Review Summary: John Mellencamp's most focused work in well over a decade, Freedom's Road is a rock n roll blast of idealism from the heart of the midwest. Troubled songs for troubled times it hits the sweet spot between hope and hardship and delivers the goods true.
John Mellencamp is a moody bastard by his own word. Has been his entire career. From his early years as a record company pawn to his pop hits and more serious work of the post "Scarecrow" era, John is an artist who pushes buttons. And although his star has fallen in recent years as his work turned personal and too eclectic for his usual rock crowd, thats not to say John has forgotten where he came from, as his music and songs always reflect a flavor that can only be described as modern, even hip, Americana.
Most prominently a songwriter, however, Freedom's Road finds John returning to the style and themes which gained him superstar status and critical acclaim alike on 1985's Scarecrow album, and the same down home activist voice often times strong in his work since. Knowing Mellencamp's catalog well I wouldn't call this a return or retreat of any sort, but it would be fair to say those who longed for another album laced with rustic, roots based rock n roll anthems from this artist will be well pleased with Freedom's Road's decidedly big rock sound . The guitars ring out and chime during this tight eleven song set, the rthymn section loud and forceful, Mellencamp's mid western drawl on full display. Taking the times we live in and projecting them through his own eyes the album is full of songs touching on faith, forgiveness, and trouble, and John is thankfully an artist with the talent to take what perhaps would have been corny in another's hands and making something of substance out of it.
Songs such as the soaring "I'm An American" with its rootsy guitars and gentle violin proclaims " I'm an American, I respect you and your point of view/ I wish you good luck with whatever you do", and in the universally minded "Forgiveness" Mellencamp sings for an apologetic nation, "I'd like to say I'm sorry now/I hope this message is not too late/I hope the same goes for you", extending an olive branch in the face of pain and fear. The centerpiece of the album, "Our Country", which has been featured in far too many a truck commercial, is just that on this album when put into proper context. As other reviewers have pointed out its much more a rock n roll "This Land Is Your Land" then the flag waving ballad the commercials make it out to be, and it works great surrounded by these tales of a country looking for its better self.
Political in nature just as the best work of Woody Guthrie might be, the songs of Freedom's Road are sure to draw some heat from some of the "red state" people inside and outside of Mellencamps fan base, although given his previous work its hard to think why. Always an outspoken and unapologetic artist, John pulls no punches here on songs such as the incendiary "Rodeo Clown" where he takes a broad swipe at President Bush and his deadly policies of war, and the thoughtful ballad "Jim Crow", which features the haunting vocals of 60's beatnik songbird Joan Baez and suggests the old segregation laws of the south are alive and well but in different form, as what ought to be unifying events such as the Hurricane Katrina disaster seemed to do more to expose our continuing racial divisions then bring us together as one. And Mellencamp's finger appears to be pointing straight at government and lack of leadership as its cause.
Far from a protest record and protest songs however, Freedom's Road is best described as a Rock 'n Folk record. An album for the people by one of the people it chronicles the struggles of the common man and lends a voice and a hand up to those caught in the confusion of todays America with a unifying spirit all its own. It reminds the listener that even among a sea of red states there is still a place for the American dream where all people fit and are united for the good of one another rather then just the individual or the bottom line, and it shows there is still room for growth, good, and justice wherever those things are needed most. The record makes the kind of statement that says loving thy neighbor, seeking forgiveness, and lending a hand to your fellow man while pushing up against the powers that be is not a hippie ideal born in the 60's, a radical socialist idea, or a political jingle to be exploited in an election year, but age old values brought by a great country full of good people who's voices are often pushed down and swayed by the weight of war, hardline economics, and a cold and unforgiving leadership. These are old ideas, dated, some would say corny even. But on Freedom's Road John Mellencamp makes a strong argument in favor of a better understanding, a country with room for everyone, and holding your leaders feet to the fire when they get high and mighty. Politics, flag waving, and red or blue states would seem besides the point. Lives are on the line in John Mellencamp's America, and he'd like us to do nothing more then join hands and sing about it. If only it were that simple, some might suggest. And on John Mellencamp's Freedom's Road while singing out in unison doesn't sound like a final solution to our nations woes, it does seem a fine and promising place to start.
