American IV: The Man Comes Around

I don't know what it is about his voice, the charisma is undeniable. We give him a lot of slack because he's an old guy with a long track record, so I doubt anyone but him could get away with the languid pace of some of these songs. But as he takes advantage of that slack he makes good use of it.

One of the best American singer

One of my favorite cover albums

Late era Cash with some great covers. Despite his age his voice is still impressive and a lot of this stripped down album evokes heavy emotion. Standouts are "Hurt" and "I Hung My Head".

CASH

an extremely strong album especially the Beatles cover song

4.75

OUTSTANDING

Had only heard Hurt and I Hang My Head before today. Not as somber as the album art would make you think. Desperado and Tear Stained Letter were my favorites.

Title track, Hurt... and I forgot about I Hung My Head being on this one... Oh and the Personal Jesus cover is cool too! Definitely one of his best. There are some really great songs, it's recorded a little hot... and there is \"filler\", but definitely should be on the 1001. In My Life is one of my favorite songs, and I do with they got a little better take, but I still love that it's on here. Last thing released when he was alive. That outgoing message on We'll Meet Again. Hate to be sentimental, but I'm leaning towards 5.

4+

Johnny cash’s rasply vocals against the acoustic guitar work very well. Love the covers

Solid album. It obviously takes on a different meaning having been released so close to his death. Actually, this album seems so geared towards that idea it almost comes across as exploitative. But the songs are so good.

Some excellent covers, but doesn’t quite elevate above the source material to make this a classic.

I think this is the most emotional album I've ever listened to. Calling it hauntingly beautiful doesn't do it justice. Hurt is clearly the best track, but there's not a single bad one on the album.

Had forgotten how many great songs are on this album. I hate you one and all, damn your eyes!

Not my usual taste, pretty good overall! Hurt is a classic even though it's a cover.

Transcendental music, connecting to a higher level of spirit. The veil is thin on this one. A truly special record.

Genres: Folk, folk rock, country, Americana, Southern gothic Formed: Mid 1950’s Run time: 15 songs, 52 min, 3 sec The 67th and final studio album by Johnny Cash. 67 albums is quite a remarkable feat to achieve. This album is sombre and melancholic, a style that Cash will always be associated with. The general theme of the album is lifes’ struggles, love and loss. Cash’s style, like his voice, is unique. He includes many covers and makes each and everyone his own. I think many consider his cover of “Hurt” by Nine Inch Nails better than the original. Spotify: Least popular song: >3.6M Most popular song: >552M plays. "The Man Comes Around" is about the second coming of Jesus. “Hurt” is a cover of the song by rock band Nine Inch Nails. The song is about the struggle of addiction and its unyielding grip on the addict. "Give My Love to Rose" is about a man who has been freed from prison. He accepts what he has done and the consequences. He obviously regrets the effect of his absence on his wife and child. He doesn’t make it home and while dying asks a stranger to "Give My Love to Rose", his wife. "Bridge Over Troubled Water" is a cover of the song by Simon & Garfunkel. It is about adversity. The bridge is a metaphor for someone helping the person in difficulty. “I Hung My Head” is a tale about the shame felt for (accidently) killing someone and the effects and consequences of that single action. “First Time Ever I Saw Your Face” is a cover of the 1957 folk song written by British political singer-songwriter Ewan MacColl for Peggy Seeger (his then mistress, later wife). The song is best known for the 1972 version by Roberta Flack. The song is about the intense feelings felt in the first flush of love. "Personal Jesus" is a cover of the 1989 song by English electronic music band Depeche Mode. The song is about mankind's need for a spiritual connection to something bigger. “In My Life” is a cover of the 1965 Beatles song. It is about love and how it shapes all aspects of our lives. “Sam Hall” is an old English folk song about an unapologetic man called Sam Hall, who is hanged for murder. “Danny Boy” is a 1910 song by Frederic Weatherly, sung to the tune of the Irish melody "Londonderry Air" in 1913. The song is about a father addressing his son about love and loss before he leaves home. "Desperado" (with Don Henley) is a cover of the 1973 song by American rock band the Eagles. The song is about a hard living man. The lyrics are a plea for him to reform before it's too late. “I'm so Lonesome I Could Cry” is a cover of the 1949 song written and recorded by American country singer-songwriter Hank Williams. The song is about the protagonist's deep despair and loneliness. I will always associate this song with Elvis. I believe Cash’s version conveys the despair better than anyone else's. "Tear Stained Letter" is about a man planning to write a letter to his soon to be ex. It tells of the loss and betrayal feels and the love he still carries. He means to convey his feelings and hopes she feels regret for his ill-treatment. “Street Of Laredo” is a traditional ballad about a dying cowboy reminiscing about his life. It is a melancholy reflection on his life, loves and mistakes made. “We'll Meet Again" is a cover of the 1939 song by English singer Vera Lynn (music and lyrics by English songwriters Ross Parker and Hughie Charles). We all know this song. The song is an optimistic tale of reunion to be had in the future. The song declares that the meeting will take place in an unknown place and time. I’ve always assumed the reunion referred to meeting in the afterlife, which contrasts to the jolly optimistic feel of the song. I didn’t like “We'll Meet Again" and I suspect it was added knowing it would be his last album. If that wasn’t the case then it was an amazing coincidence. Fantastically talented artist and an amazing album. Listen Again?: Yes and I’ll try some of his other albums. My Rating: ****

This is a very nice album to listen to

Holy fuck this is so good. I adore Johnny Cash’s voice, and there are some excellent covers on this.

Like David Bowie's *Blackstar* or Leonard Cohen's *You Want It Darker*, this is as much an album as it is a musical last will of sorts. And just like those  other very late masterpieces, it's a devastating experience to go through. In the case of *American IV: The Man Comes Around", 90% of the LP is made out of covers, which is what Johnny Cash had performed for most of his life anyway. But the selection of songs is so pristine and *à propos*, and it resonates so much with who Johnny was at the time, that it's hard to imagine how you can't repond to it in an emotional manner once you've dug into those tunes... Interestingly, it's the sort of emotional response that Trent Reznor--one of the songwriters behind the tracks covered here-- expressed when this album came out. Reznor said that the song "Hurt" doesn't belong to him anymore when he first heard Cash's version of it, and that was so gracious of him to say so. Because, hell yeah, as good as the original was, Johnny's version indeed turns this sadcore junkie anthem to another sort of transcendent experience about old age and death, driven by acoustic guitars, the man's famous deep voice--here turned gravelly--and a relentless note played on the piano. Devastating, as I already said. Likewise, the use of Depeche Mode's "Personal Jesus" is another brilliant move. Here Johnny's version turns the synth-blues anthem into a tender moment that's as lighthearted as it can be under the circumstances. The musicians playing with the old country singer are all top-notch--those piano flourishes are lively and even tongue-in-cheek. But somehow the irony of the original version becomes something different here, more akin to a sort of straightforward statement about Cash's faith at the twilight of his life. And it's like that for many other tracks--they are (or feel) "appropriated" by Cash--they become as "personal" as the Jesus in that song, and sometimes go a long way from their original universe to seamless integrate the one of this record. The world of music can't thank producer Rick Rubin enough for initiating this "American" series with Johnny, of which *American IV...* is the crowning achievement. Highlights abound everywhere: the artists covered go from countey luminaries such as Hank Williams and Marty Robbins to The Beatles, Simon And Garfunkel, The Eagles--plus, as stated earlier, quite recent artists at the time the record came out (Depeche Mode and Nine Inch Nails). Cash and Rubin even manage to make Sting look good:  their version of "I Hung My Head" is a gem, and sounds as if it had been written by an outlaw cowboy a century ago. And then there are Cash's original compositions--his old "Give My Love To Rose" and "Tear-Stained Letter", plus a great new song opening the LP: the apocalyptic "The Man Comes Around", about the devil and our devilish times. Add the stellar guests--a (very young at the time) Fiona Apple for a touching duet to perform "Bridge Over Troubled Water", or Nick Cave, or The Eagles' Don Henley--and you get not only an essential album from Cash's looooooong discography, but also an essential album for music per se--and even a historical document, along with a personal retrospective on 20th century music. Now, you can't get more "essential" than that, can you? Number of albums left to review: less than 500 (I've temporarily lost count) Number of albums I'll include in my own list: half so far, approximately (including this one, of course) Number of albums I *might*  include: a quarter, approximately. Number of albums I'll never include: another quarter (many others are more important to me).

His covers may be worse than their respective originals, but they aren't bad. Johnny Cash's brand of country sure is among the most charming ones. Great album.

There's some belters on here, but its not all great

A really good album overall. And of course Hurt is an all time great cover.

Me encantó, full nostalgico. 3.5.

Hay algunas excelentes y otras no tanto, pero se disfruta siempre.

Old man Johnny

First two songs slap (YK this). rest of the album just kinda goes on with some interesting covers

I wasn't sure about this when I saw it was all cover songs. But when Hurt came on it sent chills down my spine. Other faves would be I Hung My Head and Personal Jesus. Being his final album We'll Meet Again seems poignant as the closer.

Yup yup, pretty affecting stuff. Like Bowie's "Blackstar" and Cohen's "You Want it Darker", it's a fair well, an introspection, and a demonstration of skills developed over a life time. Fave track - "Hurt" is epic, and kudos to Trent Reznor for spiritually signing the song over to Cash. "I Hung My Head" and "Big Iron" were stand outs, too, though I could probably comfortably add about half the album total to this list...

simple and sublime. johnny’s voice is weathered with a heavy weight, yet soothes. sheer brilliance. i love tear stained letter. shoutsout to rick rubin for producing his most iconic single too!!!

bué chill, sombrio melhor musica: the man comes around/ we'll meet again

Breathtaking. Great stories in great songs of one of the greatest voices of all time. His voice was so good when he was old. 4.5/5.

I don't usually care about cover albums (I know this isn't all covers) because I rarely find that they improve upon or add much to the originals but this is a really amazing one. First, it's so interesting to hear the songs that Johnny Cash at this time in his life felt were important to compile and do his own way. On top of that, I feel like the quality of his voice and the production add another level of depth and a new perspective to songs I've heard a hundred times before. This is a really beautiful album and I'm really glad Johnny Cash made it before he passed away. Standout Tracks: The Man Comes Around, Hurt, Give My Love to Rose, I Hung My Head, First Time Ever I Saw Your Face, Personal Jesus, In My Life, Sam Hall, I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry, Tear Stained Letter, We'll Meet Again

I'm a big fan of Johnny Cash's later work and the American series in general. This is one of the best entries. People talk too much about 'Hurt' but there are so many other great tracks on this album. Check them out please!

king

Johnny Kontants sista och, håll i er, sextiosjunde album. Förutom två så är alla låtar covers. Inte bara gamla standards, utan stora världshits, vilket är kul! De gamla standardlåtarna blir aldrig riktigt spännande här. Kontants egenskrivna är dock toppen, speciellt albumets öppningslåt, 'The Man Comes Around'. Mycket blir bättre av att filtreras genom den åldrade mannens erfarna basstämma, men vissa låtar, som 'Bridge Over Troubled Water' är svåra att göra bättre än originalen. Samtidigt blir exempelvis 'Personal Jesus', med John Frusciante på gitarr, en helt egen, fantastiskt avskalad men ändå bluesigt hård, version. Han gör även 'In My Life' rättvisa, även om den inte kommer i närheten av Beatles originalversion! 'Hurt', Nine Inch Nails-covern, behöver väl ingen närmare presentation, men Rick Rubins produktion blir bitvis lite högljudd, och sången känns konstigt mixad? Återkommande i vissa andra låtar, blir jobbigt att lyssna på. Bästa låt: 'The Man Comes Around' är nog bäst overall. 'Personal Jesus' bästa covern. Men det kan vara för att jag hört 'Hurt' (haha hört hurt hurt hört) för mycket.

Incredibly easy to listen to. Cash has an incredible voice and there is something so beautifully simple about this album. Hurt is one of my favourite songs released in my lifetime anyway but there were more gems on this album

This is the second Johnny Cash album I've gotten on this list, the first of which was At Folsom Prison. This album was a shift in tone from Folsom, but I still enjoyed it. I'm usually not into cover albums (I know this one isn't all covers, but it mostly is), but Johnny Cash really does a great job of adding something new to each of the songs on here. The changes to the instrumentation on these songs really complement Cash as a singer as well, and I love that so many great musicians contributed to this album (Henley, Frusciante, Mike Campbell, etc.). Knowing that Cash would live for less than a year after the release of this album gives more depth to a few of the songs here, most notably "Hurt." Overall, I thought this was a good album, and I enjoyed hearing Cash's version of some songs that I'm already familiar with. Favorite track: Bridge Over Troubled Water with Fiona Apple

I mean.... I really love classic Johnny Cash. Feels like the people falling over these projects are the ones who wouldn't cue up Big River or Get Rhythm or stuff. I like the more country oriented stuff more... some of the pop song covers are pretty dumb. I also just don't really believe Johnny on Hurt the way I believe Reznor... I still think the original cuts deeper. Especially because changing "crown of shit" to "crown of thorns" really, really, really undermines the impact. They just ain't the same thing, sorry you don't wanna swear no more Johnny. Also the production top to bottom is Pro Toolsy bullshit. With all those complaints, still a 3 star. The man is great, this just ain't the real real Cash.

This is the second Johnny Cash album the generator has given me, and I can now say that I just don’t get the Johnny Cash thing. His voice is not for me. This album was compiled mostly of covers. I knew a number of these songs in their original form or via other covers, and for the most part I don’t think Johnny Cash brought anything new to them. I prefer the originals/other versions for Hurt, Personal Jesus, Bridge Over Troubled Water, and First Time I Ever Saw Your Face. I thought the nicest covers on this album were In My Life and We’ll Meet Again. Overall meh

Ik vind veel van deze covers niet echt een meerwaarde dat ze door Cash gezongen zijn. Hurt is een prachtige versie, maar de rest vind ik toch een stuk minder

I never cared much for Cash until his later albums. Like many in my generation, the first I heard of him was "Hurt" (a masterpiece). This album haunts you, he conveys sadness and vulnerability as I've rarely heard before or since. Every song feels raw and deeply personal, like the ghost of a voice that has lived a thousand lives.

He absolutely butchered Hurt.

shockingly good for an album of covers has hurt on it

That was an amazing album of so many classics & passionately sung.

There's a familiarity bias to Hurt & I Hung My Head. Some adaptations felt twee, others rousing. Would I listen again? Probably

Great vocals, great tunes. Of course the background of his impending death adds weight to the emotion, but a stunning album regardless.

Masterful collaboration between Cash and Rubin

Loved it back in 2003, has suffered a little from becoming too familiar but still some great stand-out moments

It is a wonderful album. The American series albums always seem to me about a man who knew his final chapter was being written and who was determined to show his depth and scope. Tear Stained Letter is the low point, but it's not that bad and the rest is simply so good, that it really can't be denied a 5. Hurt is the track that amazes. I know it well from Pretty Hate Machine, an anthem from my adolescence. Personal Jesus and In My Life are also incredible. This album reads like a love song for Gen X, and I appreciated that a great deal. It's been in my rotation since it was released and I listed to it often.

It's amazing how we as humans turn off entire sections of the world based on single decisions. Never a country fan, but somehow became a Cash fan and this album only exacerbated appreciation and love for this guy. Who would've thought jumping to the American label would work to create a whole new audience for a guy that'd been making music for almost 50 years? An album of covers... should this be on this list? Should we make exceptions for the Man in Black .. ? Evidently, yes and I'm glad to have an excuse to listen to this again. Wow.

“Hurt” introduced a whole new generation to the man in black, and there are some other great takes on unexpected songs on “The Man Comes Around.”

A seasoned master finds new life at the end of his career with his collection of brilliant versions of timeless classics.

I love when covers make the song something totally different. This is the case for most of the covers on this album. Hurt is a real standout. But Personal Jesus also stands out for just how different it is from the original.

I liked the stripped down aesthetic. I liked The Man Comes Around and Hurt a lot as well as some others. I like Johnny Cash. His career accomplishments are insane: over 1,000 songs written and 50+ albums. I didn’t like the covers of Bridge Over Troubled Water nor Desperado. Also his voice was a too deteriorated at this point for me. If this album were sung with Johnny’s voice from 30 years before, it would be a really good album for me.

7/15, 47%

Ending with that Ink Spots cover, a "chin up" after all this fear of leaving behind the good and learning to embrace our bad, feels like saying: it all boils down pretty simply after all that. Hell of a lens to be looking at life through after all the other fears and hopes and darknesses he looks at here. Like, this is on the same album as Hurt.

Eigenlijk haat ik alles wat ook maar een beetje op country lijkt, maar wat staan er briljante dingen op dit album. Geweldige sfeer en stem!

Geweldige man en stem!

Aantal fantastische covers staan er op dit album. Maar toch ook wel een aantal nummers waarin het wiebelt en zijn stem zo onvast is dat het bijna ongemakkelijk wordt om er naar te luisteren. De keuze voor sommige in mijn ogen best saaie nummers snap ik ook niet helemaal.

Och, wat houd ik toch van Jan Centje 😍. Prachtige stem, prachtige liedjes. Dat een mens er niet zo vrolijk van wordt, neem ik op de koop toe.

Fina tolkningar

Ya I can see why this was his lesser known album

Not a big Johnny Cash fan, but what more needs to be said about his magnifcant version of "Hurt"? It's such a powerful song anyway, but with his voice, the tempo, and the backing track - it achieves new heights; this song always sends shivers down my spine. An album mainly of covers, his singing on some tracks is not good, but a fitting obituary to the man in black.

Damn it! I liked this a lot more than I thought I would.

This album deserves all the stars.

I thought it was beautiful. Johnny Cash is a treasure

Stunning voice. I would appreciate this album the most after a breakup or while drunk. Unfortunately, I don't fully value an album which mainly consists of covers. After all: mixed feelings...

This was one of the saddest albums I've ever listened to. It feels like Johnny Cash was very much expecting and accepting that he would die soon. I cried to "Bridge Over Troubled Waters" but that's mostly because I have a personal connection to high school with that song and I was clearing out games I used to play with my ex boyfriend when it came on. "Desperado" also really got me but that's a song that my mom really likes the original and I think it just hurts that it's on one of his last albums. That being said, it was really well put together. I think all the songs on this album belong there, even the covers deserved their places.

A beautiful and haunting album that caught me on a really dark day. It definitely brought me to tears at points. As much as I say I generally dislike American male-vocal country music, Johnny Cash is one such exception to that, from my limited knowledge of his work. A true swan song. Favourite: I Hung My Head

This man makes me feel things. Best track is, of course, Hurt.

It's difficult to rate this, because it's essentially an album of covers by a man who has a very idiosyncratic voice. I'm not sure I am the biggest fan of his voice. But there is no denying the power of the songs he sings and his being close to death, some send a chill down my spine, while some (Danny Boy) are on the edge of being slightly cringe worthy. Sorry. Needs another listen really, but it is intriguing and in places, powerful. A solid 3.

Such beauty, sadness, grace, humility. So many things that rarely come about when an artist covers a song. Johnny Cash is raw and vulnerable and his voice is cracked and full of emotion. I heard this album a lot back when it came out and naturally it means different things to me now. I cried listening (while cycling which isn’t a good look).

An impressive collection of older and more “current” songs by Cash himself and other artists. Though his voice never was very melodious, the wear of age and time has created an emotional quality that can’t be denied. Definitely worth a second listen and more. A great “first” album on this list to listen to. -CBT

Wasn't really satisfied with it.

Prefer his older stuff

Stirring and filled with emotion, it was quite something to hear, late career Cash making such potent music. Song choice is excellent (with a few exceptions) and Hurt is a brilliant, inspired cover.

26.05.2023

Great tracks

Genuinely one of the most crushing albums I've ever heard. Jesus Christ. Right up there, if not the peak of the greatest swan songs ever created. Each song has such an air of grief and solemnity to it, yet also each one is nostalgic in a way too. He makes every song, despite some of their recognizability, into his own. The beginning stretch of songs are some of the best collection of music I think I've ever heard. His old-age voice is perfect for the stripped back, contemplative vibe of the production, and the song selection is just perfect for the old man looking back on life thesis. Highlights include the title track, Hurt, I Hung My Head, First Time I Ever Saw Your Face, Personal Jesus, and the finale, We'll Meet Again, which might be the perfect sendoff song. Made me tear up a bit. Essential listening.

I have never heard this album and I am glad I could rectify this. I enjoyed the first half of the album more than the second half of the album, with "Bridge Over Troubled Water" being a highlight for me. "American IV" is a necessary album because it shows how well Johnny Cash can interpret and re-interpret songs to make them his own. "Hurt" is now his song and his voice adds gravitas to so many of these songs. Wonderful.

Let's not bury the lead here: This recording of "Hurt" is one of the most poignant, emotional, impactful music ever made because of the song, the lyrics, the interpretation, but most of all because of who Cash is. Anyone else could not make this song do what it is doing. It is insane and a case study in music in itself. The rest of this album does not reach the height of "Hurt," but neither does almost anything else I've ever heard. Cash is like Elvis - almost a mythic persona . This album belongs on this list because of "Hurt;" it just must be heard by everyone. The other songs are good, and this whole album makes you go, why don't I just pick up a guitar - look at what you can do with one of those - sounds pretty easy on here! A few of the songs don't really soar that high, mostly the other covers like In My Life, Bridge Over Troubled Water, and Desperado. Still, Hurt alone makes this essential listening.

This guy was rock and roll before it was even a thing and this album is him taking modern rock songs and making them BETTER. Bought the CD when it came out. Amazing.

Really good! Hurt is a classic. Really liked his version of Personal Jesus. I didn't care for Danny Boy as I think that song should be sung by a tenor. Despite that, Johnny Cash is a legend and this is a solid recording.

Haven’t listened to too much cash besides the hits. This was a great album. His age adds a lot to his voice. Top picks: hurt and I hung my head

Cracking one to start with. Very bleak and sorrowful but somehow full of a quiet peace. The Nick Cave and Fiona Apple cameos were delightful. Almost like he knew it was his swan song, as it feels like a love letter to music itself.

First Johnny Cash album I ever listened to and bought.

So his 67th and final album, and no surprise he reprised old tracks and covered othersb including 2 of his most played tracks. Instantly recognisable, instant classic, one star lost for being single paced

4.5 stars and a 6 for hurt - Cash's version of that amazing song is other-worldly. Truly inspired.

Boring

Johnny Cash made me realise that country can be decent. Loved his prison albums. But this is dross.

Absolutely love the American series from Johnny Cash. Rick Rubin really brought out something special here.

Mostly filled with covers but it's a fine parting gift from the Man in Black in his final years.

A miserable covers album that put me in a really really bad place but it’s not technically bad and the covers are okay (hurt is overrated). 3/5

This is a goodbye message. Johnny's saying sorry, goodby, thank you, and he loves you. This album was a masterpiece when released and after some time and a relisten after the loss of a loved one has left my keyboard sopping wet. Country music is underrepresented on this list and Johnny Cash isn't necessarily Country, nor is this album, but it's place here is well earned. 5/5.

There should be a separate genre for old artists who make a final swansong album and absolutely knock it out of the park, using their age and wisdom to their advantage. Think Bowie's "Blackstar" and Leonard Cohen's "You Want It Darker". But the album that really kicked it all off was Johnny Cash's "American IV: The Man Comes Around". Here Cash is completely spent. A lifetime of touring, debauchery, and drugs have finally caught up with him, and he makes no attempt to hide it. He has nothing else to give but his soul, which he thought was long since lost. But not with anything new. Every song on this album is a cover. But not a single song sounds like a cheap cop-out. Cash's deathly croon gives the songs a special kind of energy that are completely detached from the original songs. From the anti-drug anthem "Hurt" by Nine Inch Nails to the melancholy "Bridge Over Troubled Water" by Simon and Garfunkel to the resolute "We'll Meet Again" by Vera Lynn, Johnny Cash wheezes like an old gramophone, wearily singing over a raw production of a backing band. This is Cash at death's door. Reaching the end of the 5 stages of grief after living the lives of many men combined. And at the end of it all, he still has a story to tell. Standout Songs: "Hurt" "Bridge Over Troubled Water" "I Hang My Head" "We'll Meet Again"

Thanks for the existential dread, Johnny.

The Man Comes Around, Hurt, Personal Jesus, In My Life, Danny Boy, I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry (same), Tear Stained Letter and We’ll Meet Again. Classic voice. A couple eh songs. Some great covers.

the man comes around, hurt, bridge over troubled water, i hung my head, we'll meet again. the other songs were ok

Not going to listen to this yet because I haven't listened to much Cash and I don't think this is worth listening to yet. Just giving it three start because that's the middle

Unbelievably powerful - incredible mix of songs.

Okay, covers in Cash's voice is a cheat code. This is amazing.

Kaipaisin enemmän revittelyä versioinneissa, vähän vaihtelua tulkintaan. Mutta kyllähän tätä on kamalan miellyttävä kuunnella.

Levyllä on luotettu siihen, että Cashin ääni ja aura nostavat musiikin korniuden yläpuolelle. Eivät nosta. The Man Comes Around on tosin neronleimaus.

Really good, powerful. Got a bit teary-eyed at the end. Really felt the emotions from the stories told. Liked the spoken word parts from the first song. Smiled a bit whenever he voiced an "h" before a "w". + Hurt + Give My Love To Rose + Danny Boy + Personal Jesus + We'll Meet Again

Pause. Long slow bow of my head. Pause again. Thank you so much.

Not gonna lie, I'm mostly here for the first two songs. But the whole thing is still pretty damn good.

A continuation of The Man In Black's return to essential relevance. And it has "Hurt".

Beautiful album. 4/5

Nice set of covers from the man.

Another cash? Just like too many Springsteen, too many Aerosmith. Really? 1001 albums are not that much, you know?

HL: "Hurt", "Personal Jesus", "First Time Ever I Saw Your Face", "In My Life", "Give My Love to Rose", "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry" Though I agree that it's a great cover, I picked up on Rick Rubin's clipping during "Hurt" and got a little annoyed that he produced this album Love it but it’s a drag April 6, 2023

Such an iconic album.

Rick Ruben is a genius. He did the world a favor by letting us hear Johnny Cash in such a vulnerable and open way. Thanks, Rick and Johnny.

I enjoyed this a surprising amount. Before I thought JC was ring of fire and that's it, but this was a lot more than that.

Legendary, takes a bunch of songs and made them undeniably his, what a dude

Late career work. Interesting interpretations of songs.

The good stuff here is absolutely incredible, but there's a fair bit of unmemorable filler in my opinion. Cash's Blackstar is emotional and heartbreaking at points, but a glorious swansong. A cold look back at one's life and what will come next. 01/04/23

It went on a little long, in my opinion, but I liked the tone. I'm not sure how I feel about the sudden backing vocals on a few of the tracks. I do think it fits with the last track rather well, though. I like how stripped down it is and the subject matter of a lot of the songs. Hurt is really good. I guess my issues would be the length and some of the songs just didn't hit for me. At some points his voice begun to bother me a little as well, but I respect the album. My favourite songs were Hurt, I Hung My Head, and We'll Meet Again.

5/5. Absolute Classic I don't give 5/5 ratings often. These, in my book, are reserved for the top 5% of the albums I've listened to. This is an exceptional work. I usually do NOT like cover songs. Johnny knows how to make them his own. You have never heard anyone else sing the Nine Inch Nails track Hurt like Johnny does. Absolute genius. I listened to the full album for the 1st time just after Johnny had passed. Before this I always thought he was good - he had a handful of great songs and most of the time his live albums were entertaining. This, on the other hand, is near perfection - start to finish. It is so amazing. This is truly an album that I feel everyone should listen to before they die. Favorite tracks: Hurt, I Hung My Head, Give My Love to Rose, The Man Comes Around, In My Life, Sam Hall, I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry, Streets of Laredo, Big Iron, and We'll Meet Again. Least Favorite: None really, but if I HAD to pick a couple I'd go with the cover songs that he really didn't do much with, other than sing it in only the way JC could: Bridge Over Troubled Waters, First Time Ever I Saw Your Face. Songs like Personal Jesus is ok, I think someone probably told him that If he sang this he would reach out to a new generation of music fans. I think it's pretty good, but probably the song that I feel least fits the rest of the album.

Sometimes, an album's truly special. Sometimes, the words feel like they REALLY mean something. Like the artist knows something we don't. Like the artist knows they're going to die. And we're privy to their last hurrah. Their last call. The last songs they want to sing. Even though it's covers, this album makes me feel the weight of life and the weight of death. It's sad, like you want to weep, but the album feels kick-ass enough that you know that it's an okay kind of sad. The man uses his voice and his song choice to say more than I think he could've done with original songs. Shit, Johnny, I wish you could've lived forever. I wish we all could. But then it all wouldn't mean as much.

Some great and iconic tracks. Some not so great.

Very good, unique and some great parts

I had written this album off previously as an old washed up country star trying to cling on to a past life. When I actually sat down and listened to it, I could hear that I had it all wrong. He knew he was close to death and was trying to reckon with his demons, and that comes through on every song. Hurt is now his song. I loved his version of in my life.

I just don't get it. He sounds so grumpy, and the tunes lack subtelty

Brutal. Versiones de canciones grabadas poco antes de morir. Vinilazo.

Versiones muy chulas.

Honestly, the best parts of this album are the Cash originals. Overall it's a pretty haunting record, especially in retrospect. The best covers are the Depeche Mode, Sting, Tex Ritter, and Hank Williams songs.

This is kind of a rough listen. It comes off as a dying man singing songs about dying. "Sam Hall", placed right in the middle of the record, comes in like the first breath of fresh air after being bedridden with the flu.

I mean it's good, but also feels like taking advantage of the guy.

It might be a bit of cliche, but "Hurt", together with "All Along the Watchtower" by Jimi Hendrix are the best covers in the history of contemporary music. I don't even like Nine Inch Nails, but what Johnny Cash has done with this song is unbelievable. All the pure emotions just flowing out of the song, melancholy and sadness, just a tad of optimism at the end, and all of that sprinkled with a frail voice of Johnny makes it one of my favourite song of all time. Most of the album is being kept in the same style, with few old-style country songs here and there. His rendition of "Personal Jesus" is also very good. Old Johnny has an ability to add another layer of emotions to any song, even if that's a straightforward pop song. In summary - great covers, okay country original songs. A very solid 4.

Ok

Awesome album

Just an old man singing (old) songs. But what a unique, incredible voice, and a great selection of songs.

3.5

Reading a phrase like "sixty-seventh studio album" is pretty incredible. The album itself it pretty incredible. It drew a tear more than once. Cash's original recording of "Give My Love to Rose," for example, might come across as just sentimental and maybe corny. This version conveys all the emotions of a really heartbreaking song. This is true throughout the album, whether it's "Streets of Laredo" or "In My Life," or "Personal Jesus." I love this seemingly random collection of largely familiar songs that have become something entirely different and filled with meaning. "The Man Comes Around," the song Cash wrote for this album, is quite epic, and of course "Hurt" is beyond perfect. It's got to be one of my favorite albums ever.

This is a beautiful album. I had heard some tracks from it, but never as a whole. I didn't love every cover, but I loved the passion throughout.

Mathematical fact: the set of all people who dislike Johnny Cash is a subset of the set of all people who are actually monsters. This is divine.

This last recording from Johnny Cash was a real gift. It's pretty amazing to hear someone of such talent embrace their vulnerability as they near the end of their life. Such a variety of song selections! Some of these were obvious choices, but others like Hurt, The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face, and Personal Jesus are real surprises. They work incredibly well here making it is easy to forget what remarkable choices they are for Johnny Cash. This was incredibly moving to me when it was released and was an even more emotional listen today. This is a tear-filled journey that I am grateful to have made.

3,5

As an aspiring musician, this is how I want to go out. This album has so much finality to it, from the heartbreaking (‘Hurt’, ‘I Hung My Head’) to the bittersweet (‘Give My Love to Rose’, ‘First Time Ever I Saw Your Face’, ‘In My Life’), and it all culminates in ‘We’ll Meet Again’, which, while a cover, is a fitting send-off for one of the greatest country artists to ever do it.

Johnny's voice on this album is epic!

All time great album

Such a great parting album. Excellent production. He's old here and his voice isn't its strongest but it's really a beautiful thing

It's weird, I love Cash's albums but I never want to add them to my regular listening. They're better appreciated as a complete package, experienced in its entirety in one go, than thrown in the general shuffle.

This is going straight to my favourites. So much raw emotion of a man at the end of his life reflecting on what he's been through and what remains ahead. It made me tear up multiple times, especially at Hurt, First Time Ever I Saw Your Face, Danny Boy (those church organs!) and the last song. Think of it, ending the last album issued during Cash prolific life with "we'll meet again, don't know where, don't know when.." is just so beautiful and sad, but at the same time hopeful, it makes me cry. 5/5 rarely do I get so emotional from listening to an album.

The cover of hurt alone gives this album five stars

Love, love these covers.

I forgot how good this album was. That voice is perfect for those songs.

This is for sure a masterpiece.

got this one on cd! bro is so gruff

American IV: The Man Comes Around is the 67th album by Johnny Cash - the fourth in his American series. It was the last album released during his lifetime, and is considered to contain the finest work of his late life. It was also the first non-compilation album of his that was certified gold and platinum since the early 70's, and won Album of the Year at the 2003 CMA's. The folk rock album is mostly cover songs of either Cash's own music or other popular songs. For example, "Hurt" was a beautifully meaningful cover of a song by Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails originally written in 1994, but the song is now more associated with Cash. American IV was a joy to listen to in its entirety. I've heard some of the popular songs from this album before and loved them, but it's great to hear all these tracks in one listen. This critically acclaimed album should be given a listen by anyone and everyone. Beautiful, thought-provoking, and fun are how I would describe this album. RIP Johnny Cash.

It has its moments but the album is very slow and it's mostly covers. Hurt saves the day.

I like this album but it pales in comparison to American Recordings (vol. 1). Still it has some compelling renditions of modern pop songs like Personal Jesus . 3 stars

This album is a beautiful mix of covers and original songs. I love elegiac feeling I get from this album. “Hurt” is probably the best cover of all time.

"Hurt" feels like getting hit in the chest with a baseball bat but in a good way

And behold! A pale horse - And his name that sat on him was death... and hell followed with him.

Great album; perfect to turn on and get lost in, Rest In Peace Mr.Cash -5/5 ⭐️

This album was really good. I don't know what the history is behind it, but I'll bet Johnny hasn't committed as many murders as he likes to sing about.

Gorgeous

Hurt, Give my love to Rose & Personal Jesus are great The rest is ok Rubin should have reduced some of the filler A wonderful goodbye from a legend, nonetheless

Perfect. No artist has or will have a final album like this. From The track list, to the production, to the cultural environment, it was a perfect storm. This note from the wiki sums it up: Nine Inch Nails frontman Trent Reznor admitted that he was initially "flattered" but worried that "the idea of Cash covering 'Hurt' sounded a bit gimmicky," but when he heard the song and saw the video for the first time, Reznor said he was deeply moved and found Cash's cover beautiful and meaningful, going as far as to say "that song isn't mine anymore."

For country music it’s not the worst.

pesimas payadas. claramente este hombre nunca escucho un tema de atahualpa

Todas las canciones me son practicamente iguales. Venía con bajas expectativas por un poco que había escuchado de Johnny Cash antes, y este disco es lo que esperaba. No le encuentro muchas cosas rescatables, no me banco como canta, ni la guitarra, y no lo entiendo. Give My Love To Rose fue de lo q mas me gustó. 3/10

no soy muy fan del country porque me hace sentir un gringo dueño de por lo menos 5 smith and wesson pero m gusta bastante johnny cash el cover de personal jesus es lo mejor del disco lejos

I remember when Hurt came out with one of the saddest music videos shortly before Cash's death. I never listened to the full album at that time, but listening to it now it's a beautiful conclusion to his career and life. The first half of the album sounds like him coming to terms of where he's been in his life, with the second half sounding a bit more like his older catalog in a good way. Finding out that Rick Rubin produced the record was also a bit mind boggling as it's such a departure from his usual work, but still works fantastically.

even the weaker tracks are transformed by the Old Man’s depth of spirit and experience

Hurt is good but full album is hard to get through

Some interesting covers await you, dear listener. Johnny Cash has a voice that will forever be distinguishable and the emotions transcend the music

Not a relistenable one, but a great one-time experience (and an awesome set of song to be covered)

One of the most influential albums in my musical taste. This is forever a 5-star album.

Containing some of my favorite Cash songs ("The Man Comes Around", "I Hung My Head", and "Hurt"), this album is a classic. Released the year I graduated high school, the themes of loss and growing old seemed to pair well with my 18 year old world. 2 decades later, many of the feelings don't hold up and where this album drags, it drags hard. Still one of my favorites, but it didn't age as well as I've would have wanted. But man, when this album hits, it hits hard and deep.

Classic Cash, lots of respect for this album.

Already had this album :/ my original review: I've only ever Hurt from this and it remains my favourite song from this album. Hmm, so potentially unpopular opinion, but why is spoken word considered music? But only done by certain artists. Oh well. Either way album with quite a lot of covers, some are misses for me tbh. Saved tracks: Hurt, First Time I Saw Your Face, Sam Hall, I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry, Tear Stained Letter

Absolutely fire

Loved

This was good to hear. I don't think Johnny is at his best, but he pulls off a great performance. Nothing super special here, most interesting to me is the curation of songs. Hurt is particularly poignant. Cash sounds good on Danny Boy. Desperado shines on this collection. This is not the album I'd grab if I wanted to listen to Johnny Cash, but it is an awesome milestone and is worthy of recognition.

Nope

What a way to go out legend

Don't get me wrong, it's a very nice album for someone with a very long and successful career, but the whole thing is almost all covers which is disappointing. Album also has his cover of Trent Reznor's "Hurt" which I think may be the most overrated cover ever. I'm not strictly opposed to maybe including a cover in an album but I don't understand how people can grade this any higher than 4 starts considering it's almost all a rehashing of other people's music. 5/10.

Sounds good but old

ok, too country but overall good

Some absolute classics on this. Great listen

Started well, with the first track I was thinking this is going to be a good album. Then it went downhill for me. 'Danny Boy' being a particular low point. There are better Cash albums out there, so don't judge him just on this one miss!

I wouldn't have choen this necessarily but I was surprised by how much I enjoyed all the songs; some covers very unexpected, some long forgotten tunes. All in all 4*

Actually I thought some of it was cringeworthly overly sentimental but it was the album that got me into JC so...

Johnny Cash covering Depeche Mode? Yes please.

Johnny Cash has an amazing voice and these covers are gorgeous.

These covers are fascinating. Johnny Cash lends a humongous gravity to each one.

Gorgeous. Heartfelt, beautifully recorded, and such a wonderful collection of great songs.

Great album of classic Johnny cash songs like hurt and covers like personal Jesus and bridge over troubled water

Jedan klasični po meni cover album.

The record shows off what Johnny Cash has left and what he doesn’t. To me, a song that’s kind of monotonous and slow, like Hurt or Personal Jesus, just becomes painfully dull when it’s slowed down. What’s he supposed to do with it really—there’s no way to perform it with emotion. I really can’t stand the production on those experiments either. They’ve thrown all kinds of layers on them to make them sound ominous or dramatic, and it comes off as really phony. Bridge Over Troubled Waters is pretty egregious. The production is so bad that at points they forced him into William Shatner territory. This man with such a unique voice, that miraculously still worked was reduced to an awkward croak. The number of Johnny Cash recordings left to come out were clearly numbered, and they wasted a precious few on some nonsense. I’m not his biggest fan even but that seems just plain wrong. I will say he does a pretty good job with Desperado, but I just hate the fuckin Eagles, man. On the other end you have some of his own songs, or other country or traditional songs, and his interpretation really shines. He’s obviously mastered his craft over decades. His voice isn’t quite as strong anymore (but pretty good all things considered—especially on Streets of Laredo). For me, that shines a light on everything else he brings to the performance. 3 stars for an icon proving his status; minus 1 for some atrocious choices made by other people who thought they were clever.

Les albums de mecs mourants c'est toujours sympa pour bien commencer la journée (jpp)

ca brise un peu le coeur

Dark trudgy folk

We've had the Leonard Cohen offering, we've had the David Bowie offering just days ago, and now the tour of death-bed, making peace with the life I've lived albums concludes with the one the former two were clearly inspired by. It can not be understated how exceptional Rick Rubin's production is here. Johnny Cash's performance is dignified, solemn, and honest. The songs are all covers. Some hit the mark (Hurt, First Time Ever..), some miss it (Personal Jesus, Give My Love to Rose). A worthwhile listen, but not one for the regular rotation. Three grim reapers out of five

I didn't like the other Johnny cash album on this list, but somehow this one really hit home for me. The hurt cover is beautiful, and although most of the songs are covers it doesn't feel lazy. The fact he died a year after releasing this makes it pretty sad though

With such an awesome voice, there is not much more you need than an acoustic guitar. I really liked it, but for the covers I liked the original songs better

Great voice, good production, sure, but the selection of cover songs is a little lackluster.

Great album, I like some of the covers more than the originals!

Amazing voice, good covers

It took Johnny Cash an entire life and meeting Rick Rubin to find his best form. The result is stunning. The voice, the production, the harmonies, the songs that are picked. Absolute masterpiece

Love this album. I listened to enough Johnny Cash growing up to like his voice and his style, but this older version of Johnny Cash is my absolute favourite. There's so much weight to these recordings. His cover of Hurt is one of my top songs of all time.

Country covers af ellers gode sange, meget hyggeligt, men heller ikke mere

An okay album with a couple great songs. The interesting thing about this album and all the other American albums are that they were produced by Rick Rubin. I feel like the acoustic covers works good and bad depending on the song. Hurt is done excellently. Some of the other songs fall a bit flat like the depeche mode cover. Overall it’s not bad but fans of certain songs may like others. 6.3/10

Deep.

Not really a fan of country but I’m sure it was a good album

Somehow a classic. In spite of the monotone speak-singing, knowing where he was at that point in his life, this is absolute dark, somber excellence. Cover songs somehow made his own when he uses them as a personal reflection.

4.5

9/10. Great, great selection of songs.

8/10. A pretty solid piece of work. Some of the covers weren't spectacular, but some were quite good, and I liked the original stuff.

Pretty solid collection of Cash putting his own spin on famous songs. A couple of the adaptations weren’t the best (I didn’t particularly like In My Life or Personal Jesus much compared to the originals) but it’s generally quite good. 8/10

A moving curtain-closer from a country/rock legend. Johnny was slower in pace here than earlier efforts but was as deliberate and powerful with both his lyrics and delivery as ever. Touching on his faith, legacy and hopes for the future, he made a clear statement on what he wants to be remembered by and forgiven for. He included a few interesting although potentially filler covers/tributes but also staked a final claim for the hearts of one last generation with the epic Hurt . The man comes around, Hurt, love to Rose, Danny boy 3.6

Johnny Cash’s voice may be hoarse and tremulous with old age and illness (he died just under a year after this album was released), but it is no less powerful and achingly sincere than it was in his prime. American IV’s greater moments come in Cash’s interpretations of songs like Hurt and In My Life; while staying true to the original spirit of these pieces, he adds the hindsight of the joys and trials of his own life, which results in a tremendously moving listening experience.

7/10

I’m not sure I’ve actually heard many songs by Johnny Cash now that I think about it. I know a few songs very well, but I’ve certainly never heard any of his albums in full. We’ll today I can change that - let’s listen! Songs I already knew: Hurt Favourites: I Hung My Head, Streets Of Laredo I went into this album hoping for greatness because my sister adores Johnny Cash and has loads of his records. This album wasn’t quite what I was expecting, but I will say I enjoyed it very much. The album is quite melancholic from front to back and is quite stripped back - this is mostly Johnny and his guitar with not much else in terms of instrumentation. The format of this really allows his voice to shine, and you can hear the pain behind his lyrics regardless of if it is an original or a cover. Overall, a very well put together album, and a delight to listen to.

Always good

This is an album I've been wanting to listen to. Just Johnny Cash in general but this one kicks off with the one two punch of The Man Comes Around and Hurt. TMCA I'm pretty sure was sampled on Behold a Pale Horse by Angels and Airwaves. Hurt is a cover, but still incredible. There are a lot of covers on this album but doesn't take away from his message throughout.

The Man in Black is Back. Johnny's famous album of covers, made in 2002! Cash passed away less than a year after this was released, and man, what a powerhouse album from such an acclaimed artist. Almost every track is a cover, including some really out-there picks like "Personal Jesus" and the crown jewel, "Hurt." No one would expect Cash to do a cover of NIN, let alone outshine the original. But Trent Reznor's right that the song is no longer his: Johnny Cash took it and made it something so much more powerful, meaningful. The music video is also incredible. The strength of that track alone, one of the finest things Cash has ever released, elevates this to at least 4/5 stars. The rest of it is fairly predictable covers, nothing crazy but they're done really well. Apparently there's a cover of "Big Iron" on the original release, but not the version I heard. I did really like the Spongebob-esque ukulele style of "We'll Meet Again." For a cover album, it's excellent. Favorite tracks: HURT, The Man Comes Around, We'll Meet Again, Personal Jesus, Bridge Over Troubled Water. Album art: For a last album he ever made, it's perfect. Strong, bold fond, disembodied head. No notes. 4.5/5

5 Before I even listen to it today, 5 🌟 on my love for the man, and this collection in particular. After listening, I am reminded of the fragility and power of his voice, often in the same song, and the genius of the song choices and production work by Rick Rubin. I has also forgotten Fiona Apple shows up, and fits in perfectly with the mood and tone. All in all a virtually perfect album, and one of a very small number that my dad and I would both have in our top handful of albums.

This was great. Will listen again.

The creaky voice and air of melancholy are just the thing this album needs. Sadly beautiful in its way.

Great songs. Good collection, but not really an album. Superb reinventions

Some of Johnny’s best work in years. All of the American Recording albums Cash did with Rick Rubin were fantastic and re-introduced the world to what Johnny Cash could do. Even with his voice shot of years on the road, he’s still able to deliver some of his most emotional vocal performances. He shouldn’t have tried Roberta Flack, though. 4/5

Incredible album that is very well put together. A couple of “why is this song here” moments and a couple of times where Johnny’s interpretation didn’t add much compared to the original but overall it’s fantastic. I’d rather it was a little bit shorter but it obviously deserves a place on this list. 4.5 stars

Brutal. Versiones de canciones grabadas poco antes de morir. Vinilazo.

In his late career, Johnny Cash took on a much darker image in the face of his imminent death. Everyone knows the hit "Hurt", which many consider superior to Trent Reznor (not me). At the very least, these songs are intense in emotion with the cinematic strings and dramatic piano, fitting well with his rusty voice and simple guitar reminiscent of his younger days. This album is full of covers. You could hear over half the songs here (in their most popular forms) on an oldies radio station. And honestly, he does a decent job at it. I was especially surprised by the wild west interpretation of "Personal Jesus." To be honest, none of them are anywhere close to the originals, but they do fit his style well. It's coherent, and fortunately, despite being a double album, it only lasts 50 minutes, which is long enough for me to appreciate without getting tired. Favorites: Hurt, First Time Ever I Saw Your Face, Personal Jesus, Tear Stained Letter, We'll Meet Again

Not my thing.

It couldn’t be more evident that Cash is singing his way out of this veil of tears here, which sometimes makes it all that more powerful (Hurt), but doesn’t always land (at its best I don't think his vocal style was ever right for Simon and Garfunkel, and doesn’t mesh with Apple’s accompaniment on Bridge Over Troubled Water). Nevertheless it’s a powerful swan song overall.

Good covers all around. He has such a good voice

Rebirth of the CASH. How many times has Johnny Cash been brought low and Risen again? Enough to never count him out and yet, when this record hit I was in a place where I really had counted him out. This album was a Revelation at the time. I return to it from time to time. It'll give your shivers if you take the time to listen close.

Nah, not for me

Nice album of course that I had not listened to for quite a while. You get the feeling that Cash could have made numerous albums in this style and in fact he did. As such, it is not clear to me why this particular one is on the list.

Nice minimal renditions of good songs by the old master himself. Probably not the best of the American Recording series, but still worth listening to.

A couple of excellent covers (e.g., Hurt and We'll meet again) combined with several that do not add much to the original.

Even though Johnny Cash is a legend and rightfully so, this album didn’t captivate me unfortunately. It's all very one-note.

One of the most beautiful albums I've ever listened to. It's almost hard to believe that he was able to produce such a beautiful album with the myriad of health issues he had at this point. Favorite track: I Hung My Head

Hurt is amazing. I want to like this album, but I just can’t do country.

Love some old Johnny Cash

Soothing and calming Give my love to rose is charming yet heartbreaking Not my type of music but it was soothing to listen to and had interesting stories in the pov of a murderer! (I Hung My Head and Sam Hall)

I want to come back to this one, it's good but a bit depressing for 4 stars

Redemption album

Rating: 8/10 Best songs: Hurt, Bridge over troubled water

Powerful

I've only ever Hurt from this and it remains my favourite song from this album. Hmm, so potentially unpopular opinion, but why is spoken word considered music? But only done by certain artists. Oh well. Either way album with quite a lot of covers, some are misses for me tbh. Saved tracks: Hurt, First Time I Saw Your Face, Sam Hall, I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry, Tear Stained Letter

Amazing. Am already a massive Cash fan (and disagree that this is his best work, although it is amongst the best). But this series builds beautifully on his legacy. The song selection, the story and the performances all work together beautifully. And that’s before we even start on THAT voice. Uplifting and moving, this has one of the most compelling closing tracks on any album. First Time probably my favourite here, but Cash has even made Sting sound good, which takes SOME doing. Top drawer throughout.

This sounds like the death throws of an artist, but not in a mournful manner. The choice of songs is superb, with some sounding even better than the originals. The First Time I ever Saw Your Face, I'm So Lonesome, and even Personal Jesus. The production places the vocals right at the centre of the mix, where they should be. Cash was taking risks right through until the end, rather than playing the cabaret Country circuit. Ditch Danny Boy (no such thing as a decent version of this) and you'd have a five star album.

This is a record I feel like I can't possibly separate my biases from. I've read "Johnny Cash: A Life" and the story behind this record is really interesting, and the music is great as well. Ruminations on life from a man not long for this world. Very powerful. If I could make one complaint, I don't think the guest vocalists were necessary. They're all solid vocalists, but would've probably been better just being Johnny's album. Favorite tracks: "Hurt", "In My Life", "We'll Meet Again"

Approaching death's door, The Man in Black showed us the beauty in finality with the fourth installment of what brought his name back to legendary status, giving us his interpretations of modern classics and having them be shown in a whole new light, thus forever changing how they'd be perceived by those who wouldn't take a second look beyond the first. A hell of a way to go out.

I bought this album it when it first came out, so it was shortly before Johnny Cash died. I listened to it a lot after he passed, so some of these songs still hit me quite hard when I hear them now. It's definitely a pretty dour album, but listening today I also hear subtle moments of brightness, sweetness, attitude, humor. It's a final album by a man who is ready to meet his maker, but it also has a retrospective feel. It's like Cash is contemplating not only his mortality, but his career and his place in country music. Much has been said and written about Johnny Cash's collaborations with Rick Rubin, and rightly so. This is some of the most vital and surprising music of the past 25 years. The songs chosen for the album are an interesting and inspired mix, mostly covers of other artists, plus remade versions of several of Cash's earlier recordings. All are fitting for a singer of Cash's particular vocal abilities and for a man considering his life and career in retrospective. The title track sets the mood for the whole album - somber and jarring, but also jubilant in its way. The covers are a masterclass in how a singer can interpret the work of other artists without losing an ounce of their own musical vision. Some of these original songs are so well-known and hard to imagine as covers. But Cash makes them his own with a stark, yet expressive style that is so compelling. I mean, can you hear even NIN's version of "Hurt" anymore without recalling Cash's version? Backing Cash is a deep and surprising bench of musical talent. I don't think anyone but Cash could have inspired such a diverse group of artists to work with him - Don Henley, Fiona Apple, Marty Stuart, Nick Cave, Billy Preston, John Frusciante, Mike Campbell... it boggles the mind. What could have become a bloated production is instead a stripped-down masterpiece. Fave Songs (All songs, from most to least favorite): Hurt, Personal Jesus, In My Life, The Man Comes Around, I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry, First Time Ever I Saw Your Face, Bridge Over Troubled Water, Desperado, Sam Hall, I Hung My Head, We'll Meet Again, Danny Boy, Streets of Laredo, Give My Love to Rose, Tear Stained Letter

Powerful album. A couple covers probably shouldn't have been covered, but overall a fantastic, raw, intimate Cash.

The last of Cash was some of the best. So weary, so sad, so desperately hopeful.

Getting into the late stage of his career, Johnny Cash has released American Recordings in 1994. This came about from the encouragement of famed producer Rick Rubin, who sought to revitalize Cash's career. This would be Cash's first true solo album, with no backing band. Additionally, Cash would do a mix of originals and cover songs, hence the name American Recordings. This would be Cash's tribute to his favorite songwriters: Leonard Cohen, Kris Kristofferson, Tom Waits. Cash and Rubin would return to studio for another album, Unchained, and release that in 1995. Similar to American Recordings, Unchained would be a mix of Cash originals and covers, though Cash would be accompanied by Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers. Following Unchained, we would get American III: Solitary Man in 2000, thus formalizing the American series of albums which has been a remarkably successful up to this point. American III, however, would mark a point in Cash's career of troubling health problems. Now 68, Cash's voice had become weakened, weary, and tired. American IV: The Man Comes Around is the last Johnny Cash album released before his death in 2003. It is a potent piece of work. It is perhaps best remembered for Cash's cover of Hurt, originally written by Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails. It is a cover so raw and simple that it lingers and stays with you even after it's over. This is also an occasional instance where the cover becomes better-known than the original, which becomes a fun little bit of music trivia to whip out at any given time when people start talking about Johnny Cash. Regardless, I feel this is a proven example of how excellent Cash is at performing these songs. By giving his own voice and tender acoustic accompaniment, Cash makes it practically an honor to have one's song covered in the American series. Other songs here include the classic ballad Danny Boy with pipe organ, a duet with Nick Cave on I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry, and an excellent original that opens the album: The Man Comes Around. This is truly an excellent display of talent so long into Cash's career. There is something to be said about an artist's final work before their death. Before Leonard Cohen's "You Want It Darker" and David Bowie's "Blackstar", we had Johnny Cash's "American IV: The Man Comes Around". Though his whole career is worth remarking, these final albums will be his legacy. The final song, We'll Meet Again, is sung with his son John Carter Cash and Laura Cash (no relation). It is a uplifting bookend to Cash's career, and to his life. Perhaps there is an afterlife, and we'll get to thank him again for his music. Thank you, Mr. Cash.

beautiful, I cried :'(

I liked it. Nice to hear Fiona Apple’s voice for a few seconds. Not much to say about this, strangely. I already like “Personal Jesus” so that was probably my favorite.

I consider myself a fan of Johnny Cash, but I didn't really care for this album. Perhaps an unpopular opinion, but I don't love his voice in his later years. I also don't care for covers but I didn't mind Personal Jesus. Meh?

Such depth and nuance! This was such a marvelously deep aged feeling. Will definitely be on my playlist!

His 67th album??? And he created this piece of art while having health issues??? Simply beautiful, a masterpiece from a mastermind.

5/5 Brilliant!

I do love this record. Love the production on it, love the takes on these songs. Bridge Over Troubled Water is a little off, but I still love hearing these. Good stuff.

Already own this album in physical format, which indicates it once held enough appeal for me to shell out some bunce. It's pretty great, no? A lovely selection of songs, some of the best cuts from NIN, Depeche Mode, Simon and Garfunkel, Ewan MacColl (his best ever?) and more. 'The Man Comes Around' (the track) remains a late career triumph. Given that it's a Rick Rubin production it was never going to be a bells 'n' whistles sound universe; sometimes I think the minimal orchestration is super-effective, other times I feel it's ever so slightly lacking. Do we need another 'Danny Boy'? Still, Cash's voice is akin to an old jumper - a bit ragged but warm and familiar.

Good collection of tunes and his voice fits the arrangements perfectly. Not the shit-kicking prison-pumping Cash that I prefer overall, but impossible not to appreciate the intent and execution here. Not so sure about "Personal Jesus" and "Danny Boy," but whatevs. Ending with "We'll Meet Again," kinda makes up for the missteps on the way.

Great, but capped at 4 for me because it's mainly covers. Still, he made each his own.

Hurt ist eine absolute Bombe. Der Typ bringt Emotionen auf eine Weise rüber, die mich total abholt.

Sad, melancholic, religuos. Not mach movement in songs, it was hard to listen. None of the songs cach my attention. Not my genre of music.

This album really reminds me of William Shatner's Has Been. Both are [mostly] cover albums, and both feature "singing" that's more like narration. Sure, Cash has the better voice, but Shatner knows how to not take himself too seriously - and thus his is the better album.

3.6 - "Hurt" is the obvious standout. I appreciate the simplicity of the arrangements that accentuate Cash's exceptional gravitas as a performer. As an album it's a good listen with some nice covers and notable collaborators (Nick Cave, Fiona Apple, Rick Rubin...) but I don't foresee revisiting it.

Hurt & Personal Jesus are brilliant, rest only so so

Great album. The covers are well done and fit with Johnny's voice perfectly. The duets are great. Hurt is no longer a Nine Inch Nails song, its a Johnny Cash song!

Original NIN version of hurt is way better, bugs me that everyone thinks its a Johnny Cash song First impressions of this album is that it's an album middle aged conservative men love because he sings about good ol american values n shit. Not that I always dislike that but this all sounds too jesus-y for me. Damn he covered personal jesus too, this version sucks more that hurt. Jesus, In My life too, this is the worst cover yet. I hate this man's voice, I get he's trying to sound sad but he just sounds bored. Ok I'm gonna skip the last 3 songs, I've heard enough All of his songs sound the same to me, I'm not a fan

This is an excellent album and it amazes me that at the age he was and with the amount of music he had already released he came out with this. 'The Man Comes Around' is one of the best album openers I've ever heard in my life. 'Hurt', a Nine Inch Nails cover is so good that the cover has pretty much become the original. 'I Hung My Head', a cover of a song I'd actually never heard before is beautiful. Johnny Cash has a way of making powerful and poignant lyrics hit even harder then they usually would. The album ends very strongly with 'We'll Meet Again'. This album is an experience man. I highly recommend it. 4.5/5

good enough

Una de les tornades més celebrades i la base sobre la qual es basarien molts més comebacks a partir d'aleshores, la majoria (Neil Diamond, Black Sabbath, Metallica....) també amb Rubin com a co-protagonista. En aquesta sèrie de discos un Cash despullat prioritza la seva veu sobre un cançoner lluny de la seva zona de comfort... i excel.leix com poques vegades abans a la seva carrera. Aquesta quart entrega és la millor de totes, amb un clàssic modern que dona títol, i amb dues versions amb vida pròpia: 'Personal Jesus' i, és clar, una 'Hurt' que fa tota seva

Even at the end of his life, Johnny Cash's voice is like no other and he commands a gravitas and drama that's all his own. Some of the covers are great. His version of Nine Inch Nails' "Hurt" is excellent. And I really like his quiet, pensive take on "In My Life." It's one of my favorite Beatles songs and he more than does it justice. Other covers I wasn't as sold on. His version of "Bridge Over Troubled Water" didn’t land for me. “Tear Stained Letter” stood out as a particularly good track. Overall, a nice set of songs on a pretty low-key album.

So many good tracks. Easy 5/5 for me. His cover of "Hurt" is one of the most heart-wrenching songs of all time. I also particularly love the cover of "Personal Jesus". I think he did an amazing job at taking other songs that he didn't write and elevating them in his own way. This was an album I listened to a lot with my brother as we grew up big Cash fans and knew that with every release in this time period he was getting older and closer to death. So sad that his wife June passed less than a year after this was released, and then he passed a few months after her. Two absolute American icons!

T3B 1. Hurt 2. The Man Comes Around 3. I Hung My Head Perfect album! Amazing sorry behind it involving Rick Ruben. 5!

The songs are generally really pretty and enjoyable to listen to, but there’s just something about his voice or something that just irks me the wrong way. I got annoyed on a number of songs without any real reason. I still can’t pinpoint it, but it likely has something to do with the lyrics or vocals. Other than that, the guitar (and other instruments) is soothing to listen to, and while my unfounded gripe with the vocals stands, they aren’t bad in any way. Favorite track: Danny Boy

I am not totally sure how I feel about this album. It's got pretty good highs, especially on the covers of "Hurt" and "Personal Jesus" and it has "The Man Comes Around", but other than that it just feels like generic sad cowboy. I debate between a 2 and a 3 since the best songs are really good, but as an album it doesn't really hold well. Highlights: 1, 2, and 7.

No me ha gustado, destaca la versión de In my Life de los Beatles

Lots of sad song, quite good but don’t think I would listen to it again

Mostly a covers album but Cash’s vocals really give these songs a really different feel to them. Love his cover of Hurt and Personal Jesus and the original song The Man Comes Around

Vihajaat sanovat että kovereita.. Cash laulaa tunteella.. Biisit omakseen.. Vanha cash.. Äänessä jotain tuttua.. mutta myös kuolemaa.. Kuunnellessa tämä tuntui viideltä tähdeltä... Katson allmusic rating.... 2 ja puol...... kerro se kahdella..... Allmusic ei olekkaan kaikkitietävämusiikki - päinvastoin - kaikkea ei hän tiedä, cash tietää ja laulaa!

Very enjoyable listen. Very haunting and interesting takes on a few covers, including Desperado, We'll Meet Again and I Hung My Head, in addition to the obvious Hurt.

I really want to like this but I really disliked some of the covers.

The "Hurt" cover still really gets me. A great example of Cash's later career. I was listening to Rick Rubin talk about how he approached these albums with Cash, and he talked about how Johnny Cash is a very funny and lighthearted in person, but they were trying to get back to the myth of the mysterious "man in black" because that's what people really responded to in the past. Seems like they did it.

Pretty much the perfect way to reinvent yourself towards the end of your career. Put your faith in a visionary producer, open yourself up to unexpected material, strip it down to basics, reinvent said material (including your own) with the sheer weight of your life which is reflected in your voice. Johnny Cash was both incredibly open minded and supremely humble to be able to put his faith in Rick Rubin. Likewise, Rick Rubin had absolute reverence for Johnny Cash and knew just how to focus on his strengths without overdoing anything. Perhaps the oddest pairing of producer and performer I can think of, but man they made one of the best parting gifts to music of all time.

67th album he's done according to Wikipedia. Wow. This is a tough one, with titles like The Man Comes Around and Hurt those songs are 5s, some of the other songs are 4s for me. But you can definitely tell he's done, he's ready to go. Fiona's backup vocals were nice as well. In some ways I can only give it a 4 since most of the good songs are actually covers.

Eh. It's a collection of generic-sounding covers that rarely offer anything versus the original (the standout is "Hurt", but that is aided by a phenomenal original and a memorable music video on release).

This is probably the first album I (and a number of other people, I'm sure) had gotten of Cash's material. I then went back and picked up a number of the American Recordings and a lot of this other stuff. Although this is a great recording and I like it a lot, I can't give it 5 stars. In my mind, a 5-star recording is a classic album, a truly great album. All the songs have to be at least likeable. There is at least one song on this album that is really really unlistenable. "Sam Hall" is debatable. It's mediocre at best. It makes me think of "A Boy Named Sue, " but not as witty. A lot of the other covers are really effective: "I Hung My Head," "Personal Jesus," "Hurt..." Man, he just owns "Hurt," doesn't he? "Bridge Over Troubled Water" is okay, I guess. I don't think there's anything he really adds to the song's original gravitas. Then... there's "Desperado." I mean, the original song is not a real toe-tapper to begin with. But... MAN. That version is SO depressing and somber I am almost ready to KILL myself every time it comes on. Cash sings that first line and zip, I have to skip that track. WAY, WAY too somber and morose. So yeah, the one song is just so depressing it makes the album miss its mark. Sorry, Johnny.

I was waiting for this album. Dang Johnny, thanks for this last one. Simple, beautiful arrangements. His originals, reworked or not (The Man Comes Around, Give My Love to Rose, Tear Stained Letter) have just as good lyrics and draw you in just as well as any of his other previous songs or versions. His version of Hurt just epitomizes this whole album - stripped down, vulnerable, sad (mostly). I Hung My Head and Personal Jesus are other great examples of how his reworked versions really put a new spin on the original. You have to be in a certain mood for it, but as a concept this album is brilliant, as is his execution.

Wow, I can't believe they removed this from the 1001 albums. Such a poignant album - Johnny died less than a year after its release. While you can hear the pain and age in his voice, he still sounds amazing. In fact, that's one of the reasons I love "Sam Hall" - despite his age and illness he's still got some fun energy to share. The most well known track is his amazing cover of NIN's Hurt. Trent Reznor famously said it was no longer his song after Johnny Cash covered it. The video is painful to watch - June Carter Cash looks on at Johnny in his pain and illness, yet she predeceased him - they both died within the next year. The track is powerful enough without that fact - it becomes devastating with it. Every track is fantastic, but the standouts for me are The Man Comes Around, Hurt, Bridge Over Troubled Water (Johnny's voice makes this and In My Life sound so much more powerful than the originals, both of which I love), I Hung My Head (better than Sting's original - notice a trend here?), First Time Ever I Saw Your Face, In My Life (hearing John Lennon sing it with the Beatles is nice, but he was a young man - it means much more coming from an old man near the end of his life), Sam Hall, Danny Boy (beautiful rendition), Desperado (again, better than the original), I'm So Lonely I Could Cry (I thought it was Bonnie Prince Billy singing with him - listen to "I See a Darkness" on American III - but it turned out to be Nick Cave), We'll Meet Again (what a great song to end the last album released during his lifetime. Great touch that the last song is an optimistic song that sounds free of pain). Did I just name almost all the tracks on the album? Yes, yes I did. Absolute 5.

Highlights: Hurt (ofc), Personal Jesus (weirdly), We'll Meet Again

This album is so great, not only because it's such high quality, but it's amazing to listen to his final work. One of the best albums every in our opinion.

Still such a great listen.

It’s got all the classic Cash flair even if it’s a somewhat melancholic listen overall. I do think the covers detract from the impact of the LP (even though I enjoy Cash’s interpretations), but for a final farewell it’s still a solid product.

If this is what death sounds like then there’s no need to be afraid.