American III: Solitary Man - Johnny Cash
American III: Solitary Man Image
Metascore
80 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 15 Critics What's this?

User Score
8.5 out of 10

Universal acclaim- based on 6 Ratings

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0 out of 10
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  • Summary: In his sixth decade of recording, Johnny Cash reunites with producer Rick Rubin for a third consecutive outing. Like its two predecessors, 'III' consists of a mix of Cash originals and covers, this time from the likes of Nick Cave ("The Mercy Seat"), Tom Petty ("I Won't Back Down"), and U2 ("One").

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 15
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 15
  3. Negative: 0 out of 15
  1. Sonicnet
    100
    When a tune falls into the jurisdiction of the venerable country-folk troubadour, the accumulated details of any previous readings or associations are stripped away, and its core brilliantly revealed.
  2. Entertainment Weekly
    100
    Though the Man in Black has rarely sounded blacker, producer Rick Rubin frames that deep sea voice with harmonies and churchly organs, making for a dark angel beauty of an album that's austere but welcoming.
  3. HOB.com
    80
    So at 68 he's still able to churn out songs that are immediately likable, if not instantly classic. For a man who's seemingly suffered from every ailment imaginable in the past few years, his signature baritone remains as strong and expressive as ever, too.
  4. Spin Cycle
    60
    The results on "Solitary Man" are mixed, leaning at times to inadvertent novelty.

See all 15 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 4
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 4
  3. Negative: 0 out of 4
  1. Bosniak
    10
    An 8.3? An 8.3!? You'd think that Johnny Cash doing us a service by playing more of his music in his condition would merit some goddamn appreciation. Instead, all I see is a disappointing, suburban, uptight, **** of a douche score.… Expand
  2. CabeM
    10
    Johnny to me will always be my favorite country artist simply because of masterpieces like this. Hands down i give it a ten!
  3. Ricko
    8
    Outside of Johnny Cash, I'm not really into Country Music , but I think he transcends the genre. His "American" project is a good test of the concept "Is it the song or the singer?". The argument being if a song is a classic, it's very hard to mess it up. Cash can never be accused of messing these up. In fact it could be argued he brings the quality some of these songs into sharp focus with stripped down versions, with all studio trickery and effects stripped away, often all your left with are the lyrics and the chords. Although I prefer American IV, American III is quite good overall. There are a few questionable inclusions here but the high points on this record are in my view, up with the high points of his career. His version of U2's "One" and Nick Caves "The Mercy Seat" are sublime.… Collapse

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