American IV: The Man Comes Around
- Johnny Cash
- Band Name: Johnny Cash
- Record Label: Universal
- Release Date: Nov 5, 2002
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The selection here is at once so obvious and so inappropriate it feels redemptive.
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Cash has once again seen that white light--yet resisted its allure--and written an apocalyptic title track and put his stamp on an eclectic batch of material. [8 Nov 2002, p.106]
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90If this is to be Cash's last album, then what a magnificent way he has chosen to say goodbye. [Album of the Month, Dec 2002, p.100]
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90He's at the height of his powers here, as vital and relevant as ever.
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83Often thrilling, sometimes just interesting.
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80May be the most consistent of the four albums to date. [Jan 2003, p.122]
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Regardless of whether Cash completes another album, this chapter of the American Recordings can fill the role of masterful final episode or precursor to the stunning conclusion.
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The inferior quality of the covers belies the excellence of American IV’s originals.
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70Cash might surprise with his choice of covers, but in nearly all of his selections, he locates some personal meaning, or introduces new emotional elements.
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70Ultimately, Cash is the type of musician that you'd like to hear take a shot at each of your favorite songs. So it's hard to fault him for the covers on this album that don't quite work.
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69Cash's renditions are often breathtaking in their simplicity, but rarely do they justify their presence among a dozen other similarly afflicted songs.
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60His blunt, hauntingly direct performances open up new perspectives on a song. [#11, p.133]
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Cover versions that once seemed inspired now feel somewhat obligatory.
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It is a relief to hear that although Cash's voice is clearly older and not the booming powerhouse it was in the earlier Sun and Columbia days, he's still got some punch left in him.
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40The only top notch effort is the title track--Cash's first composition for years and among the best he's ever written. [Jan 2003, p.114]
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Cash's voice has always had its limitations, and on "Danny Boy" and the Beatles' "In My Life," they're all too apparent.
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His song selection has rarely made less sense.
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User score distribution:
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Positive: 22 out of 23
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Mixed: 0 out of 23
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Negative: 1 out of 23
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DylanB.10Beautiful. One of the best albums I have ever bought.
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BrianC9
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DeeC10