User ratings in Music are temporarily disabled. More info

Life Death Love and Freedom
by
Life Death Love and Freedom Image
Metascore
75

Generally favorable reviews - based on 18 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.1

Universal acclaim- based on 8 Ratings

  • Summary: John Mellencamp latest album was produced by T Bone Burnett who also developed a new audio format promised to help the album sold sound like master tapes.

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 18
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 18
  3. Negative: 0 out of 18
  1. Billboard
    80
    Searching for a ray of lyrical light in John Mellencamp's latest treatise on the state of the world proves consuming—but largely fruitless. That, however, makes the album all the more compelling.
  2. Hartford Courant
    80
    A moody, stark and hypnotically discomfiting assortment of ruminations.
  3. Uncut
    80
    Bleak but brilliant. [Nov 2008, p.109]
    All this publication's reviews
  4. The New York Times
    80
    It’s a brave album in the way it sets aside all his old consolations.
  5. The Boston Phoenix
    75
    For the most part Life Death Love and Freedom makes good on--and somehow makes entertainment of--its sober sense of purpose.
  6. Slant Magazine
    60
    His world-weariness feels legitimately earned rather than affected keeps Life from being just an exercise in pessimism.
  7. Blender
    50
    By now he's decided he'd rather be Bob Dylan--recent Dylan, that is, devoted to phlegm-clogged blues-codger grumbles about how he's ready for his pine box. Producer T Bone Burnett proves a willing accomplice. [Aug 2008, p.88]
    All this publication's reviews

See all 18 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 4
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 4
  3. Negative: 0 out of 4
  1. RogerS.
    Jul 23, 2008
    10
    Okay pull to the LEFT! Right on John! Life Death Love and Freedom from the Guy inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. His last record Okay pull to the LEFT! Right on John! Life Death Love and Freedom from the Guy inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. His last record was called "Freedom Road" from 2007 when gas was cheap eh. We Canadian's love John Cougar's American Anthems but this is not rock and roll hit parade stuff. It actually sounds hoarse from one of the most important artist for this Generation X. John Mellencamp sang he forgot about Johnny Rotten was when I bought in to His song writing. John's music is dark and not what you think he should be. It's not a nice view when you get stabbed to death, violence with the knife. Darkness the front cover shows a few bullet holes and John Mellencamp placing himself against the wall. The use of his photo for the CD in a minimalist blues sound. I'd play this in a coffee shop in Vancouver, BC. I saw John Mellencamp on Jay Leno doing "I Saw you First". Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with a strong Blues for the smart Left wing folk rock is back. Grow a Beard. I'd Give Mellencamp more if called Himself "the Cougar". THen it's a 10! We went to Killarney where our mascot was a Cougar.....Killarney Cougars and the John Cougar party times SMILE this CD aint like those other songs... Freedom Road (2007) should be listened to then this one to get the whole picture. It's an anthem for now and don't tell anyone. Don't Tell anyone when John dies...giggle. Ok.… Expand
  2. MarcB.
    Jul 21, 2008
    9
    He Is Back With A Monster! Album! Could be his best work yet. Nice to see some artful writings for a change instead of all the bubble gum He Is Back With A Monster! Album! Could be his best work yet. Nice to see some artful writings for a change instead of all the bubble gum stuff we hear today.… Expand
  4. williamb.
    Aug 16, 2008
    9
    Mellencamp has never created a classic, all time great album, but has made a lot of excellent ones with a few flaws. Near misses if you will. Mellencamp has never created a classic, all time great album, but has made a lot of excellent ones with a few flaws. Near misses if you will. LDL&F is up there with Scarcrow, The Lonesome Jubilee, Human Wheels and may even be better than than those as a whole.… Expand
  5. PatrickM.
    Jul 22, 2008
    9
    Seems even Mellencamp's harshest critics have admitted this is a damn fine album.

Current Music Releases

Full List »
99 Band on the Run [50th Anniversary Edition] - Paul McCartney & Wings
95 If I don't make it, I love u - Still House Plants
95 The Sky Will Still Be There Tomorrow - Charles Lloyd
92 This Could Be Texas - English Teacher
92 COWBOY CARTER - Beyoncé
91 The Carnegie Hall Concert - Alice Coltrane
90 1989 (Taylor's Version) - Taylor Swift
90 Iechyd Da - Bill Ryder-Jones
89 I Got Heaven - Mannequin Pussy
89 Black Bayou - Robert Finley
89 Tigers Blood - Waxahatchee
88 Only God Was Above Us - Vampire Weekend
88 What Now - Brittany Howard
88 Hey Panda - The High Llamas
88 Orquídeas - Kali Uchis
88 The Past Is Still Alive - Hurray for the Riff Raff
87 Filthy Underneath - Nadine Shah
87 i/o - Peter Gabriel
87 Blue Lips - ScHoolboy Q
87 Bright Future - Adrianne Lenker
All Current Music »