REVIEW: John Mellencamp, Dance Naked (Mercury)
- Bob Gajarsky
Midwest rock star John Mellencamp has returned to reclaim his chair amongst rock superstars with Dance Naked, his finest effort since 1989's Big Daddy.
In fact, Dance Naked could be considered Big Daddy's younger brother - less serious and more fun to be around. The leadoff single "Wild Night", a duet with Me'Shell NdegeOcello (who hit with "If That's Your Boyfriend (He Wasn't Last Night)" is a playful romp through the Van Morrison-penned tune.
That doesn't mean that Mellencamp has relented with some sense of cynicism. "Another Sunny Day 12/25" looks with disdain at naysayers, with lyrics such as "To say that we're doomed is an obvious remark / But it don't make it right to keep us in the dark."
"This is as naked a rock record as you're going to hear," says Mellencamp. "All the vocals are first or second takes and half the songs don't even have bass parts. Others have just one guitar, bass and drums, which I haven't done since 'Hurts So Good'".
The album continues rocking on other tracks, such as the jangling guitar on "Brothers" or the easy radio accessibility of the title track. In addition, "L.U.V." is a fun and funny protest song you can sing along with.
Mellencamp had sought to restore a "true" rock sound to this album and he's accomplished this in every way. In the face of successful copycat bands (such as Counting Crows and Buffalo Tom), Dance Naked is a welcome return for Mellencamp to his rock roots.
