[L.N. Smithee]

Jackson Browne and John Cougar Mellendingle or whatever the hell his name is.....now, they suck.

I am not a fan of either's politics (I can't believe that almost thirty years of safety after Three Mile Island, Browne's still against nuclear energy), but they have had their shining moments.

Mellencamp's breakthrough Cougar-era track "I Need a Lover" is IMHO one of the greatest pop-rock songs ever (the album cut has the terrific intro). Magnificent drumming. And what lonely man hasn't dreamed of "some woman to thrill me, and then go away"? (Remember, this was written at least fifteen years before AOL.) Jackson Browne's "Running On Empty" was my favorite all-time song for years, and to think that was a live recording.

Where is David Lindley nowadays? He is missed.

[WhistlingPastTheGraveyard]

The entire Running on Empty album was all new material recorded live (on stage, in hotel rooms, on the back of the bus, etc.), and the whole collection is very good (the stupid "Stay" cover notwithstanding). I can't think of another album quite like it. All that coke must have complete fried his mind and spirit, because he's never done anything else that even comes close to it.

As far as I'm concerned, Jackson Browne is a one album wonder. But it's a damn good one album.