American IV: The Man Comes Around

The title song has been a favourite of late so a great reason to listen to it more. The album always struck me as being too long but it was enjoyable to immerse yesterday. The Nick Cave duet doesn't work as well as hoped unfortunately!

Me ha encantado la primera mitad del album pero despues del cover de Personal Jesus se densinfla bastante y se vuelve repetitivo aun asi me ha parecido bastante bueno. A veces me sentia en rdr 2 y otras podria ser banda sonora de the last of us.

Finally found a covers album that deserves this list. Until now didn’t understand why cover albums were significant enough to join this list but wow Johnny you are an icon. The way you sang I Hung My Head changed me. Some items on here don’t stack up to the OG, but that’s ok you still did the damn thing.

Most of the songs themselves and their production are very simple, but it’s Cash himself that really makes the album. So much comes through in his old and weathered voice. Hurt is such a chilling song. A haunting listen.

Iconic album. Iconic voice. What a way to go out. CD version omits Wichita Lineman and Big Iron. So I listened to these on Johnny Cash - Unearthed separately. 3.5/5. Raising to 4.

Very depressing album that I really enjoyed. You can really hear the pain that he experienced in his life in this album, which was also his last album. His coevers of Hurt and Desperado were highlights.

Really liked this, Hurt an all time classic and really enjoyed Desperado and We'll Meet Again

Incredible album of covers that fit the context of his life so well

"American IV" is a cowboy's lament of a life Ill lived and completely subverted my expectations. I knew nothing about the release of this album, and I expected to be somewhat bored coming into it. While listening, I found the tracks engaging and deeply moving. Cash's sombre tone brought a punch of feeling to the songs. Every track belonged, even the covers, and overall was a great record.

This is a hard album to rate based on pure musical analysis because the context of these songs is so much a part of how it sounds. An album put together by a man keenly aware of his coming death that is singing about all the aspects of his life worth singing. It was almost difficult to listen to all the way through because of how it makes one feel.

Kinda hate how he sings but this had "Hurt" on it so it was my duty to hear this

Got the HB sauce flowing

Great stuff, JC often imploves on these classics

I did not think I would enjoy Cash's talking style of singing but it works really well with his style of music. The album is melancholy and emotive.

Reason I got into music

Jävlar vad bra Hurt-covern är. Skivan bra överlag också

Det är mysigt att höra gamla gubbe sjunga

Väldigt bra! Nya egna toppenlåtar och fina covers av andra artister.

I really loved this. I'm a sucker for art that tackles death directly. I don't know what that says about me. It's powerful when someone interacting with death so directly is willing to share that experience with us. It's brave and generous. This album made me think of similar ones like A Crow Looked at Me or Blackstar. Obviously what makes this one different is that instead of original music, he tackles death mostly through covers. Each cover feels like it's Johnny tackling different emotions related to his nearing death. He even covers two of his own songs and gives new meaning. This is especially true on Give My Love To Rose. That song is literally about a dying man asking a passerby to share his final words with his wife and children. It hits way harder coming from Johnny now when he is literally dying. It's not just the song selection though that hits hard, it's the performances. You can feel the pain, the nostalgia, the joy and the fear in his voice. It's really powerful. It's 15 tracks and they're all good to great to incredible. This is a strong 4 for me... maybe a 4.5 but i'll round down. Specific song thoughts... The Man Comes Around - this is my all time favourite Johnny Cash song. It's amazing he still had a classic left in the tank in his 70s. Just a fantastic song front to back. It's catchy. It's beautiful. It's fuckin' cool. To me it feels like it's about the mixture of fear and joy of death, especially in the christian sense. The fear of the grim reaper, the man who comes around. But the elation and joy of ascending to heaven. The song just feels like this gripping biblical epic and i love every second of it. Hurt - I mean this is considered one of the greatest covers ever recorded. It's devastating. The way that Trent's lyrics are transformed by Johnny is incredible. It feels like Cash wrote it reflecting on his own life: the emptiness of his legacy, the pain he's caused people, his impending death, the death of everyone around him as he ages. Trent's lyrics fit so well into Cash's story, it's remarkable.. and the performance is just annihilating. I was quite worried this album would be down hill after starting with 2 classics, but it's great all the way through. Personal Jesus - Love the original. Love this cover. It works way better than it should as this stripped down guitar/piano track. In My Life - i swear in my review of Rubber soul I said this song would hit harder when i'm old and reflecting on my life. And here it is performed by an old man, reflecting on his life and it is really sweet. I'm not sure it's better than the original, but i like the dimension that Cash adds to it. 
Sam Hall - I really liked this one. I love him shouting “damn your eyes” over and over. It just brought a smile to my face. What a great old country song. Danny Boy - I’m a sucker for this one. My Dad would sing it occasionally as a child. Cash does a good job with it. Desperado - I actually liked this more than the original. I’m not an eagles guy… so Johnny really makes this one better. I love that chorus when he sings it. I’m So Lonely I Could Cry - it was cool hearing him do a duet with Nick Cave. I assume Johnny must have liked that murder ballads album haha. We’ll Meet Again - I loved this. It’s such a pretty song. Sure, it’s about death, but there’s this hope that someday he’ll be reunited with the people he loves… I assume in some sort of afterlife. It’s a nice thought. I love when the choir hits. It’s so big and warm.

I enjoyed a good 2/3rds of this album, the quality of the singer stood out above the others this week. Will listen to regularly.

Gammal och inte samma bärkraft i rösten, men det ger en känslighet som passar The man in black.

There is still something about how solemn and passionate his voice is that is incredibly impactful......and yes I know that is Johnny Cash in a nutshell. His voice just kinda affects you even though it sounds like an old man singing to himself in the corner of your living room on a lazy-e-boy. Cash lived a lot of life in his 71 years and this album does seem to be the culmination of that. Just bearing his soul here. Of course, The Man Comes Around, Hurt, Give My Love to Rose, I Hung My Head are incredibly powerful songs, especially with Cash singing. I'm not a huge fan of an album of covers and re-recordings being on this list, but after finishing, something about it feels ok. Obviously Cash's swan song before he died (let's just ignore that he's still releasing albums from beyond the grave). I think what makes this album special is the fact that it is his last album while he was still alive, the massive amount of collaboration with other artists that went into it, and the sheer emotion at which he was singing these songs knowing the end was coming.

Among the best cover albums i've ever heard.

Johnny Cash ist Johnny Cash. Seine Stimme ist der Hammer. Viele Coversongs, die eine ganz eigene Nota bekommen. Seine Version von In My Life ist wirklich was anderes als das Original. Hurt ist genial.

Fantastic lyrics. Hurt is such a good classic. Unique beautiful style and great guitar. Nothing too hard and very introspective. Love it. First time I ever saw your face is so slow and gorgeous. Big fan. 8/10

Love this album, it's had a place in my rotation for a long time

A really interesting take on a covers album - the songs that I knew took on a meaning of their own because of the interpretation and performance, and because this was the last album released before his death, there’s a poignancy to each one. It reminded me of Blackstar by Bowie which used his knowledge of his imminent death to inform the art he created. An astonishingly moving set of songs.

Rating this 4 simply because of man comes around and hurt.

Opens really great with The Man Comes Around and Hurt. He’s at his best in the songs that fit with the grizzly-voiced rebel aesthetic he’s known for. In My Life doesn’t work for me and some of the other curve balls don’t always hit. Great arrangements and performances by Tom Petty backers Mike Campbell and Belmont Tench.

> The Beatles I hate country but Johnny cash and this album are undeniable

Shoutout to Pinja's dad for liking this. The covers are great country reinterpretations of classic songs. The other songs are also mostly great. The vocals stand out the most.

Hurt is a great song and this is a great cover. You get two different takes, but the same beautiful pain. His interpretations of some of these songs are great. There's a group of great performers, I'm thinking mainly Cash, Nelson, Dylan, whose covers or reinterpretations have a very different feel than they would if sung by a younger artist or at a different time in their lives. First Time Ever I Saw Your Face is another great take on a great song. Good lord, I can feel the tears welling up when he does In My Life. Not as big a fan of Desperado or I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry...hard to cover Hank.

I just watched a documentary video on the Nine Inch Nails cover on this album before it was selected for me, crazy coincidence

Was great, real classic. Hurt is very good. I thought JC died much later, so when I looked that up I was surprised.

Icon for a reason. Incredible voice even towards the end. Mostly covers but all amazing.

Truely touching.

I've never been country-committed, with Johnny Cash being no exception. Sure, "A Boy Named Sue" had me chuckling at its absurd brilliance, and yes, there was that brief late-90s moment when appreciating the Man in Black became the cultural equivalent of wearing vintage band tees—but I never jumped on that particular bandwagon. So here I am, fashionably late to Cash's final album, discovering what turns out to be a musical autobiography wrapped in black. This album swings between devastating highs ("Hurt," "Personal Jesus," "We'll Meet Again", "Desperado") and soul-crushing lows ("Bridge Over Troubled Water," "In My Life," "Danny Boy"), with a few forgettable covers thrown in just because - like life itself, really. Despite my chronic indifference to the genre, I find myself unexpectedly moved by this record. It's impeccably crafted and achingly intimate, as if Cash could hear the clock ticking and decided to leave us with one last, perfectly timed gut punch. The man clearly knew how to make an exit. 4/5 - turns out you don't need to be a lifelong fan to recognize a masterpiece when it's staring mortality in the face.

3.5

Knew it already, but was happy to hear it again!

Very good

This is one I've been enjoying for 20 years. A solid collection of covers done by a legend, the only knock is that there are almost no original songs. Still, this provided my favorite version of most songs here, and my 2nd favorite of all the rest.

A champion in the category of "old man who laments". Chills and teary eyes guaranteed.

Suprisingly I really liked this Story telling while singing was different pace to what I usually listen to. Easy 4 star

A king among men and a prophet among the choir. A direct line to the source. What Casu could do with a few words and a couple guitar strings still staggers me even after 35 years of listening to him. A lot of his choices are beyond me—I just don’t get what he sees in many of these songs. I defer to the guy, of course. Of course I don’t understand. If I did, I’d be something different than I am. And also I assume they’re homages as much as anything, but the Paul Simon and Beatles covers are tough listening. Unlike Hurt, which must have made Trent’s, like, entire life. And I Hung My Head and Streets of Laredo—not just a reflection of a corner of America’s lonely heart, but its very creation.

Better than I expected for a Johnny cash album from the 2000s

Another country album but most are covers. It makes me feel more comfortable despite being Johnny Cash’s last album in his lifetime. So the problem is that I happen to own the downward spiral on CD so I can compare this version of Hurt and Trent’s original version. Good news? Nick Cave was featured on this so it makes this album less grim. And the problem is I just finished a transatlantic flight home and have a pretty serious cold. I’m not dying anyway. and this is unexpectedly good. my mental state is already unstable and hurt just made it worse. (because i played the original version before this.) the cover of Personal Jesus is a bit unexpected but i like the original more maybe its because non-cheesy synthpop is one of my favourite genre. I really feel that In My Life is a highlight of this album because when John Lennon wrote this it already have this "im old and i look back on my life" type feeling and Cash indeed makes the feeling stronger. Hank Williams is not a singer that im not so found of but the cover of I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry make me smile a bit. because Nick Cave. and We'll Meet Again is such a perfect closing track... i didnt cry in the whole process and thasts

Kudos to Rick Rubin for helping to introduce Johnny Cash's music to the X and Millenial generations. This isn't my favorite of the American Recordings, but it's a good listen. I just wish it had more of his original songs. 3.5/5 #136

Love this album. A nice group of Cashified tunes!

Molt bon álbum. Destaca "The Man Comes Around" i les covers que Cash fa de "Hurt" de Nine Inch Nails, "Bridge over Troubled Water" de Simon & Garfunkel, i "I Hung My Head", que m'ha sorprès saber que és de Sting. D'altres covers de cançons que coneixia, tot i sòlides, prefereixo les originals: "Personal Jesus" de Depeche Mode, "In My Life" de The Beatles, i "Desperado" de The Eagles.

Rick Rubin making Johnny Cash relevant again! I have listened to this album a few times. I remember the stripped back sensibilities, with an aging Cash crooning over the top. The opener is a great tune, gives us an idea of what (I hope) to expect, which in my opinion is exactly what track one should be. And, great that the guy was still penning absolute bangers at his age! Unfortunately, that's all the original music we hear for a while. So, on to the covers: 'Hurt' had it's moment in the sun when I was younger, in fact, I'm not actually sure I've even heard the original. Great emotion in the performance. Cash's voice gives off a broken man vibe across a lot of these songs, and at this stage in his life (not long before his eventual passing), it is a great way to go out. But, sadly, the covers don't keep up with this consistency. I'd call the covers the 'tale of two albums', there are tunes which have been performed in a way where they stray drastically from the original recording. Or, they blend well into what I believe Johnny Cash is famous for; risky, honest country music. 'Personal Jesus', 'I Hung my head' and 'Sam Hall' are other good examples of this. The rest are just stripped back performances of famous songs. 'Desperado', 'In my Life' and 'Bridge over Troubled Water' fit into this catergory. Yes, it's the Man in Black. Yes, he performs with a lot of heart. However, at the same time, it could be anyone. Any busker on the street. He hasn't really done them the promising justice the first two songs promised. 'Tear Stained Letter' was a welcome refreshment, and I wonder what this album would have been like with a few more self penned songs on it. 'We'll Meet Again' is an ironic end to the LP. I also have a super soft spot for a clarinet (particularly on an album closer! I'm hoping another one of my favourites turns up on this list!). And having the 'gang' with him, nice way to end it. Yep, you know what? That'll be my one I'm taking away for my playlist (I know the opener quite well already, so it doesn't make the cut!). Well, it's certainly not my favourite Johnny Cash album (I'm mad about his live concert at San Quentin!), but it made its impact at the right time and I appreciate the efforts put into it. And, 2002-2006, everyone my age knew all about him (also thanks to that movie). 4 Stars (JUST!).

This album captures the vibe of you and your family having one last drink after your beloved grandfather’s funeral. After the funeral, friends and family had gathered at your uncle’s house and regaled each other with fond memories of a great man while having a few drinks. Gradually, guests depart. Before you know it, only the immediate family are left, sitting around a fireplace which houses a withering fire. While you all silently ponder whether or not to throw another log on, a quiet voice from the corner asks the room if anyone remembers the one time Grandpa raised his voice in anger - when one of his granddaughters slammed his grandson’s hand in a car door. Everyone smiles fondly as they finish their drinks. Realising that leaving the room means it is time to force themselves to move on with life, they agree to one last whiskey on the rocks.

This album is a classic. It was when it came out and even more so now. The only strike against it is that “Hurt” sets the bar way too high for the rest of the album. I feel like it’s at its best when the songs are unexpected like “Personal Jesus” and “In My Life” and the few tracks that bring this one down from a 5 to a 4 are the ones that are in the typical Johnny Cash wheelhouse.

Not my super size American cup of Coca-Cola

Honestly a brilliant album, I enjoyed every second. The only problem is the true brilliance came from the originality of the songs and these were covers of his previous work or other artists songs, so I couldnt rate it higher

Cool later Cash.

🕴️

Not my favorite of his, but I haven’t met a Johnny Cash original or cover I didn’t like.

I love Cash. His baritone and Country & Western influences always remind me of my grandfather, who was a farmer in rural PA his whole life and sang on the church choir for 60 years. Plus they died within months of each other. But personal association aside, he's a legend for a reason. His straightforward arrangements and vivid lyrics that often told a story made for a stellar combo that catapulted him to stardom. Here, on an album of covers, he imbues the persona of the Man In Black onto each and every one of them, to varying degrees of success, but most of them work. Of course his cover of "Hurt" stands out, as do "Personal Jesus," "In My Life" and "We'll Meet Again" but even the lesser known/not as eye-popping ones are still solid. Any album that features a cover where the original artist agrees they now own the song, as Trent Reznor did with "Hurt", is a win.

This is pretty sick, even if not something I’m often in the mood for.

I once met a man from Sweden who claimed America has no culture. Okay Sven, show me the Swedish Johnny Cash.

some stronger than others; goosebumps throughout

good

Really good, direct, and affecting. I heard the other day that when Trent Reznor first heard Hurt, he realized it was no longer his song.

Great performances, cheesy production at times, but really cool takes on some of these songs. Cash brings it home for his final release. Solid 4. 1=Crap that shouldn't be here 2=I didn't like it but get why it's here 3=I thought it was ok or even like it, get why it's here, but won't revisit 4=I like it, will revisit 5=This is some of the best music I've ever heard and will continue listening to it

My name is Samuel, Samuelllllll 1 year and 9 days between American IV and 99 Problems. Rick Rubin a legend.

"You crazy for this one, Rick!" Listened to B4? Yes Tracks Already Saved on Spotify: 5 - The Man Comes Around, Hurt, I Hung My Head, Personal Jesus, In My Life Standout Tracks: The Man Comes Around, Hurt, Give My Love to Rose, I Hung My Head, Sam Hall, We'll Meet Again (85/100)

Great album. Captured the rawness of Johnny’s vocals perfectly.

Que voz poderosa. Tem albuns que eu quero que acabe e outros que eu poderia passar o dia todo ouvindo. Músicas favoritas: Hurt, In my life, bridge over troubled water.

It's a 21st-century cover album by an artist from the '60s but through mystic Johnny Cash powers, it is full of beauty and worth listening

a couple of bangers on here. Love his voice.

An outstanding album, containing ‘Hurt’ - probably my favourite cover of all time - and the haunting ‘Hung My Head’. Brilliant from start to finish, but though exceptional - and an essential addition to any collection - it’s not perfect.

Highlight Song/s: The Man Comes Around, Give My Love to Rose, I Hung My Head The album where Johnny Cash reached the end of the road. Very much bittersweet.

I love Johnny Cash and saw him perform many times. This was a fine album to close out his career. Some 5 star songs but a few that were slightly corny.

me gustó, nunca había escuchado algo así detenidamente. Personal jesus es de el? a

Bra utvalg sanger. Sterk stemning i vokal og godt arrangert.

A lot of really good covers accented with the knowledge of Cash’s life ending shortly after release of this album.

Would be a 9 i liked it a lot

I had only listened to hurt but I really enjoyed this album. More covers than I expected

Wow. Not sure how I havent listened to this before, but definitely enjoying it. Definitely a masterclass country musician. Great voice, great covers, nothing much more to say. And he did this whilst partially blind and constantly sick

Well hurt is here and its still a wild song. Insane to turn the industrial into one of the most simple yet effective songs of all time. This whole record was great even though its mostly covers. And thats crazy. Tons of little guests all over it. And its so damn simple. I could see a guy ar a coffee shop playing almost anything on this by himself. But it just hits so hard. Great record

Johnny Cash is so cool.

Very great album. However, I did find it to be quite melancholic. I would give this a 4.5, but not a 5.

Soulful af good covers prefer classic cash though

Banger - way better than I thought it would be

4.3 Really enjoyed this as a complete album. Fantastic story telling and an intorspective J Cash

A fitting testament to Cash's talent and the various songwriters drawn upon here. Not every track is a winner, but the highs are quite high indeed - NIN's 'Hurt' at the top of the heap, of course. Cash's own 'When the Man Comes Around' is another standout and a great opener - one of his last songs, but man he still had the juice. The album is best when it's pared back and gets a bit too fluffy with strings and all sorts at points. Fiona Apple, Don Henley and Nick Cave guest for duets too, and make very little impact. Other big winners for me are 'I Hung My Head', 'Give My Love To Rose', 'Personal Jesus' and 'In My Life'.

Hard to dislike, solid album with somber lyrics and guitar plucking

Some brilliant tracks and some painful ones. Danny Boy actually hurt to listen to. On the other hand, The Man Comes to Town and Hurt are brilliant. And while not my favorite version of Personal Jesus, it’s pretty damn good. 4

Great album. Full of classics like bridge over troubled water, Danny boy, desperado, and we'll meet again. The album that his version of Hurt is on, my favorite Cash song.

3,7/5

it was a sad album but i liked it a lot (wanted to give it a 4.5)

Cash has always been my favourite when it comes to country, i’m not the biggest fan of the genre usually but artists like him and the other highwaymen for instance make it great. This album in particular is particularly daunting for obvious reasons (RIP Johnny Cash) but the sound of the album really makes it this way as well, it’s incredibly stripped down with a heavy emphasis on the intimacy of just Cash and his guitar for the most part, the sound of the acoustic guitar on this album is amazing by the way, it’s so shiny when he strikes a chord and i love that sound of guitar (great production as well). Cash mostly covers pretty random songs to be honest but he puts his own unique style on all of them and rivals the originals in many ways (hurt for instance but that’s been said a million times), i say random because never in a million years would people have thought he would be covering Depeche mode or even the beatles to be honest until this album came out. Nick Cave and Fiona Apple make an appearance on here as-well which is cool. Favourites: almost all to be honest, a few maybe not. Overall, 8/10.

A few of these fell flat for me (First Time Ever I Saw Your Face, Bridge Over Troubled Water) but this was otherwise a hauntingly beautiful collection of tracks. Got chills with the closing track (We'll Meet Again).

This man came to america four times; New world record

the man the myth the legend. I was never a huge Cash guy, but have enough knowledge to respect and even revere a classic. Johnny is most certainly that. It's like Willie Nelson with a deeper bass register. If there's one thing I know, it's that 9/11 was successful in two ways: It created the current political environment, and it destroyed country music for 25 years, turning it into the most flag-fucking, troop-worshiping, god-fearing hosreshit. This is true Americana, in a way that several artists are bringing back (Isbel, Sturgil, etc), thankfully. The covers are all very much him, and he owns all of them. Hurt is iconic. Troubled Water is deeply emotional and tragically beautiful. Desperado is a different (and better???) song. Better Personal Jesus than Depeche Mode, eat shit Rob.

The depth of the pain I can hear in his voice on “Hurt,” almost makes me feel like I am intruding on something personal and should not be enjoying that track so much. As for the rest of the album, it’s clear that by this point in his life his voice had lost its conventional richness…but much like on “Hurt” it lost none of its power and emotion.

Some great versions of songs; some not so great: the danger of doing a cover. His own songs on this album are solid. 3.5

Love some of these, less so others. When the Man Comes Around is awesome. And I may like the version on Legend of Johnny Cash better. But this one is badass, too.

The one-two punch of "the man comes around" and "hurt" was a certain killer. The rest of the album was great, too, but that's the standout. I unfortunately cannot give a single hoot about Beatles covers, it's so hard to do well. I think he does... Better than most

Transformative album for Jonathan Cash. P.s. I hung my head.

An album that sounds like “I know my time is coming soon also go fuck yourself here’s some of the best music you’ll ever hear”. I have never actively put Johnny Cash on before this listen.

Its Johnny Cash, so how bad could it ever be? I wasn't blown away by this at all, but again, its Johnny Cash. Very intriguing covers and I loved hearing The Man in Black's rendition of them. But, I liked all of the originals better. Still 4 stars, because its Johnny Cash.

Very good album. Cash owns "Hurt". His voice has aged and it provides such character and sadness. It's hard to listen to Trent Reznor croak out the song after hearing this version.

Elegiac late Johnny Cash. His voice is aged but still powerful. Johnny’s takes on some of his older songs along with covers shows an artist still pushing himself to create something meaningful.

The last album of a dying man. Gritty, rough, sparse, and amazing. Helped build the Rick Rubin legend. You can see why.

3.7

Cash. Prachtige stem. Aged like a fine wine. Als country fanaat ben ik niet echt fan van early Cash spul. Het merendeel is namelijk het snellere type country met die classic locomotief achtige trein beat, dunne flappy gitaren en wel een iconische stem, maar een die me niet meteen raakt. Maar dan heb je het door Rick Rubin geproduceerde 6 tal 'the American Recordings'. Net als een Leonard Cohen was de stem inmiddels 5 octaven gezakt en zwaarder dan ooit. Dit maakt 't warme, maar ook een imponerende stem, en je moet eigenlijk wel luisteren. De productie is modern in de zin van, alles is lekker hard, compressed en droog. Maar het instrumentarium is meestal ondersteunend en veelal akoestisch. We hebben allemaal onze ideeën over Rick Ruben en de loudness war etc etc. Ja shit is te hard en meerdere stukken op nummers kraken/distorten onnodig. Vooral vreemd om dat te horen bij akoestisch spul omdat eigenlijk geen enkel van de gebruikte instrumenten echt luid is. Er wordt vaak gehaat op Ricky want alles is zit tegen de rand van kapot aan en is onnodig hard gecompressed. De laatste jaren zien we veel beeldmateriaal van ons Rickert en het lijkt me toch sterk dat deze man ook maar iets te maken heeft met de mixing en mastering van deze platen, of iets in het daadwerkelijke productie proces, en meer dient als spiritual guidance. Volgens mij moet je bij Vlado Meller (mastering) zijn met je fakkels. Hoe dan ook, was ik zeer teleurgesteld toen ik als tiener Hurt hoorde en zeer was aangedaan door de performance en dit ff op repeat had staan en het me begon op te vallen. Meerdere versies gedownload om te kijken of het niet aan een slappe mp3 lag, maar zelfs op de cd die ik uiteindelijk kocht was het drama vanaf 2:50. :( It still 'hurts'. Enfin. The Man Comes Around: Goede opener. Begint en eindigt met bijbelse passages over een paard wat DEATH heet. Lets go. Hurt: Nog steeds zeer intens. Beter dan het origineel. Give My Love To Rose: Wow. Mooi voorbeeld van hoe je in country een zeer tragisch verhaal vertelt met een simpele begeleiding. "3 chords and the Truth" noemen ze dat ook wel. Ik zou er nog aan toe willen voegen dat dit best 3 majeur akkoorden mogen zijn. Bridge Over Troubled Water: Prachtige versie met Fiona Apple. Een stuk beter dan het origineel. I Hung My Head: Lovely. Wel een klein tikkie awkward soms in de vocal timing. Alsof iemand voor 'em staat met zo'n A2 formaat papier met elke keer 1 zin van de lyrics er op. (heb later het origineel van Sting gechecked en die is in 9/8, dus wel blij dat ze deze gewoon 4/4 hebben gelaten.) Nog steeds nice though. The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face: Prachtig, maar ook hier heeft het iets vreemds en aliens. Het tempo ligt zo laag dat de pauzes tussen de zinnen eindeloos lijken, en dan valt het me ook opeens op dat de vocals zo 'schoon' zijn geknipt, dat er geen enkel adempje te horen is voor een zin begint. Alsof Cash met een aan/uit knop die zinnen in klapt. (dit zal wel het geval zijn voor elke track en een productiekeus. Wie weet had ie wel een loeiharde neusfluit die alles anders had verziekt) Ondanks dat toch heel mooi en indringend. De trage accordeon die lage akkoorden speelt, beautiful. Personal Jesus: Net zo ongezellig als het origineel. Boring. In My Life: Very cute. Met de glockenspiel. Nog steeds een ranzig gitaar dingetje eigenlijk. Sam Hall: Speels, leuk. Gaat nog best wel los, dope. Danny Boy: Sick. Zwaar orgel spul. Tranentrekker. Helemaal op het einde 3:03 gaat het orgel opeens van hard stereo naar het midden toe en ploppen je ogen even naar buiten, maar verder prachtig. Desperado: Waarom clippen de vocals op deze track (bijv 1:08 - 1:10) verder mooie uitvoering. Wie zingt hier mee op de choruses? I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry: één van Hank Williams populairste tracks, met goede reden, hier met Nick Cave als gast vocal. Op zich mooi in tertsen zang, maar een goed voorbeeld waarbij de 2e stem de timing van de 1e probeert te raden, dat loslaat, en weer probeert te raden. Had zonder Cave gemogen voor maximum enjoyment. Het begon namelijk heel mooi, maar in de solo verse van Cave was het me al ietwat te theatraal. Tear Stained Letter: dit soort uptempo spul gaat wel maar hoeft van mij niet perse, en lijkt toch net niet meer zo goed te werken, waar dat vroeger z'n paradepaartje was. Streets of Laredo: Vocals lijken hier ook weer te oversturen in het begin vooral. Anderzijds plaats je Cash zo in de lyrics en zie je de oude cowboy z'n lot accepteren. Een passend einde voor de man in black :( Maar de album closer is de swingy versie van een anderzijds Engelse WO2 'uitzwaai' ballad 'We'll Meet Again', incluis de loeiharde backing vocals (waren dit de eerste gang vocals ooit?!). Hoopvol en ook best swingy met de dobro en clarinet. Een track die je vooral hoort van Vera Lynn. Thuis draaide m'n pa dit wel eens. Later kwam ie voorbij op opa (RIP) en oma's (RIP) uitvaarten. Vera Lynn's (RIP) bekendste uitvoering heeft ook een groep soldaten (RIP) die mee blèren, not great. Net zoals deze laatste chorus van Cash (RIP), al ist hier wel geinig. Er is wel dus wél een hele mooie crematie-appropriate versie die echt insane is: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h1xrofiEa4w Deze heeft geen raar mannenkoor, en een zieke sound door wat wordt gezien als de allereerste polyfone synthesizer genaamd de "Novachord" uit 1939. Een zeer ijle saus. "While production of the Novachord began in November 1938, it was first heard at the 1939 New York World's Fair.[5] The Novachord Orchestra of Ferde Grofé performed daily at the Ford stand with four Novachords and a Hammond Organ. The first instrument was delivered to President Franklin D. Roosevelt on January 30, 1940 as a birthday present. The Novachord was not well-suited to the technique of organists or pianists and required frequent adjustments to controls on the front panel to create new sounds. Like many later analog synthesizers, it was much better-suited to producing "otherworldly" timbres. The instrument found its niche some years after production, shaping the sound of many science fiction film and television scores." Anyway, I digress. Mooi nummer, mooie plaat. Beste: Hurt, Bridge Over Troubled Water, First Time Ever I Saw Your Face, Danny Boy Minste: Tear Stained Letter Albumhoes: Ja. 5/5

Top notch old guy energy. Some of the songs I think are beyond his reach and the strain hurts me a little. But the powerful emotion in each track impacts every time I hear this album. 4/5

What a way to sign off

I enjoyed the unique covers. The album is full of meloncholy and tells the story of a life ending soon.

I don’t like this as much as when I was a kid, but I still like it a lot.

Personal Jesus took me by surprise

Too emotional to ever listen again, but so solid. You can really tell its the end of life album from the start

Fabulous rebirth of a legend. Thank you Rick Rubin!

Pretty nice covers sung by Johnny Cash

A great album, the last gasp from the master a few of the tracks miss such as bridge over troubled water but a solid album with some stella tracks.

Knew many of the songs but some were surprisingly good and unheard of. Overall haunting and wow his voice sounds incredibly emotional. Tear stained letter underrated

Oye no daba un duro y me ha gustado bastante. Son todo versiones de temas que no pegan nada con Johnny Cash y les da su toque personal bastante originalmente. Supongo que Rick Rubin tuvo que ver bastante en esto. Más allá de la famosa versión de Hurt el album es una joya. Creo que fue lo último que hizo antes de morir. Mazo de bien macho.

Interesting mixture of music, almost as interesting as Cash's performance. I like this, but there's enough so-so songs on the album that I don't LOVE it.

A bit of a downer at time, but some great covers, and thankfully I turned it down before Nick Cave appeared. I was surprised that Hurt wasn't even my favourite of the bunch. Personal Jesus cover unexpected but fun.

Favorite Songs: The Man Comes Around / Hurt

I love Cash, and while this isn’t as major as Orange Blossom Special or Folsom for me, there’s no denying the power he still had up until the last album in his career.

Johnny’s last album released during his lifetime. A moving recording at the end of his illustrious career. This a heartfelt and beautiful record. His voice and dilivery are still strong and emotive. Love it.

Старый конь - борозды не испортит.

Objectively speaking, it’s an old man doing covers. Now of course this album comes with a lifetime of context, which makes it remarkable. Also, production quality on this thing is great. Love the guitar sound.

Gorgeous beautiful

I appreciate this album more as a piece of art and the conclusion of a famous musican's lifework, than as a medium simply carrying more or less enjoyable music. The "country" tag was also mildly confusing to me, because I didn't associate a single song with country music while listening - all of them were just Johnny Cash songs to me, even though most of them are covers.

love a late career renaissance album. especially when it comes with an evolutionary step that suits their age and the times. i'd be lying if i called myself a nine inch nails fan, but i’m a fan of johnny cash covering nine inch nails from what sounds like a dungeon cell. sounds like a goya painting. music for a mccarthy novel. “the man comes around” is so good it’s like you’ve known it your whole life. perfect song to go out on. most of it works. “i’m so lonesome i could cry” is one of the best songs ever written. personal jesus is great. it’s enthralling to hear his old voice RIGHT THERE. the production is awesome. bridge over troubled water teeters on the edge of not working, but you're rooting for the old timer the whole time, aren't you? damn your eyes!

Perfect

Four solid albums in a row. Really enjoyed this one, felt like a good mix of Cash songs and Cash covers. Just sort of an iconic figure in country/rock. Older Cash but I think his voice aged well for the style most of this sounded like.

This album is quite an accomplishment. The first three tracks set an incredible mood — truly amazing. There are some weaker tracks on this album, Cash is not always singing, and all the songs are covers— so it can’t be a 5 in my book. But on the strength of the first three tracks alone (+ some other excellent covers sprinkled throughout) it’s a four.

This album is absolutely amazing. From the cool intro/outro bible verse reading in “The Man comes Around” to the cool covers of “Bridge, Face, and Desperado” it is just fantastic. “Personal Jesus” has a swagger to it that’s just badass. The cover of “Hurt” is exquisite! 1001 album worthy: yes - 84/152

What an album. Astounding. Nearly a 5 star but let down by Danny Boy and We'll Meet Again. They bounce it down to 4 stars.

Enjoyed most of this, have heard before. Some really strong songs, but thought there were probably too many songs. Not sure another cover of Danny boy was really needed. Still enjoyable but maybe not a double album worth.

I recognized the title song from the Logan end credits, amazing song. At that point I thought this might turn into an Ur-Blackstar for me, although ultimately there are probably too many covers for that to happen. Some are great though - Hurt, Personal Jesus, the MacColl one...

This was a pretty good album, but it does kinda lose some points for me for pretty much just being a covers album. That being said they are pretty much all compelling covers. The recordings are brilliantly well made and Johnny's voice carries huge gravitas throughout. Fave Tracks: The Man Comes Around, Hurt, In My Life 3.7/5

There is something truly transcendent about Johnny Cash's cover of "Hurt", and it alone would be worthy to include on this list. I think there is a fascinating coincidence of an artist recording their final albums shortly before passing (Blackstar by David Bowie is another example). Here, near the end of his life, Johnny Cash's aged, weary vocals are something to behold.

I think if you have grown up with Johnny Cash this would mean the world to you! And I think he did amazing arrangements and a whole album without drums was new to me! Just 4 starts because I got a bit bored! That is probably my gen Z genes talking

It's a great Johnny Cash album. Not my personal taste but a good listen. He has a style and these song remakes are interesting.

What a great album! I wasn’t too happy when this came up as I assumed it would just be country and guitars. But then I was slapped by this amazing emotional voice. The songs sounds nothing alike, while still holding on to a unique style. I’m moved by many songs. Will def listen again. On a sunny day. ☀️

J - 4/5 Best Track - "Hurt" F - DNL

To be perfectly honest, there are more duds on this album than its reputation might suggest. But with some spectacular highs including transformative covers, understated duets, and 'The Man Comes Around' proving Cash still had fantastic songwriting in him, it's a fitting swan song.

What can I say, the man is great. Some iconic tracks on here

Amazing album, amazing voice, amazing man. Still capable of creating captivating and moving music right up to the end and making cover songs completely his own. Many of these songs I knew of Johnny’s version before I’d heard the original and in a way preferred. Another album that I remember hearing as I was growing up - hopefully still got it somewhere, if not I will definitely repurchase. Along with more of the American series. Very much an album worth a listen. 4/5

The weathered voice, the sparse production; it just works so well. The choice of covers varies across each volume (I prefer American III overall), but a lot to like here.

Great album, great production!

I thought this was intense. Never listened to the whole album before. As always with Cash…. Perfectly imperfect.

A remarkable album that deserves a solid 4 out of 5 stars. The album showcases Cash's deep, resonant voice and his ability to convey profound emotion through his music. The standout track, "Hurt," is a hauntingly beautiful rendition that leaves a lasting impression. The album as a whole is a powerful and moving experience, with each song adding to the overall impact.

Some of these covers work (Hurt, Personal Jesus), some don't (In My Life). But, on balance, I prefer a world with more Johnny Cash than less.

Oh man, oh man! What an album this is! I’m biased though as my first real experience with The Man In Black was ‘I Hung My Head’ which I got on a freebie CD with Q Magazine and was immediately buzzing for it! I LOVE all the American Recording albums, and this is one of the best of them!

This album is quintessential Johnny Cash and I love it. I love his cover of ‘Hurt’ more than the original. My other favorites were ‘In My Life’ and ‘We’ll Meet Again.’ A solid album with some great covers, I very much enjoyed this listen and would recommend it to others!

Cash will always be in his own category. Only 4 stars because of the unhealthy obsession with death on this album. Great one otherwise.

Damn...

What a way to end a career. This collection of mainly covers is a great full stop on one of the most prolific country singers we’ve had. A truly poignant listen knowing this was the end, Cash unpicks the melancholic thread from each of these songs beautifully.

Deeply beautiful music. I can hear this man's influence in so many of the artists I enjoyed in my post-hardcore indie college years. Both overtly theatrical and intensely personal. I feel like I'm with distant relatives listening to their stories and taking in that wisdom. "Hurt" is obviously transcendent, and was previously the only track I knew of from this album. "The Man Comes Around" is a great opener, "First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" an "Sam Hall" were stand-outs. The greatest compliment I can give to this is it makes me curious about the rest of Johnny Cash's discography. Can't wait to hear more.

Great covers. His voice isn’t amazing at his age but you can really hear all his life experiences coming through.

A great sound. Depth of sound conveys his feelings and emotions beautifully. It makes me think about the issues/emotions he is singing about

This is probably Johnny Cash’s most popular and well rounded album. It’s filled with covers that are tastefully done and respectful of the original work but also has its own personality. I think the only real problem with the album (and this definitely won’t be a problem for everybody) is that the vocal delivery is the same thing for every song. I know that’s a big part of Cash’s unique vocal delivery is his signature. But I think in the terms of an hour long album, I’d appreciate some variety with like a guest singer for a song or even a duet woulda been a nice curve to throw in. But honestly this is his most approachable album and it’s a great jumping off point for his original music. Definitely a must listen.

Another one in the series of somber albums released very late in an artist's life (i.e. "Blackstar" and "You Want It Darker"). Here we get a contemplative Johnny Cash, accompanied by sparse instrumentals and the occasional guest vocalist. It's the rawest and most real we've honestly ever heard Cash be and even though most of this album consists of covers spanning many eras, Cash transforms each of these familiar tracks into his own. Not much else to say, a fitting swan song for a musical icon.

Anything Cash makes me think of the Columbus Blvd mom's, Judy, Gloria and Dee. 3 wonderful women. Can't call myself a big fan, but this is great last album for a legend. Ending with We'll Meet Again is perfect. Very aware of Hurt and consider his version better than NIN. Gives me goosebumps every time I listen hear. And I love he did Personal Jesus, definitely my favorite Depeche Mode song. The Man Come Around is excellent and Desperado better than the the Eagles version. A very good album made special with his unique sound. Can't say I loved every song covered, but listened quite a few times over the several days and brought back some great memories of my youth back in Kokomo. RIP Johnny, Judy, Gloria and Dee. Hope you get to enjoy his performances up there! 4

Bão

Good album, but Hurt drives this into great territory

Such a raw emotional album. It’s one thing to take a song and cover it but a whole other thing to make it your own. I knew this album had a good amount of covers on it but the one that surprised me the most was, I Hung My Head, great track and Cash covers it flawlessly. Who knew Sting was such a Western buff. Up until Sam Hall, this is a 5 but I found it lost steam from there. Great piece to Cash’s later discography. 4 stars

Beautiful album, similar to Bowies black star, where it was getting close to the end. Great interpretations of covers

An interesting mix of standards one would be more likely to associate with Johnny Cash and interpretations of more modern songs. The results are mixed. I personally don't think "Bridge Over Troubled Water" works at all. "Personal Jesus" is interesting but feels a bit gimmicky. "I Hung My Head" is very good, but his interpretation of "Hurt" is superlative. Especially poignant knowing this is his last album, the emotion and feeling in his voice touches me every time. That one song for me is enough for the album to have earned it's place.

What an amazing album and the covers really make it to be honest. Not perfect and certainly cash’s older work but still worthy of consider In the grand scheme of somber listens

Hurt gets all the headlines but if you survive that and think you’re gonna make it here comes I’m so lonesome I could cry and now you’re dead from anguish. Star deducted for bridge over troubled water

Ok

Great album, really just show's off Cash's unparalleled vocal talent. The emotion he is able to pour into his voice makes his covers of already excellent songs like "Hurt" and "Desperado" worthwhile takes in their own right. One of the greatest singer-songwriters of all time tells heart wrenching stories in "Give My Love to Rose" and "Laredo," and lyrics that would come off as hackneyed from a lesser talent stir the soul. Great album. Some misses so not 5* from me, but excellent.

Кэш он и в старости Кэш - такой же умиротворяющий голос, способный излечить небольшую хандру. Не скажу, что этот альбом его сильно понравился, но ниже определëнной планки, свойственной Джонни Кэшу, он не опустился. Твёрдые 7 баллов из 10.

Respect

Solid, got some bangers

When The Man Comes Around is good, it’s fucking amazing. The title track and obviously Hurt are unbelievably powerful. The album is obviously Cash facing his own morality. His vocals are great all the way through. Some covers don’t hit as expected 8.0/10

What are the odds I get this very album just a couple days after seeing the comedian Jim Jeffries at the Ryman Auditorium, with his opening joke being about Johnny Cash being a "shit musician"? He was almost booed off the stage until he made the point that most people like the idea of Johnny Cash more than they like his music. People have bought more middle finger t-shirts then they have albums. There may be some truth to that, but this album proves that he's the real deal.

Some of his best performances. I don't like some (most) of the song choices, but Personal Jesus is a stroke of genius.

Everything about this album is a real feelings moment. June would pass away in May the next year, and Johnny would follow her soon after. Even in the video for “Hurt” you could tell he was coming to grips with the fact that he had little time left. This collection is more proof - a legend saying goodbye, from all the possible perspectives. The choice of covers and a few originals is powerful, ranging from his faith to his pain, from his love of his wife to the adoration of his fans. It’s a beautiful record, though it took a spin or two to grow on me. It’s not his best and it’s not perfection, but it’s definitely essential from the Man in Black.

Hurt is great, some other nice covers

Albums die zich voor het leeuwendeel richten op het herimagineren van gevestigde songs begeven zich in mijn ogen vaak op glad ijs. Maar als we het hebben over de samenwerking tussen Rick Rubin en Johnny Cash, en de secure selectie van composities passend bij het verjaarde stemgeluid van de heer Cash, is het een uitzondering die de regel bevestigd. Van al hun gezamenlijke 'American Recordings' is dit mogelijk hun meest 'rake' project, waarin een behoorlijke gevarieerde lijst aan nummers - van pop tot industrial rock, en van new wave tot country - voor het grootste deel perfect in de Johnny Cash-mal gegoten worden. De meeste songs zijn bekend genoeg om bij te dragen bij een reis door de significante Amerikaanse muziekwereld, maar ook persoonlijk genoeg zodat het voelt alsof ze van Johnny's pen komen. De één doet dat overigens beter dan de ander. Met 'Hurt' als absolute magnum opus van de American-series, en de poster child van 'covers done right', en 'I Hung My Head', 'Bridge Over Troubled Water' en 'Danny Boy' als andere uitblinkers. Minder goed valt bijvoorbeeld het dappere 'Personal Jesus', die net niet lekker op gang komt. Ik denk dat dit heel goed werkt als zwanenzang, ondanks dat de poëtische inbreng van Cash nihil is. Dat is wel vrij uniek, want een effectieve zwanenzang lijkt vooral heel persoonlijk te moeten zijn. Respect voor Rick Rubin hoe hij een uitgerangeerde volksheld op deze manier toch nog een microfoon voor kon houden, en dat hij inzag dat zijn stem nog zo emotioneel resoneerde met het nieuwe publiek. Hij is in deze laatste fase als een soort orakel die de Amerikaanse geschiedenis samenvat terwijl hij zijn eigen sterfelijkheid onder ogen ziet. Ik had wel wat meer eigen composities als 'The Man Comes Around' en 'Give My Love To Rose' willen horen, maar dat zat er waarschijnlijk niet meer in. 8/10 Highlights: The Man Comes Around Hurt Give My Love To Rose I Hung My Head

Wat heeft het concept van de American series echt onwijs goed uitgepakt. Cash, toch al zeker 50 albums op zijn, die zich gaat wagen aan covers. Dat lijkt me op zich een recept voor een mislukking. Maar het tegendeel is. Door zijn leeftijd en doorleefdheid is er iets extra rauws in Cash gekropen wat de covers een bijzondere lading geeft en de eigen nummers uniek maakt ten opzichte van zijn eerder repertoire. Missie geslaagd zou ik zeggen. 8/10 Highlights The Man Comes Around Hurt

I'm generally not a fan of what isnessentially a covers album but thisbhas a particular novelty to it that is unmatched. Knowing that Cash was in and out of the hospital and battling death while recording the album makes every song that much more haunting and powerful.

Solid Jonny Cash late in his career. Cool to hear him do songs by Nine Inch Nails, Paul Simon and others. You can definitely tell this has Rick Rubin's touch on it. 4/5

Nice and easy. Classic Johnny Cash.

American IV: The Man Comes Around was an album that i actually liked quite a fair bit. I was pretty surprised to learn that this album was just covers (with one original song) but these covers are some pretty good covers. This album also seems to have songs from some of my favorite albums on this list like Hurt from Nine Inch Nails' The Downward Spiral, Personal Jesus from Depeche Mode's Violator, and Bridge Over Troubled Water from Simon And Garfunkel's album of the same name. While i do like the original versions of all those songs more than these covers, I still cannot deny that they are very good and the other songs were quite good as well. Definitely a really good listen. Best Song: Personal Jesus Worst Song: Tear Stained Letter Side note: Am i the only one who thinks that Johnny Cash's lineup of albums on this list is a little weird? He has 2 live albums and 1 studio album 99% consisting of covers.

Not my preferred genre but you can tell that it is an album that comes from the heart. Musically simple, but lyrically and emotionally very complex.

Very hit or miss. His cover of hurt is absolutely heartbreaking tho.

I think the strongest songs are on the first side, The Man Comes Around might be in competition for my favourite Cash song. In my Downward spiral review I argued in favour of the original being the more effective version of Hurt, relistening to it here, I definitely believe that it's a fantastic cover and the spin that Johnny puts on it is really compelling. Alternatively, I don't really like the cover of Personal Jesus at all. But overall the album is really good, happy giving it a 4.

sad old man plays club bangers

American IV: The Man Comes Around by Johnny Cash Thoughts: This was my first time listening to a Johnny Cash album and it definitely didn’t disappoint. It was very interesting to see that even in 2002 Mr. Cash can still produce a great record. He still had that deep, cold, southern voice that everyone knows. Definitely enjoyed the listen and I think I’ll check out another Cash album. Favorite song was Bridge over Troubled Water. Least Favorite was Sam Hall. I’ll rate it a 7.5/10.

Hurt alone. Such a towering icon. That late period voice, dripping with wisdom and sadness seen.

N'ayant rien de très pertinent à dire, je me contente de noter.

Production is... Patchy, poignant otherwise, good album. Cover of we'll meet again was powerful.

Didn’t hear all but what I heard thought was MINT

He was one of a kind. Amazing work.

This is a 4/5 album for me. Haunting with the energy that his time on Earth was near the end. The cover of “Hurt” will forever be legendary.

Johnny cash’s preoccupation with death and execution has always been fascinating to me. He grew up in 1930s backwoods Tennessee, by all accounts a pretty grim world. Think he just really hails from a different world. Anyway, this is the best case scenario for a voice aging. Many of these songs (hurt, in my life) take on a wholly different meaning from an old man staring down his death. I can’t endorse all of the song choices (desperado and Danny boy are both a little tired), so I think 4 stars is about right.

Very good first half with signs recognised. Possibly petered out a bit but still very nice

This is some good Johnny Cash. The songs are primarily covers, but they've all been stripped down, and the combo of simple guitar and Cash's voice is very effective. Obviously "Hurt" is amazing, but Cash really makes each of these songs his own. A high point to end his career.

Johnny Cash is the original rich bass baritone voice. Lots of gems! He has done a great work with making these covers his own

pretty fire I liked this

Great album, Johnny Cash is just brilliant, all arrangements and songs choices are spot on, very poignant.

It's no small success that Cash has me appreciating a Trent Reznor song, but this album is far more than a qualification of my aesthetic preferences. That's b/c American IV is such a powerful and strange cover album, hardly feeling like one in the end. Not only does Cash make other's art his own - he universalizes his selected tracks, and each song seems to be no one's in particular. The democratic choice to disperse a few of his own songs throughout gives the sense that he is merely one of so many conduits thru which art is expressed. The whole world is the writer of poetry in the end, as Emerson reminds us: "For poetry was all written before time was." But this is also Cash qua Cash, the voice being so recognizable, so ineluctable.

Fun tribute / cover album with Cash covering Depeche Mode’s Personal Jesus

7/10

4/5

Mainly covers, mainly old man voice, mainly pretty good for what it is, mainly no surprise since it’s Cash, mainly I cummed myself today. 7/10

great album. so poignant

Love it when June comes in on Bridge Over. So good. And I still love Trent’s version of Hurt.

I think this album is a masterclass in performance. How the way you feel music can totally change the meaning of the songs. He sounds like he went through a lot of crap and is tire of your bulshit. I can hear some rage but sadness and melancholy over all. The rendition of "Hurt" is so awesome. It might be even better than the original Nine Inch Nails version. It just take another meaning. It's just so powerful and sad to hear a fragile man singing those lyrics. This whole album is like a window to his soul. The soul of a man that has gone through so much and it's at the end of his life. It's so powerful.

Shockingly great. Fantastic vocals.

Great convers and original songs, a very raw rendering, i liked most songs, the back ups by other artists were also Nice (esp Fiona apple). I knew most of the original songs and I thought the reworking with the new production (by Rick Rubin) was very interesting and new.

Great album, great covers.

83

# Album Name: American IV: The Man Comes Around # Artist: Johnny Cash # Rating: 4/5 # Comments: Good album. JC's vocals are emotional, deep and croaky as always. First half of the album is filled with bangers. 2nd half is a bit of a drag towards the end. Feels like the album goes on a little but still good. Overall a good album thats worth a listen. # Top Tunes: Hurt / man comes around / personal jesus # Would I listen to it again? Yes

I'm not a Johnny Cash fan at all. But you can hear the life lessons in his lyrics. What's more is you can hear the desire for redemption in his voice. I couldn't help but listen to the album. Great job.

really fun! lots of story telling and different instruments. i like danny boy alot and i didn't know we'll meet again was originally by cash. overall solid album

I turd myself today

classic

pretty good for a mostly cover album

What a great album. Covers are amazing. Never did care for him in the past but these songs are wonderfully crafted.

I hadn’t listened to this in years and forgot how good it really is. It’s not just old legend doing unexpected covers to gain hip appeal.

Canción favorita: I hung my head. Lo mejor del álbum es las letras, cada canción cuenta una historia :)

Such an incredible album. All the more impressive that it came so late in his career. Few artists put out seminal works 50+ years into their careers.

Deathly, emotional, regret, satisfying

At first I didn’t like his style because it’s like he’s just talking. But halfway through I’m really enjoying it.

I like how Cash uses the age in his voice as a deliberate effect.

A near-perfect swan song for one of the greatest songwriters we’ve ever seen. I just wish more of his own material were on here.

Gained a new appreciation for covers. Usually, it's the rare cover that's better than the original, but, with this album, I'm hearing each covered song in a new way. Some are better and some are just as good but different - lit differently from the original but just as luminous. Impressive.

Beautiful

Hearing this old and (let's be honest) probably already dying man singing the line "Everyone I know will be gone in the end" is just about as much as recorded music will ever be able to do for me emotionally. Nothing else on here really reaches those same heights. But, then again, hardly anything does, and there are enough terrific tracks on this album to make it a more than worthy record to recommend to just about anybody. At over 50 minutes it's maybe slightly too long, but that's just me nitpicking.

wonderful, raw vocals and guitar, emotional lyrics. feels really good to listen to most of this. Hurt is a absolute masterpiece 4/5

A bit of a mixed bag but the highs are very high

He should not have covered: Bridge over Troubled Waters, First Time I Ever Saw Your Face, In My Life, Danny Boy and Desperado.

Solid especially Hurt

Good stuff, mainly covers. Hurt is amazing.

Sehr melancholisches, aber auch starkes Album. 4/5

omg its the depeche mode song fairly enjoyable listen overall it's quite diverse

It’s so sad

Pretty amazing what this man can do with a guitar. Super dark album though

Covers that add a new dimension to their originals delivered in a beautiful raw and vulnerable way

Borderline 3 but the bulk are beautiful songs by a great singer. That carries it. Could do without the spoken The Man Comes Around

I know Hurt well and enjoyed his other stuff. It was a lively way to finish out his legacy.

A great cover album from the legend, JC.

Much slower than his earlier albums, especially the live from prison album. But so soulful, so earnest, so good. This is a great album through and through.

Covers sung anew With an old hand’s confidence And sparse, nimble tunes

Awesome album Standout songs: Hurt I Hung my Head I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry

The album has an nostalgic, hopeful, sad but refreshing sound, it manages to feel new after 23 years after its release and having an impactful message of self-acceptance, regret, emotional pain and death. Its important to mention the quantity of covers this album has (like Hurt, I Hung my Head,Desperado,and plenty more), tho, even if they are covers, they give a new air to the original songs, managing to have its own unique song with the singer's own sound, i would recommend this to everyone? Not if you dont like Country music, but if you are open to that genre, i would recommend this a 100% and would listen again to this emotional rollercoaster.

A good one

Really good. I liked it.

267/1001 🌕🌕🌕🌗🌑

Similar to Blackstar, this is an album whose esteem seems nearly entirely supported by the spectre of death that surrounds it. But while I am generally weary of the whole self-conscious swan song thing, Cash has always carried himself as a seasoned man anyway, so the vibe is thankfully more-or-less business as usual instead of feeling so ceremonial. 3.5/5

Yes, absolutely loved this. What a voice.

Great album. Rip to a legend

Cash's voice still has that pull despite the old age. Well-produced, and has some of his many well-known songs. Songs that you could sit on a lonely day and listen.

Ironisk nok er det de covernumre der ikke oprindeligt er countysange der fungerer bedst for mig. Måske netop fordi de heller ikke er lavet om til country kompositioner. De er til gengæld skåret ind til benet og Cash har en nerve i sin levering af sangene som kun kan gøres af et menneske med så meget levet erfaring. Desværre er der lidt for mange klassiske countrysange, og for få af de virkelig gode covers. Men de gode er også knaldhamrende gode. Det er ikke et album jeg kommer til at genbesøge, men flere af numrene er allerede på mine playlister. Den får 4 stjerner, hvilket nok er en mere end den fortjener som samlet værk. Men Cash var sgu cool, og særligt hans version er Hurt fortjener at hyldes.

Bangers van Johnny

Hurt

Я не є фанатом кантрі і часто воно для мене нуднувате. І цей альбом не виключення, тут не буде якихось прогресивних та технічних моментів, а вокал дуже простий, і здебільшого представляє собою швидше "приговорювання" тексту, аніж спів. Але, якщо відкинути упередженість і спробувати "зрозуміти смак" цієї роботи, стає зрозумілим, чому її настільки полюбили. І це - якась "магічна" здатність Johnny Cash передавати емоції через свою музику, в притаманній тільки йому манері. Це альбом, на якому більшість пісень це кавери, як на старі пісні самого Джонні, так і на пісні інших відомих виконавців: - Hurt від Nine Inch Nails - Bridge Over Troubled Water від Simon and Garfunkel - I Hung My Head від Sting - Personal Jesus від Depeche Mode - In My Life від The Beatles - Desperado від Eagles Всі вони перероблені майже до невпізнаваності, і відчуваються як власні пісні Кеша. Тим паче, що всі вони, як лірично, так і за настроєм, дуже гарно поєднуються між собою єдиною концепцією - рефлексією автора с приводу прожитого життя. Саме через це, альбом не відчувається "фан сервісом", а перетворюються на "особисту", сповнену душі роботу. Я не слухав інші альбоми із серії "American", але тепер, обов'язково це зроблю.

Weird to start this journey with an album of mostly covers but very enjoyable nonetheless.

even if you don't like country music all that much, the appeal of Johnny Cash's best work is pretty undeniable. this, the final album of his lifetime, was one in a series of albums mainly focused on cover songs and re-recordings of some of his older repertoire, a project undertaken alongside producer Rick Rubin which consumed most of Cash's creative endeavors for the last decade of his life. that being said, American IV does open with a bespoke original, the title track, one of the last song Cash ever wrote. it's replete with Biblical references, particularly in regards to death and Judgement Day, and these dark themes carry into many of his covers. we all know that Cash's version of Nine Inch Nails' "Hurt" is the definitive one, with Trent Reznor's lyrics taking on an even more twisted emotional dimension in Cash's gravely, borderline-decrepit singing voice. it's a true tear-jerker, although it seems like its legacy often overshadows the rest of the material on this record, which is a shame! Simon & Garfunkel's classic ballad "Bridge Over Troubled Water" (featuring Fiona Apple on backing vocals), Sting's cowboy song "I Hung My Head", Depeche Mode's rollicking "Personal Jesus", The Beatles' reflective "In My Life", and Vera Lynn's wartime standard "We'll Meet Again" all take on new meanings when an end-of-life Cash is singing them. Cash and his fellow musicians approach these songs, and plenty more, with an unadorned, acoustic simplicity that brings out all of their best features. not every track is a total slam dunk. but the vast majority of them are! strong 8/10.

This almost deserves 5 stars based on "Hurt" alone, which is easily one of Cash's best songs and one of the best cover songs ever. The rest of the album ranges for solid to excellent and is a great final recording for thisnicon figure.

PRE-LISTENING NOTES: It's now New Year's Eve in 2024. This is the final album that this generator gave me in 2024. 2025 ought to be a big year for me. In 2025, I will come of age, and likely begin university. It's a year that I've been to which I've looking forward for many years, and it's now only a few hours away. From New Year's Day this year to Christmas Eve, I've listened to every single album from the 2016 edition of "1,001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die". However, I haven't listened to all albums from all editions of the series. This is one of the albums to which I haven't yet listened. I plan on listening to it tomorrow, or next year! :) POST-LISTENING NOTES: Happy New Year! It's now 2025. I had a good time this new year's day. I spent it with my Mama. I watched The Office for the first time (2 episodes), and I found it really funny!!! Wait...this is not a diary, this is a music review...*ahem*...HOLY SHIT!!!!! This album is stunning!!! What an incredible farewell album. Johnny Cash's interpretations of other songs sheds an entirely new light on them, and I'm amazed!!! The cover of Hurt is definitely a stand-out here. The Downward Spiral is my favourite album in the generator, so I'm somewhat biased, but still. This is a heartbreaking farewell album from the man who may just be the single most important country musician to ever live. Even I, a non-country-fan, love it, and so should you. What an utter shame that this album was removed from later editions of the 1,001 Albums in lieu of that Kid Rock album, or that LTJ Bukem (who the hell even is that?) album.

i’ve been a cash fan since i was a kid and this album was no different. he voice is hauntingly beautiful

This is a powerful record due to its heavy emotional weight and incredible vulnerability from JC. I had never listened to it all the way through, but after hearing the beast in its entirety, I have much more context to the song hurt and it might be my favorite (predominately) cover album of all time. They are each unique and he brings his own style without ruining the originals. A must listen to. 9/10

What's not to love. The Man gives us his take on some noble classics and other well-known songs. It works superbly

Beautiful, forgiving and soulful.

I was feeling the Mondays, and this matched my energy 100%. Makes me feel happy and sad at the same time. His voice just has so much emotion.

What a grand finale.

DID YOU KNOW: Vince Clarke said “Personal Jesus” belongs to Johnny Cash after hearing His version 🙏🥰😩👌

4.5

A solid collection of mostly covers that prove that Johnny still had the ability to convey emotion to the end.

How cool is it to cut albums of this caliber in the very twilight of your life! His American series hears a man facing down the end after a long life of love and struggles. The songs of redemption from the lord, though not my beliefs, are nonetheless powerful, if only because of what they mean to him. His cover of Hurt is epic of course, and better than the original. Good Bless Johnny Cash! (I actually have that Bumper Sticker)

Beautiful covers, some are drawn out, but the simple guitar and stripped down and haunting vocals make this a solid classic filled with emotion

I enjoy the way this album is able to recontextualize covers. It makes me wish I had a stronger appreciation for the originals. Give my love to rose and Bridge over Troubled Water made me cry at 10am so thats pretty cool

Do you like slow songs? If so, then this album is for you! I really like this album. One reason is because the album kinda sounds country-ey, and I really like country music. One other reason is that Jonny Cash is one of my favorite artists that I don't listen to very often, because I usually forget of him, but he is still an excellent artist. I highly recommend this album.

Feels a bit exploitative of the aged and one hopes Rubin was sincere on this one (but far from convinced of his ever having pure motives). JC certainly sounds game, but while the spirit is willing, the voice is weak. Indeed, much of this reads like spoken-word performance. Still one prefers this to say than that last duets album that Sinatra tried to fob off on us. So it's a fine line on the irony vs. earnestness of one's response to the flow from "Personal Jesus," (sung with a wavering voice that cuts into the intended intensity) to "In My Life," to "Danny Boy" (overlooking the inherently Cashian "Sam Hall"): one finds it a bit hard to fathom JC liking Depeche Mode (one might find it difficult to live in a world of such affiliations) and anyway John Lennon wouldn't like one of his gems up against that obnoxious earworm. And no song by Nine Inch Nails belongs on a record with "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry." As the BBC review has it, "willfully eclectic" in the song choice isn't all positive; it's too wacky by half and self-inflicted. The closer-in choices – U2's "One," say, or Petty's "Won't Back Down" or gospel choices work so much better; and where are the Springsteen, REM, and Van Morrison cuts. The upside is the elegaic austerity, the stripped down truth of the thing. But the contrast with the simple (to the point of simplistic and obvious) and vaguely mawkish arrangements grates. Guest vocalists don't do a bunch either. One asks if IV were III II many. (V and VI were even shakier, to one's ears.) Less woudla been more but, you know, Rick Rubin. "We'll Meet Again" is a lovely, non-mournful end (and the clarinet and strings work well). The vulnerability of the voice of one of American music's Rushmorean figures is a beautiful thing in one way. In another, it's not quite worthy of the memories, as the editors seem to imply with their unaccountable ex-ing this (rather than say Bowie's Black Star, one of 9 Bowie efforts here, a similar sort of "final act" record and one no better than this). Shoulda stopped here, clearly, as evidenced by the latent flaws that were just beginning to manifest.

This is pretty legendary.

Listened Before? N This one is a modern classic. The man in black showing that he still could put it down even moving into his 70s. He knew he was dying, and you can hear it in every song here. The choices of covers are perfect, and the originals are awesome at setting a tone. NIN's Hurt gets all the attention - and it's awesome - but I think others surpass it. Added to Library? N Songs added to playlist: The Man Comes Around

I'm a British, dyed in the wool indie-kid and metal-head, but god damn do I love me some Johnny Cash.

The last album Cash released in his lifetime is likely the strongest studio LP of his whole catalogue. With the jaw dropping cover of Nine Inch Nails' Hurt and the closer We'll Meet Again, it really shows that Johnny knew his time was coming, and was ready to mourn and celebrate in the same hand. Beautiful list of covers and standards throughout. The aforementioned Hurt is one of those covers that basically belongs to the artist who coveted it now, which is impressive given how Reznor's original is already a fantastic song. In My Life, while not totally eclipsing the Beatles original, is definitely a preferable listen to my ears. The only song here that makes me scratch my head is Personal Jesus. It's not a bad cover technically speaking - Cash does well translating the electronic-heavy Depeche Mode original to acoustics, and his voice is as good as any of his late-career work - but Personal Jesus is written for and boiled in the electronic aesthetic, such that stripping that away makes something feel missing. Additionally, Dave Gahan's vocals are pretty intrinsic to the song, and Cash can't compete in the dramatics. I wish Streets of Laredo, Tear Stained Letter, and I Hung My Head would get more love from the public as well. Can't say much more, I just love them and listen to them often outside of the context of American IV. Excellent project through and through. Even the Bridge Over Troubled Water cover is good, a rarity for me since I think the Simon and Garfunkel original is nearly perfect. Cash sent himself off in the best fashion one could wish for.

Some of this works so well it's hard to say it's not a great album. The Hurt cover alone is probably enough to get this a great rating. But there are some stinkers on here, you can't ignore them. But the good is so good that I'll still give it a really good rating.

This album contains Hurt, the saddest song in the world, and also a duet with Nick Cave, one of my favourite artists. I would give it a 5 for the sake of Hurt alone, but if I listened to it more than twice a year I would probably dig my own grave...

there are some really incredible tracks on here but the overall experience is pulled down by the presence of some not so great tracks. it was still an enjoyable listen

Straight cash homie

Cash's final album will be something that showcases the entire catalog throughout his lustrous career. most are interpolations or covers of good well-known songs which isn't a slight at Cash. Throughout his entire life has been leading for an album like this, in which, his voice adds the haunting, dreary sense of someone who is finally coming to pass.

Good mix of folk, rock, country and existential crisis.

An album of covers (I think... I didn't recognize a few). It's so simple, yet so beautiful. You certainly don't need to be a fan of country to appreciate this album.

Late masterpiece, good covers

Good cash nothing bad other than some covers were probably not suited to his stile

I really tried to find things to not like about this album after hearing such praise for it for so long, but it really is remarkable to hear Cash’s take on songs that are sometimes so far from his usual genre. That he recorded this at the very end of his career and life makes it that much more poignant.

It’s Johnny Cash, he’s the goat.

Hurt is an all time classic and easily worth 5 stars. I love Johnny Cash and this era of his music. There’s more interesting American recordings though IMO. There’s a few duds on here like We’ll meet again and a few uninteresting ones. Songs like Hurt, First time ever I saw your face, I hung my head and In my life are amazing though.

Really feels gratifying in light of the list getting to this album after listening to the nine inch nails album so long ago. Listening to that version of hurt gave me even a new appreciation for this version. I really like both. In general I liked the album. In contrast to the background accompaniment in the last Nick Drake album, I felt Cash’s was executed much better and in a more timeless manner. I really do like this kind of music!

The impeccable cover of Hurt was the only song I was familiar with coming in, and boy, was I in for a treat. Not only does he put his own touches on other covers, and does them wonderfully for how late in life he was, but the specific songs he selected are reflective and heart-wrenching knowing his story. There wasn’t a dull moment in the album and I enjoyed it from top to bottom. You really can’t beat listening to some smooth Johnny Cash. My only issue is that this isn’t an album I could listen to all the time because I can’t walk around in emotional shambles, and that’s the only reason I’m dropping to a four. I also realize that admitting that an album making me feel such a way is grounds for a five, but I don’t think a four is a disservice to an album that’s mostly covers.

This is terrific stuff.

Lempparit: Personal Jesus ja We'll Meet Again Vähiten lempparit: I'm so Lonesome I could Cry ja Tear Stained Letter

Some of the best country music in this list mixed with some lame covers. Pity really. Stand-out: The Man Comes Around

No private session for spotify. I really like Cash's "American" anthology, have a playlist based on my favorites from those four albums. Definitely like his version of rock songs, could do with the gospel, but still appreciate the wrinkly timber of Cash's voice.

I really love this album. I would've taken a few songs off but overall it is Cash's best album

American IV: The Man Comes Around is the sixty seventh studio album from Johnny Cash, and the last to be released while Cash was alive. This was part of his 'American' series, produced by Rick Rubin and released by his label. This series of albums led to a revival of Cash's career during the last years of his life. The majority of the tracks on this double album are covers, including his acclaimed cover of Trent Reznor's "Hurt." These are sparse, but somehow still rich renditions of familiar songs from atraditional, country balladier. Cash's baritone and percussive guitar sound are iconic, and an essential part of country music.

Helt vildt hvor mange der har taget inspiration i det her album, meget ensformet med guitaren og ikke så meget andet, men hvilke numre, men er stadig ikke helt helt oppe at ringe for mig