Life Death Love and Freedom

I read the reviews posted here, and this album is either the greatest Mellencamp album ever (it's not), or the equivalent of a musical train wreck (not that either). For me, it falls squarely between the two. I had to listen to it easily a dozen times for some of the songs to grow on me, and because I love Mellencamp, I did. Unlike his better known earlier albums, this one did not grab me instantly, but if you're looking to like it, you will. If you're looking to relive the 1980s, look elsewhere. Good folk sound throughout, one tune will evoke recent Dylan, others contemporary country, still others escape immediate categorization. Worth the price? For me, yes.

Sou fã de John Mellencamp há muito tempo, e ao longo dos anos ele vem lançando bons discos e outros nem tanto. O anterior "Freedoms Road" é perfeito para você pegar uma estrada. Já este último repleto de baladas folk, talvez pela produção do tal Burnett, não pega tão bem. Não que seja ruim, longe disso, mas falta aquela energia rock com um baterista da qualidade de Ken Aronoff.

I have been a career-long fan of John Mellencamp and I still like this CD. The production by T. Bone Burnett is stellar. The extra DVD's sound quality is superlative. I am hoping to see more of the CODE disks in the future.

This is the darkest Mellencamp I have ever heard.

"County Fair" is the underside of the bright calliope we remember from childhood. The narrator of this song ends up dead knifed by a stranger. Sadly, no one mourns the dead man. "He shouldn't have been out past 12:00..."

"A Ride Back Home" talks about praying to Jesus to die. The narrator here is so depressed he wants to take his own life, but he's not brave enough.

"Longest Days" talks about growing older.

"If I Die Sudden" is a stark appraisal of what the narrator feels about death.

The lyrics and sound are strong and dark. The CD is heavy listening on a bright day when I'm in a reasonably good mood. I wouldn't recommend anyone listening if they were depressed. Hearing this, I seriously want to offer Mellencamp a hug. It seems like he's got a seriously troubled mind of late.

Rebecca Kyle, September 2008

It is a little depressing but I love it! It is all about life and dying true harsh reality. It has been the only CD I have listened to since i got it! Way to go John

Seems like Mellencamp has been through a lot. Teaming up with TBone Burnett, this CD has a super deep and dark tone. Having some deaths in people very close to me, I was very touched. Not a rocker, but produced very well and with the bonus audio DVD, the production and sound are outstanding.