Cheap Cuttin' Heads (Music) (John Mellencamp) Price

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Customer Reviews of Cuttin' Heads

Nothing New, But Still "Heads" Above Most Everything Else
Let's pretend John Mellencamp's albums were people (work with me here, people....it'll pay off in the end!). SCARECROW and THE LONESOME JUBILEE met, got married and had a child. That child, in turn, married the offspring produced by the union of HUMAN WHEELS and JOHN MELLENCAMP. The first grandchild of this coupling would be CUTTIN' HEADS. In other words, Mellencamp has turned in another solid effort; creative, yet not too far out in left field. Familiar, but by no means repetitive. Similar to past works, but with enough new twists and turns to almost always keep it interesting. The CD opens with the title track, a slinky jam about race relations. Based around an economical bass line and kickin' percussion, it expertly melds rap, rock, gospel and blues (nice harmonica!). Next up "Peaceful World", the first single. A gorgeous duet with India. Arie, it instantly gets under your skin. Kind of a hybred cross of classic Stones, Al Green and CSNY! Speaking of awesome duets, I would never have thought of the pairing of Mellencamp and Trisha Yearwood, but boy does it work! On "Deep Blue Heart" their voices mix beautifully. Mark my word......this country-tinged ballad will be a HUGE AC hit! "Crazy Island" is really the only track on the disc I don't like......it seems a bit contrived, with music that comes across as rehashed and lyrics that feel a tad bit preachy and precious. "Just Like You", the CD's half-way point track, is a percussion-heavy rocker that just hauls. The amazing thing about this track is that it proves you don't have to scream to rock; Mellencamp delivers a breathy, almost hushed vocal, yet he kicks tail! Toss in soaring backing vocals and you have one of the best vocal tracks of any Mellencamp album. The R&B-drenched "The Same Way I Do" continues the disc's winning ways. There is such an undercurrent of heat to this track that you can listen to it and just picture the couples slow-dancing, grinding away on the dance floor of a smokey, little-known club. VERY nice! A high point of his recent live shows, "Women Seem" is somewhat of a change for John. Basically the singer on acoustic guitar and a rhythm section, it almost seems as if we're all flies on the wall, listening to the former Mr. Cougar talk reflectively to himself. It has a captivating effect, and is a sound Mellencamp should persue more often on future recordings. Next we have my favorite track on CUTTIN' HEADS, the gorgeous, pained "Worn Out Nervous Condition." I've never thought of Mellencamp as vulnerable, but he actually comes across that way here. With it's delicate vocal and dead-on lyrics ("I thought we were having fun/We were walking in the sun baby me and you/Now you give me the cheek every time we kiss/And I don't know what to do so/Go ahead and break my heart/It's your time to break my heart/I'm in a worn out nervous condition over you"), this song paints a vivid picture of someone's world falling apart, not knowing what to do, yet holding on regardless. Toss in a groove that just makes you want to move and sexy, fun female backing vocals (a high point throughout the CD) and you have one of the five all-time top tracks of Mellencamp's career (love that flute!). "Shy" almost gives the previous song a serious run for it's money as the CD's top track. All reggae-tinged and "Aw, shucks!" attitude, it is the absolute perfect blend of in-your-face percussion, snaking keyboards, sweet guitar work and tongue-in-cheek lyrics. Just awesome! The CD ends with "In Our Lives", a familiar, yet heartfelt, Mellencamp standard. Older and wiser, it's clear that he loves what he does, and he's awfully glad (and grateful!) to be able to be doing it! So....while CUTTIN' HEADS may be no big change or anything new for John Mellencamp, you almost have to think that's a good thing. In these times of disposable, cookie-cutter trends, you need things you can depend on. Without sounding corny, it's safe to say you can always depend on John Mellencamp.

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Cuttin' Heads
This is a new Cd by one of the best singers ever. It's 2nd song became a minor hit in 2001.
Cuttin Heads'- Good song about racism. I do not like the ending with the rap by Chuck D. I hate rap, but I understand what he is trying to do but he should have used a soul singer (Lilke Lionel Ritchie) or something.
Peacful World- Minor Hit in 2001. Duet with India Arie. a very good song.
Deep Blue Heart- Duet with Trisha Yearwood. A country-pop song kinda in the style of Elvis' late '70s music (Moody Blue).
Crazy Island- Very Catchy tune with a great melody and an acoustic guitar part that should be easy to play.
Just Like You- Great, but not the best on CD
The Same Way I Do- Soul-blues song. Very good.
Women Seem- One of the best on the CD. Guitar part similar to that of Crazy Island.
Worn Out Nervous Condition- Sounds like it could have came off his Big Daddy album
Shy- If this was recorded in the '70s it would be a #1 hit.
In Our Lives- Best on album.
John has a new cd called Trouble No More coming out May 20th 2003.

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Ugh.
This CD opens with what might just be the best John Mellencamp song ever, "Cuttin' Heads." Loud, raucous and brilliant, (and with guest vocalist Chuck D), it expertly combines elements of Pop, Rock, Delta Blues and Rap into an amalgamation that shocks, entertains, and inspires all at the same time. It's a remarkable piece of work.

If only the rest of this CD were as good.

Unfortunately, it's not. Mellencamp has never sounded less inspired (or in some cases, more insipid). "Crazy Island" sounds like "Jimmy Buffett meets Jackson Browne", with the worst tendencies of both (really...if you want to hear "Pink Houses," put on "Pink Houses"). "Women Seem" tries to be ironic and funny, but it just falls flat. In fact, with the exception of the opening and closing tracks, the whole CD falls flat. John sounds like he's coasting here.

"Cuttin' Heads"--the song--deserves 10 stars. The rest of this disappointment seems headed for the cutout bin. A bloody shame, too, because Mellencamp is clearly capable of much much more.