Album Info  The Lonesome Jubilee  Pop/Rock, Rock & Roll, Folk-
Rock, Roots Rock, Heartland Rock, Contemporary Pop/Rock,
Psychedelic  Album Review  John Mellencamp's fascination with
the American heartland came into full flower on Scarecrow, but
with its follow-up, The Lonesome Jubilee, he began exploring
American folk musics, adding fiddle, accordions, and acoustic
guitars to his band, which allowed him to explore folk and
country. The expansion of his band coincided with his continuing
growth as a songwriter. Song for song, The Lonesome Jubilee is
Mellencamp's strongest album, the record where he captured his
romantic, if decidedly melancholy, vision of working-class
America. He may recycle the same lyrical ideas as before, but he
captures them better than ever, and his music is richer, which
gives the album resonance. Again, there are a few moments where
Mellencamp's reach exceeds his grasp, but "Paper in Fire,"
"Check It Out," "Cherry Bomb," "Empty Hands," and "Hard Times
for an Honest Man" make the record