Cuttin' Heads

John Mellencamp

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 16, 2001)
• Original Release Date: October 16, 2001
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Sony
• ASIN: B00005OWEI
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (69 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #98,566 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

You pretty much know what to expect from a John Mellencamp album at this point in time, and Cuttin' Heads certainly won't disappoint the Midwest rock troubadour's diehard fans. In fact, Mellencamp's 18th album is arguably his most engaging, and coincidentally timely, since 1989's Big Daddy. "Peaceful World," a beautiful folk-rocker featuring guest vocalist India Arie, takes on a more poignant and ironic tone in light of the tragedy of September 11, 2001. Public Enemy's Chuck D contributes a fabulous rap on the opening title track, which, like "Peaceful World," addresses American racism. Elsewhere, Mellencamp offers up typical fare, including several love tunes (Trisha Yearwood duets on "Deep Blue Heart"), the calypso-like "Crazy Island," and a lyric on "Women Seem" that's ornery enough to still merit the Little Bastard nickname he once gave himself. It's not Scarecrow, but it's still a fine effort. --Bill Holdship

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Deep Blue Heart, October 27, 2001

By	Jason Stein (San Diego, CA United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

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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.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Another Classic From Mellencamp, November 15, 2001

By	Stephen Browne (Dublin Ireland) - See all my reviews

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.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Mellencamp Continues On, November 3, 2001

By	Gerard Meyn (Annapolis, MD USA) - See all my reviews

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.