When you've been listening to somebody's music for close to 40 years it's only natural to think you've got a handle on what type of thing he or she is going to do on a new album. While that might be the case for the majority, who are content to rest on the laurels they earned in younger days, a small minority will periodically reinvent themselves.
Some do it throughout their careers, in progressions that have a pattern and make sense to the listeners. Others do something outlandish that nobody understands ("Born Again" Bob Dylan for example), while others tinker with their sound on a continual basis. Once in a while there's an artist whose particular performance and composition styles keep managing to sound fresh and exciting to the audience, and there is the temptation to remind them, "If it ain't broke don't fix it."
For four years, from 1968 until 1972, Creedence Clearwater Revival was home to John Fogerty and three band mates (including his brother Tom). It was through this band's hits, "Proud Mary," "Bad Moon Rising," "Have You Ever Seen The Rain," and "Down In The Bayou" among others, that Fogerty's unique swamp-rock sound came to the world's attention.
Over the years the sound recognition factor has grown to the point where all a lot of people need is to hear the opening chords of a song to know it's one of John's. It can even be a brand new song; the way he plays just makes him sound so distinctive. Having that kind of instant recognition isn't something you'd want to mess with too much, but sometimes circumstances and mood dictate change whether you like it or not.
On Fogerty's newest release, Revival, you can still hear the old familiar sound on occasion driving a song. But there's also something different happening that I haven't heard from him before. It's not so much a change of music; it's that he's now letting the music be a much more direct reflection of the emotions he's feeling.
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Article comments
1 - Jon Sobel
I might just have to buy this on the strength of your review! It's interesting that you found the politically directed anger surprising, though... remember "Fortunate Son?" That was a very angry anti-war song, and could have been written just for Shrub!
2 - JC Mosquito
Just caught Fogerty on Letterman - yep - might have to buy this one too. He looks & sounds just like... John Fogerty - go fig.
3 - John Tonin
Although Revival has its moments it ultimately fails to satisfy. John Fogerty has turned up the volume and gain on his guitar sound but has lost the ringing melody that was a feature in almost every great Creedence song. His guitar playing here sounds tired and uninteresting. There are some nice songs but for the most part I think he would benefit by collaboration with an outside producer like Nick Lowe or Jeff Lynn or Tom Petty. These guys would make sure to reference the magic that was John Fogerty's Creedence legacy.