Ticket 2 Ride

“I am the luckiest motherfucker in the world.”

Life is pretty good for John Mellencamp. He’s been touring North America and just released an album (his 25th album) of new music. He’s a successful painter, is in good health, and has a new girlfriend.

His last album, Strictly a One-Eyed Jack, was released after a five year recording drought. Just one year later, Orpheus Descending, arrives. Much is written about his ragged voice, years of smoking, it has the gruff and weathered texture. He likes it that way too. I have to tell you, it’s tough understanding some of his lyrics with that gravely, world-weary voice.

No “Hurts So Good” or “Jack and Diane,” those pop anthems are long past. No teen angst, but a lot of adult angst in the human issues Mellencamp sings about.

“In the eighties and nineties, I hated singing the line ‘Life goes on, long after the thrill of living is gone.’ Now I love it,” Mellencamp now says. Now, late in his life, he’s loving it and sees no end in sight. Aged like fine scotch, wisdom has that distinctive and lasting taste.

Mellencamp has a lot to say, like it or not. His politics are of the earth, not of talk radio. A lot can be written about what he believes, but even if you don’t like his music, you know where he stands. Homelessness, hunger, women’s rights, farm bankruptcies, the disappearance of the American Dream – all subjects for his songs.

Orpheus Descending is loosely based on the Greek myth. “Orpheus married Eurydice, who was soon killed by a snakebite. Overcome with grief, Orpheus descended to the land of the dead to attempt to bring Eurydice back to life. His music and grief so moved Hades, the king of the underworld, that Orpheus was allowed to take Eurydice with him back to the world of life and light. Hades set one condition, however. Upon leaving the land of death, both Orpheus and Eurydice were forbidden to look back.” Of course, he did and soon regretted it. “Don’t look back,” Mellencamp said. “There’s nothing back there worth keeping.” And doing so can come with a high cost.

While you might not be able to decipher some of his singing, the music is clear and professional, but not overly polished. It sounds comfortable and relaxed, like sitting on the porch in the evening.

It’s been a lot of years since Johnny Cougar was a rock and roll star. His life changed when he introduced the violin to his band and his music grew more rustic. Dobro, steel guitar, violin, accordion and other “rootsy” instruments have long adorned Mellencamp albums. In the beginning, he had to play by the rules of the record company, management, promoters, etc. He stopped doing that years ago.

“You only have so many fucks to give in your body, so don’t give a fuck about what’s not fuckworthy.”

Songs on Orpheus Descending:

1. “Hey God” – A great kickoff to the album, full of piss and vinegar, with that raw, earthy sound he’s perfected.
2. “The Eyes Of Portland” – The thunder continues, another set of questions about why things are the way they are. Ever the voice of not only the common man, but the homeless and the hungry.
3. “The So Called Free” – The organ and dobro really shine on this mid-tempo song.
4. “The Kindness Of Lovers” – A slow, thumping pace, a love song of looking back.
5. “Amen” – Not exactly a hymn, Mellencamp is solidly in Tom Waits territory. A sharp piano, perhaps from any bar room, powers this bluesy, shuffling song.
6. “Orpheus Descending” – A thumping, blues, a bit of New Orleans swagger, this is a song with an infectious beat.
7. “Understated Reverence” – A beautiful piano song. Saying he sounds like Tom Waits is a compliment to both.
8. “One More Trick” – One more trick up my sleeve, one more trick before I leave.
9. “Lightning And Luck” – Wins and losses. Bob Dylan 1970s territory.
10. “Perfect World” – Sentimental, heartfelt, optimistic and reflective. What more can I say?
11. “Backbone” – Doing your best, giving your all, and being satisfied with it.

It’s hard to pick my favorites, even though there aren’t any AM radio hits on Orpheus Descending. Don’t judge an album by the singles, play the entire thing and let it sink in.

I liked Strictly a One-Eyed Jack a lot. It was a more diverse album, but I really like the steady groove of Orpheus Descending, which reminds me of Lucinda Williams’ Stories From a Rock and Roll Heart. Both albums are reflective of artists at the peak of their talent and experience.