Deja Vu All Over Again

Another decade, and another John Fogerty album. Since he seems to make one album per decade these days, "Deja Vu (All Over Again)" is a pleasant reminder of Eisenhower, Leave-It-To-Beaver nostalgia. This is exactly what John excels at--simple, memorable and endearing folk/pop/rock songs with political statements, social statements and sentimental familial and nostalgic reveries of times long gone.

"Deja Vu (All Over Again)" leads off the album with Vietnam/Iraq observations and general statements about war in general--that it will never, ever end, but it sure would be nice if the human race COULD put a stop to it. "Deja Vu" contains echoes of Creedence Clearwater Revival's "Have You Ever Seen The Rain?" This is Fogerty's masterstroke, taking his past and putting it in the present, and it worked extremely well with 1985's "Centerfield" and the musical references between "Old Man Down The Road" and Creedence Clearwater Revival's "Run Through The Jungle". This is why Fogerty is an American treasure, he is one of the few artists who can remind us effectively in the present of how we felt in the past.

The other socio-political song is "Nobody's Here Anymore", and how true this sentiment has become today. Talk of internet, cell phones and kids listening to music in the back of the classroom instead of learning something rings so true today, and I'll bet it's only going to get worse.

Two of my favorites are the ultra simple, yet enjoyable tunes "Sugar Sugar (In My Life) and "I Will Walk With You". These are easy, pleasant songs that you can just sit back and relax to. "Rhubarb Pie" is a third, but less effective pleasantry.

Three songs about women fill in the album. The hilarious "She's Got Baggage" about women who carry the world on their shoulders and lose control of their emotions in an unhealthy way certainly wears thin, but it's surprisingly hard rocking for this old fogey! "Radar" has this reggae groove that's a new direction for John, and it works pretty well. "Honey Do" is another hilarious take on being married and "yes, dear" and "yes, dear" and "yes, dear" doing things for your woman all the time just when you think your time is yours!

My least favorite songs were "Wicked Old Witch" and "In The Garden" where he slips off the track. Yet, this is the case with all Fogerty albums, there's always a few duds on every album, and this one is no different.

My recommendation is that if you are a long time Fogerty fan, then owning this one is imperative. If you are a picky fan, perhaps waiting another 10 years will satisfy you. Don't be a picky fan.

Déjà Vu All Over Again, John Fogarty's first studio album in seven years is being panned by many listeners.

That is in some ways understandable. It is the follow up to the masterpiece, Blue Moon Swamp. Fogarty irks the political right by having the gall to compare the war in Iraq to Vietnam. Many tracks pay homage to past tracks from CCR to Dire Straits (some might say they are derivative). The lyrical content is rather light on most of the tracks. But it is an exceedingly enjoyable listen. Fogarty is in great voice, the melodies are enjoyable, the guitar work (both by JF and his sidemen) impressive and the range of styles makes this a very accessible work.

Fogarty rocks on "She's Got Baggage" and "In The Garden", he brings out the old style bluegrass for "I Will Walk With You" and "Rhubarb Pie" and for "Wicked Old Witch" he goes back to the Bayou and lays down a classic CCR style romp (okay it sounds like Green River...but why is that so bad?). "Nobody's Here Anymore" is basically Sultans of Swing II (Mark Knopfler playing half of the lead to lend authenticity). The strangest track on the CD is "Radar". I say strange because the style is decidedly non-Fogarty evoking the B-52s style dance music.

If you want melodic heartfelt tracks from the old Swam Dog...this CD will not disappoint. No it is not Blue Moon Swamp, but why would you expect that? If you expect Fogarty to cow down to the Bush apologists ("immature = opposed to needless war) then go buy a Brittney Spears CD (she supports the president, I suppose that must mean she has "mature" political views). 59 and still growing creatively...I hope we will not have to wait seven more years for the next Fogarty effort.

How fortunate we are that John still chooses to enrich our lives with his music. How many of the old rockers are kickin, much less writing? The title song "Deja Vu All Over Again" is Iraq's answer to Vietnam's "Fortunate Son." The rest of the music shows he's happy with his wife and young children. Good for you, John. You don't have to apologize to me for being happy and content with your life. Keep on rockin John, I love you!

› Go to Amazon.com to see all 122 reviews  3.8 out of 5 stars