American V: A Hundred Highways Image
  • Summary: The fifth and final of Cash's sessions with producer Rick Rubin was recorded shortly before the singer's 2003 death. Included among two Cash originals are covers of songs by Bruce Springsteen, Hank Williams, and more.
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 28 out of 29
  2. Negative: 0 out of 29
  1. As with his last couple of releases in the American series, his voice no longer commands attention with booming authority, but there's something about that gasping frailty that makes this proud final bow even more endearing.
  2. Virtually every song sounds like a leave-taking, though the overall mood is reflective and restrained, in places almost easy-going.
  3. Highways is a far cry from what made this now deceased legend eternal. [#14]

See all 29 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 15
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 15
  3. Negative: 0 out of 15
  1. DavidY
    10
    Johnny Cash never did set a foot wrong musically, and this record is no exception. Every song on the American series, Cash sings as if it9;s the last song he'll ever sing, which is spooky considering how close he was to his death recording this album. "Like The 309" nearly brought me to tears when I discovered this was the last song he ever wrote. True genius, which we will never see again... Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  2. ChadM
    10
    This is a phenomanally haunting collection of songs. I actually think it is the best out of the 5 Americana albums. You can hear him struggling on quite a few songs which really puts where he was at the time of recording in perspective. This is as good as any album released so far this year. Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  3. MerleH
    10
    John an I have been good friends since the mid 70's. This man is real. I feel as though i have had a priveledge knowing him and loving him. we love you, John. the Hag Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes

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