John Fogerty's "Revival" Comes Up Short

For all his strengths, John Fogerty never believed much in subtlety. Every aspect of "Revival" drives the point that the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member has returned to the classic, big-riff sound of his '60s band, Creedence Clearwater Revival.

He posts signs everywhere: The album title, the iconic, silhouette photo on the cover, even a tribute to the durability of his own music on "Creedence Song."

All of which begs the question: When did he ever waver from this sound? He's taken a couple side roads, as in his 1973 album, a solo album recorded under the name Blue Ridge Rangers. But since his 1985 comeback album, "Centerfield," he's stuck to the same unpretentious mix of swamp rhythms and meaty guitar riffs that made Creedence so catchy and singular.

While "Revival" sticks to basics, it rarely sounds as inspired as his best work. The first single, "Don't You Wish It Was True," captures that jubilant spirit and the thrill of a good sing-along chorus that's always been Fogerty's trademark, and "It Ain't Right" has a crisp rockabilly energy that celebrates how viscerally the 62-year-old Californian can rock.

But too many songs feature riffs that are too simple and stripped down. Also, with the exception of the exhilarating "I Can't Take It No More," a high-speed putdown of the current president, too many of the songs strive for a political message but settle for backhanded swipes.

CHECK OUT THIS TRACK: "Longshot" proves once again that Fogerty is the king of using a cowbell to set up a swaggering, classic-rock beat.
By Michael McCall