

There is not a single weak track on "Life Death Love and Freedom," which is a testament to Mellencamp's ability to write really good songs. His voice sounds as good as ever and the musicianship is superb. It is my hope that John continues to explore the blues and folk sound. He's a versatile musician who can perform a wide variety of musical styles, but the blues and folk genres seem to fit in perfectly with his lyrics and state of mind.

"Life Death Love and Freedom" is one of John's top few albums from his extensive recording career. Keep'em coming John!

John Mellencamp has made good album, very good albums, and great albums. This is easily the best album he's ever recorded and I realize that's saying a lot. At moments, it reminds me of Bob Dylan and Johnny Cash at their best but it certainly isn't imitation. Mellencamp has evolved over his career and makes increasingly incredibly complicated, sophisticated, beautiful music. I do have to say that this is the first album in a while, though, where I can listen to it the whole way through. Every song is pleasing over multiple listenings and despite having been addicted to "shuffle" on my iPod for a few years ... I have repeatedly listened to this album the whole way through.

I am not a biased John Mellencamp fan. I indeed have been listening since "American Fool". But where there is a uniqueness to my appreciation is that I never buy one of his records right out of the gate. I let the public get a hold of it. The press throw a few reviews around and in the long and short of it, I will get around to buy the album once I'm ready.
Now, I was immediately impressed with the collaboration of John Mellencamp with Producer, T-Bone Burnett. I have always liked and never been disappointed by T-Bone's work. I thought it could mount up to another pinnacle in John's career. I was not mistaken.
Over his past few albums and really since "Scarecrow in 1985. He has moved closer and closer to the directness that he reaches here on this album. He is operating almost fearlessly as a songwriter. Which is truly to be admired. Because folks, when the lights go out. Our thoughts always are a little more truthful than when we are out and about in our daily lives. John writes about these moments. The people, events and at times life altering moments we all have. Those channels we flick through. Those pages we turn away from. Those so-called reality T.V shows we watch or maybe even the liquor we drink to salve our shaken spirits that this modern world forces at us everyday.
What John Mellencamp does for me through his incredibly soulful voice, music and words is entertain, intrigue and inform me as much as the conversation you would have at a coffee shop. He talks to me. To me, you and "them".
He witnesses the same world we all live in. Not his wealth, politics or lifestyle can strip away the truth that lays itself down every day in front of each and every one of us.
Sometimes it's hard to face these things and much easier to look back at a time that will never return again. A simpler time. Maybe? Or to only listen to "safe" music. Nothing that questions or dares.

As an artist, and John Mellencamp is an artist first. He has never really been better. Different? Sure.
Haven't we all changed? But, truly better, wounded, and healed. The key is learning, healing. Progress.
What is up to you? Is to indulge or not.
Listen to the record without thinking too much about his past..or yours. In the process you might find an interesting feeling of hope come out of the songs and through yourself. I did.
I think that this is a masterwork that will hold up for many generations to come. An essential addition to any record catalog and library.

....that is my take on John's latest. This is probably his best work since his early days. If you thought that John became a "little too pop" on his last couple of releases, you need to let go of that notion and take a listen to this one! He is in fine form and really performs this from his soul. I recently lost my Dad and I think I really get from where this compilation stems. I don't know what is going on with John, but he practically shouts through every song on this album that he has seen/felt his own mortality on this earth. He references his own death at least 4 times or speaks of others' demise in almost every cut. There is also a heavy tone of what so many of us are feeling these days...the questions of where did all of the "old times (meaning Ameridan values, untouched landscape, clean air, cheap food, cheap fuel, world peace, my elders, my old friends) go?". His voice is beautiful and the melodies are truly wonderful. The feelings are heavy, but I think many can relate.

"Electric folk music" is an accurate description of this wonderful album. The following are the virtues of this stellar effort by Mr. Mellencamp and producer T Bone Burnett:
1.Recording quality. The standard CD sounds fine. The generous inclusion of a DVD for audio is a plus. The CODE technology results in a sound that may actually be indistinguishable from original master tapes. I am hopeful more DVDS are released like this.
2.Songwriting. Wow! Downbeat yes, even dark, but SO on target for capturing the malaise of a man's [country's] spirit following the battering of the Bush years. This may not have been the intent of Mellencamp, but that is how the songs affected me.
3.Musicianship. John has already proven his chops as a rocker. Anyone hoping for a repeat of that era will be disappointed here. T Bone Burnette proves he is the best producer for this type of music. The assembled musicians play with an empathy and skill that is much more than competent. P.S. I loved the backing vocals by Karen Fairchild.
In summary, with this release John Mellencamp confirms he belongs in the very top echelon of singer songwriters. In contrast to the plethora of red neck country stars, John is the REAL patriot who has a grip on what ails America and infects a man's soul.

I am only 19 years old, which is younger than most Mellencamp fans, but I have been listening to John's music ever since I was about seven years old and found the albums American Fool and Uh-Huh in my parent's record collection. I soon owned all of his classic '80s albums on CD, but over time I have become an even bigger fan of his less commercial albums of the '90s and later (although I still love John "Cougar" Mellencamp too).

Ever since Cuttin' Heads, I have bought every new Mellencamp release when it came out, so I was eagerly anticipating this one. After hearing that T Bone Burnett was producing, I was even more excited. Perhaps my expectations were a little too high, but it didn't matter. This album totally exceeded my expectations. In short, this album should have won a Grammy for Album of the Year. This is hands down the best album of Mellencamp's career.

Do not expect to hear upbeat songs like Jack & Diane or even tragic and downbeat ones like Jackie Brown on this. These songs are much more personal and much darker.

Longest Days begins the album with just an acoustic guitar and Mellencamp's voice, but it is all that is needed to get across the song's meaning. John makes it clear from the beginning of this album that he is no longer concerned with chart success ("So you tell yourself you'll be back on top someday/But you know there's nothing waiting up there for you anyway)

My Sweet Love follows and it is by far the weakest track, although it would be a classic by anybody else.

The next two tracks, "If I Die Sudden" and "Troubled Land" are two of the highlights of the album. One is a slow, dark blues which confronts death in stark lyrics. The other is a look at America circa 2008. Had he recorded this in the '80s, it would have been similar to "Small Town", but with the stripped-down production, it becomes an anti-anthem of sorts.

"Young Without Lovers" is another political song about the Bush-era and he chronicles it as well as he chronicled the Reagan era in the '80s. The next track "John Cockers" is perhaps the defining song on the album. It is one of the most upbeat tracks, but it finds the narrator contemplating suicide. It's dark humor, but the following track "Don't Need This Body" is not. It is easily one of the best songs John has ever written and the lyrics are absolutely heartbreaking ("All my friends are sick or dying and I'm here all by myself/All I got left is a head full of memories and the thought of my upcoming death").

The next track, "A Ride Back Home" has gotten some exposure on CMT, but don't expect your average country diddy. This sounds more like Johnny Cash's later work with Rick Rubin than Toby Keith. It is another of John's best songs which finds him contemplating mortality and asking Jesus for help.

"Without a Shot" follows and it the best political statement John has made since "Country Gentleman" from the Big Daddy album. The next song, "Jena" made the headlines after the mayor of Jena, Louisiana condemned it, but it is a further exploration of themes John has explored in the past, especially the aforementioned "Cuttin' Heads".

"Mean" is an acoustic ballad that doesn't have the greatest lyrics John has written (although they are not bad by any means) but is easily one of his greatest melodies. Not a "radio-friendly" melody though. "County Fair" sounds like a stripped-down version of Against the Wind-era Bob Seger, both in the vocal delivery and the bleak lyrics.

The last two tracks, "For the Children" and "A Brand New Song", are some of the strongest on the album. "For the Children" contemplates morality once again, while also handing out the wisdom Mellencamp has gained in his life. "A Brand New Song" ends the album and although it is slightly more optimistic than the rest of the album, it is a nervous optimism.

Overall, this is not the album you want to listen to in your car on a hot summer day. For that you can buy "Uh-Huh". But if you're looking for some great songwriting and performances from one of America's greatest singer-songwriters, this will not disappoint.

As a side note, Rolling Stone named this the 5th best album of 2008. While I do not trust everything I read in Rolling Stone, if that fact will help convince somebody to buy the album, I will post it here.

(As a side note, if you like these songs and want to here harder rocking versions of them, check out Life Death Live & Freedom, the live companion to this album.)

I am rating this a five because I believe it is as good as anything I have heard lately.I enjoyed this CD very much and would rate it up there with his best. I am partial to Scarecrow and Big Daddy for Mellancamp's best works in my humble opinion. There are no
"hits" on here per say, that is why it might not sell as well as say a Scarecrow or Uh-Huh. They both had notable hits on them of course. That does not mean this is not one of his best. I actually listened to it twice. These are all mostly acoustic based songs and there is not a one that is not any good. Mellancamp has always wore his politics on his sleeve and I believe we all know his beliefs. On "For the Children" he states "I wish I could give you an answer as to when life really begins..I wish I could tell you where we went when our days come to an end". Furthermore claiming "I have worried about many things most of which did not come to pass". It seems John is being retrospective here to me. I certainly don't want to over analyze his thoughts or lyrics but I found these two passages interesting.

Also, there is a second DVD disc which comes with this. It supposedly is new technology explained in the Amazon write up and on the inside pages of this disc. Of this, I will disagree with the opinion below me. I played both discs simultaneously on my OPPO DVD player and my Sony CD player. I heard no appreciable differences in the sound. As a matter of fact there seems to be a bit much bass for me and a lack of treble. But that is me.

Lastly, if you enjoy this acoustic disc you should also enjoy the new Black Crowes, Mudcrutch and the Rancounteurs. They are all similar and all excellent in my opinion. Thanks for reading and this new Mellancamp again is very good.