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Mojo Magazine Reviews No Better Than This
07.24.2010 - Rounder Records - September 2010 Issue 202
By Bob Mehr
Veteran rocker hits the road for stellar album of "routes" music.
Known for his pop hits and mile-wide acerbic streak, John Mellencamp's late
career has seen a serious artistic renaissance, as evidenced on 2008's
collaboration with T Bone Burnett, Life Death, Love and Freedom. Reuniting with
Burnett, Mellencamp's latest is a concept piece recorded in a series of historic
locations: Sun Studios in Memphis, the Gunter Hotel in San Antonio (where Robert
Johnson cut his 1936 Columbia sides) and the landmark First African Baptist
Church in Savannah, a former haven for runaway slaves. Which might sound like a
stunt but results in a deeply felt and surprisingly enjoyable explorations of
American vernacular music, a set of originals essaying everything from
Appalachian mountain folk to boom-chicka country to jumping rockability.
Burnett's unobtrusive old school production - the album was recorded and mixed
entirely in mono - adds to the authentic ambience.
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