Released 15 years ago this week, John Mellencamp’s ‘Freedom’s Road’ explored the uncertainties that exist inside middle America’s most reliable traditions.

Issued 25 years ago, Lisa Germano’s darkly intriguing debut made it clear that she had always been more than simply an accompanist.

Ten years ago, John Mellencamp confirmed a late-career renaissance with the T Bone Burnett-produced ‘Life, Death, Love and Freedom.’

Even as shadows gathered around the superlative ‘No Better Than This,’ released this week in 2010, John Mellencamp clung to his weathered optimism.

Accordion … rock? Yes, accordion rock. Not novelty tunes, polka, zydeco or silly remakes. Let’s look back on times when the accordion played a key role.

John Mellencamp sounds wisened, but he also sounds heartened.

A canny combination of the Mellencamp of old and the Mellencamp of today.

John Mellencamp may be known for changing his name an astonishing three times, but he is respected for two other qualities: his status as the Bruce Springsteen of the Midwest, and his refusal to compromise his sound to fit the latest trends. You May Also Like: John Mellencamp’s Dark, Down-HomeRead More

John Mellencamp’s top billing owes more to his work with writer Stephen King on the narrative that would become a play called Ghost Brothers of Darkland County. He sings just once here, giving the album over to a host of guest stars You May Also Like: John Mellencamp’s ‘Freedom’s Road’Read More