American Fool

by John Mellencamp

Overview

John Cougar's first albums were so bereaved of strong material that the lean swagger of American Fool came as a shock. The difference is evident from the opening song, "Hurts So Good," a hard, Stonesy rocker with an irresistibly sleazy hook. Cougar never wrote anything as catchy as this before, nor had his romantic vision of small-town America resonated like it did on "Jack & Diane," a minor and remarkably affecting sketch of dead-end romance. These two songs are the only true keepers on American Fool, but the rest of the record works better than his previous material because his band is tighter than ever before, making his weaker moments convincing. Besides, songs like "Hand to Hold On To" and "China Girl," for all their faults, do indicate that his sense of craft is improving considerably. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine

Product Details

Release Date:	06/10/2016
Label:	Virgin Emi
UPC:	0602547843203
Rank:	35786

Tracks

1. Hurts So Good
2. Jack & Diane
3. Hand to Hold on To
4. Danger List
5. Can You Take It
6. Thundering Hearts
7. China Girl
8. Close Enough
9. Weakest Moments

Album Credits

Performance Credits

John Mellencamp   Primary Artist,Guitar,Tambourine,Lead Vocals,Vocals (Background)
John Cougar   Primary Artist
George "Chocolate" Perry   Bass
Kenny Aronoff   Drums,Percussion
Larry Crane   Guitar,Vocals (Background)
Mick Ronson   Guitar,Vocals (Background)
Mike Wanchic   Guitar,Vocals (Background),Tenor Background Vocals
David Parman   Vocals (Background)
Robert Frank   Bass,Vocals (Background)
Eric Rosser   Keyboards

Technical Credits

John Cougar Mellencamp   Producer
Larry Crane   Composer
John Cougar   Composer
Don Gehman   Engineer,Producer
John Mellencamp   Composer,Producer
Joe New   Composer
Brad Gilderman   Assistant Engineer
George Tutko   Engineer
G.C. Green   Composer
Jeff Silbar   Composer
Dennis Hetzendorfer   Assistant Engineer
Alain Deroque   Mastering
Jeff Sibar   Composer
Mark Stebbeds   Engineer
Al Stegmeyer   Assistant Engineer
George Green   Composer
Bill Levy   Art Direction
Juergen Vollmer   Photography