American IV: The Man Comes Around - Johnny Cash
Metascore
70 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 17 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 17
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 17
  3. Negative: 0 out of 17
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  1. Village Voice (Consumer Guide)
    91
    The selection here is at once so obvious and so inappropriate it feels redemptive.
  2. Entertainment Weekly
    91
    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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  3. Mojo
    90
    If 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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  4. Splendid
    90
    He's at the height of his powers here, as vital and relevant as ever.
  5. E! Online
    83
    Often thrilling, sometimes just interesting.
  6. Uncut
    80
    May be the most consistent of the four albums to date. [Jan 2003, p.122]
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  7. Flak Magazine
    80
    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.
  8. Stylus Magazine
    74
    The inferior quality of the covers belies the excellence of American IV’s originals.
  9. Neumu.net
    70
    Cash might surprise with his choice of covers, but in nearly all of his selections, he locates some personal meaning, or introduces new emotional elements.
  10. PopMatters
    70
    Ultimately, 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.
  11. Pitchfork
    69
    Cash's renditions are often breathtaking in their simplicity, but rarely do they justify their presence among a dozen other similarly afflicted songs.
  12. Blender
    60
    His blunt, hauntingly direct performances open up new perspectives on a song. [#11, p.133]
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  13. Rolling Stone
    60
    Cover versions that once seemed inspired now feel somewhat obligatory.
  14. All Music Guide
    50
    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.
  15. Q Magazine
    40
    The 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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  16. Austin Chronicle
    40
    Cash's voice has always had its limitations, and on "Danny Boy" and the Beatles' "In My Life," they're all too apparent.
  17. The A.V. Club
    40
    His song selection has rarely made less sense.

User Reviews

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User Score
9.2 out of 10

Universal acclaim- based on 37 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 23 out of 24
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 24
  3. Negative: 1 out of 24
  1. Ricko
    9
    Johnny Cashes "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 up the songs he covers here and as I said about American III, it could be argued he brings the sheer quality of 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. American IV is my personal favourite of the series with almost every track warranting it's place on the record. The inclusion of "Hurt" and "I Hung My Head" give the record an extra dose of class but this really works as an overall album. Probably the best country album I've heard.… Full Review »
  2. DylanB.
    10
    Beautiful. One of the best albums I have ever bought.
  3. BrianC
    9
    From electrified to devestated to heartsick to tearstained, this album took me on a tour through my heart down the path less taken. I still come out of it crying, often without making it all the way through the album. The first time I encountered his cover- i was speechless, on the floor, in tears. The spirit of the original song became a counterpoint to a different side of my heart, and connected two different feelings. Though not the most artfully constructed album i have experienced, it remains a powerful work that moves me with terrible ease. That makes it great in my book.… Full Review »
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