Reviews (page 4 of 14)
I liked the song "Bridge over Troubled Water", although I don't really like his old voice if that makes sense. The songs are more of a slower pace even though i'm ok with that just not my type of genre but I will finish listening. Ok I REALLY like "I Hung My Head" I feel like this fits me and my pace it's got some soul to it which I like. "Personal Jesus" I like its catchy I really like the line where he says "Reach Out and Touch faith". "In My Life"Is like a sweet but bitter song I like that one like reflecting on life and everyone you've met and won't see anymore. I like the tune and the guitar on this one I think this one is my favorite from the album so far. I like "Danny Boy" he reminds me of a grandpa's calm voice sending me to sleep I'm starting to like it and get used to it makes me feel somewhat safe. Lastly to end it off "We'll Meet Again" is a melancholy ending quite sad but I think this is the top 3 in the whole album. Truly I never thought I would listen to this as I was ready to skip but im glad I did'nt this album is not that bad.
Hurt is a classic and Personal Jesus is fun, but country is the nothingburger of music
In the early 1990s, Johnny Cash, who was experiencing the decline of his career, was approached by Rick Rubin, the producer of many rap and rock artists of the era, to collaborate. Cash accepted, and the American series brought him back into the charts and into the public eye. The fourth album in this series was the artist's last, and, as with Bowie's Blackstar, it's palpable: Johnny understands that the breath of death is drawing nearer, and all the songs here feel like flipping through an old photo album from the vantage point of his years. Most of them are covers, some of Cash's old songs, others of other artists' works, but none of them are blindly re-played acoustically, but rather stripped of unnecessary bells and whistles for an elderly man and seasoned with his wisdom (this version of "Hurt" many still consider original). The artist left behind enough songs to fill five more albums, but no one will ever say his signature "Hello, I'm Johnny Cash" again.
An album of covers is all wrong. But he had earned the right to do what we wanted and some of it is done well. The realisation of mortality comes thorough hard. Fairly good all told.
i really liked this. this shit moved me. he breathes so much life into these songs. I was so distracted by johnny and fiona apples performance on bridge over troubled water that i didn't realize it was a simon and garfunkel cover. such a beautiful and sombre album. idk what it is about that makes it stand out so much to me, I just like it a whole lot.
A few good covers, but overall feels like an album of B Sides
I have never been a fan of Johnny Cash and even though this is an album of covers I quite enjoyed it, he had a unique way to connect to the listener.
Instant classic
Notable Textzeile: Voices callin', voices cryin' Some are born and some are dyin' It's Alpha and Omega's kingdom come And the whirlwind is in the thorn tree So viel Leben und Sterben in so einer einnehmenden Stimme. Alles ist darum gruppiert und produziert. Das geht mir jedes Mal unter die Haut. Trotzdem ist es für mich nur das zweitbeste aus der American Recordings Reihe. Es fügt sich für mich nicht unbedingt zusammen, die Auswahl der Songs ist dann doch etwas zu dick auf Vanitas hin ausgerichtet. Aber das ist defintiv meckern auf sehr hohem Niveau. #cd #gekauft
Ich werde den komplett verwirrten Gesichtsausdruck meiner Mutter nie vergessen, als sie in mein Jugendzimmer kommt und fragt ob ich da gerade Johnny Cash höre. Ja Mum, das ist jetzt wieder cool weil der Alben mit dem Produzenten der Red Hot Chili Peppers aufnimmt. Ja ich weiß dass das ein schlimmes Simon und Garfunkel Cover ist. Lass mich in Ruhe, ich bin jetzt ein Millennial. Die definitive American Recording Reihenfolge, nur für den Fall dass nur eins kommt, ist übrigens 3-1-4-2. Der Rest ist Leichenfledderei. Hier: ganz ganz starke und ganz ganz schlimme Songs. Gibt eigentlich 3,aber ich habe Angst dass es das einzige der Reihe ist:
Weil Worte fehlen: 🥹 🥲 😭 😮 😔 😮💨 🤠 Stop Hating Coversong.
An album of ups (The Man Comes Around, Hurt) and downs (Like a Bridge over Troubled Waters, Danny Boy).
ich wusste nicht dass ich es so gerne mögen würde, auch schöne cover und seine stimme gibt mir irgendwas
Haunting swan song. If I ever kill myself, it’ll be to this album.
Great album. Loved hearing him cover some fantastic songs. When the Man Comes Around and Desperado among the best.
Only critique is it sounds a little over produced but otherwise this shows that Cash truly transcends genres and decades of music.
in general not a big fan of covers. but this album contains a cover that i think is better than the original.
HOLY SHIT AN AWFUL DWIGHT YOAKAM ALBUM FOLLOWED BY JOHNNY CASH? Am I being repayed by the country music gods? Much ink (digital and physical) has been spilled regarding the deterioration of modern music. This is especially true on this site, full of the most annoying (boomer and gen-x) music listeners, who can't bare to acknowledge their nostalgia bias. It would be easy to look at an artist like Cash, then look at modern mainstream country music and conclude that Country music is dead, I certainly wanted to while listening to this album (especially after listening to Dwight Yoakam, whose artistry I despise), but I reject that notion. If you exam contemporary country music with any depth you'll find many artists doing the "Johnny Cash thing". And that is just it. Johnny Cash influenced everything that makes good contemporary country, good. Anyway, my ramblings about Cash aside, this album is so good. Dare I say it is Cash at his strongest. Even up to his death he was innovating while leaning on his strengths. This album has it all, its highly listenable, beautiful, and damn if it doesn't make me want to weep. 5/5
It's a mixed blessing, some superb material that shows his talent but then some tracks that should have stayed in the studio.
A little bit of unnecessary filler here and there ("Bridge Over Troubled Water", "First Time Ever I Saw Your Face", "Danny Boy"), but overall a fantastic album by a legend contemplating his mortality.
I was very excited for this, as I have never listened to these four albums. I know I have said before, that I feel cover albums should not be on this list, but this is Johnny Cash! The album starts off great, but then I feel it just runs a bit long. I feel like if it were just a few cover songs mixed in with some original music, I would have enjoyed this so much more.
3,5
Good album of cover songs.
an old man's death knell. I listened to this album a lot. I remember hearing When The Man Comes Around during the intro to The Dawn of the Dead remake and it stuck with me. This album also contains everyone's favorite trivia bit by the friend who cant stop telling everyone, Hurt is actually written by Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails, and Johnny Cash did a cover! There, now you never have to hear that again. That being said, I love the song, and sure, its overplayed, its message is subtle as a bag of bricks, but man, the very end when the silence hits always makes me feel empty. I could go on, but there is a lot here that I love, and its strange to hear Johnny Cash just sing himself out, knowing he didnt have much time left. here's a little tidbit, I used to work a pizza job in Vancouver, BC. One day I was working a morning/afternoon shift by myself and put my phone on while making orders. We'll Meet Again started playing, and I forgot that by the end of it, he has a whole chorus of elderly people singing along with him, I had the music cranked and I went in back to grab something and when I came back up front, I saw that someone had come in, and they had been waiting to order for who knows how long, just hearing this cacophony of noise of old people shouting the end to this song ringing through an empty store.
A collection of depressing songs by a dying miserable old man. Pretty enjoyable overall! “Sam Hall” was a delight! And then to have the balls to end with “We’ll meet again” was very funny. The mixing on Hurt makes it down right uncomfortable to listen to by the end and I’m probably good with never hearing it again
One of the best albums in my collection.
Amazing cover album, his version of hurt is better than the original. Danny Boy and Desperado were highlights for me along with We'll Meet Again.
22-Apr-2026 4/5 I liked this album, although I prefer some of his original work better. Some of the covers were decent and I remember them from when he released these versions. But I think that the original versions of his covers are better. Overall, a good album that I enjoyed, but not a stand-out for me.
Interesting mix. Some songs were amazing, Cash totally reinvented them with his passion. Others were almost cringy.
This would go so hard if I was driving a truck through Texas after divorcing my wife. But I'm not, so it doesn't.
I knew a couple of songs off this but I've never listen to the whole thing. man there was some pain in voice that added to the songs I think.
Never did I think a country singer would do a cover of Depeche Mode. It sucked.
It does sound pretty mythic. Must-listen #332.
I really enjoyed this one. And a nice surprise with the Depeche Mode cover!
I expected it to be less talk-y and more sing-y than it was, but in hindsight, I guess it makes sense for the time in his life when it was recorded.
Was feeling neutral about it then Bridge Over Troubled Water came on and holy cow Fiona Apple is just so peak idk. 4/5
Love Johnny Cash. I have mixed feelings about covers. I feel like w/ in my life and bridge over troubled water I just wouldn't listen to a cover over the original, but like I didn't even know hurt was a cover til I looked it up. Wildly impressive that he died still putting out great music. Thinking about Paul McCartney and Fuh You.
This is one of the only oldhead albums that deserves to be revered. Great album
Probably the most cool country album I have ever listened to. Every word spoken has this slickness and a roughness that can not be replicated making these songs feel like Johnny cash originals rather than covers. I feel like this is an album that only has room to grow in my heart it is performed so well and produced to a perfection. Fav tracks: Hurt, Give my love to rose, I hung my head, Personal Jesus, In my life, Desparado, and We'll meet again
10/10
Brilliant
This isn't my favorite of the American recordings, but this is the one with "Hurt" on it so it makes the list, I guess.
I was obviously familiar with his cover of Hurt but this was my first time listening to the whole album in full. I love the contrast of Johnny's voice with the more contemporary songs he's chosen to cover. Really great album that I'm grateful exists.
I came into this album not expecting to like it. I don’t listen to country and I don’t like slow music or singer-songwriter stuff generally. I’m too ADHD for that so I just get bored and unengaged. This album does not suffer that fate. I am simply too engaged with both what Johnny says and how he says it. Shit is beautiful. It’s as plain as that. Fav Song: Steets of Laredo
Is this the greatest album ever? No. Is it the finest guitar playing or singing in music history, hell even in Johnny Cash's career? Also no. Is this an album that beautifully ties together the legacy and sound of an American music icon? 100% yes, and that is why this record gets a five from me. The arrangements are elegantly simple. The track selection is gorgeous, and its ordering tells a masterfully woven story. The duets seamlessly connect past to present. Overall, this album creates an atmosphere that properly celebrates one of this country's most important musical figures. Johnny knew he was towards the end of his life, and this is his parting gift. What a reflective, celebratory, and ingeniously straight-forward gift it is.
I absolutely love this album!
I prefer Johnny Cash singing Johnny Cash but this is still pretty good
Giving this a three, which is a decent album I should’ve given live at San Quentin 4 Stars
You wouldn't expect it, would you? An album full of covers on this list. But still, there is something about it.
Fuck it, this shit is 5 stars. Idc if its got a bunch of covers and all, its got iconic shit all a year before he died. He went out and chose violence before his death that has only really been seen with Bowie's Blackstar since then. These are definitely good cover choices too before dying and its got Fiona Apple.
It’s hard to judge this objectively having a strong affection for J.C. Listening end to end this is an album of frequent highs with a couple of glaring lows, it would have benefited greatly from a little more consideration of the songs to be covered, Bridge Over Troubled Water is a weak effort against the original, there are plenty of better renditions of Danny Boy and In My Life doesn’t gain anything by the composition and JC vocal style. Johnny’s voice remains a powerhouse even shortly before death, Personal Jesus, Hurt, I Hung My Heart and I’m so Lonesome I Could Cry are inspired cover choices, The Man Comes Around is a great JC song. Often brilliant but occasionally flawed. 4.1
For those first few trembling piano bars at the beginning of Personal Jesus alone, it's a five for me. Stunning record.
Brilliant. Includes ones of the best cover versions of all time.
cool
Loved it never felt sadder tho
Bravo
#336/1001. At the beginning I was thinking about the fine line between a genius and a random bloke strumming his guitar in the street corner unnoticed. I don't think J.R Cash never crossed that line too far, but it was a clear win to the genius side in the end.
As a lifelong NIN fan I've always heard that Johnny Cash's version of 'Hurt' is better than the original. Johnny brings a beautiful haunting emotion to it that I love, but for me you canny beat the original. Anyway! Nice album, slow and steady with Johnny still providing warmth and emotion through his voice.
yeah thats not great, WAYYYYY TO sad
枯れ切ったおじいちゃんの弾き語り
Had a long review that got lost. This is the 3rd Johnny cash album that I’ve got. Looks like this is the last he released before he died which is interesting. First two were live, interested to see if studio is any better or worse. Overall I really enjoyed this album as I have with the other 2. He has a great voice, and it works on songs you’d never expect it to (like hurt, what a cover). It’s a fun but also emotional listen. I will be listening to some of these songs again. There’s a couple forgettable songs but no bad songs. Very enjoyable. 4.0 stars.
artista que tenía pendiente hace mucho de escuchar con detenimiento, histórico.
i bet this sounds great if you're attuned to country music... i personally found this challenging to get through till the end. there were some things i liked: the story in "i hung my head", the weird droning in the outro of "bridge over troubled waters" (reminded me of exit to a film, i looked everywhere to see if it was just a niche instrument or sample but i couldn't find anything), the guitar in "personal jesus", and the music box chime in the outro of "in my life". this was definitely worlds better than the average country song. now for the negative. i'm not a fan of his cover of "we'll meet again"... his voice doesn't convey enough emotion for that kind of song. i enjoyed the heavy baritone vocals and all, i just don't find it very moving. granted, there are few male vocalists who convey emotion in a way that i can connect with. i suppose the album is objectively well-produced, but the point of art, in my opinion, is to evoke some kind of feeling. young thug evokes more feeling in me than this. talking about sad things in your music doesn't inherently make you deep, or maybe droning on and on about other people's problems just isn't my cup of tea.
covers. eloquent. gravitas.
This is quite a depressing album, with quite a sad background. An artist driven to work by the death of his life, almost dead himself, singing very sparse and gloomy-sounding songs. I had listened to Hurt before, and also a few of the other tracks individually, but never the whole album back to back. It was sad, I cried a little, but it was also a most excellent experience. Five stars.
Deeply intimate and sad. Cash in his truest form.
Mete saxofón sorete, todo el álbum con el mismo arpegio
Una delicia
Really good album. Some of the covers are improvements, some just don't work here but still an incredible listen. Taking big iron out in the reissue it's criminal.
I was having some oatmeal and the Johnny started singing Bridge Over Troubled Water, and I felt a little teardrop forming. I said, damn, I’m just trying to have some oatmeal.
Me sorprendió muchísimo por que usualmente no me inclinaría a escuchar country en mi daily basis, pero Cash me ha hecho repetir 3 veces el álbum en menos de 24 horas. Honestamente, no le daba la fe, pero ahora entiendo. Hay un par de canciones como lo son "Give My Love To Rose", "First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" y "Tear Stained Letter" que derrochan emoción y una narración impecable. Los covers como "In My Life", "Bridge Over Troubled Water" y "We'll Meet Again" le dan un toque de cambio a las temáticas, pero pegándose a una narrativa rica en recursos. Siendo un album casi que completamente conformado por reinterpretaciones, con la voz de cash es casi hipnótico. Ninguna canción está "de más". FIONA APPLE!!
This is a pretty great album. Cash’s dark, soulful voice just adds a different element to these songs. I won’t listen to this album often, but I will listen to it again.
What men will do instead of going into therapy: Johnny Cash version.
great covers, bonus for fiona apple
My favourite of the American Recordings, when Mr Cash sings "Hurt" I am getting goosebumps for years. RIP Mr. Cash. Fav: Hurt
Mortality, old timey coziness, deeply personal and amazingly beautiful. A goodbye letter.
An excellent last album from an American icon who always stood up for and eased the burden of society's unfortunatem. Surprised how good his voice is considering his age and health condition. Some of my all time sad songs on here. God Bless Johnny Cash!!
At 70 years of age the Old Troubadour is still head and shoulders above so many other lesser talents. Plus 1 for making good music from things like Nine Inch Nails and Red Hot Chili Peppers and another plus 1 to cancel out some Gen Z whiner who’s going to give this a 1.
country benlik değil ya çok sevemedim. güzel de söylemiyo.
Son dernier album sorti en 2002, son 76ème. On sent beaucoup de tristesse, peut-être d'amertume de regrets dans sa voix. Peut-être savait-il qu'il était malade et qu'il ne ferait plus d'autre album. Ce sont essentiellement des reprises. Bien que ce ne soit pas un album joyeux, c'en est un d'émotions que j'ai relativement bien aimé alors que je suis pas le plus grand fan au monde de lui en général.
Not my favourite of his late period albums, but still good to hear again.
Love this album.
Toward the beginning I was considering 5 stars on this, but it did overstay its welcome a bit and some of the later songs aren't quite a strong. That all said, I just adore this era of Johnny Cash and what he was able to do with music spanning so many different genres, making it his own but also celebrating great lyrics, great songwriting, from throughout American history.
87-й студийный альбом. Ни слова больше.
One of the most soul-crushing albums ever. Very rarely do you see fantastic projects from aging artists, but this project is an exception.
Very sad but good nonetheless
I had an interesting reaction to this album, almost immediately as a started listening to it. I instantly started thinking about Leonard Cohen's You Want It Darker album which I had earlier in this countdown, maybe because there was a bit of a deeper tone to this than I anticipated. Turns out, like it was for Cohen with his Darker album, this was the last one for Johnny Cash, so there are definitely some parallels. Certainly, Cash has always been a superb storyteller in his music and that comes through here, even if many of these songs are remakes (some of which he had done before). Take a song like Hurt, which is a Nine Inch Nails classic. The NIN is undeniably better, but there is something that Cash brings even to this track that makes it uniquely his own. More pointedly, he just sings in a way that is relatable and forces you to really listen to the lyrics, which makes him so much more effective than others at weaving a given song's tale. There are a series of highlights on this, including Hurt, In My Life, The Man Comes Around, and Personal Jesus. I also loved how he was able to get artists like Fiona Apple, John Frusciante, and Don Henley, which are really across the spectrum of rock. Speaks to how large a figure he was in music that such a diverse group of people would be willing to work with him, even at this stage of his career. I've already had the two other albums from Johnny Cash on this countdown, both of which are live prison performances. It's unfair to compare this to those records, as those two are just incredibly unique in the music landscape. That said, despite this being full of covers, it has a nice place in his discography, serving as a nice epilogue to his career. 4 stars. Far from unbelievable, but an excellent listen all the same.
Me duele un poco darle tan bajo porque me gusta mucho Hurt. Pero la mayoría de los temas de este álbum son un espanto. Y además ese fue el peor cover de los beatles de la historia (y mirá que tiene competencia). Se rescata levemente porque me gustó el último cover.
This was pretty interesting... Certainly some certified bangers here, but there's also "some real stinkers", as my grandpa would have said. Looking at the track list, I feel like the second half of the record is where it really falls apart. "We'll Meet Again" feels like a very 'not on brand' final song for Johnny Cash to publish during his life. The message is fitting, but nothing about it feels like a Johnny Cash song and that's a shame. I respect Johnny, but I'm going to struggle with my rating on this one.
Some good covers but nothing that makes me prefer them over the originals
Objectively good. I liked it. 3 for good. 0.5 for the first song. 0.5 for the last song (Gravity Falls). -1 for creative differences.
Es un disco que no creo que hubiera escuchado si no fuera por esto Aun así no me arrepiento de haberlo escuchado, me pareció un buen álbum Me sorprendió que la mayoria de canciones fueran covers de temas conocidos, eso me gustó y están muy bien logrados. Como para decir algo malo, no es mi estilo favorito, y las canciones son muy tristes. El hecho de que sea el último disco que publicó en su vida también le suma a la "melancolía" que te produce gran parte del disco. Es simple pero profundo y suena muy bien. Me gustaron todos los temas por igual.
Cover albums can be tricky, but Cash pulls it off well. I had of course heard his Personal Jesus and Hurt before, but the rest was new to me. First Time Ever I Saw Your Face was another high point, and it’s interesting to note that even Johnny Cash can’t do a good Beatles cover
Es la primera vez, que escucho un álbum de entero de Johny Cash, y verdaderamente me voy con una sensación satisfactoria. Este álbum es una carta de despedida de Johny al mundo, dejando como legado no solo sus canciones sino también sus experiencias, dejando en claro que, después de un día oscuro llega la luz, la redención. Los covers que llevo a cabo en este álbum, me resultaron muy satisfactorios, dejando su estilo, su toque en cada verso.
Not really my jam, but I can see the appeal. Johnny Cash is obviously talented, and "outlaw country" is the only style I can tolerate in the country genre - especially when it's as dark and bleak as this. It's very lyrics-oriented, to the point that the songs often turn into pure narration, forgetting that they're supposed to be music. But since the lyrics are pretty good, I don't mind that much ; I just wish the instrumentals would pack more punch. Some of the covers are interesting (like Hurt, or even the very surprising Personal Jesus), while others are just average. My biggest gripe, however, is the voice. To be honest, Johnny Cash really does sound like an old man here, and it somewhat reduces the impact of what could otherwise have been great songs. An album I half-enjoyed, but that gets stale and repetitive after a while ; I couldn't finish it in one sitting. Probably won't play again, but I can respect it. 5/10
The Willie Nelson from the day before helps this one sound even better. The covers here work better for me, even the NIN one. Cash sounds really worn here. Back in 2002, this album helped me see past the cliché image I had of him. I like it and still come back to it sometimes, but I get tired of it pretty fast.
Hurt is *stunningly* good (and this is coming from a huge fan of Trent Reznor's original). ★★★★★
Listened to this in the office, I enjoyed a fresh take on all these songs. Obviously hurt the most famous. But I can see why people like it. What's not to love about a superstar covering very famous songs. Would listen again.
This album is so good, for being his last released album while he was alive, Cash really made such a good album.
This is what aging gracefully sounds like.
A really good album, I liked The Man Comes Around, Hurt and In My Life the most.
It made feel a little bit sad, i think i am not a fan of his voice pitch in this album, but the lyrics are great.
This is not the type of music I heard, I prefer other versions of this songs
Cash's final work with some of his most famous covers (Hurt, Personal Jesus).
This was a good first entry point into Johnny Cash's work
Devastating
If Hurt doesn't demolish your will to live for the time being, you're a sociopath
Great comeback and great album
L: 3 M: 6 F: 4 O: 4
most of them are not my cup of tea. i liked the songs that i already liked the original versions of but i definitely prefer the originals.
I really like these American albums that Cash did at the end of his career. The songs are great on their own, but it's also very cool to hear someone so influential across many genres cover songs by bands he likely inspired in some way. 4/5
Never been crazy about Johnny Cash, but this mostly-covers album is quite good. Some of the covers, I'd still prefer the original, but it puts Johnny in a mode that I liked more than normal. I liked The Man Comes Around, Hung My Head, Personal Jesus, Streets of Laredo. The back half didn't do it quite so much for me, but still I enjoyed this. 3.25/5
This was an exploitative cash grab. Instead of talent it relies on the idea of a personality singing other genres stripped down to what he was capable of at the time.
I adore this album. Cash's voice was never better than when it was barely holding together. The arrangements are mostly perfect and gave new life to songs from other artists that would otherwise be forgettable.
First album I’m reviewing recorded by a Columbo guest star!
Buen álbum!
Lots of covers, some great, some less so. Cash's voice is incredible as always. Favorite songs: The Man Comes Around ; Hurt ; Personal Jesus
Sinceramente un poco apagado, no tan mal por el mensaje de la música. Como reflexiones
1-2…. Bisschen weird
Felt like he was talking while the background changes. Really a big fan of hurt though
118. not bad
Great album. Couple duds but most of it is really good. 4.5.
Sad album. He even makes the more upbeat songs sad.
I liked this. This was mainly covers with a couple of his own songs. His cover of Hurt is my favorite Johnny Cash song and one of my favorite songs of all time. One of my only exceptions to hating country music is that I do like Johnny Cash.
Dubious song choices. But maybe anything Cash sings is American
I'm not really into that kind of music but it was a very refreshing listen. Johnny Cash has a beautiful voice which made it a really calm and enjoyable listen
Johnny Cash covering a selection of songs ranging from Nine Inch Nails to Simon and Garfunkel. The covers generally don't surpass the originals, but it's still an enjoyable and memorable album even if it can't beat Art Garfunkel at "Bridge Over Troubled Water." The song choices are pretty good, the stripped-down style works well, and there's at least one 5-star track ("Hurt").
Good cash album. Some of my fave songs of his.
He bears his sole and pours himself into his music. This album is powerul while also being heartbreaking. Cash was king.
Viiden tähden ääni, viiden tähden fiilis! 5/5
A touching album towards the end of a legend's life. At face value, it's a somber collection of acoustic tracks, mostly covers, and there's not much here to come back to for me. I question this inclusion on this list, to be blunt, but I look forward to getting an album from a younger Johnny.
I like Johnny Cash but surely there’s an album of his originals that can be on this list.
3/3. So fucking good, I only knew about Hurt before this but the whole album blew me away. To produce something like this the year before you die is real legend shit. Personal Jesus literally made me laugh at how good it was, just unreal.
I'm a little betwixt and between on this one. There are some songs where JC adds real weight and gravitas, and they're superb. Surprisingly, I'd include his cover of In My Life in this, as well as Hurt, which is brilliant. But quite a lot of the covers, you really have to question whether even he is enjoying them. I don't want to have to hear Desperado, Danny Boy or Personal Jesus done like this (or in the case of Desperado, done like anything). Also, why, for the second time in a week, am I listening to a cover of We'll Meet Again?
Hät paar gueti Covers aber In my life isch wück keis devo.
Johnny Cash einzige countryartist wo ich lose chan glaube
Johnny's beautiful swan song. It's like hearing an old friend reflecting on the long life they've had. This is made relevant with his sparse arrangements of covers, which adds to the introspective mood. "We'll Meet Again", for example, is kinda haunting, knowing that this would be Cash's last album. Personally, I enjoyed the popular covers and the simplistic production here, it really fits the mood well. Thanks for sharing your last piece of work with us, Johnny! (3.5-4)
My brother frfr
noni noni
3+ Stars (9/15)
Verrrry close to 5 for me
Johnny Cash - American IV: The Man Comes Around * The whole covers things is kinda weird. * I like the Depeche Mode version of Personal Jesus better. * Lowkey i feel like he's just saying things. * By Song: -^^--^...-^^---
With each song it felt as though he knew is death was only closer.
Sad beautiful cool as hell When the man comes around might be my fave Johnny cash song Some of the covers could take or leave though
So fun to hear Johnny's legendary voice breath new life into classic tunes. Favorite track: When the Man Comes Around
252/1089 look, definitely not my vibe generally, however, there is something about listening to country classics especially when they’re sung by such a rich voice don’t love his version of First Time Ever… Personal Jesus however?? really like that The rest was decent and made for really nice listening, We’ll Meet Again was a lovely send off faves: personal jesus, i hung my head, we’ll meet again 62/100
A favor
I wasn’t expecting to like this as much as I did. I’m partial to a bit of Johnny Cash, I grew up listening to him, but I never had any thoughts about him. The Man Comes Around was absolutely brilliant. The guitar was great, and the vocals had just enough melody to be very listenable but in a way that you could focus on the lyrics. Hurt is just such a gorgeous song, no matter who sings it. The NIN one will always be the original, but Johnny gives it such a great voice. Whenever the chorus kicks in I can’t help but pause and just listen. Give my love to rose is awesome. It’s a lovely love song (and I sure do adore a good one of those). We then go in to Bridge over Troubled Water. Just amazing. No words. Love love loved the guitar in I Hung my Head. First time I saw your face was great! Wasn’t a huge fan of personal Jesus. In my life was just so sweet. It’s such a great retrospective piece. Sam Hall brings the pace back up again. Danny boy wasn’t really my thing, but I LOVED tear stained letter. It really spoke to me. Desperado was great too. Streets of Laredo was nice and narrative. Closing it with We’ll meet again was alright. I felt it didn’t fully match the vibe of the album as a closer. I would’ve liked a more somber feel to close it out on. 4/5 ⭐️ though! There was so much I enjoyed about it. 84/1089
Album #62: American IV: The Man Comes Around - Johnny Cash Genre (W): Country Singles: Personal Jesus, Hurt I have not listened to this album before. Thoughts?: This is a beautiful album. The acoustic renditions and heartbreak in Johnny Cash’s voice have left me speechless. “Hurt” is the greatest song cover of all time. I love every song on this album. Favorite songs: All of it!!
5 stars
Very emotional, and sad. Good.
Not a fan of country music. Didn't like it and wouldn't recommend it either. Definitely not my cup of tea.
I didn't like it, it's not for me.
Pas mal, average
Johnny fucking Cash Ça s'écoute tout seul Et surtout la masterclass qu'est Hurt (dans la B.O. de Logan en plus) J'allais oublier The man comes Around aussi comme banger (c'est littéralement le titre de l'album) Bon j'ai réécouté mieux (mieux que dans le métro) Bah masterclass Par contre ça fait très vite vieux monsieur triste donc pour ceux qui cherchent un truc qui file la banane c'est pas le mieux
Album très axé sur l’acoustique, donne envie d’être cow-boy 🤠 Avec d’excellentes chansons écrites par Cash et des reprises qui ne laissent pas indifférent. J’aime beaucoup le style
Pas eu un grand contact avec Johnny Cash et j’avais un peu peur que ça soit trop accès Américain Mais très bonne surprise, je me suis senti transporté par les musiques qui ont un petit côté road trop dans le désert Je n’étais pas dans un mood pour écouter ce genre de musiques, deux trois ont semblé très longue Mais pour le reste, c’est abouti, et c’est fort
Wow. Does Johnny know how to cover a song or what??!
Relisten Hard to listen to this without ruminating on the fact that this was Cash's last album before he died. There's a frailty to his voice and persistent themes of love, death and regret, all of which are well traveled territories for him, but take on a different meaning when released so close to his death. There's some covers in here that take on a solemn, depressive tone. In My Life is a very beautiful, albeit a bit melancholic song when played by the Beatles, but when played by Cash it leans far more into the melancholy. Same goes for Personal Jesus and a lot of people's personal favorite; his cover of Nine Inch Nails "Hurt". I don't count myself among the people who think his cover eclipses the original song, but Johnny takes it and makes it his own, making small changes to the lyrics that make it fit with his style a lot more. It's a testament to his skill as an artist that he can transform so many famous, well known songs into something that fits perfectly in his own discography. I do think the production leans on a little corny sometimes though, as though the audio engineers really wanted you to remember how old and grey Johnny has gotten - some echoing effects and a vocal effect on the first song seem a little tacky, but when it's just Johnny and his guitar, it's fantastic. Favorite Tracks: Give My Love to Rose, In My Life, Danny Boy, We'll Meet a Again Least favorite: First Time I Saw Your Face 4/5
Nunca cheguei perto dessa era do cash por birra contra os fãs dele dizendo que a versão do Hurt era melhor que o original do Nine inch nails. Ela é boa mesmo, mas melhor é difícil. O resto do álbum é bem legal também. Surpreso com a produção atmosférica em algumas faixas.
The album says Cash, but the experience is as much Rubin. I was working in a record shop when this series and particularly this album came out and not one person, in a building of opinionated critics and cynics didn't have an affection for it. It opened doors to new music and remained in rotation for years. It's a real treat to go back to it and give it some time. Possibly the greatest swan song in music, beautiful, poignant, sad and uplifting. As an end to end listen not every song hits, but it's not far off.
The American series is what turned me on to Johnny Cash, and this was probably the best of them. The Hurt cover is iconic, but also love 'Hung my Head', 'The Man Comes Around', the depressed mode cover, Desperado...just a really great album.
There might be a miss or two here (“Danny Boy?”), but, as a whole, these are stellar covers. He *transformed* these songs. For the better. “Hurt” is deservedly well loved, but I’d take “Personal Jesus” with me to the desert island.
4,3/5
Not a fan of Johnny Cash, and having to listen to him kill some covers cause me more pain than hurt.
Eh .. I'm not sure he really added any value to these covers, apart from Hurt.
Voice of an angel.
Goes a bit long, but I'll revisit at least a few of these songs again.
The Man continues to inspire
Incredible album with some really good songs you wouldn't expect Johnny Cash to cover. I don't listen to this album enough.
Interesting to hear a couple of songs that other artists have covered. Overall felt depressing 😭
I had no idea he did a whole album of covers! I had only heard Hurt, which I love.
I was excited to see this pop up. I enjoyed listening to it and the style, but it wasn't quite dynamic enough to get all the way to 5* for me
The final album of Johnny Cash's career feels that way. It's a similar quality I noticed in David Bowie's Black Star; an artists, knowing the end is near, writing their own elegy. Thematically, American IV is about 'the end', paying debts, death, etc. Some songs are happy, some are foreboding. Most of the songs are covers, which I found a little disappointing. Cash's voice shows age. It's hard not to be at least a little moved by this final artifact left by an elder-statesman and artist who had always been around, that is, until they couldn't be around any longer.
Its an interesting reflection and made me more interested in his life. Its overall not bad just unfortunately not my thing. Best: Bridge over troubled waters Favorite: We'll meet again cover/Sam Hall Least/Worst: I'm so lonesome I could cry Other standouts: Desperado, Danny boy and tear stained letter. Replayability: 4/10 enjoyability: 10/10 The type of stuff they would play in Fallout
A mixed bag of covers. Some are completely reimagined, with the weight of age and depth of maturity and level of nuance only a lifetime of making music can bring, but then there's a few that just sound like someone's grandad at karaoke.
O álbum é contínuo, é coeso, todas as músicas são lentas e tem uma pegada triste. Então se for julgar coesão nota 5, mas cansa parece que é a mesma música, tem um tom monótono, mas ele tem uma bela voz, não conheço o trabalho dele para julgar se o estilo dele é esse ou é só esse álbum. Mas, nota 4 ou 3 estaria bom pra ele
When the Man Comes Around is a great opener Not much more to say about Hurt that hasn’t been said already - an outstanding example of how an artist can take an existing song and make it their own Cash’s voice has aged, but still can sound both powerful and delicate as each song requires Give My Love to Rose is a nice tune There’s a nice selection of covers with some interesting arrangements. Of those, highlights for me are Personal Jesus, Sam Hall, Desperado, and Streets of Laredo. And hearing the aged voice of Cash singing In My Life is incredibly moving. Overall, this is just a great listen both in and of itself and even more so with knowledge of Cash and popular music history as a whole.
Love. Love. Love. Hot take that NIN Hurt still eclipses this version but obviously still very good. People talk about the covers obviously but the originals stand up as well and The Man Comes Around is clearly biblically epic. And to be brazen enough to have the last song released during your life to be Vera Lynn's We'll Meet Again is incredible.
Hey did you guys know that Trent Reznor said Hurt isn't his song anymore? Noone ever mentions that. But seriously its an amazing song on a great album. Favourite songs: Hurt, I Hung My Head, Wichita Lineman, Big Iron
Hauntingly beautiful
It is at once rather amazing and awfully mawkish. Full of contradictions, like the man himself I suppose. Contains some bona fide five star moments, and also some middleweight dreck. Cash's voice at times unbelievably doleful but mixed in with plenty of offputtingly cloying sentimentality.
5/5 - While a huge fan of Hurt when this came out I don't know I've ever really given this album its due. It's fantastic. The covers are exceptional. And the final song "We'll Meet Again" when taken in the context of this being his last album is tragic. Amazing record.
It's incredible that we have these recordings.
Love Johnny Cash but it’s tough when legends put out music 30 years past their prime
A few true classics carried further by the gravity of an aged, but powerful voice padded by some cutting room floor stuff.
Fascinating album of covers near the end of Cash's life. We get a weird selection of Cash on here (two live albums from jails and one late era cover album) - would've liked to see some of his more normal studio albums on here. But no doubt these covers are affecting and heartfelt.
good
Johnny Cash originals are better than Johnny Cash covers but this still works for me. 3.5/5
Y’all get mad at Tom Waits rambling on and on over a couple songs but overlook SIXTY-BLODDY-SEVEN studio albums of another man doing the exact same thing! This is like that one HR meme where the good looking guy gets away with harassment while the overweight coworker gets to talk with HR… Brandon, I triple dog dare you to do a discography review of Johnny Cash. ANYWAY, this is a good album. And I’m a fan of good covers - of which he has many on this album. This album is a great farewell. I liken it to Harrison Ford getting a lifetime achievement award. Love that “We’ll Meet Again” is the final track considering this was also a project for his kids.
absolutely wonderful. have always loved his cover of Hurt, I kinda don't care about Bridge over Troubled Water but his cover is wonderful and Fiona Apple sounds soooo good. is cover of I'm So Lonesome is a little underwhelming but that's just because you can't beat the Cowboy Junkies' cover and that's not his fault.
Sad cowboy tunes…
I HUUURRT MYYSEEELFFFF TOODAAAAAAAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
cried within the first minute thanks john. this cover of Personal Jesus has always and will always fuck extremely hard.
In my household Johnny Cash is a hero, end of story! I don’t blame Trent Reznor for relinquishing his ownership of Hurt. Even though I first heard this almost 2 decades ago, this album is still one of the most somber, bleak, but strangely hopeful projects I’ve ever heard. I was watching The Road today which really bummed me out, and some part of me feels like this album may be the last one that ever plays.
I dig Folsom Prison a lot but Cash is not my cup of tea.
The Johnny Cash / Rick Rubin collaborations are among the greater endorsements of the idea that less is more. These songs are stripped to their base elements in such a way as to remove all barriers between the audience and the lyrics and the manner in which the vocal manages to be monotone while still conveying so much emotion is actually pretty striking. American III was my jam for a long time but I think it’s just because it was the one I heard first. IV is probably superior (though it somehow got some of the lesser reviews of the series). I is also quite good. I don’t remember what’s on II. I also never listened to V and VI in full. Maybe I’ll do that today. Pretty much everyone, including Trent Reznor, just kinda acknowledges “Hurt” as a Johnny Cash song at this point. I would also point to “I Hung My Head” as a version that tops the original Sting song in every conceivable way (even though bro blatantly misspoke and said “sheen” instead of “stream” and called it good enough). The title track will remain a staple of the “I am a hack filmmaker and want to show a montage of the world having ended” genre for generations to come. The 2020 remake of The Stand was so bad. Not all of the covers work for me, but a swing-and-a-miss is still a swing, ya dig? The Nick Cave feature doesn’t quite do what I need it to, and I think Don Henley is a talentless Garbage Pail Kids sticker come to life. Fiona Apple’s guest spot is great though!
3/5 Algumas ótimas interpretações (Hurt, Desperado), outras que não casam com o estilo e voz de Cash.
3/5 https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/johnny-cash/american-iv-the-man-comes-around/ Honestly, more nice songs than I imagined when I saw I had to listen to another Cash record. But also, didn’t care for many other songs. None of the covers are better than the originals—at least as far as I know the originals—but I do like the heavy-handedness of the whole album.
Nice collection of covers and his voice really contributes a unique sound to these songs. Hurt, personal Jesus, and the man comes around are the highlights to me.
heard of johnny cash but never listened. cried several times while waiting for soccer practice to be over
It is a truly beautiful record, and it’s staggering to realize this was Johnny Cash’s 76th album and the last before his passing. His vocals are raw and haunting, carrying a weight that lends incredible depth to the mix of contemporary covers and re-recordings of his own classics. Despite not being a typical fan of country or Americana, I found the album captivating; tracks like Hurt, and Personal Jesus to some extent, now feel synonymous with Cash rather than the original artists. With guest features like Fiona Apple, the project feels both fresh and timeless.
Is this an action movie?
Highlights: Hurt, Personal Jesus, In My Life Shit's extremely monotonous. I get that some people like this style, but found it extremely mid since it was mostly covers (felt low effort).
This remains one of my all time favorites. I remember clearly how I felt listening to it for the first time, and I still get that same feeling every time!
It's a mixed bag.
Five stars, five stars, five stars. Only a few artists can deliver such a powerful and meaningful work at the end of their lives (Bowie being the only other example that springs to mind). I've listened to this album off-and-on for years and its power never diminishes. It is a man reflecting on his life in song. It is introspective and aware in every painful and beautiful way of what is coming. The cover of "Hurt" is five star worthy alone; everything else just adds to it.
One of my favorite albums that I have listened to more than just about any other
Listening to this album it was good but not great, but a few songs were great. But I’ve probably heard Hurt too many times now. I would probably do 3.5 if I could.
I love 50s country Johnny and adore his 1990s American Recordings. Even though I am not a fan of covers, these songs, done in his honey-rich voice are magnificent. I am considering though why this one of his American Recordings was chosen, and wonder if the rest are here. My favourite is American Recordings II: Unchained. His rendition of Southern Accents and the title track make me cry like a baby bird.
I couldn't listen to it through at first, but it really grew on me. And it happens to be an Arkansas legend. Go ethel, one of the porrest counties in the Arkansas delta. I can imagine myself listening to this album on a drive.
Johnny Cash had such a powerful and commanding voice during his time, and it really shines in this final release of his. The arrangements are light (mostly acoustic guitars and pianos), but so beautiful, and Cash's vocals enfuse the songs with emotion and he does make them his own (this is an album of covers with a few exceptions). "Hurt" was already one of my favorite songs prior to listening to this album, and I now love "I Hung My Head", "Personal Jesus", and "In My Life". This is a truly amazing piece of work from one of his generation's best storytellers and voices.
Another album that I definitely should’ve listened to by now. The covers are great but I don’t think any of them beat the originals. Loved hearing Fiona Apple on “Bridge Over Troubled Water” and the “Hurt” cover is obviously great. Never cared for the “Personal Jesus” cover but that’s really the only low point on the album for me. Otherwise, this is a solid album from the GOAT of country music. I love it when musicians like David Bowie and Leonard Cohen go out with a bang and Cash is absolutely in that group. Favorite track: We’ll Meet Again
Just great, done brilliantly
It's like sitting and listening to your grandfather spinning yarn after yarn about his fascinating life. Johnny Cash leans into the aging limitations of his voice, and brings his profound humanity to each song on the record. His cover of Nine Inch Nails' "Hurt" is iconic, but I'm also partial to his rendition of Sting's "I Hung My Head." I don't know that it lives up to Cash's heyday, but it's quite the swan song for such a legend.
Breathes new life and emotion into songs I have heard too many times before. Fragile, poised and beautiful. Moved me to tears.
Trop bien, un classic
Just okay
6/10
Good old country acoustic guitar and low gravely vocal telling life stories make listening to this album quite entertaining. But I probably would not want to put it on repeat.
Favorite tracks: The Man Comes Around, Hurt, I Hung My Head, We'll Meet Again You almost inevitably feel a lot of dread for a man with so many flaws and bad deeds throughout his career on this record. It's a haunting and funereal experience, boasting all of Johnny Cash's most emotive performances with a strong tracklisting to boot.
Erstmal: Mit der „America“-Serie hat JC sich eindeutig als Cover-Artist positioniert. Eine Art Anti-Dylan (der hat die Songs geschrieben, die von anderen besser performt wurden). Diese Covers sind deutlich besser als seine eigenen Songs. Sorry, steinigt mich. Instrumentierung Arrangement und Produktion sind hervorragend und passen hervorragend zu seiner Stimme. Ich mag ihn halt einfach nicht. Das liegt mehr an seinen „Fans“ (die zu 90% nicht wissen, dass ‚Hurt‘ ein NIN Song ist). Dieses ganze Cowboy-Hinterwäldlerding, und da kann er auch wirklich nichts dafür, weil er ja politisch wohl auch absolut stabil war. Ich würde trotzdem 10x lieber mit Arlo Guthrie-Fans oder Willie Nelson-Fans auf eine lange Autofahrt gehen. Wenn JC ein lokaler Cover-Live-Act wäre, oder in der Fußgängerzone spielt, ich wäre ein Fan. Sehe einfach die monumentale Bedeutung nicht. Noch schlimmer: American III ist das bessere Album, ich nehme an dass es mehr um „Hurt“ ging aber das Format heißt leider 1001 Albums und nicht „Singles“. Wirklich grauenerregend: Bridge over troubled water. Da funktioniert das Original ja schon nur gerade so. Hier bluten mir die Ohren. Ich hab auch nichts gegen Jaulemusik (Harris/Knopfler ist z.b gutes Gejaule) aber das ist der Moment, wo der Opa abgeholt werden sollte weil alle Zuhörer schon die Flucht ergriffen haben.
Irgendwo schon beeindruckend 50 Jahre die gleiche simple Musik zu machen und das erfolgreich. Und das meine ich nicht abfällig. Das Album ist unterhaltsam und nett zu hören, gegen Ende nervt dann aber doch etwas die Monotonie.
Johnny Cash returns with his brand new record 'songs you love, done worse'. This album includes classics such as 'in your life', 'bridge over still water' and 'personal Mohamed'. Buy it now... Or better don't!
Послушал, честно, думал будет не очень, но я полностью забираю свои слова назад Это очень крутой альбом, я могу заявить, что познакомился с жанром кантри, это очень хорошо Последняя песня, сейчас убивает В голосе слышно, что уже тяжело… Чувствовал как я еду по трассе 211, на старом мустанге, вид на каньон, горы, я очень доволен Так же есть песни прям для дома, посидеть, готовить, поговорить. Мне понравилось)
Meh
Its good. Hurt is amazing. The take on bridge over troubled water is interesting. Many good songs. Some great songs. Your own personal Jesus? Interesting proposition. I miss the energy of san quentin, which earned it a 5/5 last time Cash came along.
Very cool. I forgot he did some of these covers.
I really enjoyed this album despite not adding too many songs to my playlist. I love Cash’s old man voice so much it was just pleasant. All the covers were good and most of them I really enjoyed. I’m a real sucker for acoustic guitar so that probably made me enjoy the songs more. I did feel that some of the songs don’t have too much progression which I didn’t like that much. But I did love the lyrics as well just something about them was fun, sad, and interesting.
Blown away by Danny Boy and the transition to Desperado
Me encantó la versión de Personal Jesus
While Hurt is superb cover, others fell short of the originals
I have to be in the right mood to listen to this all the way through, but it's a great album.
Muy Yankee, no es lo mío, si sos un NPC te puede parecer brillante, si sos algo un poco más complejo te vas a aburrir. Igualmente no está mal.
The whole album is incredible, I challenge anyone not to listen to this without getting a little bit emotional. Cash conveys a profound feeling of sadness which is so haunting and beautiful. What an amazing gift he gave the world before his passing
Amazing. No notes.
The last album that Johnny Cash released during his life, American IV: The Man Comes Around is Cash celebrating his life, celebrating Americana, contemplating death, and embracing music he loves. Even though this is technically a covers album, Johnny Cash imbues every song here with the weight and wisdom of his old age and storied life. Each and every song feels like his own. And a lot of these songs are beautiful too: The Man Comes Around, Hurt, I Hung My Head, Danny Boy and many more are gorgeous, elegant compositions in their own right. It's tough to give a 5 here because of how American IV has to contend with being a covers album. But it is a pretty incredible farewell transmission from Johnny Cash regardless.
One of the greatest artists of all time. Hurt and Personal Jesus alone would make this a great album. This fragile voice...
I had never listened to this but it was very good. A lot of covers which normally would be too much but he really made them his own.
Wow I had such a narrow minded view of country music. This was so good! Deep and beautiful themes, great voice and simple instrumental music. We'll Meet Again is my personal favourite!
Te amo johnny
All credit to the man and his legacy, but this album feels like diminishing returns for a Rick Rubin vanity project. Only 'Hurt' rises above gimmick status.
Ganske bra! Lenge siden jeg har hørt dette nå.
For ein mann!
En klassiker jeg liker veldig godt.
Would be a 5 star album if it wasn’t covers
Another album that I wouldn’t have listened to otherwise, and it was definitely a beautiful yet somber album that I couldn’t listen to in one go. Cash has such a low, calming yet powerful voice, and every lyric feels so full of grief and reflection. The album really highlights his feelings of existentialism and religious convictions towards the end of his life. Bridge Over Troubled Water was definitely one of my surprising favourites.
a very pleasant swan song album, i really liked it
Laid on the floor and it was nice to lay on the floor and listen to it. It’s good, sad, at one point got bored and talked while it still played. And sang along a few times also as well.
Pleasing, like a grandpa singing some of his favorite songs. Great for sleeping to
Top Sound
Started off amazing, but ended with a lot of slow filler tracks that weren't exactly exciting.
Great covers. Love his voice.
No. 128 Not every song works to the same extent. But when a song hits, it really hits. Chills.
We’ve gotten a few Johnny Cash albums on this list, but they are his early music. Now we have his final album on the list to bookend his life and show his full breadth. I hear a more modern sound, mostly due to better production in 2002, but this album is undeniably part of that Cash style. American Man IV contains almost all covers, chosen wisely by Cash. There’s much variety in the original material: metal, rock, pop, country, folk. Each cover has Johnny Cash doing exactly what I love to hear with covers: he made them his own. If you didn’t know the lyrics to “Hurt” by Nine Inch Nails, then you would think the original and cover are two wildly different songs. For some covers, he’s more loyal to the original, but his voice is what makes a stamp (perfect segue into next paragraph). He lends his signature voice to these songs, even while his voice betrays his age, in a very good way. There’s something to Cash’s vocals that he couldn’t have done at age 30 to “Hurt” or “I Hung My Head.” His voice has always had a gritty aspect, because that’s what made him Johnny Cash, but his rendition of “Bridge Over Troubled Water” allows him to sing sagely in contrast to Art Garfunkel’s earnest original sound. Hearing his tender “In My Life” makes for such an emotional listen. “First Time I Ever Saw Your Face,” with a church-like sound, has Cash sounding reverent. The last song on the album, “We’ll Meet Again,” is the perfect finale: halfway through, Cash uses spoken word to talk directly to the listener before the Whole Cash Gang joins him on the chorus. A fitting end to the album, yes, but also vocally. The personnel list of American Man IV is astounding! I love how many musicians worked with Cash on this album. I can’t pick a favorite, but Fiona Apple’s additional vocals on “Bridge” were so special to me.
On the surface, it's hard to imagine Johnny Cash singing some of these covers. But once you actually listen to the album, it becomes clear: it just WORKS. He adds a dark mood to all of these tracks in a way that befits his unique stylings. He brings together a bunch of disparate tracks from different artists and genres and makes an album that just simply works. It is all kind of capstoned by the fact that this was the last album released during his lifetime; the album listens as if Cash knew this and was making his final, dark, lonely farewell in a way that only he could. A lot of his stylings here aren't necessarily my cup of tea, but I can definitely appreciate what he did here. He showed a level of emotional depth and artistic evolution here that many only wish to achieve.
Sounded good
Exceptional record. Strangely nostalgic, yet fresh.
I was so excited to see this as my album of the day! An album I already knew and loved it - instant 5 star This is such a beautiful album, it had me crying. There's something so haunting about his voice Take my 5 ⭐️ Johnny Cash, well deserved 🫡
Pretty cool, knew some of these already. His voice becomes very samey after a while.
Wow, strength and fortitude from a dying legend.
Christ how incredibly long and boring. I hate country music, but not only is it country it’s a SNOOZEFEST. And they’re all covers too? Give me a break. The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face was absolutely excruciating, not to mention Personal Jesus and Danny Boy. I know he was on his deathbed but lighten up mate. No need to wheel out the reanimated corpse for monotonous droning covers of well loved songs.
It didn't do much to me. I did not dislike, i did not like it. I like the fact that it is easy to sing along to, but thats pretty much it
i really really tried to be open minded about this album, however. geriatric johnny cash cover album was a real struggle to get through. i also think the more i loved the original songs the more painful it was to listen to the covers - i cant think of any songs improved by his version. im gonna go listen to the eagles now
A few too many inessential covers to give it five, but there are three absolute classics here.
Not many albums have such authentic poignancy throughout, and it has some totally brilliant / devastating covers, alongside a couple of take-or-leave ones.
Some work better than others, but I enjoyed this and it merits 4 for the strength of the high points.
a mixed bag, but the highs are essential cash
I think this is a great project. Capturing Cash's epic voice with modern production that suits his style and some cool, unexpected song choices (NIN, Depeche Mode…). When it's great, it's great. When it's not, it's still Johnny Cash singing some good songs. 7.5 Fav track: The Man Comes Around Least fav: Bridge Over Troubled Water
Really enjoyed that. The cover of 'Hurt' alone justifies the inclusion in this list.
"Hurt" is a song which brings many feelings with it but the rest of the album is not really my style.
Very good.
No, just no, I absolutely despise this I'm sorry, it's just my opinion. I'd listen to this in full only for a good amount of money. An amount so big that I could retire right now with it.
Album 23/1001. Listened 3/23/2026. A classic covers the classics. Some are better than others, but it's a great album.
4/8
I memorized this album when I was 16 and I still know it all to this day.
Went into this not expecting much, but was very pleasantly surprised. The quite bare arrangements go brilliantly with Johnny’s husky voice and give the whole album a great sense of warmth. Some genuinely beautiful arrangements but sadly some rather strange choices and some songs I found rather corny held it back a bit.
Love earlier Cash. This was painful. Would have been a 1 if not for the Hurt cover.
Álbum incrível. Gostei muito dos covers. Muito intimista, quase que como se fosse um agradecimento
A solid swan song. If Blackstar was covers.
His isolated vocals with the guitar were very soothing. It was a sad listen.
This album made me really sad sometimes. 4/5
Cash’s 67th and final album, packed with gorgeous covers from all kinds of genres, is as powerful and poignant as ever. He really makes every song his own, such a storyteller even when the words weren’t originally his own, with his signature deep voice. I think you’ll be bloody hard pressed to find a Cash collection I won’t give 5 stars to, he’s just the absolute man. Plus bonus Nick Cave duet!
Beautiful lyrics and music. What a storyteller this man is.
Excellent
The best covers project of it's kind
Sad songs, about killing self or someone else and going to a better place but good listen.
One to look out for on vinyl.
Muy lento para mi gusto , no escuchar si estas medio bajon , o si
the second half has a much more distinct feel to it that is so much stronger than the first half
Beautiful. Hearing Johnny Cash put his spin on a lot of good cover songs was really wonderful to listen to.
Грустный старичок
Old Johnny Cash hits so much harder, though it does sometimes feel like you can hear him actively dying on some of the tracks (particularly Hurt) Favourite song: I hung my head.
Great album. 7.5 out of 10.
Johnny Cash's "American Recordings" revitalized his career, so its fitting that "The Man Comes Around" would be the last record he lived to put out. The same minimalism that defined the rest of the American series remains here, as does Cash's well-aged and wise voice. It's an understatement to say that this is a record of mortality; the specter of Cash's poor health lingers ominously over tracks like "In My Life," "Danny Boy," "We'll Meet Again," and of course "Hurt." Johnny Cash passed away less than a year after the release of "The Man Comes Around." How fitting that this album's last moments are his children joining along with him in singing "I know we'll meet again some sunny day."
Timeless classic
Quite a long album. Such a beautiful artist. His songs are truly lovely. So many rlly nice covers. Fav song is ‘Hurt’.
Classic
Beautiful album by Cash at the end of his life. The songs he chose to cover reflect his musical career quite well, and are so unique to him as an artist.
Невероятно красивый и трогательный альбом. Тот случай, когда некоторые песни написаны настолько от души, что хочется как минимум за это похвалить альбом. Шикарный инструментал вместе с успокаивающим голосом Джонни сделали его последнюю пластинку невероятной!