People Magazine Critics Choice: 3.5 out of 4 Stars No Better Than This Review

If you're looking to nail roots-music authenticity, there's no producer better than T Bone Burnett, the man behind Grammy winners like the O Brother, Where art Thou? soundtrack and Raising Sand by Robert Plan and Allison Krauss. This time it's John Mellencamp who benefits from Burnett's magic touch on a vintage-sounding set that shows just how far the heartland rocker has come from his days as John Cougar. Exploring traditional country, blues and folk territory, these originals were recorded in mono at some historic locations using a 1955 tape recorder and just one microphone. The inspired results include the uplifting shuffle "Save Some Time to Dream," which will conjure visions of a simpler, long-gone era.