John Mellencamp/ Strictly A One-Eyed Jack

BY NARENDRA KUSNUR 

John Mellencamp/ Strictly A One-Eyed Jack 

Genre: American roots-rock

Label: Republic Records-Universal

Rating: *** 1/2

When it comes to the American roots-rock sound, John Mellencamp has been one of the most prolific voices, since he came on the scene 46 years ago. His 24th studio album Strictly A One-Eyed Jack comes after a five-year gap, and his voice has just gotten that shade smokier, raspier and rougher.

He's 70 now, and the songs thus talk about experiences and memories. "But now all has changed, remembering the shame of driving in the rain," he sings on the second song 'Driving In The Rain', before adding "I see myself and laugh, looking at the change of driving in the rain".

To be sure, the album may take a couple of listens to settle in, and one finds many shades of familiar old Mellencamp. But there are a few killer tracks, with the additional treat of having contemporary Bruce Springsteen guest on three songs. The instrumentation is rustic - guitar-driven but with appropriate doses of piano, violin, banjo, accordion and harmonica.

Much of the content is autobiographical, and on the opening number 'I Always Lie To Strangers', Mellencamp sings, "Call me any thing you like, I would never disagree, I always lie to strangers". On 'I'm A Man Who Worries', he admits, "Worries occupy my mind, I'm worried about tomorrow, I worry about today". 

'Streets Of Galilee' is a honest admission by a man who doesn't want a relationship, and 'Gone So Soon' is a sad lament, with Mellencamp singing, "There's nothing left for me to say, just accept that you're gone so soon". The piano backdrop and the trumpet interlude add to the song's melancholy.

'Sweet Honey Brown' and the title track are examples of typical Mellencamp songs, folksy and radio-friendly. 'Chasing Rainbows' is arguably the most distinct song in its composition, and its subject revolving around the Great American Dream is something people will relate to.

'Wasted Days', featuring Springsteen, talks about the effects of aging, with the lines, "we watch our lives just fade away through more wasted days". The Boss also joins on the piano-backed 'Life Full Of Rain', which talks about fear, trouble and asking for forgiveness. Lyrically, this song hits hard, with lines like "So you disappear into the solitude, and you go into the shadows, of a life full of rain, with no dry spot to stand".

In fact, the album stands out lyrically, and the emotions and expressions more than make up for some of the melodic familiarity one senses here and there. Mellencamp has got his own devoted audience over the years, and this album gives fans another dose of his musical proficiency.