John Mellencamp Community

I will always appreciate JM, buy his music, go to his concerts, watch his TV appearances etc...

I also appreciate how JM sings about what is truly in his heart and mind.

But, I have to be honest when I say I have never felt more disconnected with his music than I feel right now.  And, it has more to do with the lyrics than the folk music, although I don't like the folk music.

i bought this cd this morning and listened to it while driving in the car alone.  yes, this cd is a different sound for JM.  wasn't sure how i'd feel about it. 

maybe it's my mood today, who knows, but overall i like it better than i thought.  there's a song or two that are probably my least favorites, but thats about how most cd's of any artist are.

**sappy post warning**

like i said, maybe it's just my mood today, but as many times as i've heard "Save Some Time To Dream" before the cd release today, this song really 'got me' today.  maybe it was being in the car alone, driving on the interstate, had my undivided attention, etc.), but i had chills, almost teary eyed at times.  the lyrics are so powerful.  the whole time (which means me playing it over and over and over), i couldn't help but think about my grandkids, and the message the lyrics deliver.  this will definitely be 'my song to them'.   and to those of you around me at shows, don't let me cry when he sings it.

It's a good thing that John never played "For The Children" live at my shows, they would have needed a mop.  Still hits me that way, every time.

Picked up my copy today, only got to listen to about 1/2 of thus far, but liking it.  :)   
Best Buy had a nice little promo pic up of John today, of course love to see that.  And I would say they had at least 20 copies of the new release.

 I just love this cd , really nice to hear an Honest stripped down collection of songs  in this day of "modern production garbage" where music just get's lost ..... with this type of recording it lets' the songs speak for themselves ....
   Target stores has it for $7.99 this week which is a Bargain ....... My Only gripes are the packaging is very minimal  & i really wanted this on Vinyl but it seems that release is delayed until late sept.

Can you snap a picture of whatever the promo pic was? Or can you describe it more? It was something physically in the best buy store?

At the Best Buy I went to today the promo poster was the same picture that's in the upper left hand corner of this website, or at least it was from that same photo shoot -- you know the one that was from Interview magazine right after "Freedom's Road" came out. It's nothing new, it's been seen before.

I, for one, am lovin' the direction JM has gone with NBTT. The past few years have found me following Americana music and listening to NPR radio more so than mainstream. So, for me, Americana, rock, rockabilly, blues...keep keepin' on John!

I was thrilled when I saw JM was receiving a lifetime acheivement award in songwriting from Americana Music Conference.

At the Best Buy I went to today the promo poster was the same picture that's in the upper left hand corner of this website, or at least it was from that same photo shoot -- you know the one that was from Interview magazine right after "Freedom's Road" came out. It's nothing new, it's been seen before.
[/quote]

 I was in my local Best buy last night & same poster/Photo on the End-cap of the cd section , it's about 4 feet high & a few feet wide & then there is a new cd release rack next to it  above the poster it has the quote "Cd's under $10"

Borders is also using the same poster!!

Lets see some pictures of these displays snapped and posted here!
 I was in my local Best buy last night & same poster/Photo on the End-cap of the cd section , it's about 4 feet high & a few feet wide & then there is a new cd release rack next to it  above the poster it has the quote "Cd's under $10"
[/quote]

I listened only once to the CD so far, and it grabbed me the first time around. I've yet to concentrate on the lyrics, but I really like the music.

The mono is something I'll have to get used to. Playing it louder doesn't enhance the sound, and I like to be surrounded by the sound, loud in my car, which the mono recording doesn't do. The instruments don't sound crisp as they do in stereo.

The very first time I played it was on the release date as soon as I got home from work.  Followed each song word by word all by myself.

THe second time I played it, I almost knew all the words.  Because it's John.  You know what he is saying the very first time and it clicks the 2nd time you hear it.  I shock myself when I can do that, but I can only accomplish this with his music. 

And to clarify: I understand what John and T Bone were going for, and appreciate that aspect of the sound. It's just not the sound we're accustomed to hearing when listening to music.

[/quote]


http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs251.snc4/39882_830824578950_22901814_46612194_2350356_n.jpg

Here is a picture of a poster from Borders Tony

I wish that photo wasn't being used. Sorry, it is just not a flattering picture of JM.

First listen....I thought...wow he's really taken a different direction here.  Second listen I was getting it more.  I actually really like it.  It's definately country/folk and I think the words are the best ever!!  Just like prior posts - yup, I'm cryin'!  These are hearfelt words, story-telling time....he's growing up/old with me and remembering.  Just like it's always been. Also have to agree with liking the stripped down sound...very cool.  I'm SO glad John continues to experiment.  Just think if he had never tried the accordian/violin sound...we wouldn't have Lonesome Jubilee!!  This will take awhile for some, but it will be worth it.

"-somedays I still don't know what to do-"

At least those places have a poster!!  I went to Walmart and there was no promotion at all.  Was not located in the new release section and there was no advertisement.

I have to disagree about playing it loud.....it sounds totally awesome loud!!!!

Mary "-somedays I still don't kmow what to do-"

Another great record. Congrats to JM and all involved.
Long may they keep on comin'

Greetings from Scotland.

#1 on the Americana Music Charts...3 weeks in a row!

http://www.americanaradio.org/ama/displaychart_beforetracks.asp?mode=lw&dtkey=

No Better Than This was #1 on Amazon.com for almost 4 days, now it has gone up to $12.00 and immediately fell to #4, while the other new releases are still at $9.99.  Who makes these decisions, it would have been nice to see it stay at 9.99 so we could still see it in the number 1 spot  ;D

i was at Target on Sunday.  saw where people were posting that it was $7.99 there when it came out.  it was $13.99 on Sunday.  i guess the store sales run from Sunday to Saturday.  i would have thought that since new releases don't come out until Tuesday, that the sale would have been until the following week's new released came out, but i guess not

Almost all posted sale prices fun from Sunday (when the weekend circulars go into effect) through Saturday so this is very common.

The CD sellers/retail stores set the prices as they want. All of the CD's they sell are generally sold to them at the same price, or maybe a slight discount if they pre buy them before the release date. Changes in prices at retail/online sellers are controlled by those sellers, not John or the record label.

The CD sellers/retail stores set the prices as they want. All of the CD's they sell are generally sold to them at the same price, or maybe a slight discount if they pre buy them before the release date. Changes in prices at retail/online sellers are controlled by those sellers, not John or the record label.

Most sellers discount releases in their first week of on sale to drive traffic/attention but quickly thereafter increase the price.

Let's talk about these songs....Thinking About You; This song really hit home because I was just thinking the other day about my old college boyfriend (30 years ago) and wondering what happened to him. "Don't mean no trouble, don't want to bother you none, ain't lookin' for nothin', just wondering about you some."  Coming Down the Road; This is one of the songs that grabbed my attention immediately because of the beat and the deep sound.  Best thought.."Caught a glimpse of myself as others see me and it wasn't the fella that I thought I'd be."  Clumsy Old World; What a great description of married life!!  "She remembers things that I'm tryin' to forget."  Ha!  Too funny!!

Mary in Michigan
"-somedays I still don't know what to do-"

Love NBTT! Had the cd on the first day and listened in the car. As usual, found myself humming the new songs the same day. Lyrics just pop in my head and it takes a second to go, Oh yeah, it's one of the new songs! As T-Bone fans know "Mighty fine pickin' and a- singin"!"

Hey all.

I wrote a review of the album (it's the first one you'll see, by Rudy Palma) on Amazon.com, right here:

http://www.amazon.com/Better-Than-This-John-Mellencamp/dp/B003NWS5DQ/ref=cm_cr-mr-img

I would like to know what you all think of it. Comments and votes would be appreciated. They mean a lot to me.

I am, obviously, very impressed with this album, as I was with his last one.

I hear Bob Dylan and Carl Perkins in this CD.

Well done! I voted that your review was "helpful," but since I already have and love the album, let's just say that it was helpful in the sense that it always boosts my morale to hear people recognize John's talent and laud his work.  In fact, given the uniqueness of this album, I was pleasantly surprised by all of the favorable reviews on Amazon.

I've still yet to really concentrate on this album, as I'm usually listening in the car all the while daydreaming and going over the work day in my head, too. However, today it occurred to me that John's voice sounds fantastic on A Graceful Fall.

Hey Guys,
Here's my review of the album all the way from Australia.
Hope I got the references right!
I actually spent a week in Savannah in 1999, what an amazing town.
Cheers

http://www.heyheymymy.com.au/2010/09/05/no-better-than-this-john-mellencamp-rounder/

best songs on an overall great album for me are "The West End" and "No Better Than This".

Saw John for the 14th time in St. Louis at the Fox Nov 6th 2010!! Best show i feel i have ever been to!! I feel John is expressing himself through his music the way he has always wanted to. He is so Awesome and he will always be my most favorite artist ever!! The man next to me ask me if there was any John Mellencamp song that I didn't know all the words to! I told him he wasn't a true fan if he didn't know all the words to all his songs old and new! Can't wait to see him again!

I'm also enjoying No Better Than This.  What's really amazing about it is the fact that John recorded it in mono and the sound is exceptionally good. (check out my album review on the "All About John" section)  Easter Eve is my favorite song.  I love story songs like that.  The only question I have about the song is, could a 14 year old kid really beat up a grown man?  How tough must that kid be?




Mike

sure they could, i can see it happening.

I know this will not be popular, but I feel that boards like this are for opinions and this is my opinion. I have loved John Mellencamp since the beginning and have been to many concerts over the years. I still love John and his music but I just listened to one of my Christmas presents, John's new CD. I have heard some of the songs from it because I have been to his concerts recently and have heard some of the songs elsewhere. If I am completely honest, I can truthfully say I do not like most of the CD. The actual words are good, but I don't like the music to the songs. Many of the songs have a bluegrass or country twang to them. My husband loves bluegrass and country music, but I really don't like that kind of music. I realize John is evolving as an artist, but I am just too old and stuck with the original "Jack and Diane" tune in my head.

I can feel the rotten tomatoes on my face already!!!!!! 
 

Keep playing it, it will grow on you.

I felt the same way when I first heard it.  I only liked Thinking About You.  That was it!  After several listens, No Better Than This, Love At First Sight and Comin Down The Road Grew On Me.  A short time after, Easter Eve had me laughing my A** off. 

It wasn't until I saw John perform these songs in KC, MO that it really hit home.  John loves what he is doing. He is so proud of this music that I simply could not resist.  That said, there are still 4-5 songs that I RARELY ever play, but I can live with that.  HOWEVER, I sure hope he doesn't do this again on his next release.  He normally reinvents himself.  I'd like to think he will feel the need to PLUG IN again.

-Pete

Thanks for not throwing rotten tomatoes at me. I do notice there is a red "X" by my earlier post that says "remove." So I don't know if that means I am going to be kicked off the site or someone just wants to remove the post. But anyway, I truly love John Mellencamp's music, but this last CD just didn't do it for me. 

The red X is on all posts that a user make so they could delete their own post if they so desire, it has nothing to do with the content.

Thanks, I'm a "dummy." I didn't know what the red "x" was for,

 8)

I think a lot of us were WHAT THE HELL IS THIS???? when we first heard No Better Than This after anxiously awaiting for it to be released.  I immediately fell in love with Take Some Time To Dream because it is so relatable.  However, we are all so used to "balls to the wall" rock and roll with John, that the last couple of albums (yeah, I am still in that mind-set) left us somewhat confused.  But once you really listen to what John is saying, it works. His song, Longest Days, makes me cry every time I hear it because I lost 2 of my best friends right beore that was released. He is definitely going in a different direction from his early years and, sure, we miss some of that too.  But none of us can be 16 for as long as we can, and we have to respect, admire and listen to what John is writing and singing.  He is the best songwriter/performer of my generation, bar none!

jcooprx

Ha, no worries! We all start at square one and have to figure out things on these message boards.