Although around 1980 no one sold more records in America than John (Cougar) Mellencamp, he has since then (certainly in Europe) been in the shadow of that other 'working class hero', Bruce Springsteen. A comparison that still applies. Like his New Jersey counterpart, Mellencamp became fascinated with the history of American music in his old age. For No Better Than This, Mellencamp sought out places
… that played an important role in American music history, such as the Sun studio in Memphis and the hotel room in San Antonio where blues legend Robert Johnson made his recordings. In those almost sacred places Mellencamp recorded thirteen new songs. Behind the controls of the (analogue) recording equipment was T-Bone Burnette, the man behind countless classic roots records. The setup was successful. On an atmospheric record we hear a singer with self-evident authority, whose life experience has left beautiful cracks on his voice. (MS)more
