This came out in 1999 – or at least that’s when I got it. Here’s what I said about it back then (with some minor editing):
On his self-titled 1998 album, John “Don’t Call Me Cougar” Mellencamp tried the loops and samples of electronica on for size — and to me at least, it seemed a pretty poor fit with his blue-collar heartland rock.
This time, John’s returned to his musical roots, and the results are as comfortable as an old plaid work shirt. Backed by a guitar-and-fiddle-based band, Mellencamp revisits some of his favourite tunes, stripping them down into moody, rough-hewn acoustic gems and simple bar room rockers. Human Wheels, Jackie Brown and Rain On The Scarecrow all take on new life here, reborn as relaxed, Sunday-afternoon porch jams. Mellencamp has always been uncomfortable playing rock star; here, in his own musical landscape, he finally seems at ease.
