He may have been in the business for over 35 years, but John Mellencamp knows how to stop at the release of his 22nd album. The American singer / songwriter makes an ambitious alliance with Republic Records for this record - a contract for life - and supports it all with one of his longest and toughest tours to date. So a lot is expected from the sixties. Of course he is no longer that smooth guy
… who released one hit single after another in his home country in the eighties, but as befits a good singer / songwriter, he matures like an expensive bottle of wine. Take his broken, gnawing voice, for example. As his songs become more contemplative - about American society, about life in general - this only gives him more authority. The quiet rootsy accompaniment of his band fits in perfectly with this. The sound is completely based on the style of , the producer Mellencamp previously worked with, but who he no longer needed for Plain Spoken. Another sign that he continues to grow. (JE)more
