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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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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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While lyrics have never been Mellencamp’s strongest suit, they’ve never been as clumsy and crotchety as this.
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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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Mellencamp's folk-leaning rock style remains as distinctive as it is uncomplicated.
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There’s no denying that, musically, Freedom’s Road is authentic and inspired.
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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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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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Rolling StoneFreedom's Road finds Mellencamp sounding more at ease than he has in years. [22 Feb 2007, p.74]
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Q MagazinePredictable, but not unpleasantly so. [Feb 2007, p.105]
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Paste MagazineIn [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]
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BlenderThere 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]
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UncutA sluggish, garage rock set. [Jun 2007, p.99]
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BillboardThe 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]
User score distribution:
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Positive: 12 out of 17
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Mixed: 0 out of 17
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Negative: 5 out of 17
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downtownchuckiebrownMar 23, 2007
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CindyEMar 8, 2007
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MartinLMar 1, 2007