Fourth LP by Indiana rocker shows promise
In a musical career that has spanned nearly five decades, John Mellencamp has undergone more metamorphoses than just about anyone, save for perhaps David Bowie.
Mellencamp went from charming Midwestern rebel farm boy to hoodlum to socially conscious political activist. He’s even had four stage names, including Johnny Cougar, John Cougar and John Cougar Mellencamp, finally dropping Cougar from his name.
In 1980, Mellencamp released his fourth album, “Nothin’ Matters and What If It Did” under the John Cougar moniker. It’s an LP that shows promise for an artist that had earned modest success with his self-titled third album, which contained the hit single “I Need a Lover (Who Won’t Drive Me Crazy).”
Here, Cougar seems to be looking for his musical footing. The album rocks and has a rebellious tone, but it also pays homage to early rockers such as Elvis Presley and Chuck Berry, especially “Cheap Shot,” a tune which has a rockabilly flavor. It is, however, also a song with a purpose, as Cougar takes a shot at record companies for making the price of records “too damn high.”
The LP displays a softer side, as well, as Cougar pays tribute to a high school sweetheart on “To MG (Wherever She May Be).” Also, the work spawned a pair of hit singles in “Ain’t Even Done With the Night” and “This Time,” with the former still receiving play on classic rock radio stations.
While “Nothin’ Matters and What If It Did” may hold up more solidly than later releases like “American Fool,” “Uh-Huh” and “Scarecrow” (all commercial successes for Mellencamp), there’s really nothing all that memorable on the album.
It does, however, set the stage for Mellencamp’s later works that gave fans hits such as “Hurts so Good,” Jack & Diane,” “Pink Houses,” “Small Town” and “Lonely Ol’ Night.” And for that reason, the 1980 release is a relevant piece of rock history.
