Sad Clowns & Hillbillies

Rock · 2017 · 13 tracks · 47m

Sad Clowns & Hillbillies

John Mellencamp

A weathered collection of rootsy Americana and country-inflected rock. Gritty, lived-in songs that trade stadium anthems for front-porch wisdom.

It’s Mellencamp at his most weathered and honest, sounding like a front-porch jam session with some of country music's finest.

A somber and reflective journey through the heartland that balances cynical social observation with moments of tender connection.

Sad Clowns & Hillbillies · vs · John Mellencamp

Brooding+1.4σ

Brooding saturates this record notably more than the artist's norm.

Tracklist · 13 Tracks · 47m

01

Mobile Blue

3:03

02

Battle of Angels

3:58

03

Grandview

3:52

04

Indigo Sunset

3:32

05

What Kind of Man Am I?

4:10

06

All Night Talk Radio

5:09

07

Sugar Hill Mountain

3:08

08

You Are Blind

3:21

09

Damascus Road

4:16

10

Early Bird Café

4:07

11

Sad Clowns

2:42

12

My Soul’s Got Wings

2:58

13

Easy Target

2:45

Moments Worth Waiting For

The weary vocal interplay between Mellencamp and Carlene Carter on Indigo Sunset which feels like a conversation between two old souls.

The stark, piano-driven social critique of Easy Target that closes the album with a hauntingly quiet intensity.

Martina McBride's powerhouse guest appearance on Grandview providing a sudden burst of classic rock energy amidst the folk textures.

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