Reviews (page 9 of 14)
I turd myself today
Very sad and introspective. Also very slow and for me a bit boring. Favorites: Hurt, Personal Jesus
I bought this when it came out.nits pretty good. A lot of covers
kardoulen
classic
pretty good for a mostly cover album
Tender, vulnerable, captivating, and sweet. One of my favorites!
We all know what this is. We all know the story. The tracks are great - Hurt is off the charts - but it's a long album, and I really didn't need to hear Cash covering Bridge over Troubled Waters.
Loved this album 20 years ago. Probably should have had a little more Prince in my life at that point. When the Man Comes Around- completely moving Hurt Give My Love to Rose Bridge Over Troubled Water I Hung My Head The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face Personal Jesus In My Life This album could change how I rate all the other albums. I truly enjoyed this as young man. But it is largely carried by Cash's failing baritone, and other writers' songs. There isn't much that is overly creative or adventurous.
What a great album. Covers are amazing. Never did care for him in the past but these songs are wonderfully crafted.
I'm just not a fan of Johnny Cash. I have know idea why he's so popular. At least this album was recorded in a prison.
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 :)
Some of the best covers ever performed. As Reznor said about Hurt, it's his song now.
My first 5/5 album, 37 albums in. Cash's renditions of these songs are absolutely beautiful. Tear Stained Letter has been one of my favorite songs for a long time, and obviously his cover of Hurt is divine. But listening to this album end to end was such a treat. I loved this one.
3 - hard to hate cash. this album doesn’t bring his best, but the covers are a nice addition
5 None of the covers trumped the originals for me.
Никогда не был поклонником Джонни Кэша именно из-за его манеры исполнения. Его песни — словно и не песни вовсе, а какой-то хриплый шёпот, звучащий издалека. Как будто кто-то пытается по телефону объяснить зачем он прожил свою жизнь, но связь постоянно обрывается и ты ничерта не понимаешь. Кэш на самом деле не поёт, а просто рассказывает истории — медленно, тяжело, будто бы каждый звук весит тонну. Если вы привыкли к тому, что музыка должна давать крылья и поднимать в небеса, то здесь она наоборот всеми силами тянет тебя к земле. Феномен Джонни Кэша для меня совершенно непонятен. Это феномен человека, который давно уже умер в себе, но продолжает говорить со слушателем, словно из другого измерения. Может быть для кото-то такой стиль близок. Но для меня — нет.
The Good: It’s always nice when the man comes around! The Bad: Except when you’re not ready for the visit… The Ugly: Guess the man won’t come around no more… What? Johnny Cash? Singing [mostly] other people’s tunes? In his style? And everybody loves it? I’d heard about Hurt. Always wondered about what happened to his career, as he’d stopped being a lead actor, and started doing supporting roles… Oh wait, not that Hurt… Johnny Cash is an icon. Almost everyone in born until 1990 will most likely know of him, after that, well, I guess we can blame Joachim Phoenix for that… Myself, I have never understood the persona. Not a fan of his work. But that sure as shit was a nice cover of Bridge Over Troubled Water! So, 3*
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.
iconic
Brilliant simply great voice
Deathly, emotional, regret, satisfying
What a fantastic listen. Usually I'm not a fan of albums thay almost exclusively contain covers, but the covers on this album could stand alone as their own songs, and some are honestly better than their original versions. Top tracks: Hurt, Personal Jesus, Danny Boy
At first I didn’t like his style because it’s like he’s just talking. But halfway through I’m really enjoying it.
This is #day190 of my #1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie challenge, and... after a couple of months since I got At Folsom Prison, here’s another album from Johnny Cash. Astonishingly, this is his sixty-seventh (and final non-posthumous) studio album. I was initially skeptical when I saw it pop on the list this morning, but then I realized it includes his covers of Hurt and Personal Jesus, which are some interesting takes. It’s fascinating to think about Trent Reznor's reaction when he heard Cash's rendition of Hurt, saying the song no longer feels like his. Not sure Martin Gore has ever said the same about Personal Jesus, but I guess Dave was more approachable about the whole affair. Anyway, although country is among my worst genres now, Cash will be Cash, and he deserves credit. After all, he is the genre. This is a solid 3 out of 5. Looking forward to #day191.
Five/Five
That cover of "Hurt" was deserving of the constant play it got back in the day and is deserving of the praise it gets now. I was delighted to find out the rest of this covers album keeps up with it. These stripped down arrangements, his iconic voice that only got better with age, and the story of the songs selected make for an excellent listening experience. There's maybe a morbid listening day in my future of this, "Blackstar" and "You Want It Darker" - beautiful works all that tackle mortality, legacy, and reflections on the troubled yet triumphant lives of legendary artists.
CASH is great
We all know Johnny's version of Hurt, and most agree that it's amazing. So why did I find the rest of the album a letdown compared to it? All the songs are in the same style with many having similar emotional tones. After listening through a couple of times I've come to this conclusion. Hurt is more dynamic. It builds, drops back down, then builds right up to the crescendo with a dramatic drop right at the end. It's a musical roller coaster ride. The other songs just seem flat and boring compared to that.
The first two songs were great - the rest of it was kind of forgettable
Bearable and partly excellent country.
Really enjoyed this one, and I’ll be returning to it, just a masterpiece. Rating: 5
Not for me. One for the fans perhaps? 2/5
I like how Cash uses the age in his voice as a deliberate effect.
yo this project stinks ass, just searched "sex"
Has good peaks, but greatly over stays it's welcome.
This was the album that first introduced me to Johnny Cash. His rendition of Hurt still makes me cry.
Even though it was mostly cover songs, Johnny did his best.
As a casual fan of both artists, it is extremely funny to me that Cash took one of Trent Reznor’s best known songs and said “hey, this is mine now” right before dying. And it’s arguably not even the best cover on the album! Five stars.
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.
I was at the library shopping for video games. Wu-Tang and Final Fantasy X. Then outside of the mall A woman who was not my mom and a little girl who was not my sister found an injured bird and picked it up to help it and as they went inside a jingle making fun of them started playing over the outside loud speakers. It infuriated me so I went into the mall and demanded to speak to the mall principal, Nick Lowe, the last thing I remember was telling my two bothers, who aren't my brothers, about what I did and passive aggressively blamed them.
His cover of Personal Jesus is one of my favorite songs.
I don't think I've ever heard another album this quietly sad. Like, for most of this album's runtime I was just... Staring off into the distance. At the wall, at the floor — at nothing in particular, honestly. I just couldn't do anything else. Not with how this album was causing sadness to wash over me, over and over. Every time I thought it would stop, I'd catch Cash's voice — so old and ragged — and it'd all come back all over again. Even the songs that were more upbeat in one way or another still had an air of melancholy around them. You can't shake the feeling, no matter how hard you try. It's like he knew he didn't have much time left. It's like he knew that this was his last statement. It's like he knew that if he didn't say anything about where he was right then and there, he wasn't gonna get another chance. And that's just remarkable when you consider that this album is mostly covers. Like, that's the big thing that separates it from albums like Leonard Cohen's IF YOU WANT IT DARKER and David Bowie's ★. There's only two songs that Cash penned himself, and one of them is a re-recording of a song written decades ago. But if you don't know these were all covers... Gosh, you'd never be able to tell. It's like what I usually say about Elvis: even if he never wrote a song in his life, just him being him was enough to make any song he sang his own. That's pretty much exactly what's going on. Cash being who he was, and being as old as he was when this was recorded, is enough to make songs like "Hurt" all his own. They're imbued with so much more meaning than if he'd been a younger man at the time. Which, there's a part of me that feels like that's kinda messed up. Y'know, the idea that I like this album **because** he died so shortly after it was released. That if he'd somehow lived long enough to release AMERICAN V, this album wouldn't have held as much weight as that one would have. But that's just the truth, and the same goes for stuff like IF YOU WANT IT DARKER, ★ and any other album with this kind of reputation. That's just honestly where it gets its power from, no matter how much I wish they could have lived longer and had done more. Though I wanna feel like either way this would still be a melancholic heartbreaker of an album. I don't think you can hear a voice like this, over arrangements like this, and not feel at least somewhat down. I can't imagine the kind of person who can hear stuff like this and not feel anything. I mean, I've gone out of my way to avoid using words like "depressing" and "feels bad," 'coz I feel like those are a bit over the top for what I think this album evokes, but... Still, goodness, y'know? I would absolutely be lying if I said I didn't feel close to crying more than once. I just can't give this album any less than a 5. It just wouldn't feel right to. Not with the context of its release and how much it gives to what would've been very powerful material regardless. It's, jus'... Oof. Goodness. And I do hope his reassurance at the end comes true: that someday soon — who knows where, who knows when — we'll all meet again. That someday, eventually, the man in black will come around once more.
He knew that the pale horse was coming soon, so it gives this tracklist a haunting quality to it. Solid 5 Stars.
I’m at another 10. I’ve only ever known the cover of “Hurt” from this album – it’s immensely famous, and it’s a track that Johnny Cash basically stole, in brilliant fashion. I never knew it was only the second track here, though. I’ve always assumed it was the closer, because it feels so poignant and so… final. I’m so very, very glad that it’s not though, because this album is structured in such a way that it works perfectly in conjunction with “The Man Comes Around” as the opener, and arguably creates a narrative throughout where Johnny is trying to atone for those sins so present and so fruitfully captured on that cover of “Hurt”. From Simon & Garfunkel, to Sting, to Depeche Mode, & ironically enough, the Eagles, as well as scattering of rerecordings of covers he already did, it’s just a stellar 51 minutes. It leaves me with the same sense of “getting it” as I had after listening to Nirvana’s MTV Unplugged album. I truly do get what Johnny Cash meant to people now, and in particular, what he likely meant to my dad. The thing that strikes me the most about this album, besides the excellent song choices to cover, most of which I’ve never actually heard the originals of, is in its intimacy. There’s no bombastic backing bands here & no intense instrumentation (save for the piano on “Hurt”) – just pure, stripped down music, left to the barebones machinations of a guitar, whatever else was lying around, and Johnny Cash’s voice. In this gravelly, withered state, it arguably sounds more impactful here than at any other point in his life. It’s the core instrument, and it’s on full, vulnerable display. It gives each and every track a gravitas that has only ever been matched, to my ears, by Leonard Cohen on “You Want It Darker”, and even then, Johnny’s vocals still have a musicality and a natural charisma to them that elevates them higher. If there is a God, which Johnny Cash so desperately prays to throughout this album, then let him bless Rick Rubin for making sure Johnny Cash still had a voice throughout the final 7 to 8 years of his life, & bless Johnny Cash for just laying it all out on what he knew would likely be his final album in his lifetime. It’s a gift, a treasure, and a privilege to listen to this, truly. Easy, easy 10.
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.
I dislike the country genre in general and Johnny Cash is no exception. Although "Hurt" was poignant, Mr. Cash's vocals suffered. Rest of the album was quite horrible, IN PARTICULAR "In My Life," which sounds like it came out of a horror monologue. Some songs are better left untouched.
I would go so far and say, this is one of the best albums since the year 2000. Of course only "old" songs, but sung and played with such a virtuosity and in such a dignified way, that you must bow your head and shout out a big "thank you".
wonderful, raw vocals and guitar, emotional lyrics. feels really good to listen to most of this. Hurt is a absolute masterpiece 4/5
it's over... довольно грустный альбом, мне нравки
good
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.
stunning.
Ignoring the Cash originals, especially the tremendously slapping opener of the title track, I just can’t shake that this is, first and foremost, a collection of covers. Some are standouts (Personal Jesus), some are rightfully critically praised (Hurt) and some are genuinely hard to listen to (Danny Boy). Not even the brilliance of Fiona Apple can save the hollowness of Bridge Over Troubled Water. Whilst it’s obvious that it’s going to be well-received given the nature of its output, I genuinely think that - at the very least after the opening two tracks - it’s undeserving of it. Of course, it’s not going to be At Folsom Prison II, that would be even more of a recycled record. But does Cash’s stripped-back melancholy style warrant nearly an hour’s worth of mostly covers? I feel this only caters towards the die-hard Cash fan.
Solid especially Hurt
Good stuff, mainly covers. Hurt is amazing.
Johnny Cash is one of the best there ever was and ever will be. He's a consistent performer and great storyteller who makes you feel. This album delivers the goods.
I never understood the hype of Johnny Cash. This album doesn’t change my opinion either. I don’t really need to hear his underwhelming versions of what are already underwhelming songs.
Sehr melancholisches, aber auch starkes Album. 4/5
Really enjoy his voice here, but the country style isn't my thing. Shame that most of the songs are covers too. Overall not bad.
Wasn’t really my cup of tea
Johnny cash managed to turn a bunch of cover into some of the groomiest song out there using just his voice! Hurt especially was very immersive. But it's just covers in the end. Very Johnny. Not very Texas 3/5
omg its the depeche mode song fairly enjoyable listen overall it's quite diverse
I'm not a big fan of Johnny Cash. Most on this album was pretty forgettable but it does have my favourite song of his, and that's his version of Hurt.
Hurt osv.
It’s so sad
I just find 95% of all Johnny Cash songs to be incredibly boring. Not my taste
Pretty good album.
a dash of Johnny Cash rarely comes amiss, even if it is mostly covers
A true legend, but I feel like by the IV one I'm not sure what there was left to say. He sounded so frail relatively, but I guess the songs still have value. Late twos.
5 Stars for Hurt. There’s actually a few songs I wasn’t familiar with. A great final album for a great man! Rest in Peace Mr Cash
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
шедевр
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.
depressing
Johnny Cash doesn’t cover songs, he sings them and re-shapes them until you could never imagine them as anything but his.
Covers sung anew With an old hand’s confidence And sparse, nimble tunes
What can you say…it’s Johnny Fucking Cash’s last album he ever recorded. I think there are some songs that don’t quite work as well for me (the Sting cover), some are maybe too by the book or trite (In My Life, Bridge Over Troubles Danny Boy, though the latter is beautifully performed), plus some Certified Rick Rubin Moments (the waveform for Hurt gotta just be a solid black rectangle)….damn, the arrangements are so tasteful on the cuts that work. Of course Hurt and Personal Jesus are deserved highlights, but love the two original songs, and as someone who is a near complete outsider to the songs of Cash’s heyday, the cuts from that genre really make me appreciate how special and distinctly American those songs are and the stories they tell. Finally, We’ll Meet Again got me tearing up. Overall, probably 3.5/5 but will round down.
Awesome album Standout songs: Hurt I Hung my Head I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry
Artist: *releases an album, then dies* Robert Dimery: “This must be heard!” I like some of these songs. I just like the versions sung at a decent tempo by someone who doesn’t sound like a wheezing bullfrog. Being about to die doesn’t give you depth or introspection. It just means that you’re not very good at making music because you’re 70% dead. This album sucks and “Hurt” is just edgelord-bait.
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
Hurt is by far my favorite song in this album. You can feel the pain of that the song evokes in Johnny's voice. The rest of the album is OK.
Really good. I liked it.
50 minutes of boring country
267/1001 🌕🌕🌕🌗🌑
johnny cash sleeping on his own album cover is me listening to it
I don't love Johnny Cash's singing, but this album is absolutely incredible, and the covers really feel like they become Cash's songs. I can't completely explain why, but this is one of the most beautiful, emotional albums I know.
great album
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
Favorite Track: We'll Meet Again
"Hurt" is a great remake. I liked "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry"
Yes, absolutely loved this. What a voice.
Montoner abgesang einer Legende Kann man hin und wieder hören
Great album. Rip to a legend
Для мене ця музика занадто нудна, педве впорався з цим. Останні треки вже на морально вольових слухав. Але є дві цікавих пісні. Перша це Hurt. Це дійсно та пісня, яку має послухати кожен. Якщо Ви жива людина, то ця пісня Вам точно сподобається. Друга - Personal Jesus. Це єдина пісня що не звучить як пісня Джонні Кеша. Вона стирчить тут як інородне тіло. Здається ніхто не знал що з нею робити і тому залишили все як є.
Скучно
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.
It's okay. I prefer his own music. There a few cases where a cover is better than the original, but I didn't find any here.
Flere rigtig fine sange på albummet. Men det fanger mig bare ikke rigtig. 😬
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
I appreciate Johnny Cash in small doses, but I realize now I am not a fan. I did not really enjoy listening to this album.
I love this album. I love what Rick Rubin did to draw this out of him. I live the theme of end of life and imminent death for this giant of American music at the end of his life. Easy 5 stars
it was fiine, but I don't think this comes close to the prison lives. Bunch of covers too. Still, a strong 3
Outstanding
Fantastic Album. Had always like Johnny Cash, but hadn't heard any new stuff for years. Then Johnny released this album and it was like listening to something familiar but new all at the same time. For what is essentially a covers album to be included in this chart shows how good Cash and Rubins work on this album is.
Thanks, I didn't *want* to cry today...
Showcases Cash’s guitar mastery. Only missing his signature passion and lyrical playfulness.
Oh man Johnny Cash is always welcome - and I’m not new to this album - but really listening to it again it’s gorgeous - Cash elevates every song he sings and makes it his own and at times better than the original. Of course the standouts are Hurt, Personal Jesus, the Man Comes around - but I’d be hard pressed to find a song that is less than brilliant.
5 stars
Great until the terrible bridge over troubled water cover
Lots of classic songs here. His voice is unique. Just not my jam. I would not come back and say I needed to listen to this again. No songs stood out.
Wow! I am literally sitting the office trying not to cry. This album gets 10 stars ...
Hurt
Will listen again
Interesting cover album with cash own twist and clear religious focus. The deep and melodic voice has a unique appeal and magnifies the spirtirual component of popular songs
𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘵𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘓𝘢𝘳𝘦𝘥𝘰 𝘨𝘳𝘦𝘸 𝘤𝘰𝘭𝘥 𝘢𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘭𝘢𝘺. 𝘞𝘦 𝘵𝘰𝘰𝘬 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘨 𝘤𝘰𝘸𝘣𝘰𝘺 𝘥𝘰𝘸𝘯 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘨𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘷𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘺, 𝘈𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘴 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘮𝘢𝘳𝘬𝘦𝘳, 𝘸𝘦 𝘮𝘢𝘥𝘦, 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘥𝘢𝘺. 𝘞𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘢𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘥𝘳𝘶𝘮 𝘴𝘭𝘰𝘸𝘭𝘺 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘺𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘍𝘪𝘧𝘦 𝘭𝘰𝘸𝘭𝘺, 𝘗𝘭𝘢𝘺𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘥𝘦𝘢𝘥 𝘮𝘢𝘳𝘤𝘩 𝘢𝘴 𝘸𝘦 𝘤𝘢𝘳𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘥 𝘩𝘪𝘮 𝘢𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘨. 𝘋𝘰𝘸𝘯 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘨𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘷𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘺, 𝘭𝘢𝘪𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘰𝘥 𝘰'𝘦𝘳 𝘩𝘪𝘮. 𝘏𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘢 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘨 𝘤𝘰𝘸𝘣𝘰𝘺 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘢𝘪𝘥 𝘩𝘦'𝘥 𝘥𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘸𝘳𝘰𝘯𝘨. Rating: ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ Stand Out Songs: 𝘼𝙡𝙡 𝙤𝙛 𝙏𝙝𝙚𝙢, particularly 𝟔. 𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐓𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐈 𝐒𝐚𝐰 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐅𝐚𝐜𝐞, 𝟓. 𝐈 𝐇𝐮𝐧𝐠 𝐌𝐲 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐝, 𝟕. 𝐏𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐉𝐞𝐬𝐮𝐬, 𝟗. 𝐒𝐚𝐦 𝐇𝐚𝐥𝐥, 𝟏𝟒. 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐭𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐋𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐝𝐨, 𝟏𝟓. 𝐖𝐞'𝐥𝐥 𝐌𝐞𝐞𝐭 𝐀𝐠𝐚𝐢𝐧 This is the work of a man who knew he was dying, through all of the songs of end-of-life lamentations, lyrics both welcoming and damning death on his white horse. You can feel the treble and gravity of his voice as he worked through hospital stints and declining health to finish an album that might literally be the embodiment of the true American Spirit. Johnny Cash, I love you.
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.
Acoustic, hauting vibes. Is this considered noir-americana? Not sure if I listened to it in the right context. Will have to revisit again.
Weird to start this journey with an album of mostly covers but very enjoyable nonetheless.
context: I dunno really who Johnny Cash is and I'm not American. definitely not my usual genre but it's pretty good so far at the first track. I was surprised to read Fiona Apple did backing vocals! neato I like the storytelling vibe. If this guy was still alive I'd sit by a campfire and listen to him sing. I really prefer the Trent Reznor version of Hurt. However this is still great and I could see myself preferring this version when I relate to the vibe more. I see why people like it SO much. Time moves really fucking slow when I listen to this guy. Am I trying to convince myself that I like it? I dunno loll we'll see 3 songs in and it feels like I've been here for an hour. Perhaps it's the genre aaaa i'm BORED!!!!!! maybe I could use that to my advantage though. Can I slow down time using Johnny Cash's studio album: American IV: The Man Comes Around? am I a mage? is he a mage? Bridge Over Troubled Water is really bleh to me. If he whipped this out at the campfire I'd either leave orrrr I'd stay around and try to get as much stuff done as possible because of the time slowing down thing. Fiona's vocals are pretty but I think she's incapable of sounding bad. wait that song was less than FOUR MINUTES? LMAO i'm gonna crawl up the walls. I take it back, I don't see why people like it. I will be fascinated to read the rym reviews after this. PLEASE DO SOMETHING INTERESTING WITH THE MUSIC MAN. PLEASE BRO do I just not understand the appeal? Maybe I needed to know the original songs before they were covered? I'm currently at song number 6, "First Time I Ever Saw Your Face" It just feels like cliches set to guitar strumming. It's kinda funny how torturous this album is becoming to me. I dunno there's nothing offensive. There's a little jazzy piano in Personal Jesus that could've been cool if it was leaned into. But it wasn't. God damn it 8 songs still left. I'm on In My Life. zzz I keep zoning out Maybe the appeal is parasociality? I grew up with a kid called Sam Hall and he was a cunt lol he bullied me for not shaving my legs slightly better song than the others previous? at least it was a tad interesting oh he's whipping out all the names of guys i wanna *** **** **, Danny Boy. Pretty boring song. The church organ sound is really nice. I just wish the album was more confident in what it was doing instrumentally. Song wasn't worth the slight ptsd trigger lol desperado oh boy more old man with guitar in my ear this album could've been an ep with hurt and a few others, it's way too fucking long. also just remembered it's a posthumous album. I feel weird about them just by principle. i still can't see the appeal i'm so lonesome etc: predictable full of cliches etc guitar sad old guy. you know the drill. omfg i'm so excited only 3 songs left. tear stained letter: you'll never guess the dominant emotion in this song cute piano bit stweets of lawedo: penultimate song yipeee yo gay cowboys? gay dying cowboys? fine song LAST SONG WOOOOOOOOO we'll meet again: sorry man I wouldn't mind if we didn't meet again after this album. cute song though. If this was an ep and much shorter, this could've made it to 3 stars, but it was wayy toooo long for the lack of interesting anything. Not 4 me at all. If I could do half stars I would do 1.5 but I will round it to 2.
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.
The album is notable because it was released after Cash passed away. I love Cash's voice/style and this is a great collection of songs, but I have hard time giving him a very high score for covers. I was excited that Fiona Apple does vocals on one of the tracks, but she doesn't seem to add much to that one (Bridge Over Troubled Waters). By contrast I much preferred the woman who does backup vocals on Desperato, though I later realized that "woman" is Don Henley, LOL.
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.
There's such a profundity to this entire exercise - a legend in the twilight of his life choosing a catalog of classic and modern songs to cover that gives them such a new & intensely personal spin. 'Hurt' alone would catapult this to legendary status, but there's *so* much to digest here...if not 100% enjoy because I'm not sure I necessarily enjoy music that makes me contemplate my own mortality.
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.
OK
Simply great. Not a bad cover in the bunch.
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
I actually find this one difficult to rate. I was never a huge fan of Johnny Cash but at the same time, I am fine with his legendary status. These songs are all covers and some of them are not suited to his style at all (Bridge Over Troubled Water and First Time Ever I Saw Your Face are just short of painful to hear). Some part of me feels this should be a 4 but the song selection and length compel me to give a 3.
poignant
This album is tough to consider without its context, which tends to increase its stature in my mind. In the end, it’s an album of covers in which “Hurt” is really the only one which approaches/exceeds the original, although I do also like Cash’s “Personal Jesus.”
Great performance but -1 for being a cover album and -1 for choosing songs that go on about death all the time.
5.5/10 Highlights: Hurt Desperado Personal Jesus The Man Comes Around
What's not to love. The Man gives us his take on some noble classics and other well-known songs. It works superbly
Epic
Beautiful, forgiving and soulful.
Fantastiskt! Fem!
Pretty cool to hear him sing these songs. He seems to really perk up when a song involves shooting someone
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.
This is fun, but the covers don’t match the originals and I can’t say this is a necessary album to listen to
Brutally honest and hauntingly beautiful portrayal of a legends final days. Really remarkable work of art. While not every cover was my favorite, it is very interesting to consider why Cash selected each of them. Hurt is such a deeply moving song, the kind that I will always slow down to listen to closely. The deepest theme is clearly death here, but not necessarily despair. I think the album ultimately portrays a man who knows that he is not long for the world, and while he may have some regrets, is at peace with his fate. Given the context and just how beautiful much of the album is, this is a pretty easy 5 for me.
DID YOU KNOW: Vince Clarke said “Personal Jesus” belongs to Johnny Cash after hearing His version 🙏🥰😩👌
The Johnny Cash/Rick Rubin collaboration that produced his American series of albums exemplifies the magic that can occur when a perfect marriage happens between artist and producer. When Rick went to Johnny with the idea, Cash was at a low ebb in his career, at risk of being lost in the history of great country troubadours. These albums revived his stature, and served as both a reminder to his brilliance, and ultimately a mournful goodbye. While the first volume will always be my favorite, American IV was perhaps the commercial high point, with a huge comback hit (and memorable music video) for Cash's interpretation of Nine Inch Nails' "Hurt". As the old music cliche goes, he really made it his own.
4.5
I love the song selection but I’m not big on Cash’s delivery and even less in 2002. I think it’s a very well conceived album but I don’t think it will join the regular rotation
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
Here's the thing. This has a lot of lovely moments. His version of In My Life is very sweet. Hurt is excellent. His Bridge Over Troubled Water gains a nod from me for applying a different formula to one of the greatest songs ever written. But I don't really understand why this is here. It's a nice passion project or something for someone starting out to showcase their voice and/or playing. It's a nice thing to do live for unsuspecting punters. And sure, your fans might appreciate an album of your interpretations of covers. But why is it here, on this list? Can we not have a bit more coverage of artists who didn't make the cut at all, rather than this guy, once again, but singing other people's songs (and some of his) that we've already heard before?
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 country music? If you do then this album is for you.The songs aint bad. The lyrics are good, the beat is decent, album cover aint the best. But the album is decent I would recommend this album.
This is a great album. The lyrics are wonderful. And I love its country feel. It also has deep meaning as the artist who made it was at the end of his life. overall a great album to listen to.
I dont like because its sad music and i dont like it.
Do you want to listen to cover songs that have a country feel to them? American IV: The Man Comes Around by Johnny cash has exactly what you are looking for. I've never heard the original songs on this album but i have a feeling that they do not give country vibes at all. Good sounding Acoustic guitar, and I can't figure out what's doing low notes. Sometimes it sounds like a bass but sometimes it sounds like a piano. Super low i almost missed it the first time. It's an okay album i guess. I wont say its bad but its also not good.
Do you like music with a country feel? If so, then this is the album for you! His voice just screams country, because it sounds sad, and country music is usually sad. Also it only has a few instruments and sometimes it does sound happy. I also like his voice for this music. Anyway, I recommend that you listen to this album
it's ok I kinda like it I rate like 10/10 um 2nd song um idk tho its so weird I just don't like it and this one I don't like it at all
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.
It's an interesting album. The sparse acoustic guitar accompaniment goes well with Johnny Cash's voice to make for a haunting, somber tone. My issue with the album is the song selection. Some (Hurt, Personal Jesus, In My Life) work great, but others (Bridge Over Troubled Water, First Time Ever I Saw Your Face, Desperado) just don't work for me. They sound awkward and forced.
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.
I have to give Johnny Cash a lot of credit for this album. When it came out, it really gave him a resurgence and helped him connect with a younger audience. In the early 2000s, it seemed like every bar with a jukebox had this album on rotation. He brought in some cool guest musicians like Billy Preston and Fiona Apple, which added a nice touch. His cover of Depeche Mode’s “Personal Jesus” was good, but it’s his version of Nine Inch Nails’ “Hurt” that stood out and grabbed everyone’s attention. I’m sure Rick Rubin played a big role in shaping this album, and working with him was a smart move. As for “Hurt,” I personally like Nine Inch Nails’ version a little more for the music, but Cash’s version definitely has more emotional weight, especially knowing the life he lived.
I like Johnny Cash's voice a lot - it's warm as a wood burning stove in an Appalachian cabin. And this album has an impressively eclectic collection of songs on it. But, I can't say I haven't heard covers of these same songs by others that were much better. (Worst cover of Troubled Waters ever.) The one that stands out is Desperado - suits his voice very well. Still, some very good moments and some good guitar work - let's hear it for studio musicians. Mostly, feels like a sentimental album at the end of a career - not really great on its own.
Extremely good. What an album! And those covers are unique and perfect.
The man .
I grew up on Cash. Not my favorite of his work, but a few gems here & there. Dat voice doe.
His voice is very good, as always but it doesn't sound as cohesive album, just a bunch of covers thrown together.
There’s a lot of good stuff on this record, though I kind of want to make a super cut of all the America recordings so I can have just the tracks I like off each of them (c.f. “rowboat”); many of Cash’s covers I like as much or more than the original (his version of “Hurt” has aged way better than the original). There is a deep sadness to his voice on these last recordings that is almost heartbreaking at times. That said, there are plenty of tracks on all of these America albums that I don’t particularly care about-they aren’t bad, but nor are they mind blowing. This is a solid album overall-probably the best of this series, but not my favorite Cash. I’d give this 3.75 stars if I could.
Wow! Fucking awesome! I'm not a Johnny Cash fan at all, but this album absolutely deserves to be on a 'must listen to list'. An old man, knowing he is close to the end, sings songs full of pathos, regret, sorrow, and wistful memories.....but boy can this old man sing! The emotion is so strong in this. (Caveat... except for Bridge Over Troubled Water, that one really didn't work for me). 6 out of 5 stars.
how can anyone vote a johnny cash album lower than 5 let alone 4
Just nope. No idea why he’s popular and I have tried. He’s a nice voice, two good songs and this was a waste of my time
3,75 *
Loved.
I know they are mostly covers or rerecorded...but dang he is good. His voice envokes such emotions. I know Hurt isn't his song but his version is better hands down and makes me cry every time. Knowing his life and they way he carried himself when he aged just brings so much more depth to his music. Nothing was pretentious or overdone, it was just him and the way he does music, which is beauty in sadness and pain.
This is pretty legendary.
Usually an album of mostly covers gets a little extra scrutiny in the context of this project, but this is pretty incredible. It’s just so good and he really makes these songs his own while feeling like he’s honoring and celebrating each one. The collaborations with other singers is super special too. Love it so much.
I know that many of these songs are covers, but Johnny Cash is such a distinct singer that he makes them his own. There was not a song I disliked on this album, and while I thought of knocking him for doing covers. I find that unfair as he performs all the songs incredibly. Definitely an Album I'll be coming back to.
One of the best to ever do it. Some really amazing cover songs here, he really made the songs his own.
As forgettable as I had forgotten
A lot of the tracks are just Johnny with his guitar and vocals. It can be quite haunting, stripped back and chilling at times. There are some very good highlights to choose from here. The cover of 'Hurt' is the most famous and it's good. It's bloody good. I still prefer the original, but this is not far behind at all. The fact that this was his final album before he died adds to the weight of the track. It's like he knew that this was it. 'Personal Jesus' is also a great highlight. The cover of The Beatles' 'In My Life' is my favourite track. By using the same lyrics, the context of it being Johnny's last album and his husky voice, it turns the best love song of all time into an almost retrospective celebration of his life. It's quite sombre but hauntingly beautiful. I must admit it does get a bit samey though. Just under an hour of this is enough for anyone in my opinion.
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
One of the best albums ever
I feel like an old cowboy and I love it
I wasn’t a fan if Cash when he was young, nir of country music but I’d give this album a 6 if I could, compared to most of the garbage on this list. Cash has a quality in his voice at this age that young ones just can’t produce: suffered experience. All the shouting and wailing just can’t match what Cash brings to other people’s songs that transcends the original artist. I’d give it 5 for Hurt alone but Bridge Over Troubled Waters outdoes S&G and that’s saying something. Even Danny Boy sounds okay.
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.
Johnny Cash's voice is remarkable. The selection of tracks on the album is exceptional. I originally knew the track Hurt from Nine Inch Nail. I've heard Cash's version and the version by Secret Discovery, a German dark rock band. I liked Trent Reznor's original best. But Cash's version is also very good. It's similar with Personal Jesus. I also like the original by Depeche Mode best here. But Cash's version is also very good here. The cover version Vera Lynn's origonal We'll Meet Again is also particularly noteworthy. Overall, the album is very atmospheric but, perhaps also in view of Cash's health situation at the time, rather subdued. That's why I probably won't be listening to the album again any time soon. 3/5
I hate to be predictable, but this really is a 5 star album.
I thought this was an easy start and I thought I knew this album, but listening with focus had me on the verge of tears for almost the entire runtime.
Very few artist could have have pulled this off the way he did. Such a legend - and that haunting voice.
Late in life, Johnny Cash rose like a phoenix—conquering the charts one last time before ascending to the heavens. Going out on top is rare for anyone, and he did it deliberately, with an album that makes mortality sound like triumph.
Hard to deny the emotion and skill of reimagining these songs in this way.
This whole series worked well. This one might be the best one.
The title track and "Hurt" alone might justify a 5-star rating. Add in standout tracks like "I Hung My Head," "Give My Love to Rose," and "Desperado," and it becomes an exceptional collection. While there are a few weaker moments—"Danny Boy," for instance—they're easily overshadowed by the album's overall brilliance.
Cash’s version of Hurt is an impressively effective cover simultaneously bringing Cash into contemporary context while introducing him to a generation. The best track on the record. Personal Jesus is also an inspired pick. However, some of the covers just aren’t good, even with Cash’s gravelly vocals. Bridge Over Troubled Water could have been cut.
An interesting mix of covers. I'm trying to remember how much I liked Hurt before it became over played. Some these songs really work, but I think I'd listen to a few songs again instead of the whole album.
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...
Just perfect
Unfortunately, The Man was still trying to make music at this point, which essentially boils down to inane, out of breath mumbling, with no (or very poor) vocal melodies, and basic musical arrangements. Additionally, the celebrated covers on this album are decidedly worse than the originals.
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
Oh boy. The album with his cover of Hurt. Lemme go get a kleenex real quick. His voice hits differently on this compared to his first albums. He's still got most of the deep bass baritone of his youth, but mixed in with it is some scratches and scuffs of a much older man. The makes it so the album comes across as someone who has seen a lot and done a lot and is telling you the stories of their life. This album, like Bowie's Blackstar, will always have a strong association with Cash due to it being the last album before he died. But even outside of that fact its still great, with its mix of covers and originals. I think the only cover I didn't like as much as the rest was In My Life, but that's mostly because him singing it brings a more somber tone to the song compared to how John and Paul sang the original.
9/10 The best produced album from Cash. I love his choices on the covers and I love his voice sounding like it got hit by a baseball bat but got up, bloodied, from the ground and dares you to hit it again. I think I needed this. 11-15-2024
Didn't get around to this on Friday but listening now. What a legend Johnny was man. Ah, this is the one with Hurt! That's so cool that he covered that song. I thought for the longest time that this was before NINs but nope. Trents was first. Awe Give My Love To Rose too. I like that one. Dude, this album is fire. There are so many covers on here! Including Depeche Mode's Personal Jesus.
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.
Really liked first half but the 2nd lost me
Good mix of folk, rock, country and existential crisis.
Amazing. He transcends his genre with power, presence, and haunting narrative! Amazing album!
Meh
Well I got to say I did not expect to enjoy this album as much as I did, very emotional and moving and I really enjoyed the covers of Hurt and Personal Jesus, plus a lot of other songs on here I'd heard of before. Unexpected 5 star album for me, especially after going back and watching the music video for his cover of Hurt.
I'm generally not a fan of Johnny Cash's music. This isn't necessarily a huge departure on that front. "Hurt" is the standout. Most of the rest of the covers are just OK. 3 stars.
A great example of an older artist updating his sound without giving up any of his enduring qualities as a performer The opening track is one of the few original songs on the record and is a fantastic start. It’s mainly covers from then on, and these kick off with his famous and incredibly emotional cover of Nine Inch Nails’ Hurt, transposing a heartbreaking and unsettling ballad about drug addiction into a rumination on growing old without the ones you love. There are a few other great covers, most notably Depeche Mode’s Personal Jesus, but a few of them don’t quite work for me. Bridge Over Troubled Water loses its way towards the end and the usually amazing Fiona Apple doesn’t blend too well with Cash’s voice, and the slower and lower version of In My Life makes a beautiful song sound quite dreary. There are some truly exceptional songs on here and it’s a great concept, but not always executed too well
Fan of Johnny for sure but just couldn’t get into this album , got this mid trip in Miami so the mood wasn’t really appropriate but have it marked as a revisit when I’m back home probably in a dark room late at night
American IV is Johnny Cash's swan song, his sixty-seventh album and the last released during his lifetime. With his health rapidly fading, Cash’s voice is frail yet fiercely determined, as if he knew these could be his final words to the world. Supported by an all-star lineup, including John Frusciante, Fiona Apple, Nick Cave, and Don Henley, Cash and Rubin create an intimate sound that sometimes feels haunting, a fitting soundtrack for a man approaching the final pages in his book. The album opens with "The Man Comes Around," his last original composition—a haunting meditation on judgment and faith, fitting for a man near the end of his journey. The track’s apocalyptic verses—“there’s a man going around taking names”—juxtapose a dark and reflective tone with a dose of his customary wit that flows throughout the album. Galvanized by the success of covering unexpected artists previously (Soundgarden, Beck), Cash again tackles an eclectic setlist, bringing his own raw take to these songs. The darkest tracks, like “Personal Jesus” and “Hurt,” come across as the most profound, with Cash transforming the lyrics into deeply personal confessions. His take on the Nine Inch Nails classic is so powerful that even Trent Reznor felt the song now belonged to Cash, who turned the lines “I will let you down, I will make you hurt” into reflections of a life marred by regret and resilience. Rubin’s trademark stripped-down production, with just a touch of guitar, sombre pianos, and occasional organ, allows Cash’s weathered vocals to take centre stage. On “Personal Jesus,” the snake-like acoustic rhythm lends a brooding energy that suits the song’s gospel undertones, while on “Hurt,” Rubin allows Cash’s fragile vocals to carry the song alone at the start, building slowly with subtle piano and string accents until it feels almost unbearably personal. Not every track reaches this level. Takes on The Beatles' “In My Life” and Simon & Garfunkel’s “Bridge Over Troubled Water” fall somewhat flat, with Cash’s voice unable to carry them in the same transformative way. The weathered renditions, while well-meaning, don’t add the fresh perspective he conveyed in other songs. The closing track, “We’ll Meet Again,” is worth mentioning. It acts as a bittersweet farewell, its disarming optimism offering a faint glimmer of hope amid the darkness—a farewell to his listeners, as well as to life itself. With so many albums under his belt, it is inevitable to observe that American IV does not fully represent Cash's incredible career. Arguably taking the best moments from the American series as a whole would be more a more representative and cohesive showcase of his late-career revival. Yet the album—especially through the song and video for “Hurt”—cemented Cash’s relevance for a new generation, ensuring his music endures. Ultimately, American IV stands as Cash's farewell—a stark, honest, if not entirely unforgettable goodbye to the world. Did/Do I own this release? No Does this release belong on the list? Unsure Would this release make my personal list? No Will I be listening to it again? Hurt and Personal Jesus are elite-level covers, some of the rest I could do without.
++*: Hurt, Bridge Over Troubled Water, Danny Boy, We'll Meet Again ++: The Man Comes Around, Give My Love to Rose, I Hung My Head, First Time Ever I Saw Your Face, Personal Jesus, In My Life, Desperado, I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry, Streets of Laredo 9,9/10
I prefer when he sings his own songs.
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
Some of his best work and a nice record even though its not something I listen to on the daily. Interesting listen especially the less known songs.
#60 Nice voice and lyrics. Not something I would normally listen to, but have to admit it was quite nice.
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.
This isn’t even Cash’s best American album, but I assume Hurt is good enough to overcome that. I forget how good it is sometimes, but listening to it again it makes my jaw drop. It is also important to keep in mind that he was actively dying during this album, and it’s still superior to most things out there. For the other songs, I love how he turned Personal Jesus into a gospel song, as well as the first track. Sam Hall is also just fun to sing along with. The rest of it is still great, too, but for my money the first two American Recordings had the best collection of songs. I am largely incapable of giving Johnny Cash less than 5 stars on anything he does anyway, so I may be a little biased. That doesn’t mean this isn’t a great album.
# Playlist track - Personal Jesus # Notes - Just realized that Fiona Apple sings along in Bridge Over Troubled Water. Holy shit. - This album is beautiful. It's an emotional, sincere and somber farewell. The perfect way to cement his legacy. - The finitude of life really hits hard on this one, eh?
beautiful. haunting. glorious. this album is incredible. front to back - everything about it is just amazing.
After the first song, I was worried that the whole album would be “speak-singing”, but luckily the brilliant Hurt brought it back straightaway. This is an interesting one, because nearly every song is a cover but they were very much converted to Cash’s style, and come from a broad range of previous artists. It isn’t the most exciting album, but still very nice to listen to.
My grandfather was a big Johnny cash fan. He used to be in a jazz combo when he was in the army and was a music teacher for most of his life. One of the first records I ever got from him was a Johnny cash album “Orange Blossom Special”. He could also play the guitar better than anyone I knew and wrote out all of his own arrangements for hundreds of different songs by ear. Listening to this album takes me back to the days sitting in his old shed watching him play those old American classics for hours. The song selection on this album and the stripped back minimalist arrangements here are just so perfect. Sure his voice is completely shot by this point in his life but man does it really hit home for me. Also I saw that this is his 62nd studio album!! Unreal. I could write a whole bit for most of these songs but I really don’t think that’s necessary. I really missed my grandfather after listening to this and everything he taught me about music. The final track “we’ll meet again” truly brought me to tears. You really can’t script that any better for this to be the last song chronologically that Cash put out before he died. My grandfather was a religious man and I know he believed that we would meet again, and that’s comforting enough for me. Bless you Papa. Bless you Johnny cash. And bless every other musician who contributed to this album. Masterpiece
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 album should not be as good as it is. A 70 year old man singing song covers on his deathbed. All signs point to this being an absolute train wreck, but damn it if this isn't a masterpiece! Every cover has Johnny Cash's signature twist on it. He doesn't fall into the trap of just putting out an identical song to the original. This is how you cover songs (both your own and other artists) and make them your own. This album will make you cry with the "Hurt" only a man looking back on his life can, and then make you cry again with hope that one day "We'll Meet Again". An absolutely perfect send off for one of the greatest artists of all time. We salute you Mr. Cash.
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
old man doing some cool covers, but maybe too many covers? maybe a little less album? depeche mode for the win!
This feels far more than just a cover album. Johnny knew this was his last chance to share himself with the world, and each song was chosen to represent that. The guilt, the joy, the anger, the faith, the pain, and the love.
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
Incredible interpretations of classics that didn’t need any more attention, yet still show amazing depth
A real experience. Takes you through the full range of emotions one after another. Some brilliant covers and originals. A reflection on mortality and of the life that comes before it. No better way to bow out.
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.
Not my fav cash album but he’s a legend. Distinctive voice and amazing he sounds so good so late into his career. Enjoyed.
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
I put off listening to this one for a long time because I knew it was going to make me emotional, and well, it sure did. There’s just something about Cash’s originals and his renditions of the covers that is so beautiful and haunting and sad. I’ve listened to this album a few times before, and I don’t think I’ve ever made it through without crying at least once. There’s just something so beautiful about every song. I can’t pick a favorite, but if I had to, “The Man Comes Around,” “Hurt,” “Personal Jesus,” and “Desperado” would all be in the running. This might be Cash’s best album of his entire career. I’m flabbergasted that this album got removed from the list in later years. It’s one of the best, if not the best, from the 2000s. There’s a reason the songs on this album are used so often in movies and TV and other media. Its influence in pop culture alone makes it worthy of keeping on the list. Just an absolutely stunning album.
It's Johnny Cash at the end of his life, doing what he does best. Singing American classics and country staples. But, this has Hurt, which cemented his legacy.
An album I had on a listening list for a long time. This is possibly one of Cash's best. Hurt, The Man Comes Around and Danny Boy. Every track is brilliant.
Johnny Cash .... Some good songs here, and some TBH, not so much. Last album by him, so we know his voice wasn't quite the same. Still - undeniably Johnny Cash!
Not quite what I thought it would be. He is an amazing singer, but it does seem to lean on cliche, and some of those covers seem a bit sketchy
Type of shit you’d hear when you’re 98 on your death bed (in a good way). Created a good mood with this one but was a bit one dimensional. He needs to cheer up a bit
Very emotive concept. Some of his most raw and vulnerable music, which isn’t surprising seeings as it’s near the end of his life. Covering a song from one of my favourite bands by someone of his stature is amazing to hear and better than the original. Production done this album justice but there’s no way you would have thought Rick Rubin was the go-to guy for this. Knocked it out the park!
An album about death, sung by an old man nearing it. I thought this was poignant and beautiful, honestly didn5 expect to like this as much as it did. Those aged vocals hit so good, the covers on this album take on theor own meanings, I know Trent Reznor was asked about the cover of hurt and said "it's not my song anymore" It's brilliant, it's moving.
This is the third Cash album I have listened to on 1001 and so far this is my favourite. Recorded shortly before he died you can hear the age in his voice but I think that adds to something extra to the finished product. Favourite track is Personal Jesus
Not a bad album.
CD
This is a perfect album. I've heard many of the songs, but never the whole album before. I'm so glad I have now. I love both the original and his cover of Hurt, and they've both made me cry, but the emotion knocked me off my feet today. I sobbed, like fully broke down. The power of a song, man.
4.9
Miss Johnny
Not bad. Some of the covers were good. Some not so much. And why did he cover Personal Jesus? Hurt made sense. Bridge Over Troubled Water, okay. His voice works for those and a couple others. But not Depeche Mode.
What a voice
Some good songs but I find cover albums sort of strange.
I’ve ignored this album. I bloody love prime Johnny - grew up listening to it! Had such an emotional connection to the start of this. First 6-7 tracks - unreal. After that, it drags a bit. Talk about dreary! I get it mate, you’re on the way out. No need to drag us all down with you! Still, very happy how this held up. 4.1
The best to ever do it.
I loved this album it was so haunting he is a great interpreter.
I fear that this is a sort of boring album of covers. But his voice sounds great and Hurt is S tier duh.
Confession: This is the first Johnny Cash album that I have ever listened to. Just needed to get that off my chest first. This album is an emotional punch after emotional punch. The first three songs are disturbingly incredible: musically, lyrically, emotionally. I generally don't love covers, but they're clearly very intentionally picked, and they're done in a unique enough way that they don't take anything away from the other songs, and they only add to the tone/theme of the album. The first half-ish of the album is a 10/10 for me. The rest of it sits in the 7-8 range. I'm going to be sitting, thinking of those first three songs for the rest of my day. Favorite Song(s): Give My Love to Rose, Hurt, The Man Comes Around
More covers from Cash than I expected. Some classics on here.
"American IV" es el último álbum que Johnny Cash alcanzó a grabar, y muchos (incluyéndome) lo añadimos al top de los mejores álbumes que jamás grabó la leyenda del Country. Tras décadas viviendo en el escenario, Cash sigue cantando espectacularmente con su rasposa y grave voz. Los covers y temáticas que elige para compilar en este LP son tristes y sombrías, como si Cash estuviera escribiendo su propia carta de despedida. Escúchelo, es un escencial de la música norteamericana.
Fantastic apbum
Knew the hits but the other songs were great as well. Vibes album
Good album but not as good as the prison albums
Amazing. Cash takes some great songs and makes them personal. This has got to be one of his best albums ever.
Classic, solid. A few misses, but overall smooth.
Never listened to the album before. Note: Desperado n/a on YouTube Music so I had to go to Spotify for that song. You select some of the great songs written in country and rock, add one of the great distinctive voices in music, and an all-star cast of performers...so why do less than half of these versions work? I think it's a combination of Johnny's failing health and Rick Rubin losing his golden touch by the 4th album in this series. But there are a lot of songs that work, and this version of Hurt is an all-time classic. "And I looked and behold, a pale horse. And it's name that sat on him, was Death. And Hell followed with him."
Enjoyable but some of the covers didn't work for me.
I liked "The Man Comes Around", the blues take on "Personal Jesus", and his stripped down interpretation of NIN Hurt. Also his voice carried "I'm so Lonesome I Could Cry" nicely. The other songs were a bit hit and miss. Interesting concept. Overall I felt weary after listening to the whole album.
Some of these are fantastic (e.g. Hurt). The gravel that age has added to Cash's voice adds a poignancy to these covers, and the acoustic guitar work is very good, with the engineering to include string noise and other ambients. I do wish he'd added a little more emotion and range to some of them though; for example, Personal Jesus sounds a little monotone like he's just reading the lyrics and doesn't care much about it. I wanted to like this one more, and I think it's still good enough it deserves more than 3 stars, but I needed just a little more from him vocally and emotionally to get to a 5.
Really enjoyed it. Felt like I was in "rock church"...especially during "Personal Jesus".
Pretty good. Great song choices.
I mean, this is fine, definitely good at times, but I don't get the hype. This is another where if this wasn't Johnny Cash, I don't think people would care in the least and it would either forgotten or a "never was." The cover of Hurt especially. I don't get the appeal. I think it's the worst track. It lacks the feeling/grit and emotion of the original, and the first verse deeply needed another take. Cash sings it like someone trying to rush through, exceeding the tempo, timing, and struggling a touch with the notes. That portion reminds me of listening to St. Anger. There are strong tracks on this so it feels weird that people latched on to that one other than that it's just a really good song and this was probably a lot of Cash/country fans first exposure to it. I struggle with how to rate this. In terms of "must listen" it's really low because I don't feel like there's anything people NEED to hear on this, nor even Cash fans other than The Man Comes Around. Treating it just for the music though, it feels like any band's cover album though. If you're a fan of the band, it's probably a fun listen. Outside of that, it isn't exactly doing much that is a NEED to hear experience. 3/5 I guess?
Really enjoyed this one
Maybe I've heard too much Cash, but I knew what notes and rhythm the line "I'm so lonely I could cry" would be sung with before the song even started.
it felt really sad. Great album, but not of my taste.
The crown jewel of "Farewell" albums. The upbeat nature the narrator has in the title track is immediately thrown out with the follow up, and his most iconic cover, "Hurt," and from there you can feel the retrospective he has on his life and his coming to grips with the end. Each song ties into the theme of death, saying goodbye, and trying to come to terms without being completely depressing and hopeless. For a perfect album, I'd give this a 10/10
very good and compelling covers. 4/5
There's some real magic on this album, but some of the covers (Personal Jesus) come off as a little gimmicky.
Going into this cold I wasn't sure exactly what it was. It wasn't until after listening I saw the 2002 release and learned it was covers. When I listened I only recognized In my Life and Bridge over troubled waters as covers. I was excited after the first track. I think the first/title track is fantastic and shows Cash stepping out of his lane and making something very cool and unique. After that I think the album drops somewhat. There are some classic songs thrown in there which Cash does a good job at. Even his cover of In my life is far enough away from the Beatles version that it lands a spot on this album. Cash Clearly inspired by Beyonce's cover of blackbird on Cowboy Carter. This album suffers from its selling point. It's Johnny Cash with his deep chilling voice singing classic songs and turning them into his own. Since they aren't JC's original songs, the variety of this album comes from the variety of songwriters and writing styles rather than Cash's range. In this way the album falls flat as Cash takes a broad range of songs and puts them all through a Johnny Cashification machine and churns out these tracks. Cash takes tracks from all across the rainbow and turns them all grey to fit his style. I can't even be mad though. Cash's voice holds up and his song selection is solid. It's a lifetime of music retold to you by an old man in the way that he was able to recreate it. I think it's pretty cool as an alternative to a greatest hits record. It's an epitaph of inspirations much like Young Thug's album Jeffrey, and it's a creative concept that even I (a Johnny Cash Hater) can appreciate.
Not even the Nick Cave feature can bring this album down.
I enjoyed this, maybe not as much as Cash’s mostly original works, but he and his producers did a great job of making the covers fit with the guitar and voice style that cash is famous for. The “Hurt” cover got overplayed and I still prefer the original but this is a great cover. “Desperado” is similar. “Give my love to Rose” might be better than the Hank Williams version but maybe not better than Cash’s own version earlier in his career! It’s a great song anyway. There are a couple tracks I think didn’t really work. “Personal Jesus” just doesn’t hit outside do that 80s synth feel; the background piano makes it a little hokey. The Nick Cave duet is pretty bad because Nick Cave. This is a great legacy album for Johnny Cash to leave; its even more impressive when you read about how he could barely function while this was being recorded. It’s not his best work but it’s still good.