I'm glad, they make a great couple.

i have freinds who are artists they see the same thing. artists paint what they see and feel. well hes the one who has to live with his insides.

I can't imagine someone who thinks like you do having many friends, much less artist friends.

''Mellencamp called his girlfriend "Peg," better known as actress Meg Ryan, and told her, "You wouldn't believe this town I'm in." 

 I just don't like the overall sound of the album (if that makes sense). There was always a part of me that wished the album versions of If I Die Sudden and Troubled Land would sound like the live versions.

I'm also not a huge fan of the overall sound/production of the album, but the songwriting is John at his very best. I also prefer the live version of ''If I Die Sudden'', but not so ''Troubled Land''. I think it's absolutely perfect the way it is on the studio album.

I'd like to see John and Meg get back together, they should also star in a movie together.

Good review of ''Plain Spoken'',  but how can you be a Mellencamp fan, or just a fan of great songwriting in general and not like ''Life, Death, Love & Freedom'', an album already considered by many to be John's masterpiece.

Happy birthday John, thanks for keeping it real, already looking forward to your next project.

http://www.onstagemagazine.com/john-mellencamp-plain-spoken-reviewed/

Yeah i'm sick and tired of people/critics who judge an album or music in general by how much it does or doesn't ''rock'' as if that matters or is even relevant at all in today's musical world. You don't like what John is doing now, move on to something else, there's always Nickelback, Lanny Kravits or Bon Jovi, go for it.

Although more of a rock album than the last three ''i see it as a transitional album'' Freedom's Road was no slouch. I think at the moment there isn't a better songwriter out there, that includes Dylan, Paul Simon, Richard Thompson etc... forget Springsteen, not even close, his more recent work pales in comparison.

I really like the gruffness of his voice.  It doesn't sound forced, or strained.  It's quite natural.  It blends perfectly with the subtleness of the music.




Mike

I couldn't agree more, let's just hope it doesn't get any gruffer ''is that a word'' on future albums and he doesn't end up sounding like Dylan.

This is more like it, this guy gets it.

http://www.news.com.au/entertainment/music/album-reviews-john-mellencamp-lowtide-deline-barbra-streisand-j-mascis-missy-higgins-arthur-boyd-tribute/story-e6frfn09-1227071884596

I would wait for some real in depth reviews from serious music publications like ''No Depression, American Songwriter etc..'' not RS and others of their ilk. I stopped taking them seriously decades ago, they're all about lists, the latest trends, Bruce Springsteen and U2. Also i wouldn't put too much stock in the 3.5 AllMusic rating, i believe that's standard for an album that has not been reviewed yet.

A must have for anyone who loves John's music and music with depth and emotion.




Mike

Well stated, i also must add that the sound/mastering of this album is quite an improvement on the last three studio albums. There's dynamic range and an overall ''warmer'' sound that's been missing in John's music for a while now, i do love those three albums though.

John has done what i thought was impossible, he's topped his last two albums. I love the first three songs and ''Blue Charlotte'' and Lawless Times'' the best, they are among John's very finest songs, it's a 5 star album if i've ever heard one.