Spring '08 LPs From Madonna, Coldplay, The Roots, Mudcrutch, Elvis Costello

John Mellencamp

Life, Death, Love and Freedom 7/15

While preparing for his 2003 covers disc, Trouble No More, John Mellencamp listened to hundreds of hours of American folk songs. "I realized our country has written some sad motherfuckin' songs," he says. "I wanted to see if I had it in me to write like that." Working with producer T Bone Burnett, Mellencamp crafted a stark, bluesy collection of tunes about murder, rape and loneliness. "I see darkness everywhere, and I have to write about it," Mellencamp says. "I don't care if I just sell six records. All I can do is keep on writing songs and singing."