Your Learning Zone - Life Death Love and Freedom

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Manufacturer: Hear Music

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Binding: Audio CD
EAN: 0888072308220
Label: Hear Music
Manufacturer: Hear Music
Number Of Discs: 1
Publisher: Hear Music
Release Date: 2008-07-15
Studio: Hear Music

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Customer Rating:

Summary: John Mellencamp On The Morning After?
Comment: I am not implying with this review that this CD sounds like a hangover-it doesn't. This is actually one of only two John Mellencamp albums I purchased (the other is the wonderful The Lonesome Jubilee) and the other reviews here already explain how different this is from an album like that so I won't go into it again-why preach to the converted?Anyway yes this isn't exactly the happy singalong kind of rock tunes of Mellencamp's fast. At the same time there's no indication he intended anything like that to start with. One thing I must say is John Mellencamp had the good sense to include a lyric booklet with this (believe it or not some CD's still don't include them) because the lyrics are the best part of this music. This album doesn't feature any subject matter that is light-Mellencamp talks about racism and politics,issues he is well accustomed to from his past. But at the same time it's all from the point of view of a middle aged person who seems to feel there are less years ahead then behind,hence the word "death" in the albums title I guess. So this is one of his most mature albums to this point. T Bone Burnett brings his years of production experience to this music which results in a serious of folksy,bluesy rock songs that are all very downbeat even when the tempo goes up a bit such as "Jena" or "John Cockers". But somehow this doesn't end up downbeat for downbeats sake which is something I've heard in a few albums recently. It's only natural that because these 14 songs are so serious that the music would'nt be particularly happy. There is nothing on this album I don't like but if I had to pick one favorite it would be "Troubled Land"-it has a somewhat similar feeling musically to Bob Dylan's "Things Have Changed" but the lyrics take on the plight all of today's societies victims,notably farmers with a dead honest plea to "bring peace to this troubled land".The interesting part is the lyrics have no resolution:it ends abruptly with the phrase "but I keep travelin' on" so.......in the end life and peace is still a journey and we all write our own ending as it were. It's very Mellencamp really and one of a few songs here that has a strong optimistic overtone,even if it has no real conclusion.So hey-I am not one for all kinds of "dark" music but whatever it is they do I have a hard time saying no when it comes to the music of people like Dylan,Springsteen and John Mellencamp.

Customer Rating:

Summary: So unique and so fresh!
Comment: This isn't the typical John Mellencamp, but it's still incredible music. Very passionate and very folksy. It's part Knopfler, part Dylan. It's so sincere and feels like the kind of music Mellencamp was born to sing.

Customer Rating:

Summary: Another great album
Comment: John Mellencamp continues to hold my interest as a fan after almost 30 years. I really enjoy his style changes, yet staying true to his "style", and that he keeps his lyrics in the folk category. I recommend this album to old and new fans.

Customer Rating:

Summary: John Mellencamp is the best.
Comment: John Mellencamp has evolved into one of the great artists. His ability in story telling is as good as any of the song writing/story tellers in history. For anyone in the rock and roll generation (baby boomers) his music and lyrics are second to none.

Many cannot hear the words in his stories, brushing him off as an imatator and don't understand that listening to others and learning how put you own thoughts and experiences into song is a talent that not many of us can accomplish and to many it makes them jealous.

John Mellencamp has created songs that anyone with any memories can relate to and appreciate. A true American storyteller.

Customer Rating:

Summary: Maybe Mellencamp will finally win another Grammy!
Comment: Mellencamp is my favorite solo artist. I like and own everything he has ever done, so I am probably not the most objective reviewer of his work.

Mellencamp has really come into a new realm of creativity over the past few years. This record demonstrates an amazing amount of depth, range, and musical mastery.

I liked his last album (Freedom's Road) better, but comparing the two would not be entirely fair. They are very different records all around. Freedom's Road was more "Mellencampy." This one was meant to be more solemn and flat out sad.

My favorite tracks are Longest Days and A Ride Back Home. Longest Days may well be one of the top ten best songs he has ever written. My least favorite tracks are John Cockers and County Fair.

John won his first and only Grammy back in 1982. Since then he has been nominated a dozen more times, without a win. I think Life, Death, Love & Freedom has Grammy written all over it. I will be suprized if it doesn't win one.

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Editorial Reviews:
The man who has been called `the poet laureate of the interstate' has reached deep into his soul, bringing forth an album of unparalleled maturity powered by a piercing musical vision. Produced by T Bone Burnett ("O' Brother Where Art Thou," Robert Plant, Allison Krauss) Two disc package includes CD and high quality audio DVD.