American III: Solitary Man
by Johnny Cash
  • Record Label: Sony
  • Release Date: Oct 17, 2000
User Score
8.1

Universal acclaim- based on 13 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 13
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 13
  3. Negative: 1 out of 13

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  1. mclarge
    Sep 6, 2022
    8
    A solid effort with some remarkable recordings, Wayfaring Stranger feels like he's leaving a message to us all.
  2. Ricko
    Jul 26, 2012
    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 focusOutside 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.… Expand
  3. Bosniak
    Sep 19, 2011
    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.
  4. CabeM
    Jan 20, 2006
    10
    Johnny to me will always be my favorite country artist simply because of masterpieces like this. Hands down i give it a ten!

Awards & Rankings

37
#37 Best Album of 2000
74
#74 Most Discussed Album of 2000
91
#91 Most Shared Album of 2000

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
80

Generally favorable reviews - based on 15 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 15
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 15
  3. Negative: 0 out of 15
  1. 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.
    Read full review
  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.
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  3. Billboard
    90
    "Solitary Man" may lack the immediate impact of its predecessors but is no less a masterpiece.
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