Life Death Love and Freedom
by John Mellencamp
Metascore
75

Generally favorable reviews - based on 18 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 18
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 18
  3. Negative: 0 out of 18
  1. Slant Magazine
    60
    His world-weariness feels legitimately earned rather than affected keeps Life from being just an exercise in pessimism.
  2. Observer Music Monthly
    60
    Despite high points --the powerful 'Longest Days'; the romping 'My Sweet Love'; the brooding 'John Cockers'--most of these 14 songs struggle to leave a lasting impression.
  3. Q Magazine
    60
    As the title implies, it tackles the big issues, sometimes at the expense of melody, but there's a handful of very fine songs here. [Nov 2008, p.118]
    All this publication's reviews
  5. The A.V. Club
    58
    With producer T-Bone Burnett stripping his rootsy jangle down to a monochromatic, almost lo-fi rumble, Life Death Love And Freedom practically demands to be called "Mellencamp's darkest yet," but it's really just relentlessly downbeat and one-note.
  6. 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

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.1

Universal acclaim- based on 8 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 8
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 8
  3. Negative: 1 out of 8
  1. 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.… Full Review »
  2. 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.… Full Review »
  3. PatrickM.
    Jul 22, 2008
    9
    Seems even Mellencamp's harshest critics have admitted this is a damn fine album.
See all user reviews »