Cherry Red [Release date : 27.03.26]

John Mellencamp, now an accomplished artist (visually as well as musically) and gallery owner, took the Cougar surname at his manager’s insistence. He thought the record buying public would find the Cougar name much easier to remember.

This was 1975, the year he was signed by Impresario / Music Manager, Tony Defries, the man who signed David Bowie (a whole other story), to his Mainman Organisation.

CD1 : Chestnut Street Incident (1976)

CD2 : The Kid Inside (1977, originally released 1983)

These first two albums are full of blue collar sentiments. Mellencamp is one of the “small town/ dirt road” narrative originators, a prolific songwriter, who had amassed a truckload of songs.

He creamed off half a dozen for the debut, adding songs he loved and was familiar with. And so Roy Orbison’s ‘Pretty Woman’, a perfect blend of rock and pop; John Sebastian’s ‘Do You Believe In Magic’, fittingly, a song about the magic of rock’n’roll, and The Doors’ sardonic ‘Twentieth Century Fox’ among others were included. All gave us a glimpse inside the mind of Mellencamp.

His own songs, especially ‘American Dream’, ‘Dream Killing Town’ and ‘Chestnut Street Incident’ are observations on the so called “American Dream” and its hollow premise.

Musically, they pick up on the classic elements of heartland rock and country, using that sense of familiarity to draw us in, then hook us with the songs, the music and the emotion.

The Kid Inside, Cougar’s second album was shelved by the label, despite Cougar’s songwriting on the debut gaining critical kudos, eventually released in 1983. It has since received little attention, and that’s a shame.

The songs – especially ‘Cheap Shot’, ‘American Son’ and ‘Survive’ – are as much of a valuable insight into the man’s early defining moments, like the debut, reaching many without enjoying chart acclaim.

It’s good to see it here, treated with the reverence it deserves.

Arguably though, the real value in this package is the bonus material, the extras. Like the The US Male EP, its first time on CD, plus ten previously unheard demos, early mixes, alternate versions and the near-mythical electro funk of ‘I Just Wanna Be Black’.

Mellencamp remains a stalwart of American culture, weighing up a yearly touring income of over $2 million against his dedication to the visual arts.

A journey that began 50 years ago has clearly been worth it. ***

Review by Brian McGowan

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ALL THEM WITCHES Starting Line (BMG)
HER FURY Use And Abuse (indie)

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09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Melodic Hard Rock)
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