Saturday May 10, 03:05 PM

Mellencamp takes high-def approach to "Life"

NEW YORK (Billboard) - John Mellencamp's upcoming album, "Life, Death, Love and Freedom," will be released in a new high-definition audio format dubbed CODE.

CODE technology, developed by T Bone Burnett, who produced the album, and a team of engineers, creates high-definition audio files that are virtually indistinguishable from the original masters.

To address possible compatibility issues, "Life" -- due July 15 via Hear Music -- will be packaged as a two-disc set, with the standard edition of the album on CD and the CODE version of the album on DVD. The set will be priced as if it were a single-disc package.

Burnett recently told Billboard of his experience working with Mellencamp, "I didn't offer much direction, really, but he was certainly open. He encouraged me to play guitar a lot on the record, which I enjoyed."

"Life" will be available at Starbucks locations in the U.S. and Canada as well as at traditional retail outlets.

Mellencamp's month-long summer tour begins July 8 at the Mann Music Center in Philadelphia, with Lucinda Williams providing support on most dates.

Reuters/Billboard