John Mellencamp
Words & Music: John Mellencamp's Greatest Hits
(Island/UTV)
First Appeared in The Music Box, December 2004, Volume 11, #12
Written by John Metzger
While John Mellencamp has yet to create an album that is flawless from
start-to-finish, he has been exceptionally good at penning hit singles. Even on
his most masterfully cohesive efforts, a few tunes have stood head-and-shoulders
above the rest. In essence, he’s precisely the type of artist for whom an
extensive compilation makes perfect sense, but until 1997’s The Best that I
Could Do, there wasn’t one available. Unfortunately, that outing seemed to
be prematurely issued and far too concise in scope. Nevertheless, its
deficiencies have been corrected completely by the latest go-round: Words &
Music: John Mellencamp’s Greatest Hits. In fact, with one disc devoted
largely to socio-political anthems and the second emphasizing tales of love,
loss, and regret, the 37-track retrospective — which also adds a pair of new
nuggets (Walk Tall and Thank You) to his formidable canon —
proves to be the long-awaited collection that definitively highlights
Mellencamp’s illustrious career. Indeed, from the Stones-ian swagger of Hurts
So Good to the gently lilting Jackie Brown; from the bluegrass
accoutrements that adorn Check It Out to the gospel-infused folk-rock of
Pink Houses; and from the thought-provoking optimism of the infectious Peaceful World to the plight of the family farmer relayed with angry
defiance on the brilliant Rain on the Scarecrow, everything one could
want — and every aspect of Mellencamp’s delightfully multi-faceted personality,
for that matter — is included on the set. Presented in a non-linear fashion, the
songs beautifully illuminate the themes that forever have pervaded his work.
Whether celebrating the working class heroes who have made this country strong,
painting a romanticized portrait of its rural communities, or just telling
honest tales of love, loss, and redemption, his vision has remained consistent.
As a result, he quite effectively has captured the heart and soul of middle
America. For a guy who never wanted to be a pop singer in the first place,
that’s quite an accomplishment, and as Words & Music dutifully outlines,
John Mellencamp has crafted a legacy of which he can be quite proud. 
Of Further Interest...
John Hiatt - Beneath this Gruff Exterior
Billy Joel - The Stranger: 30th Anniversary Legacy Edition
Bruce Springsteen - The Ghost of Tom Joad
Words & Music: John Mellencamp's Greatest Hits is available
from Barnes & Noble. To order, Click Here!
Ratings
1 Star: Pitiful
2 Stars: Listenable
3 Stars: Respectable
4 Stars: Excellent
5 Stars: Can't Live Without It!!
Copyright © 2004 The Music Box