John Mellencamp - No Better Than This

His musical identities and styles have changed over the years, beginning as pop singer Johnny Cougar and then John Cougar, before shifting into heartland rocker John Cougar Mellencamp and finally Grammy winner John Mellencamp. Throughout this evolution, he had a string of hits like “Jack and Diane” and “Wild Night.” He also became a passionate activist, co-founding Farm Aid with Willie Nelson and Neil Young and campaigning against George W. Bush.

Mellencamp has enjoyed an equally rich and variable personal life, having fathered five children from three marriages. Currently married to former supermodel Elaine Irwin, with whom he has two sons, the Hall of Famer recently announced that he’s “done being a rock star,” adding “I have only one interest—to have fun while we’re doing this and maybe have something somebody might discover.” On Mellencamp’s haunting new CD, No Better Than This, fans will discover the ghosts of Robert Johnson, Johnny Cash, Elvis Presley and others.

Produced by T-Bone Burnett, the evocative album was recorded in historic locales like the Sun Studios in Memphis. Those settings clearly inspired Mellencamp, who channels John Prine on the folky title track, Tom Waits on the spooky, fiddle-fueled “A Graceful Fall” and Bob Dylan on the talking blues “Easter Eve.” The most personal song is “Save Some Time to Dream,” on which he counsels “save some time for those you love, for they’ll remember what you gave.” Rooted in old sounds and traditional values, No Better Than This may be Mellencamp’s finest hour.