Review Revisited-John Fogerty-"Revival"

A 'review redux' from 2007-I'll post some 'oldies' here from time to time...for the sake of posterity.



"Revival" is John Fogerty's first album of all-new material since finally burying the legal hatchet regarding his past once and for all. Interestingly enough it sounds like history has repeated itself. The obvious history you'd expect from Fogerty is here...sparse driving rock songs elegant in their simplicity with lots of open string chiming riffs and swampy linear runs. It is unfortunate that there is deeper history here as well. Some of Fogerty's best stuff from CCR's halcyon days was written about an America deeply divided by war, income disparity and moral arrogance. These situations are arguably worse here and now than ever.

"Long Dark Night" and "I Can't Take It No More" are angry anti-Bush rants that rock as hard as anything Fogerty has ever done. The frustration in these songs is palpable...the urgency in Fogerty's voice is chilling. "Don't You Wish It Was True" is reminiscent of "Proud Mary" with that loping New Orleans groove...and a much more positive message. I suspect Fogerty will get some one star reviews based on dissatisfaction with his politics...they conveniently forget that Fogerty has always made rebel music...and never been a Republican! "Who'll Stop The Rain," "Run Through The Jungle," and "Fortunate Son" are so well written and memorable that it is easy to forget that all three are at their core Vietnam War era protest songs. Fogerty has always unfailingly looked out for the average working man with his music.

"Revival" is retro, but not a rerun. The musical elements are familiar because Fogerty consciously sounds like himself. He is getting back to work doing what he does best-playing "swamp rock." This is one of the absolute best albums of 2007...four and one half stars out of five...buy today!