“A Biography” is John Mellencamp’s second released album, and last credited to his then-stage name “Johnny Cougar”. Recorded in London, it was released in the U.K. and Australia by Riva Records on March 6, 1978. “A Biography”, wasn’t released in America.
Ironically, it was his best effort yet, featuring a harder and genuinely rocking backbeat and, in the silly but catchy “I Need a Lover,” his first good song. In Australia, however, “I Need a Lover” became a huge hit, with the result that Mellencamp’s career got its first start.
The rest of the album didn’t even come close to matching those heights, yet the song indicated that Mellencamp had talent he just wasn’t sure how to access it. The opener, “Born Reckless”, is a rock anthem. “Taxi Dancer” (which, along with “Lover”, appeared on his mainstream debut, JOHN COUGAR), is surprisingly poetic…as is the album closer, “Goodnight”. The last line of this song is a badboy (and early John Mellencamp) catch-phrase: “A crowd of people, aw sh*t”. There are, of course, flaws (which is one reason why Mellencamp today probably won’t play any of these tunes in his shows, even if you beg him). “Let Them Run Your Lives” showcases the political side of Mellencamp that would appear in the eighties, and run rampant in the nineties, but is not nearly mature as his later statements. “High C Cherrie” could’ve been a beautiful, if stilted, ode to a “working girl”…if not for the vulgarity and cheap screams. And throughout, the production is garrish, overdone…even the “Johnny Cougar” that recorded this record seems disgusted at times. Still, “A Biography” (don’t let the title fool you; Mellencamp wrote all 10 songs) shows glimpses of the artist that was to come. Not Mellencamp’s best, not by a long shot, it is still one for die-hard Mellencamp fans, and fans of 70’s rock and roll. John Mellencamp has disowned his younger days–the days when his record company was in control, and he had to use the pseudonym “Cougar”. Yet, Mellencamp fans feel compelled to take a listen to his early stuff…and some of it is surprisingly enjoyable.
Ironically, it was his best effort yet, featuring a harder and genuinely rocking backbeat and, in the silly but catchy “I Need a Lover,” his first good song. In Australia, however, “I Need a Lover” became a huge hit, with the result that Mellencamp’s career got its first start.
The rest of the album didn’t even come close to matching those heights, yet the song indicated that Mellencamp had talent he just wasn’t sure how to access it. The opener, “Born Reckless”, is a rock anthem. “Taxi Dancer” (which, along with “Lover”, appeared on his mainstream debut, JOHN COUGAR), is surprisingly poetic…as is the album closer, “Goodnight”. The last line of this song is a badboy (and early John Mellencamp) catch-phrase: “A crowd of people, aw sh*t”. There are, of course, flaws (which is one reason why Mellencamp today probably won’t play any of these tunes in his shows, even if you beg him). “Let Them Run Your Lives” showcases the political side of Mellencamp that would appear in the eighties, and run rampant in the nineties, but is not nearly mature as his later statements. “High C Cherrie” could’ve been a beautiful, if stilted, ode to a “working girl”…if not for the vulgarity and cheap screams. And throughout, the production is garrish, overdone…even the “Johnny Cougar” that recorded this record seems disgusted at times. Still, “A Biography” (don’t let the title fool you; Mellencamp wrote all 10 songs) shows glimpses of the artist that was to come. Not Mellencamp’s best, not by a long shot, it is still one for die-hard Mellencamp fans, and fans of 70’s rock and roll. John Mellencamp has disowned his younger days–the days when his record company was in control, and he had to use the pseudonym “Cougar”. Yet, Mellencamp fans feel compelled to take a listen to his early stuff…and some of it is surprisingly enjoyable.
Track listing
01. “Born Reckless” - 4:35
02. “Factory” - 3:02
03. “Night Slumming” - 4:40
04. “Taxi Dancer” - 4:05
05. “I Need a Lover” - 5:37
06. “Alley of the Angels” - 3:58
07. “High C Cherrie” - 4:58
08. “Where the Sidewalk Ends” - 3:56
09. “Let Them Run Your Lives” - 5:55
10. “Goodnight” - 2:05
Credits
Johnny Cougar – lead vocals, acoustic guitar, background vocals
Brian BecVar – keyboards, background vocals
Larry Crane – guitars, background vocals
Robert “Ferd” Frank – bass, background vocals
Tom Knowles – drums, background vocals
Andy Mackay – saxophones
Ann O’Dell – string arrangement on “Taxi Dancer”
Producer – John Punter
Notes
All songs written and composed by Johnny Cougar (a.k.a John Mellencamp)
Recorded at Wessex Studios, Basing Street Studios, AIR Studios, London, 1977–78
Genre: Rock
Length: 42:58
Label: Riva Records
© 1978
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