Performer: John Mellencamp
The CD: “Freedom’s Road”

I’m a little surprised. I did not expect to like this CD much. I’m not a huge fan of John Mellencamp. I remember back when he was “Johnny Cougar” and wrote catchy pop tunes. The problem was that they were so catchy that they were promptly overexposed to the point where they could induce nausea. Mellencamp always came across as a hybrid wannabe, who couldn’t decide if he wanted to be Bruce Springsteen or Lynyrd Skynard. It turned out that he was able to out-sell both of them by cranking out what seemed like an endless supply of bland hit singles.

We’re qute a few years removed from those days, and this new CD is a solid, well-crafted example of mature Americana. There are equal parts of country and blue-eyed soul on display here. The musicianship is top-notch. Lyrically, it’s a bit stuck in the crusading Midwestern social commentator mold, but it’s just predicitable not offensive.

Unless you’re already sick of that damned truck commercial song, that is.

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The CD: “Masters Of Horror II”
Performer: Various

Wow! Cookie Monster really sounds pissed off on the first track of this soundtrack to the second season of Showtime’s “Masters Of Horror” series. Actually, it’s the group Hatebreed with the soulful ballad, “New Hate Rising.” The vocalist on the second song sounds like Gollum. This is not an album for the connoisseur of fine crooning.

This soundtrack is largely the work of Nu-metal bands who identify with cheap horror movies, and if you like that sort of music, this might be right up your alley. If you’re not a fan of loud, badly-sung, aggressive music with explicit and obscene lyrics, then run away! Do not go into the basement! Get out of the house!

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