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Mellencamp's Scarecrow: An American Rock Ideal
13 Aug
Summary
- Deluxe reissue of 1985 album captures American rock'n'roll essence.
- Album reflects Mellencamp's shift to championing small-town Americans.
- Reissue includes bonus tracks from Mellencamp's band's oldies practice.
The deluxe reissue of John Mellencamp's 1985 album, "Scarecrow," solidifies its position as a defining American rock and roll record. It reflects Mellencamp's artistic evolution, moving from cynicism to championing the everyday lives of Americans in small towns during the Reagan era.
The album contrasts Mellencamp's natural fatalism with notes of inspiration, addressing themes of loneliness and anxiety with underlying reassurance. "Scarecrow" aimed to position Mellencamp as an advocate for ordinary Americans, mourning cultural shifts and preserving memories, though largely avoiding direct political antagonism.
Musically, "Scarecrow" draws heavily from 1960s heartland rock, influencing Mellencamp's band practice. The reissue includes bonus tracks, featuring covers of The Drifters and James Brown, alongside the original album's impassioned, defiant sound that stood against the synthesized trends of the 1980s.
