Album review: John Mellencamp's 'No Better Than This'

The John Mellencamp of “No Better Than This” is not the John Mellencamp that most would expect. The artist seems to know as much: “I caught a glimpse of myself as others see me, and I wasn’t the feller that I thought I’d be,” he sings on “Coming Down the Road.” His trademark scratched vocals are there, but the backdrop is intimate, relaxed and more than a little quaint.

"No Better Than This" unfolds with a casual shagginess, the sound of long-lost first takes from another era.The album was produced by T Bone Burnett, who consistently proves that he has a knack for turning vintage blues and folk sounds into something rather raw and intricate, and recorded with archaic techniques — in mono, with one microphone and straight to tape. Add the detail that Mellencamp worked only at locations steeped in rock myth — Sun Studios in Memphis, Tenn., and a San Antonio hotel where Robert Johnson once recorded — and “No Better Than This” risks being written off as retro gimmick.

Instead, such tracks as “Right Behind Me” go for the throat, with each slow pluck of the guitar haunting the shadows, and Mellencamp singing his voice hoarse. For much of the record, Mellencamp is eyeing death and laughing at the devil or, as in the back-porch-folk of “Easter Eve,” bonding with his son by brawling with strangers. A little cranky, but far more carefree Mellencamp slips into a rocking chair groove on the lost-lover lament of “Don’t Forget About Me” and concedes that he’s “spotty at best.” Over the course of his 30-plus-year career, sure, but not here.

— Todd Martens

John Mellencamp
“No Better Than This”
(Rounder Records)
Three and a half stars (Out of four)

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Comments

[L A D]

The worst CD I have purchased, with such high expectations, 14 NEW songs from John Mellencamp, WOW, OMG! I have heard better recordings from a pocket recorder. If it was done that way for effect, they missed it. The same Crap drones on throughout the entire CD, not one single redeeming song! One clue is the packaging, it comes in a very thin single slot cardboard wrapper with no sleeve and a paper insert jammed in with the CD. The recording sounds like everything was recorded with a pillow in front of the mic. I also believe that it is MONO, which was only noted on the CD itself. A TOTAL RIPOFF, I have bought CD's blindly with better results. Very Dissapointed in John Mellencrap!

[JHaste31]

The other poster must not have much appreciation for music history or various genres. This is not a POP album with catchy hooks, autotune, overdubbing, sampling and repitious lyrics. As far as creativity and authenticity this is one of my favorite Mellencamp albums ever....and I was afraid to buy it at first. This is a rockabilly/folk/blues album that could have easily been recorded 50 years ago. If you don't like that type of music, you won't enjoy....if you do, this album is a must own

[Hamilton Samuels]

Been listening to the CD all day. Great buy, and very much worth whatever you are going to spend on it.

The tunes are simple and straightforward, and raw, and if you are looking for the kind of overproduced big sound of the 1980's like early Mellencamp, then you will be as disappointed as LAD above.

But if you like music, that is more Stones than Beatles, more Neil Young than Eagles, more Chuck Berry than Elvis, you'll like this one.