When in Doubt, Sing About Death. John Mellencamp made old songs rock and newer ones sound vintage at Town Hall on Thursday, adding new themes of gunslinging and death to his repertoire. By Jon Pareles. [New York Times: Arts]

 "Just give Donald Rumsfeld about a million guns, and have it out on Highway 61."

I raved about Mellencamp's new album back on July 1. It has grown on me ever since and is one of my favorite releases this year.