'Trouble' on mind of heartland troubadour (JOHN COUGAR MELLANCAMP MEGA-PROJECTILE BARF ALERT)

Chicago Sun-Times ^ | June 8, 2003 | JIM DEROGATIS POP MUSIC CRITIC

[Chi-townChief]

John Mellencamp describes his 21st album as "a small record," something he did more as a labor of love than as what he calls "chest-thumping arena-rock."

But "Trouble No More," released Tuesday, is one of the strongest efforts in the career of rock fans' favorite Hoosier--a soulful collection of blues and folk standards that attempt to make sense of turbulent times, from his reworking of the anti-war anthem "To Washington," to his reading of "The End of the World," popularized by Skeeter Davis, which takes on new meaning 40 years after it first hit the pop charts ("Why does the sun go on shining/Why does the sea rush to shore/Don't they know it's the end of the world?").

"In most of these songs, it's a case of 'Please, can we have some mercy?'" Mellencamp says. As such, it is one of the most effective rock albums released in the wake of 9/11 and the invasion of Iraq.

I spoke to the singer-songwriter by phone from New York shortly after he appeared last week on "Good Morning America." (There is no tour planned to support "Trouble No More," but he is considering a handful of smaller theater gigs later in the summer.)

Q. As someone who refuses to accept the notion that rock 'n' roll is mere entertainment, it was encouraging to see you join with bands like R.E.M. and the Beastie Boys in floating "To Washington" on the Net before the U.S. invasion of Iraq.

A. First of all, none of those songs were going to be embraced by any record company. They just can't do that anymore. Something like "Ohio" [Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young's song about the shootings at Kent State] could never happen today, because the record companies and the radio stations cannot afford to offend anyone. Even though some people inside those businesses may feel [anti-war], it's not about their feelings or about what's right or what's wrong.

I can assure you that when Neil Young and those guys put out protest songs [in the '60s], there was adversity, but it was different: It wasn't about money, it was about opinion. Now it's about, "We can't do this, we can't offend the listener because we don't want to lose the sponsorship." The record companies are corporations, and they can't afford to offend people. That's why people who thought there should be some sort of uprising on the not-to-go-to-war side, they can't do that.

Q. Well, there was a protest here in Chicago that shut down Lake Shore Drive.

A. I just don't think that right now is a very good climate for people to be exchanging ideas. It doesn't have to be, "I hate you because you think this way and you hate me."

There was plenty of room for everybody's thoughts here. But comments coming from high offices saying, "Yes, we have freedom of speech..." well, sometimes you may have to pay a personal price. Like the poor girl in the Dixie Chicks--that was absolutely wrong and incorrect that people are breaking into her house and shooting guns. Wait a minute, hold on for a second--that's just wrong!

Q. It's un-American.

A. Yes it is! It's wrong, and it's against the f---ing law!

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Pop music critic Jim DeRogatis co-hosts "Sound Opinions," the world's only rock 'n' roll talk show, from 10 p.m. to midnight Tuesday on WXRT-FM. E-mail him at jimdero@jimdero.com or visit him on the Web at www.jimdero.com.

[Chi-townChief]

IMHO, Mellancamp is incapable of writing a decent protest song so he finds convenient traget to blame in the record companies, the radio stations, the government, the listening public, etc. In fact, Cougar is probably incapable of writing a decent song, period, which is way he's recoring an album full of covers of other folks' music to try to pull in the big bucks. As for the Dixie Chicks, their fans rightly picked up that Natalie was going for the cheap applause line so their are being criticized and/or boycotted accordingly.

[OpusatFR]

"They just can't do that anymore. Something like "Ohio" [Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young's song about the shootings at Kent State] could never happen today, because the record companies and the radio stations cannot afford to offend anyone. Even though some people inside those businesses may feel [anti-war], it's not about their feelings or about what's right or what's wrong."

Oh Bullsheet. The music of the 60's especially the antiwar songs were just great music that has stood the test of time.

Your music stinks boy-O and you just don't measure up.

[Arkinsaw]

I was a big Mellonhead fan. Then I went to see him in concert during the Scarecrow tour. The most lackluster performance I have ever seen. It wasn't bad musically, it was just boring. I've never been able to listen to him since.

[randog]

Like the poor girl in the Dixie Chicks--that was absolutely wrong and incorrect that people are breaking into her house and shooting guns.

Did I miss something?

[FierceDraka]

Agreed. Mellencamp hasn't released a good album in almost 20 years, IMO. Ever since "Scarecrow", it's been all one big descent into whining and complaining. It's like he sits in his palace in Bloomington and writes songs for his communist pals in the faculty at IU.

[faithincowboys]

And the idiotic commentary about a shooting at an abode of one of the Dixie Chicks is so insane-- most of all because the incident never happened. At what point do we hold these people accountable for the fraud they force on the public?

[Welsh Rabbit]

John Mellencamp describes his 21st album as "a small record," something he did more as a labor of love

In other words, it sucks.... Like all his stuff.

[faithincowboys]

"That's why people who thought there should be some sort of uprising on the not-to-go-to-war side, they can't do that."

What, pray tell, does "uprisng" mean? Was preventing the shipment of supplies to our soldiers not enough? I recollect huge Marxist crowds in the streets taxing the first responders--whose charge is to protect the American people from terror, not babysit the malcontented progeny of the liberal bourgeousie.

Mellencamp needs to leave his pampered cocoon for five minutes and understand that many Iraqis were happy to see the butcher of Baghdad go. And if he is soft on tyranny, then he should go to one and see how receptive the powers that be are to his song and drivel. But I suspect Mellencamp (like other celebrated idiots would serve at the pleasure of the tyrant). Dontcha think it's likely that John Boy thinks Ashcroft is worse than Fidel?

Marx save us from your followers-- especially the
ones with millions in the bank.

[Behind Liberal Lines]

I still like his music. In fact, I downloaded this album from WinMx. Since JCM is such a good liberal, I'm sure he won't mind sharing his music with the masses for free.

[clintonh8r]

He mentioned that in an interview on FNC this weekend and the interviewer didn't even challenge him on it.

[org.whodat]

Some people just don't get it, when they are all washed up. But then he wasn't much to start with.

[Behind Liberal Lines]

As such, it is one of the most effective rock albums released in the wake of 9/11 and the invasion of Iraq.

Oh, and having listened to it once, calling it a "rock" album proves this music critic is all wet. The entire album is acoustic folk music.

[faithincowboys]

Shouldn't we file his recent outspoken liberal bs under "uninformed, calculated dissent to sell mediocre CDs".

I tend to think this is nothing but antiwar profiteering. And I can't wait until he realizes that the people (except his illiberal, self absorbed comrades) are not with him.

[republicman]

--shortly after he appeared last week on "Good Morning America."---

That's why I watch FOX, they had Darryl Worley on with his song "Have You Forgotten" supporting an Iraq war, no other network would I expect.

[per loin]

Did any of the Chix survive the massacre?

[republicman]

BTW on a side note the title "music critic" is an absurdity anyway. Few things are more subjective than music.

[latrans]

Has anyone else noticed that this man has no talent?

[bushfamfan]

Mellencamp plays all 'I'm the Midwestern boy who hasn't lost his roots', but he's got one hell of a big head and attitude. He's clearly Hollyweird liberal and is out of touch with Midwestern values. And his music does suck. He hasn't made a good album in how long and I sure won't be buying and supporting him.

[ActionNewsBill]

Has anyone else noticed that this man has no talent?

How many albums have you released? I'll bet you can't even carry a tune.

You may disagree with his "political" stance, but you are obviously no judge of musical ability.

[AdA$tra]

That's why I watch FOX

He has been interviewed twice by different reporters on FOX News this weekend. He's a likeable guy that just needs to shut up and sing.