American IV: The Man Comes Around

A beautiful album. Johnny Cash transports me to whichever story the song is about, and I deeply feel every note. Some weak songs on the second half, but when this album is strong it is STRONG. "The Man Comes Around", "Hurt", and "I Hung My Head" alone make this a 5 star. Just masterfully done

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.

Obviously Cash is a great singer, and this is a significant album, but at the end of the day it did feel like a bunch of covers, and I maybe haven't listened to enough cash to be able to resonate with it as much as others have

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.

Очень чувственный альбом, приятно было увидеть кавер на песню Hurt. В тоже время очень грустно от осознания, что это последние работы Джонни, присутствует анализ его прожитой жизни, некоторые произведения тяжело морально слушать. Особенно хочу подметить приятное звучание и голос Замечательный альбом!

3.7

Puur als album vind ik dit niet zo interessant. Paar leuke covers, paar wat minder. Paar originele nummers, die zijn dan wel weer sterk. Cash z'n stem kan ik wel lang van blijven genieten, maar is op dit album af en toe zo matig gemixt, dat het dan weer vervelend wordt. 15 nummers zijn dan ook weer net wat teveel om echt in een zitting aandachtig te luisteren, zeker het einde is wat minder spannend. Als je het puur als losse singles ziet, dan valt er wel wat uit te halen, als volledig album minder.

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

Een album met covers waar ik eigenlijk altijd liever het origineel luister. Maar het is iig coherent als album en hurt is top dus het kan niet een ster zijn iguess

Ik vond de uitgeklede covers niet heel spannend om naar te luisteren. Hurt was wel goed maar was er na 1x luisteren wel klaar mee.

Voor cover albums heb je een hele moeilijke aan mij. Niemand gaat mij overtuigen dat Cash z'n versie van Hurt is beter dan NIN's, dat hij een gat vult in Bridge over troubled water dat door Simon en Garfunkel is achter gelaten en dat Sting een dwaas was om Hung my head in 9/8 te schrijven en gewoon lekker normaal moest doen met een lekker 4/4 nummertje. Laat mij niet beginnen over In My Life. De stem van de 70-jarige Cash is hier ook duidelijk niet wat hij ooit geweest was. Ik vermoed dat dit album in de lijst zit omdat het zn laatste was, maar dat betekent niet dat het de moeite waard is om naar te luisteren.

Top stem en luistert vrij makkelijk weg. Kan niet zeggen dat ik het nog een 2e keer op zal zetten, omdat er op de cover van Hurt na, niet echt iets tussen zit wat me heel erg pakt. En ook van dat nummer luister ik liever het origineel.

Johnny Cash praatte op zo'n manier dat je niets in twijfel trekt wat er uit zn mond kwam. De nummers dat hij praat vind ik ook dan ook vetter dan waar hij mooi probeert te zingen. Op zich bijzondere plaat zo vlak voor zn dood met gastartiesten enzo, maar gezien de grote hoeveelheid covers (die matig klinken) vond ik dit album niet in de lijst thuis horen. Ik was op de helft nogal verveeld door zijn stemgeluid en overall vond ik de nummers erg kaal.

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

This is the first album that made me really glad I’ve started this project. This had me crying at my desk at 9am

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

this would get 5 stars for the Hurt cover alone but the rest is great too

This album is overrated imo. Lots of covers that Cash does not add substance to them.

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

This one is the type of album that only really has a great impact if you're from the US. I know Johnny Cash is a good artist but I just can't see myself listening to him on my own.

Personal Jesus took me by surprise

This album is Johnny Cash at his most powerful and vulnerable. The music is stripped down and simple, letting his voice carry the full weight of the songs. Every track feels honest and lived-in, with lyrics that cut straight to the heart. The covers are brilliant - familiar songs reimagined with such depth that they sound like they were always meant to be his. It's an album about life, faith, loss, and mortality, yet it never feels heavy-handed. Instead, it's moving, intimate, and unforgettable. Cash doesn't just sing these songs - he inhabits them. A masterpiece and one of the finest records of his remarkable career.

Hated Public Enemy back in the day. Felt like noise. Just took me a couple of decades to catch up I guess. Who knew Flavor Flav would be a beloved figure now? Seeing them live is so fun too.

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

Love this album. Favorite song: I Hung My Head

It's a cover album, where Cash mostly strips back the original song. Sometimes, the simplistic, raw choice is an improvement, like with Hurt and I Hung My Head. Sometimes, it sounds like a barstool set by someone who brings his guitar to house parties, like with Desperado and Bridge Over Troubled Water. Hurt is a fantastic performance, and elevates a middling work to truly great, and it's one of the few songs where "radio" censorship actually improves the lyrics. As for the rest of it, it's fine. Some are good choices, some are more boring, most are not notably different. It's still mostly good songs covered by Johnny Cash, but there's only two I'd really like to hear over the originals, which is pretty consistent among the American sessions. Hurt is so good it's almost a four.

A damn good record.

Johnny Cash's amazing voice elevates the boring concept of "imagine if these well-known songs were performed on...ACOUSTIC GUITAR?!?"

I love me some Johnny Cash, this is a great Cash album. Definitely a good listen to front to back, very somber, very Johnny Cash.

A banger with a sad feeling of him knowing he was about to die. Very good covers!

Stabilt album men ganska same same

Not running back to it, prefer the originals to his covers. I hung my head is so sad

Fabulous rebirth of a legend. Thank you Rick Rubin!

Best in the series

Interesting to see cover album here. Some of the rock songs covered are my favorites, but I can admit, Cash did them justice. Hurt sounds like a different tune (love both deeply). Bridge Over Troubled Water is too good as it was, no one beats SaG at duets, but is was a nice take. I Hung My Head've come home with this album. First Time Ever I Saw Your Face is just beautiful. With Hurt, two of my favorites here. Personal Jesus by Cash sounds awkward to me, though piano is fun. Desperado suddenly turned into grandpa's loving pep talk, which fits the lyrics perfectly. Ironically, I've enjoyed Cash's own songs the least in the album. Apparently a different genre song covered by a country singer is as much country as I can take. As a whole American IV gives you an impression of wise old man contemplating his life, love and what will come after.

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.

Excellent album. Covers with his own spin that totally suit his voice and style.

not bad, I see why everyone loves this but it's (for me) most often just a reminder of how good the source material is. obviously with a lot of heart put into it, but also just veeery sparse and, ofc, depressing.

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

Too slow and sad

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.

9/10

One the greatest American albums ever made. Cash has such an impressive catalog that its odd to me his best body of work is a posthumous release of cover songs. 6/5, would listen to this album on any given day

Bueno

I cannot abide country music. I know Johnny Cash has become this larger than life, beloved by all, Americana-type figure, but I've never understood why. What I will say is that this doesn't really sound like country music. It's not weird and twangy. This may be because most (all?) of the songs are covers from better artists. That said, though it's too long and Cash's voice is very much the same through every song, it's not terrible. 2.5 stars, probably, but I'll give it an extra half star because Hurt is an awesome video, even though the original song is better.

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.

Good stuff. "Hurt" is an all-timer, but the whole album was solid. Crazy that he made this at 70, and cool to hear him lend his voice to these songs. 4.5

Många kivoga låtar. Fiilis röst

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.

just not my thing.

Favorite Songs: The Man Comes Around / Hurt

I think this album stands as a testament to the notion that ability is not what makes music. It's a lesson in emotion and delivery. A geriatric Cash, who was never the best guitar player and God knows never the best singer, delivers an album full of life. Not in the sense of jovialness or vibrancy but in a life fully lived. Joys, scars, and everything in between. A full human being on display. One who has seen it all. 10/10 Favorite Songs: The Man Comes Around/Hurt/In my Life/I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry/We'll Meet Again

Easiest 5 stars so far.

A powerful farewell from an amazing musician.

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.

Good Johnny Cash. Fun to listen to some old standards reinvented.

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.

5 stars for the man in black I haven't listened to it yet, but Cash's version of Hurt is so important to my personal music pantheon that it justifies the rating.

Rating: 6/10 The originals are all better besides maybe Hurt. He puts his own spin on it which is respectable but there is not much excitement to return to this album.

While these are good tributes, all the originals are still much better.

Старый конь - борозды не испортит.

I think I finished?

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.

As big a legend that Johnny Cash is, I really wasn’t that impressed with this album. A bunch of cover songs, and pretty much every track was dreadfully slow and crooning. Wish I enjoyed this more

I was never a fan of Johnny Cash and when I saw Walk the Line back 2005 or 6, it didn’t really change my mind. In fact, I may have walked away from it with a lesser opinion of him. Just as an example, read about the time he got wasted and accidentally burned down a California Condor sanctuary, killing nearly all of the birds at the sanctuary and what his response was. Remember dude…yOu HaVe tO sEpArAtE tHe ArT fRoM tHe ArTiSt. I mean, look, the music is fine. His catalog is awfully same-y to me, with a lot of oom-pah, bouncy country rhythms. The music by and large is not interesting to me. Lyrically, it doesn’t connect for me and I’m not sure I understand why it is he is held in such high regard in American culture. Sorry, it is what it is. American IV is the fourth installment of comeback records Cash recorded with Rick Rubin and you can tell by this point that the trick was wearing thin. Cash doesn’t seem interested on several of these tracks. Outside of Hurt, which lands, and Personal Jesus, most of the covers here feel unnecessary. In particular, the cover of Bridge Over Troubled Water felt a bit hammy and out of place. Im just saying that at this point in the American series, American IV seems like it was maybe more of a product to sell than something that Cash might have been actually passionate about.

I just don’t like it. There. I said it. Everyone raves about the genius of this and I honestly don’t see it. I mean I see why people would like it, it’s not my jam, but it’s not dogshit either. It’s just Johnny Cash mostly solo playing mostly cover songs. There are a few redeeming qualities but overall I’m just not impressed.

wall to wall bangers

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.

Great Singer, great Album!

Great album! Haven’t listened for awhile but will want to pick this one up personally.

Real sad in a sleepy Monday morning

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!

I’m not crying you’re crying, man Bridge over troubled water… tear fest. Johnny Cash‘s voice is so deep and heartfelt soulful and beautiful on this album. You can hear all the heartbreak and pain with every lyric he sings. This album actually was my introduction to Johnny Cash. Hurt in the title track with a man comes around. We’re both so prominent on the radio in the 90s and using tons of movies. I always thought that Johnny Cash, which is some lane country guy this album turned me around and allowed me to dive into his discography. Brilliant person. Though And his guitar playing our pristine on this album, the true artistry here is the production work. This has to be one of my favorite Rick Rubin albums. He truly captured Johnny Cash‘s final moments and such an iconic modern way. Like a world Johnny Cash is still cool as fuck. Appreciate it now before you lose them forever. When the man comes around, was one of Johnny Cash’s final songs and it’s gotta be one of my favorites. It’s got such a groove to it. Cool story what a bad ass. I’m such a cover fan boy and her was one of those covers that completely transforms the song and is arguably better than the original. Great fucking album RIP Johnny

admittedly I only gave it one listen. I did enjoy it, but didn't sink in any substantial way. It may be a grower for me. 3

The man in black finds religion and loneliness near the end of the trail. This collection of covers is a mail it in moneymaker for Mr Cash. Song selection is well thought out, execution not as good. But respect for still trying at 71 years, poor health, and 67 albums deep. (1.7*s)

The first half of this album is much better, the songs work with his somber tone and you can hear the knowledge of impending death in his (very recognizable) voice. The second half is weak, the song selection is odd and it feels forced. I appreciate Johnny for his extremely long career and prison rants but this one doesn't really do much for me. I'm not a huge fan of him in general, though I do recognize his contributions and like a few hits. I give it a 1.55 because he's old and still doin it. This man loves singing about shooting someone.

This album got al lot of attention from every one when it was released so I understand why it is on the list. I was not caught up in the hype though. This is my actual first listen to American IV, front to back and I am still not there. The first half was better with some ok covers of "Hurt" and "Personal Jesus." Second half is lame. I think I prefer the jailhouse Cash over the studio refined. I hope this man doesn't come around again...1.25.

It's pretty damn impressive that Johnny Cash managed to maintain a career for 50+ years. Whether I enjoy his music or not I can't deny that he is an icon. That being said, his late career filled with sappy acoustic covers of popular songs have always really annoyed me. I didn't realize that the album American IV is basically the poster-child for this segment of his career. It features Hurt, Personal Jesus, In My Life, and a handful of other bologna that I really wish I didn't have to sit through. Even if this isn't objectively the worst album on the list this type of shit bugs me to no end. This album was at best a slog and at worst a punishment for me. The prison albums were somewhat endearing for changing it up and some of the history tied to those performances but I don't get any similar warm and fuzzies from American IV. I won't fault people who claim to be Cash fans but I've confirmed it's not my cup of tea. I hope there isn't another Cash album on here but with 70+ studio albums I fear we may run into another. 0.98 stars

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.

I've always liked the idea of this more than the execution. Of the covers, only Personal Jesus really pops and that's because of the guitar part. The rest, I'd rather hear the original versions. Speaking of originals, those are actually the highlights for me.

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

This is pretty mixed. Some hauntingly beautiful arrangements, some incredibly awkward. Cash singing earnest love songs just doesn’t work. Imight be me projecting, but songs like Bridge Over Troubled Water and In My Life sound about as convincing as an average karaoke performance.

A stunning album full of pathos and regret, and apocalyptic rage in places, from a frail, dying Johnny Cash. The arrangements are relatively sparse, support to the main attraction, Cash's breathy baritone. The singer's voice is obviously much weaker than in his prime but that works really well, bringing a great depth of feeling to the likes of "Bridge Over Troubled Water", "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" and, particularly, "In My Life" where it is evident that the lyrics are being considered by a man close to the end. Nine Inch Nails's "Hurt" becomes a different song in Cash's version and in the opening lines of "The Man Comes Around" Cash's deep rumbling voice sounds like a Herald of the end of the world. It doesn't all work perfectly, "Danny Boy" is a little maudlin and I'm not in love with his version of "Desperado", but it does work more often than not. The choice of material is generally very good and the production is clear and unfussy - exactly what is needed. A very moving record.

the man comes around- 7 hurt- 10. bffr. listen, im one of those assholes who prefer the original because i love nin but this version is so so so fucking good. nin is a broken kid thinking about killing himself and cash's version is an old man reflecting on his life. give my love to rose- 7 or 8 bridge over troubled water- 8 i hung my head- 8 first time i ever saw your face- 7 personal jesus- 8 or 9 in my life- 8 sam hall- 8 or 9 danny boy- 8 desperado- 9 or 10 im so lonesome i could cry- 9. the way i didnt know nick cave was on this song but recognized him the millisecond he started singing. tear stained letter- 9 streets of laredo- 8 or 9 we'll meet again- 10 i listened to this while writing something for cain and it was just what i needed. thank you mr cash <3

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.

Fantastic!

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...

Likely an unpopular opinion, but whilst appreciating the beautiful arrangements, the depth and timbre of Cash’s voice, plus the emotion behind the work, this is still at heart an album of cover versions for which it loses half a star. I like it, it’s an easy listen, but it’s not standout aside from the fact we get to hear an artist, reflective, at a late stage of life. Same as his other lesser known late work. IMHO the album is held in higher regard and finds its popularly and place on this list due to the video for Hurt rather than for its musical originality. It’s an enjoyable listen though it does tail off significantly at the end.

4.8 - Woof

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

удивительное количество ремейков... старый Джонни Кеш не стал более привлекательно для меня петь, хоть это всё и не неприятно

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

Loved this, his voice brought a new perspective to several of the covers too.

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.

A beautiful serene and visceral album that transcends the bounds of country music. 9.3/10 Best Tracks: "The Man Comes Around" "Hurt" "Bridge Over Troubled Water" "I Hung My Head" "Personal Jesus" "In My Life"

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.

This album kicks ass

OMG. Never allow an icon who could never sing try classics. At this point in his life he cannot carry a tune in a bushel basket. Sad.

I remember very clearly when these albums came out. This was a huge deal with the man in black being produced by Rick Rubin. Revisiting this was a little bitter sweet. I did very much enjoy reading listening to his covers of personal Jesus and hurt, but much of this album sounds like they wheeled an old man into a studio and gave him some words to sing. The depth and authority of Cash’s voice have left him and the frail tones are effective in song like the title song and also hurt, but on much of this album after 20 years to me is not as effective. 3/5 for nostalgia

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.

Very good

Oh, Johnny Cash. He has such a unique voice and style, it's hard not to like him. But this album though, while it has its highlights, just ain't doin it for me.

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!

Very mournful and a tad self absorbed

The highlights on American IV are undeniably powerful; when Johnny Cash connects, he really connects. Tracks like “Hurt” and “The Man Comes Around” are haunting and unforgettable, capturing the rawness of his voice and the weight of his years. But between those peaks, the album stumbles more than it soars. Some covers feel out of place or underwhelming, and the pacing can drags. It’s worth a listen for the emotional highs, but there’s a lot of filler between the moments of brilliance.

Gonna be honest, although this has nothing to do with the quality because it's a good album, but this album probably shouldn't be on the list. Fundamentally I just dont think albums that are primarily covers albums should be on the list. But that's just me. That said, yeah, still a good album that I think is heavily buoyed by his magnificent cover of Nine Inch Nails' Hurt. Brutally haunting reinterpretation of the song. Most of the rest of the album is solid country/folk songs that vary in quality in comparison to their originals (at least the ones I've heard before), but they're never unnecessary I feel. For example, Bridge Over Troubled Waters is solid, but the original Simon & Garfunkel is better and Cash's cover doesn't particularly stand out (although nice to have Fiona Apple on Cash's cover). Same with In My Life. Can 100% understand where the idea of the Personal Jesus cover came up. Similar to him covering Soundgarden's Rusty Cage, they just recognized that the song is basically a country track, and went with it. Basically, the best covers are the ones where he takes a song from outside his wheelhouse and reinterprets them, as opposed to straight covers of folk/country tunes. The originals are solid too, Give My Love to Rose is great. But overall, with the exception of Hurt, it's just good.

Very uninteresting, this bluegrass type stuff just does nothing for me.

Johnny’s love letter to life. Also one of Rick Rubin’s finest works.

i recognise he is big time but it is not for me :/

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.

Ya gotta love johnny

Not ashamed to admit I cried twice while listening to this one. Breathtaking swan song.

The Man in Black left on his terms with this album. Great covers & originals done only the way Cash could, excellent.

own

If there's anything wrong with this album, I can't find it.

Boring. Only hurt stands out.

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

A solid 2.5. Will never listen again.

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

An album of mostly covers on paper shouldn't be on this list. This is the exception.

It's OK, a few really great songs but mostly just OK

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

The "American" sessions, particularly IV, is some of the greatest late career material any artist has ever recorded. Even Trent Reznor of TRON: ARES fame has relinquished ownership of Hurt (not legally or monetarily, but creatively). I've listened to this album lots of times because it was one of the only Johnny Cash CDs my brother had when I got into him. I also think these albums are pretty much the last good thing Rick Rubin ever did. Funny enough I didn't know Personal Jesus was a Depeche Mode song until like 5 years ago. I don't have really much bad to say here. 5

3.5 This album is a little hard for me to rate because I feel like what it represents is greater than what it actually is - that being, a late-career cover album with adaptations that range from phenomenal to mediocre. But the true magic of this album lies in the context - this isn’t so much a collection of “Johnny Cash Plays His Favorites!” as it is a carefully curated set of songs that speak to the mindset of the Man in Black in his final days, and it’s incredibly powerful at times. There are themes of self-reflection, regret, love, and loss that tie the otherwise miscellaneous assortment of songs together, and chief among them far and away is Hurt. There’s not much to say about the song that hasn’t already been said, but I also don’t really think I need to try - it speaks for itself. As much as I love the original version of the song, it’s hard to argue with Trent Reznor when even he himself claimed the song was no longer his own - though, I guess that didn’t happen until after he saw the music video (before that, he supposedly said it felt like Johnny Cash was “f***ing his girlfriend”). If you haven’t seen the video (probably unlikely if you’re a music fan but still putting this out there), it’s a must-watch, though prepare for an emotional sucker punch straight to the gut. Outside of Hurt, my two favorites were the opener, The Man Comes Around, and the cover of Sting’s I Hung My Head (way better than the original), but beyond those… I found a lot of the songs here kind of middling. The covers of Bridge Over Troubled Water and Personal Jesus weren’t bad, and there’s a certain novelty to hearing Johnny Cash’s take on them, but I didn’t think either was as good as the original (though I am embarrassed to say that this is how I found out they’ve been saying “Reach out, touch faith” and not “Reach out, touch me” this whole time). A lot of the back half is pretty forgettable, especially the more traditional stuff like Danny Boy, which leads me to almost wanting to say that some of the stuff here could have been cut without much lost. Given that this was the guy’s last album and all (at least released while he was still alive), I’m not sure I have myself fully sold on that, but I think there’s an argument to be made that this could have been a more cohesive emotional experience with some trimming. However, that said, this album absolutely sticks the landing and then some with its closer. One thing I kept finding myself thinking while listening was “Why the hell is Hurt the second track? That absolutely should have been the closer,” but We’ll Meet Again turned out to be about as good an alternative as I could have hoped for. For as impactful as Hurt may be, it’s ultimately a song about regret and shame, and choosing to end on a note of hope instead was probably the right call, especially with a track as classic as this one (Does anybody here remember Vera Lynn? Remember how she said that we would meet again some sunny day?). Also, the Fallout fan in me appreciated that he retained the opening from the Ink Spots’ cover of the song - you know, the one from every single one of their other songs. An emotional roller coaster of an album, but not the best collection of music I’ve heard. I feel like my rating could go a bit in either direction depending on how much value I want to place into each aspect, but for the purposes of this review, a 3.5 seems fair.

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

First time I fw a country artist this album is. Good 8.5/10 album was filled with songs that are relatable.

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

got it

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

I've never heard a Johnny Cash album, and I enjoyed it.

Country / Folk American IV is the final album released in Johnny Cash’s lifetime, and the fourth in his critically acclaimed collaboration with producer Rick Rubin. By this point, Cash’s voice had grown frail but deeply expressive, and the album’s content—mostly covers—centers on themes of death, redemption, love, and finality. This help is raw and vulnerable. He has a really great smooth deep voice and the songwriting is very good. But personally i just didn’t enjoy the music that much it wasnt for me. Folsom blues was better. 3.0

Soulful final Cash album, you really feel the weight of a life lived in his voice. Despite some good songs, at the end of the day its an album of mournful covers and not all of them work. Standouts: The Man Comes Around, Hurt, I Hung My Head

This was fine but really not my cup of tea.

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

I had no idea this album was mostly covers, huh. I had never heard past the first 45 seconds of Hurt, and completely forgot about the Personal Jesus cover. Better than expected, but if I had to listen to a moment more of his old man singing voice, i'd go mad

I love how gritty the microphone gets in the climax of Hurt Johnny Cash is incredible at taking songs and making them his own. His covers always feel uniquely him, despite being covers.

What an incredible instrument his voice is

Ok

it's no folsom prison.... wasn't a huge fan of the covers but you can tell he's sending his farewell. It's a deeply emotional album

Not my kind of music

some good. most just okay

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.

I'm a huge Johnny Cash fan. This album is like an encyclopedia into the decay of a weathered man. His voice warbles, is cracked and frayed. His guitar playing in supplemented by studio musicians and high level production. But, its a novel look into an accomplished American icon who lived a life well live. Coming to terms with his mortality. The choice to do all covers of songs that inspired Johnny throughout his time on earth is a special nod to his legendary story.

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

Maybe the greatest cover album ever, 10 out of 10 no notes

This album has the ability to make me cry everytime I listen to it. Rick Rubin and Johnny Cash made one of the best albums of all time.

An enjoyable listen, but didn't feel like the covers particularly added anything new to each song, except for Hurt (but his version was the first I heard so I'm biased there) and In My Life was good.

Reminds me a lot of the book "East of Eden" by John Steinbeck. Loved listening to this while writing.

Solid, got some bangers

Interesting album. Obviously Hurt is amazing, but otherwise I mostly take the original versions over Johnny's. Which isn't shocking. But real mellow and real relaxing, good to have around.

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.

The gold standard for late career (and late life) albums. The American recordings were truly special, and Johnny Cash absolutely cemented his legacy with this one.

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

Three or four decent songs, three or four terrible songs.

Cash’s vocal delivery is the highlight on this stripped-down mostly cover album with a good song selection. There’s lots of emotion in his familiar voice, though you can sense the tiredness, age, and reflection - the good, the bad, the joy, the sadness, the fun, the trouble, the love, the pain. The fact that these are mostly covers doesn’t really matter, Cash is able to make them his own. A few wonderful renditions (Hurt), and the rest are fine - nothing bad here. But I also wouldn’t consider it essential listening outside of couple tracks.

Some great covers on here, but a lot of it falls flat

If this was “1001 Songs” this would’ve been great for hurt

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.

the placement of hurt on this album is insane

I adoooore his deep baritone voice and the low bass sounds that match...

Hurt is great, some other nice covers

<3

-ok so I’ll start by mentioning this is really not my kind of music so any judgments I make are unreliable and should be taken with a grain of salt -so I wasn’t as blown away by this as a lot of others apparently are, but it was still really cool. very powerful and emotional, kind of made me feel like a divorced Midwestern dad struggling with alcoholism. not bad -Favorites are The Man Comes Around and Personal Jesus

This list contains three of the greatest farewell albums in music history. While Cohen and Bowie wrote about their own struggles, Cash took the struggles other artists had expressed and truly made them his own. I am a fan of Nine Inch Nails, but Cash's rendition of "Hurt" is one of the most special songs to ever be recorded. I would normally be against the inclusion of modern cover albums (everything in the 50s was so can't count those out), but this is the absolute most reasonable exception to that. A great and unique album that I am so grateful Cash blessed us with before he passed.

Great choice for a first album. I probably never would have listened to this album on my own. But I feel like Cash would say if you listen to any of my albums, please listen to this one. He spills his heart out here and the first song was awesome! So glad for his faith in God, and the truth he is communicating here about God, his faith and reconciliation.

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

I know this album so well. Johnny Cash's American recordings are all amazing. I could listen to them all over and over, and I don't like doing that normally. 5/5!

Some interesting covers, some less interesting. Great production though.

This shit's depressing

Nice and easy. Classic Johnny Cash.

I really wanted to love this, the lack of original songs on this really waters down the album. Of course you have some classics like Hurt and The Man Comes Around but when you look at this album in its entirety it doesn't offer much. Instead of love I'll settle for like. Top 3 Favorites: Hurt, I Hung My Head, and We'll Meet Again Top 1 Worst: Bridge Over Troubled Water (it ain't necessarily bad but absolutely nothing can top the original plus I personally felt it didn't mesh well with Johnny Cash's style) 3.5/5

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’m not a country music lover. If I were, would I have liked this better? I thought the music was much better than the singing. Lots of depressing songs. I didn’t think the covers were that good. I am surprised at the high ratings. For me it’s a 2.5 but I’ll up it to 3.

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.

A+

Yes. All the yes.

Not really for me, but can’t deny that there’s some iconic covers here

sad old man plays club bangers

Enjoyed this on its release. Cash's voice works really well on this album and I've got several ear worms now!

Always a big fan of Johnny Cash and remember continously listening/watching the video to hurt when it was released. There are so many big songs on the album and my particular favourites include the biographical, desperado and as soon as I saw your face. The latter is very moving as I always imagine this being about June Carter who died a few months before Cash.

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.

Heavy.

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

Correct, le début est bon, le reste est moyen. Pas à la même hauteur que d'autres American de Cash

C'est un peu comme un novelty item, comme mon disque de Chipmunks Punk ou bien des chats qui chantent des tounes de Noel, deux albums qui mériteraient plus leur place dans les 1001 disques à avoir entendu dans sa vie que cet album over-hyped à cause d'un cover passable d'une toune de NIN. Je trouve que sa voix, quoiqu'elle ait son charme, sonne le cul, elle distortionne sans arrêt à l'enregistrement, c'est vraiment désagréable. Il y a des moment, comme I hung my head, vieille balade country simpliste qui fait la job dans le genre et que je me suis surpris à ré-écouter 2 fois. Mais tsé, j'ai déjà eu ce disque, pis je l'ai donné à mon père, qui lui l'a trouvé bon. J'pensais que j'aimais ça mais ça m'a pris quelques mois pour comprendre que j'aimais pas ça. Il me semble que les autres albums de cette série sont meilleurs. 2 etoiles parce que c'est pas completement pourri.

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

Performance honnête, pleine de grâce. Un peu inégal dans l'offre. La reprise de Hurt restera toujours un tour de force. Je ne sais pas si cet album a vraiment sa place dans la liste mais cette reprise l'a définitivement dans celle des 1001 chansons. Ça m'a fait demander ce qu'Elvis nous aurait offert s'il avait vécu vieux. Production un peu moche, surcompressée. J'imagine qu'à l'époque on devait dire "C'est fantastique, on croirait être dans la pièce." mais perso je me dit que j'ai pas besoin d'entendre quand son dentier bouge d'un millimètre ou qu'une poussière frôle la guitare. Aurait grandement bénéficié de plus de chaleur au niveau des fréquences.

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

I don’t like country

His voice is wonderful but the spare arrangements feel like they drag sometimes. I found this pretty boring sadly. Hurt was very powerful as we all know, but the rest didn't quite click. I quite liked the cover of We'll meet again someday. 2.5/3

Took a bunch of songs already made, and made them worse

An advert with the most insane vignette for America, I hate america

The American Recordings at the end of Johnny Cash's career/life were such an excellent swan song for the legendary musician. This is maybe the best one of the bunch, an excellent collection of mostly understated cover songs, with a few originals, of which the title track is arguably one of his best songs ever. Love this record.

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

A couple of real standouts, but a few tracks that feel like filler

After the first song I was actually excited for this album. I really enjoyed the first song ("The Man Comes Around") and felt like I finally understood what people see in Cash as an artist. However, the rest of the album didn't work very well for me. At best the songs were fine, at their worst they sounded very much like an old man meandering and also flirting with being out of tune. As an aside, Bridge Over Troubled Water as sung by Simon and Garfunkel is such a vocal powerhouse that Cash's version was pretty offputting. I understand he was going for a different style, but it didn't work for me. For "old dudes doing comforting covers of songs" my vote still goes to Willie Nelson's Stardust. That being said, this was probably the Cash album I've enjoyed most of his from this project.

He was one of a kind. Amazing work.

It was exactly what I expected. Which is not to say I don't like it, and I did enjoy my train ride with the wise old Johnny Cash in my ears, but also it didn't surprise me

The second half of the album were the best. the songs after that one murder song.

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.

So emotionally overwhelming in the best way possible. It’s not perfect, but I don’t care. Faves: the man comes around, hurt, in my life, I’m so lonesome i could cry

There are some nice covers and originals here ("Hurt", "Give my love to Rose", "Personal Jesus"), but these are still not as good as the original NIN/Depeche Mode songs. Most of the album is Cash's signature deep but off-key voice singing mediocre covers.

This is such a haunting and rich album. I love that he picked Fiona Apple as a feature, and his song selection is top tier (other than Danny Boy, not a fan of that one). I do wish he had picked a Dylan song, but I can't projection my own wishes on a legend's last album.

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.

What a haunting series of meditations on death and the scars we leave behind. There were several times while listening, where I was not emotionally prepared for the lyrics and Cash's sound in ways that will, in their own way, leave a scar behind.

even if this album just had 'hurt', it would be an incredible album. but the sheer audacity of the covers he's brought such intimacy to is something that makes this album a total classic that i will listen to for lifetimes.

The songs that hit, hit hard. The songs that missed, missed almost as hard. It was a solid album, and a much better goodbye then the Leonard Cohen goodbye album. Tough call, but I'll settle on 3 stars.

Glad I listened to it, but just too depressing to come back to it.

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

Madre mía este me ha encantado, rollo decadencia máxima y country folk. las letras me han parecido preciosas.

I could say half of the songs were covers so it lacks originality, or the songs were ‘too simple’. But when you listen to the song you could really hear his interpretation and feel really connected. 4.5/5

Wow. Just wow. I’d heard a couple of Johnny’s covers from this album before being The Man Comes Around and Hurt and I enjoyed both of them. The rest of this album is just as good, you can feel the weight of Johnny’s life being poured through his voice. This a man who knows he’s near the end and he’s reflecting on everything he’s lived through, the mistakes he has made and everything in between. It’s both solemn and beautiful, plus as a massive Beatles fan I could listen his cover of In My Life forever. He does a such a good job with it!

3/5. This is a good album, I'm just not much of a country fan.

One of the greatest farewells ever, tying the legend of Johnny Cash indefinitely to the American songwriting tradition. A colossus lifting the works of others with an unparalleled ability to interpret. 'Hurt', 'I Hung My Head', 'Personal Jesus', 'In My Life', 'Danny Boy', and 'Big Iron' on a single album is unheard of.

American IV is less of a cover albums and more a collection of songs finding a new home. His talent for interpreting stories and breathing new life into them is unmatched - there are new meanings to be found in these songs and lyrics when delivered by Cash.

I listened to this album years ago and liked it a lot, but I like it even more than I remember now Johnny emphasises more introspective and emotional lyrics over the rebellious, gunslinging themes of a lot of his older work, though that isn't completely gone either. His aged and weary voice suits the album's melancholic and the production also feels intimate, all of which results in a very moving and emotional performance I think the fact the album doesn't stick to one mode throughout helps elevate those songs, for example the title track, Personal Jesus and Big Iron are a little bit more upbeat (as much as they can be on an album like this) that gives more weight to the likes of Give My Love to Rose and I Hung My Head. The guest singers also help to add a bit of variety. Despite slagging him off a little bit previously, I particularly liked Nick Cave's appearance on I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry I know everyone says it but it is pretty special that he took a song that's a million miles from his wheelhouse and made it his own. I don't think Hurt is one of my favourites but he definitely superceded Nine Inch Nails. I think I prefer Marty Robbins' version of Big Iron, but he comes very close to topping that too 4.5. I'd normally round down to 4 but I'm rounding up to 5 this time (I listened to the original double LP version which includes Big Iron and Wichita Lineman) Highlights: The Man Comes Around, Give My Love to Rose, Big Iron, Wichita Lineman, I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry

Only got through two songs

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

Johnny Cash is a friggin treasure, but this was not one of his best.

Solid album Great interpretations of songs from an artist who owed the world nothing when he recorded them. Really enjoyed it

pretty fire I liked this

25% banger

One of the greatest final bows an artist could ever give. Piece of absolute work right here. Vibes are bit melancholy but it fits.

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.

Boring

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

7/10

Phenomenal work by a man near the end of his life. Especially the hurt and in my life covers.

The man in black forever.

4/5

This is the forth album that Johnny Cash recorded with Rick Rubin and American Recordings. And it was the last album released during his lifetime. The American Recordings represented a late career renaissance for Johnny Cash. His association with Rick Rubin restored his long-lost cultural relevance, introduced a new generation to Johnny Cash, and reminded the rest of us of why he was so great. The first album in the series stripped everything back to Johnny Cash and his (hot and blue) guitar. It was an inspired move, and an inspired set of songs. It represented his best recorded set of material since the 1950s, and reignited his relevance. On the second album, JC was backed by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. It was another inspired move, with another great set of songs that included Cash originals, old standards, and unexpected new classics, re-imagined by Rubin and Cash. Starting with the third album in the American Series, Cash settled into a rhythm of cutting albums with a few original songs, a few standards, a few forgotten gems from bygone eras, and a whole lot of pop songs from the previous twenty years. He made these records with a who's who of Rick Rubin's famous associates. The song selections were intriguing, and Cash put his stamp on every recording. But American III is also the point where Cash's albums became less essential listening, and more novelty. The edge was less cutting. The element of surprise was gone. And the albums, on the whole, were more uneven. This is the lane where we find The Man Comes Around. Most people will note that this is the record that contains Cash's poignant interpretation of Nine Inch Nails' Hurt. And it is a chilling recording, with a dynamic build, and a thrilling crescendo. Cash truly makes it his own. And just like we believed him in 1955 when he sang that he shot a man in Reno just to watch him die, we believe and feel this tale of loss and abuse. And it's well-documented that he actually did live the subject matter of the song. Everything is firing here; and it's a high water mark in the recorded output of Johnny Cash. The rest of the album is a grab bag of Cash originals (The Man Comes Around, Give My Love to Rose, Tear Stained Letter), standards (The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face, Danny Boy, We'll Meet Again), and a whole lotta open-mic fodder (Bridge Over Troubled Water, In My Life, Desperado). It's the last category that really brings American IV down to average album territory. There's no real interesting reason to hear Cash sing a more-or-less straight cover of Bridge Over Troubled Water. And hearing the usually great Fiona Apple duet with Cash, was certainly more of a thrill for Fiona Apple than it is for the listener. Elsewhere, duets with Don Henley and Nick Cave also weigh down the track list; and the guest appearances add nothing interesting to the songs or the album as a whole. The rest of the album is fine, but inessential. Cash's voice is beginning to quiver in a way that reminds the listener that he doesn't have much time left. Unfortunately, that is the most interesting thing about American IV. His failing voice really works for him in songs like Hurt, Give My Love To Rose, and I Hung My Head. But the rest of the recordings range from serviceable, to skippable. In the end, the Man Comes Around is not a bad album. But it's also not one of Cash's best.

Oof. Was this good

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

3 out of 5. Good collection of songs.

I'm a bit confused by this, a lot of the songs are covers and not as good as the originals..?

great album. so poignant

Is anyone’s sound more appropriate for a sendoff album at age 71? It’s like his whole career was driving him to this point. This album is fantastic and works overtime to highlight Cash’s unique voice. Every song hits just right and most can leave you in tears. It’s up there with John Prine’s or Leonard Cohen’s final albums. What a swan song for the man in black!

Das ist ein Album, das in jeder Hinsicht unter die Haut geht. Unglaublich sparsam im Arrangement, aber so ein weites und tiefes Feld der Gefühle. "Hurt" ist vielleicht der Beste song in der Musikgeschichte, natürlich nur in der Version von Johnny Cash. "Hurt" – dieses gebrochene, ehrliche Bekenntnis – das fühlt sich nicht nur an wie ein Song, sondern wie ein offenes Herz. Man hört und sieht Johnny Cash förmlich altern, sterben und dennoch weiterleben in seiner Musik. Es gibt wenige Alben, die so eine emotionale Wucht haben. Es ist roh, pur, und ja – unsagbar schön. Ein Album, das bleibt.

esta es la forma de irse

epic voice. Aura

Johnny Cash had one of the most distinctive voices, not just in country but across all music. This album, recorded the year before he passed away, is a fine example of his range - combining his own songs, traditional numbers and an audacious range of covers from Simon & Garfunkel to Depeche Mode to the Beatles, doing them all justice. The example that most people will know is his version of Hurt by Nine Inch Nails, where he fills it with his own pain to the extent that Trent Reznor said that it was now Cash’s song. As might be expected the songs all explore the theme of the fragility of life, melancholy and looking back. It’s a tough listen at times, as his voice cracks with emotion, but he is more than supported by great group of musicians including Billy Preston, Don Henley, Nick Cave and Fiona Apple, with production by Rick Rubin keeping things together. A fine album and a fine tribute to one of the all time greats.

As many people from my generation (or so I guess), I discovered Cash first with the biopic Walk the Line, and then with the American Recordings -- especially being a metalhead who listened to nu-metal in the late 90s/early 00s, seeing the name "Rick Rubin" draws attention. This series of recordings is excellent from start to finish, really powerful, and is a wonderful testimony of Cash's talent and the extent of his love to music -- the cover diversity is striking. This last recording (at least the last released while he was still alive) is particularly moving, his voice getting deeper and showing more emotion, and the themes being also touching. Hurt is of course a hit in its own category, but it's well deserved; he really made the song his own with this amazing cover, instilling his life and sorrows in every note. The American Recordings all deserve 5 stars, and this one could probably go with 6 or 7 stars.

I was always skeptical about this album. I'm not skeptical about it any more. Each track is dealt with very respectfully. Cash put his own stamp on each, but did not try and be "clever". And of course the man wasn't a "real singer", but, as with the likes of Nick Cave and Lou Reed, that doesn't really matter: the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. This is a really excellent piece of work.

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

Im sure its a classic, but Im not hear to learn about music history or whatever. Just not my vibe.

Speak singing? Monotonous. I like the guitar though. Chilled out. Emotional lyrics.

I could listen to Johnny Cash with his grizzled, life-worn, and somehow deeply vulnerable voice read the phone book. This album, even if mostly covers, is a wow. I love how eclectic it is, covering everything from folk tunes to the Beatles to Depeche Mode (!!). It also contains his astounding rendition of NIN’s “Hurt.” It doesn’t get much better than this for feeling the sweep, pain, love and vagaries of life.

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.

It's good but I have a public service announcement to issue. 'Hurt' will always be Trent Reznor's song. The thousands and thousands of people who say otherwise are very, very wrong. You can't hear the pain with Johnny Cash. You can't hear the heartbreak with Johnny Cash. You don't hear the personal autobiography of a tortured soul with Johnny Cash. You don't hear the deep, dark place that this song came from with Johnny Cash.

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

Malo sam već zasićena njime u ovom projektu 🫠 ono, kužim da je kultni glazbenik i ima tu puno dobrih stvari, ali jbg, dosadna mi je glazba, pogotovo kad idem preslušavati cijeli album u komadu. Bit će 2/5, 4/10.

fuck this shit i don't understand how this bullshit gets praised.. old people i guess

Znore, förvånar mig inte att han dog efter den här plattan så slö som den är

Hurt is an all-timer, but the rest of this album feels like a covers album in a way Hurt doesn't.

Pretty Amazing, i'm very spiritual, God shows me things all the time. This is one of them. Praise God and Thank you to my father, myself!

# 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.

A legend and great story teller. All great songs and some great ones. A great album.

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

Much respect to one of the true badasses of music history, but… if I listened to this not knowing who Johnny Cash was, I’d give it 1*.

My favourite of these American recordings. Obviously it has Hurt which is the best known track of this era but this is the top end of this concept of covering songs in the late Cash style. This album feels vulnerable and raw and is all the better for it. There are a few I'm not a fan of - Danny Boy and Desperado are songs I don't like no matter who is singing. I Hung My Head, The Man Comes Around and his reinterpretation of his own Give My Love to Rose are my favourites.

For mostly consisting of covers this album is great. He really makes the songs something else.