Mellencamp Gets Away With It

John Mellencamp lost his core audience after 1989's somber Big Daddy. From then on, his albums were lacking the 4 minute diddy that always charted. And after that he got more serious and less fun. No more "Hurts So Good" for the classic rock crowd to fall back on. But that doesn't mean that all the stuff since '89 has been a waste. No he hasn't made a great studio album, but they're all good. And his 2003 covers set was excellent. So, 5 years after his last album of new stuff, comes Freedom's Road, and it won't win back the classic rock set either. But it does Rock more than any of his albums since 1991's Whenever We Wanted. The lead single, "Our Country" is of course the big sing-a-long, and while it riles Mellencamp's liberal fans, I find it harmless, but not essential. Those fans should check out the hidden track, "Rodeo Clown" which skewers Bush and Co. The rest of the album is a close look at America post 9/11, and features typical Mellencamp melodies that you hum while forgetting that the words question your patriotism. This has been Mellencamp's dilema since he broke big in 1981. A heartland rocker liked by the red states but who's not a conservative. Freedom's Road won't sell any better than 2001's Cuttin' Heads, but give it a chance and you'll see why Mellencamp's catalog is RRHOF and Songwriter Hall of Fame Worthy.