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All Music Guide

Song-wise, this is a stronger album from Mellencamp than we had any right to expect, and an excellent from-the-cradle album when we need it most.

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The Phoenix

Freedom’s Road addresses his pet topics — hard work and small-town life, not to mention freedom and the road — in catchy-enough tunes built with rootsy guitar licks, boot-scooting beats, and the occasional splash of spaghetti-western strings.

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Los Angeles Times

At times his path is too consciously down the middle — "I'm an American, and I respect your point of view," "freedom's road must be under construction" — but his intentions are good.

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Rolling Stone

Freedom's Road finds Mellencamp sounding more at ease than he has in years. [22 Feb 2007, p.74]

Amazon.com

This is his State of the Union address, with guitars that chime like the Byrds heralding sentiments that recall the socially-conscious 1960s, yet sound all the more pertinent today.

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Billboard

The garage band feel of the album—which was, in fact, recorded in a garage—breathes new life into Mellencamp's common-man themes. [27 Jan 2007]

Hartford Courant

Mellencamp's folk-leaning rock style remains as distinctive as it is uncomplicated.

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PopMatters

There’s no denying that, musically, Freedom’s Road is authentic and inspired.

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Q Magazine

Predictable, but not unpleasantly so. [Feb 2007, p.105]

Paste Magazine

In [some] songs, Mellencamp comes across as Toby Keith's benevolent doppelganger: a good ol' boy who'd rather forgive someone's sorry ass than put a boot in it. [Mar 2007, p.68]

Stylus Magazine

While lyrics have never been Mellencamp’s strongest suit, they’ve never been as clumsy and crotchety as this.

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Entertainment Weekly

Like a political speech, Mellencamp's stadium rock plays to the cheap seats but rarely offers specific critiques or risks giving offense. That this is less than inspiring says as much about modern politics as it does mass-market pop.

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Blender

There are two vastly different Mellencamps. One is a flag-waver, singing simplistic anthems like "Our Country." The other, overshadowed Mellencamp is quieter and wiser. [Mar 2007, p.136]

Uncut

A sluggish, garage rock set. [Jun 2007, p.99]

What Our Users Said

The average user rating for this album is 6.5 (out of 10) based on 14 User Votes

Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

downtown chuckie brown gave it an8:
By far mellencamp's most political album. There are definite shades of Scarecrow and The Lonesome Jubilee here but if you are looking for rock riffs - this ain't the place. As one listens to this more and more - it gets better and better. Too bad the truck commercial has tarnished this gem. The most powerful track is the hidden one after #10. (you can change direction with the gas fires burnin...children with no legs...) It is great to see a performer have a strong social conscience however I can not see this selling well in "Redneck USA"

Cindy E gave it a10:
John hits the mark. Don't be fooled by the overplayed "Our Country". The rest of the album deserves a serious listen. Don't miss "Rodeo Clown", the hidden track 3 minutes after the end of track 10!

Martin L gave it a3:
whether it seems like it has a good beat, a good melody, and his voice is on the spot or not, I'm very tired of all of these political songs. Its ****ing cheesy

Chris W gave it a10:
A solid American Album.

Pink gave it a0:
F*ck you mellencamp. Go home.

R. gave it an8:
Pure Mellencamp.

Todd W gave it a2:
If John Mellencamp continues to offer the music masses dreck like this, perhaps he should change his moniker back to Johnny Cougar. At that point at least we can all play along with the pretense. I mean, writing a lead song specifically for a truck commercial, John? Shame on you. How can you expect anyone with half a brain - most metacritics aside - to take you seriously when you pen songs to sell pick-ups? The view from your ivory tower must be pretty smoggy with all of the pollution caused by those trucks you shill for, John. It's obviously affected your mind, causing you to lose it. There are kids half your age currently fighting and dying for your indirect right to purchase those gas-guzzlers, and you add insult to injury with a song to celebrate that fact? Why don't you give Alan Jackson - another person who never met a crisis he couldn't exploit - a call sometime and the two of you can pen a heartfelt ode to those war dead or our late pristine environment. After all, that was our country at one time, too. At least Willie, one of your Farm Aid buddies, is doing something positive in trying to wean us off of our oil fixation. Ol' Spike must be rolling over in his grave knowing what a cultural pimp you've become.

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Freedom's Road

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