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JOHN FOGERTY
Deja Vu All Over Again (Geffen)
Reviewed by DJ Johnson
Creedence Clearwater Revival alum John Fogerty returns with an album that's all over the place, stylistically. 1997's Blue Moon Swamp was certainly more focused, with its southern themes, but parts of Deja Vu All Over Again seem much more personal, almost like Fogerty's document of where he is at this point in his life. There are songs about his family and married life, which is a surprise coming from such an intensely private man. There's a sense of peace and lightness to the songs about his family, like "Sugar-Sugar (In My Life)," a sweet love song for his wife, Julie, and the ultra-cute "I Will Walk With You," written for his little girl.
Don't worry, it's not all sweetness and light. There's plenty of swamp juice "In The Garden" and a nasty and familiar vibe in "Wicked Old Witch," a song in which Fogerty indulges his habit of quoting his signature guitar licks, this time borrowing a cup of "Green River." Some people find this endearing, some find it annoying. I say as long as the song rocks, and he's not quoting Clapton licks, I just don't care.
In the title track, Fogerty poses the question: doesn't the Iraq situation seem eerily familiar? He pulls his punches only slightly, evoking images of flag-draped caskets and grieving families, and turning a repeating line about reading the writing "on the wall" to "at the wall," clearly comparing Iraq to Vietnam. It's a very powerful statement, punctuated by the signature bass run from CCR's "Have You Ever Seen The Rain."
By deciding to make such an eclectic album, John Fogerty probably ticked off a lot of his long-time fans who expect him to stay in the swamp and make hoodoo sounds forever and ever amen. To be sure, Deja Vu All Over Again doesn't buzz with the same relentless intensity we've all come to expect. Taking a political stand in these times when our nation is so bitterly divided will probably upset roughly 50% of his fans, as well, but that's okay. The thing is, John Fogerty is just being who he is, not who you want him to be.
© 2004 - DJ Johnson