A cryptic hypnotic album full of ruminations on his life savoring it's pain with it's melancholy pleasure rewriting them as ONLY Cash can by turning cover songs into his own creations giving them new meaning as he also revisits some of his older classics once again on this volume of Rubin/American recordings.
Truth be told you need all of the Lost Highway/American recordings including the UNEARTHED box set to get the full view of this magic moment in this artists life.

As for the newer fans start with his Sun and Columbia recordings then latch onto this to understand this life cycle of this uniquely American hero that spoke to all.
Highly underrated and a great cover LP is the CD version of "Now, There Was A song"..short and very sweet.

Some might write Johnny Cash's final album off as "just a cover album", but this would be a terrible mistake, as this album is an astonishing display of the full range of his awesomeness. With an eclectic array of artists from many different genres, this proves that Johnny had a great deal of respect for music of all kinds, and is likely one of the main reasons that respect is mutual among all different types of musicians and music fans. Plus, it shows that he could pretty much sing just about anything.

There's a little bit of something for everyone here. There are covers that you might expect, like the Eagles' "Desperado" or Hank Williams' "I'm So Lonesone I Could Cry", as well as ones you might never see coming, like Depeche Mode's "Personal Jesus" and Sting's "I Hung My Head", which are still executed every bit as convincingly. Also great is the traditional Irish ballad "Danny Boy", which I've always thought was kind of sappy, but this version is definitely the best I've heard.

However, the standout of them all is definitely the amazing cover of Nine Inch Nails' "Hurt". This song has the honor of being tied with Jeff Buckley's cover of "Hallelujah" as my favorite cover song of all time (and speaking of "Hallelujah", it's a shame that Johnny never did that one too, but oh well). The emotional power of the original seemed nearly impossible to duplicate, but if there's one man who could possibly capture that same element of exquisite gloom, it's Johnny Cash. And of course, when put into context with his approaching death, it's that much more powerful (sort of like Warren Zevon doing "Knockin' on Heaven's Door", also knowing full well that the end was near). Truly an amazing cover, that's all I can say. Plus, the simple fact that a 70 year old country singer was even familiar with Trent Reznor's work, let alone thought enough of it to cover it this convincingly is pretty damn cool.

There is some original work here as well, like the title track, which is also excellent. With its bizarre, abstract lyrics, and foreboding Jim Morrison-like delivery, it should be obvious this isn't your average country music. Johnny was truly a brilliant artist that transcended genres.

So anyway, the point of my horribly rambling review is that you need to buy this album. Doesn't matter if you're a country music fan or not (I may be from Texas, but believe me, I'm anything but), this is a fine collection of songs that anyone could enjoy. Its predecessor, "Unchained" is an excellent cover album as well (which features his killer version of Soundgarden's "Rusty Cage", another fave of mine). Both are highly recommended.

Long live Johnny Cash. You are forever the man.

I heard Johnny Cash's rendition of the Nine Inch Nails song "Hurt", and was captivated by its haunting beauty. A sparse, dark acoustic ballad with frail vocals (his lungs were damaged, and he would pass on in 2003), it's a fitting epitaph, and made me seek out the album from which it was taken, the gold selling "American IV: The man comes around".

Produced by super producer Rick Rubin, and largely comprising stripped down country/blues/hymnal covers of other people's songs, with a trio of Cash originals, he makes each song his own. Themes of death and spirituality abound.

Opening is the Cash penned title track "The man comes around", which starts off with a narration from the book of revelation in the Bible, and semi spoken lyrics about the return of Christ, set to a jaunty guitar riff, reflecting his strong Christian beliefs.

On the tender "Bridge over trouble water", sounding rather tremulous, he gets help on harmonies from Fiona Apple. It is a simple, yet stunning remake.

Other standouts are the haunting, heartfelt "The first time ever I saw your face", a blues tinged, guitar reworking of Depeche Mode's "Personal Jesus, the moving "Give my love to Rose" (a Cash composition about a dying man's last wish), the hymnal "Danny boy", and closing cut, the horn peppered "We'll meet again" with a faint jazz feel, and a jolly sing-a-long choir at the end, belying the somber nature of the lyrics.

The songs take one through various moods; terror, death, saying farewell, and the power of everlasting love. A stunning collection!

Before I heard this album, I would have said, "No, I don't like Cash." I just don't like his style of music.

And then on the radio I heard him sing "Hurt." How much emotion can one man put into a song?

Some of the songs on the album Cash wrote, and some he didn't. But all of these songs just genuinely come from Cash's heart. "Hurt" was written by Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails. Who does this song the best? Johnny Cash, no contest. Cash just owns this song.

The music on the album is mostly minimalistic, with mostly a guitar, and a little backing with a piano. What stands out here is Cash's voice, and I'm glad for that.

I own all the Johnny Cash American Recordings and have listened a great deal to them all. All 5 albums are good, although my least favorites are the first and last ones. Of the whole lot, still, this is the one to take to a desert island.

A Man Comes Around is recorded at a time Cash's health is getting worse. One senses the urgency in delivering the tunes and yet having the strength and power to fulfill such a mission. As on Unchained and Solitary Man, Cash took many cover songs and made them his own. Cases in point are songs like U2's One and Tom Petty's I Won't Back Down. On this album Cash really pushed the envelope, taking even very well known classics and making them, for those who hear them, in a sense his own.

The power is evident on the opening title track in which Cash melds together quotations from the bible forming a coherent song about the approaching hand of death; he obviously means business. The following track, Hurt, is, of all things, a Nine Inch Nails cover in which Cash changed the lyrics slightly. The vocal in the song makes it so poignant that the original songwriter has admitted (in a complementary way) that Cash basically stole it from him and made it his own. What follows are mostly eclectic covers done in a tender and yet forceful manner. There is not a single weak tune on it, no need for a remote control for this one. The scaled down version of Bridge Over Troubled Water is worth paying special note to, the text comes much more to life as opposed to the more produced version done by Simon & Garfunkel.

This album is among only a handful of albums released during the last 10 years I rate, from start to finish, as being close to perfection. If you want something more than a Johnny Cash compilation, this is the one to pick.

I honestly can't say I like country music. I just don't care for most of the genre. The only artist from this genre that I do listen to is Johnny Cash. Of all of the American recordings Johnny has worked on with record producer Rick Rubin, American IV: The Man Comes Around" is easily my personal favorite. As much as I like Johnny's last album American V, I just didn't think the material held up as well as the fourth volume.

What I love about American IV: The Man Comes Around is the sparse, haunting melodies that lingers through out the album. Secondly I love Johnny's deep baritone vocals on this cd especially on his covers of "Hurt" and "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry". One of my personal favorite tracks is Johnny's cover of the Nine Inch Nails' track "Hurt". The emotions he puts into the song really moved me. I also loved the Sting song "I Hung My Head". Johnny does a great job at storytelling through this song. His voice is so warm and deep on this track. Johnny's duet with Nick Cave on the Hank Williams' classic "I'm so Lonesome I Could Cry" is absolutely stunning. Both men really compliment each other with their own deep vocals.

While I do like Johnny's other American recordings, they weren't as perfect to me as American IV: The Man Comes Around is. I can listen to this cd without skipping a single track.

I've got the last two American series recordings that Johnny Cash did and this one is way better than his last. I love them both, but if you have neither, get this one first. His cover of "Hurt" is outstanding. You can see the video on YouTube of both his cover and the original by Nine Inch Nails. It's amazing just how much better he does this song, its as if it was written just for him.

Note: I am not generally a Country Western fan, and yet this series hits a strong note in me.

I popped this CD in on the way to Vegas from Los Angeles in the middle of the night. Johnny's haunting voice came booming through the speakers like a soundtrack to the desert. Full of stories and vivid descriptions this CD cant be described as anything less than epic. Moving along like a Steam Train up hill the music gains momentum and impresses more with each bar sung. If youre looking for a little dark night, outlaw country Johnny Cash's American IV: The Man Comes Around is just what you need.

Ive never really was into country music, but last week Ive bought 2 Cash CD's . One of them, the American V , is an instant pleasure, no need to adjust. Its WARM, acoustic, filling, emotional, calm. Great CD!

I have always liked Johnny Cash but had none of his CDs. This CD shows the difference between a performer and an artist. This CD is true art. The whole Cd has a very deep message, if you listen and then think of what Johnny is saying. The 1st song "The Man Comes Around" is maybe the BEST SONG I HAVE EVER HEARD, but certainly one of the best.

A friend gave me this CD, raving about it. I really can't understand the hype attached to this album. The songs that aren't 'standards' are pretty good, though far from Cash's best, but the old chestnuts are almost unlistenable, for me at least. I'd have thought a dying man might find something new to squeeze out of Bridge Over Troubled Water, In My Life, Danny Boy, Desperado, I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry and Streets of Laredo, something that would make these songs worth listening to for the nine-millionth time. Unfortunately he just sounds like an old man singing old chestnuts, they sound just as cliched as when any other artist performs these much-overplayed songwriting cliches.

I do like the production very much so am giving one star for Rick Rubin and one for JC out of respect.

I remember watching Johnny Cash when he had a TV show (hint of my age).
Never was a big fan when I was younger, but as I get older I appreciate his music so much more, this cd may not be his best vocally, but is so moving when listening to the words, it will bring a tear. I have never heard CD in my entire life that could bring on tears except for this one. Powerful, moving, haunting, god bless Mr. Cash, an American Legend.

Watch the video of Hurt, best Music Video ever made. Watching the Man's life go round in a couple of minutes, June Carter watching over him, to the last caress of his piano as the video ends is almost to gut wrenching to watch.

Before hearing Hurt for the first time on VH1 I shockingly never heard of Johnny Cash, but after listening to Hurt I quickly brought a a copy of The Man Comes Around and Ive been a big fan since and in a short amount of time collected the rest of the Rick Rubin produced American series.

Theres just something very appealing about hearing a old veteran performer singing songs about life and death and looking back on the past, I think this record after you've listened to it makes you think about your own life and how you have lived it which is quite unique when you think about it.

The most remarkable thing about this album and the rest of the American series is the covers In My Life, Desperado, The First Time I Ever Saw Your Face an of course Hurt seem like they were made for Cash to sing.

I think out of all of Johnny Cash's final recordings this one stands out as being the most haunting since it was realesed not long after his death The Man Comes Around is a modern day classic that will become timeless in the future.

RIP Mr Johnny Cash your legacy contiues to grow

My 22 yr old son came to me and said he would like to have this CD,Of course me being mom did a double look at him.Then he explained to me why.He was impressed that This CD contained a song from a man generations apart from him that one of the bands he listen to does now days,and he was impressed with the version of Jonny Cash,and couldnt find it anywhere.So I found it and bought it for him.Its an awesome CD and he not only listens to the one song on it ,he listens to the whole CD.

I've just listened to this album for the very first time, and I felt strangely "small" and insignificant afterward. If God Himself ever produced a CD, I imagine it would sound very much like this. I actually quivered with joy after it was over, and of course - played it again 8 more times that day. It's just THAT good. Breathtaking, stunning, incredible.

This guy with his voice and a guitar can do more that an overblown orchestration + hordes of extra musicians. I cannot pick up just one particular song. It's as difficult as picking up one chapter from your favourite book. Impossible. All of them create one long story. Magic,
beautiful ... what more to say.

perhaps the best album i have ever heard. mr cash covering "hurt" may very well be the most haunting rendition of any song i have ever heard = buy it

I love the American series, but III thru V took awhile to get used to. I and II are excellent and feature Johnny in full voice, but he begins to weaken with III and doesn't have much left by V. His voice is so different than what is was for the first 40 years of his career that, at first, it was like listening to a different singer. But after several listens, to the music and words, I found myself singing these songs in my head at all hours of the day and night.

To me, this shows Johnny Cash as a true artist. His music is a reflection of who he is, what he thinks, what he feels. This is an older, weaker Cash, closer to the end of his life than the beginning. The album opens with "The Man Comes Around", complete with bible quotations about The Judgement, then goes into "Hurt", a song about drug addiction that Cash makes his own by expanding the message to a statement about the regrets of his life. "In My Life", a song written by a young John Lennon, takes on a mew meaning sung by an old Johnny Cash.

This is great music that stick with you for a long time. Highly recommended.

I have known about Johnny Cash for decades but was just never into classic country western music. When country became a bit more pop, there were a handful of artists that captured my attention.

As Johnny Cash began to appeal to the younger listener, I jumped on board and gave him a chance. To hear him belt out a Nine Inch Nails song and enter the progressive arena and battle the younger artists and come out on top was just too admirable to pass up. It was this CD that brought me to this conclusion. It represents a man at a final stage in his life and offers a lot of emotional retrospection and emotion.

I have since begun to explore backwards chronilogically his earlier works and find the man complex and intriguing. If you are interested in tapping into an American great, this CD is a perfect place to begin.

By now you've read these reviews and already you may have seen a pattern. Fans of harder edged rock listening to music that literally brings them to tears. The reason why is simply one word: Cash. Unfortunately, I too was late in appreciating The Man in Black while he was still with us. In my youth I was always a fan of rock of all kinds. Hard, metal, progressive. I swore against anything that wasn't based in rock. Namely Country. And because the Marketing execs didn't know how to categorize Mr. Cash, they lumped him into Country. So I avoided him out of my stubbornness. Now, I have more appreciation of all types of music, including some Country.
Then I saw the movie "Walk The Line". I started to realize that Cash's music is nowhere near what I thought. I heard his version of "Hurt" and then "Personal Jesus". These are cover songs, but these are rare covers that actually transform the songs into something greater than the originals. And it's done with a simple voice full of life and pain. I just got this album today in the mail. I just put it in for the first time just an hour ago. It is now on my all time favorites. By the time I heard "Give My Love To Rose", I had a tear. And another on "Danny Boy". And yet another on (ironically) "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry". No album I own (and there are hundreds) has moved me this much. And the tears aren't just from hearing the pain in his voice and music. I weep because I kick myself thinking, "Why couldn't have I listened to this beautiful man years ago when he was with the living?"
Then I tell myself one thing.
His physical being is no more.
He is now with his one true love, June.
His music, his soul, will always be with us.
Thank you, Johnny. "We'll Meet Again."

This disc is worth the price of purchase for the first two tracks alone - When The Man Comes Around and Hurt - if you don't already have them.

After that, however, there is a sharp dropoff. The production by Rick Rubin is top-notch, providing a solid yet spare backing for Cash's inimitable style, especially on songs like "I Hung My Head" and "Personal Jesus."

If you're a Cash diehard, it's a must-have. If you're a Cash fan, it's a should-have. If you're new to the Cash experience, there are better places to start. It's good, but not great; certainly not the caliber of American V.

This is an amazing collection of covers by a man at a minute to the midnight of his life, and is just heartbreakingly beautiful. It's like he understands exactly where he's been, and where he's going, and he's made peace with that journey. Listening to Johnny Cash, you get the feeling that he understands every bit of pain you're experiencing - he's like an older brother who you can go to when you've been dumped by your girlfriend, and he'll tell you everything's going to be all right, even though she did go off with another bloke, after telling you she loved you so many times. But it's fine. Johnny Cash has been my older brother these past few days. I'm glad he's there for me. He's someone I can actually trust. His advice had kept me going. God bless you, Johnny.

I am very happy with this cd of Johnny Cash.I got it pretty fast after my order.

Bram Janssen's review (21.10.03) did it for me and I do not hesitate to give this album 5 stars and I haven't even bought it yet, but am about to!

Like Bram, I too saw (only some of) that video whilst flicking channels one day and it moved me so much that it has haunted me ever since as I didn't even know what the song was. My musically talented 19 year old nephew had recently told me that he and his other (up and coming) band members were REAL admirers of Johnny Cash - this puzzled me as I, like Bram, had never really 'known' Johnny or his music - I remember growing up to 'A Boy Named Sue' on the radio when it was a hit but sadly dismissed anything else by Johnny as I thought he was just `country'. How wrong was I! Having been influenced by my young and trendy nephew (who, incidentally is into Green Day, Muse, Red Hot Chilli Peppers and Nirvana but to name a few), I too am now a fan but alas too late to appreciate Johnny while he was still here with us. I am, however, comforted that he will live on in the younger generation like my nephew.

Rest in peace Johnny and thank you for your music. Now all I must do is wait for my CD to arrive, listen, enjoy and no doubt shed some tears for you.

Though his career had some pretty inspirational points to it recording-wise, I'd say that his last few efforts were amoung his very best. He may be older in these recordings but his spirit is as young as ever and it shows. In paricular, American IV made me just stop and take note of the power he injected into each song by the total commitment of his singing and the way he made each song his own even if he wasn't the one who penned it. Just listen to "Hurt" (if you can, see the video by all means - you'll never forget it), this is as close to the soul as you can get. You know that he knows what he's talking about by "hurt" and can't we all relate to it in some way? Another gem is "I hung My Head". You know, I couldn't believe at first that he didn't write these two songs, they totally belong to him. I won't bother reviewing III or V as they are similar in scope to this album and probably just as good. I feel a little bad because it seems I may have underestimated Johnny Cash all these years.

I'm not one to really be reviewing this, but here goes anyway. This is heart felt stuff from a guy on deaths door. I'm a metal fan, but this brought tears too my eyes.
If you want music to reflect to and think about one's mortality, this is it. If Cash's other recordings are any where near this quality, count me in, they are top of my purchase list!!!
I recommend this to anyone wanting something above the usual everyday stuff.
Any music lover, go buy this album NOW

I've found this album sincerely moving. I can't dispute the fact that Mr. Cash here sings a few times out of tune, but it's not in any way that would cause a listener to wince, so much as be moved. It's difficult not to place these interpretations in perspective -- the voice is clearly that of an old man who'd lived through ordeals. Most of the songs are covers of songs which I've never really appreciated until hearing this CD. For instance, I never appreciated the talent of John Lennon's early music as I did when I heard Johnny Cash sing "In My Life" and realized this song, written by a twenty-something, was better suited for the 70 yr. old Cash. "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" is given added poignancy when one realizes the song seems dedicated to recall his earliest memories of his recently deceased wife. And "Personal Jesus" generates a good idea into a deeper message.

My favorite track, though, is "Bridge Over Troubled Water" -- I never realized how good a song this is. Sorry, Art -- although the original version sounds pretty, Cash's interpretation gives new meaning to "when you're weary." Basically, Cash's interpretation brings the song to new depths of feeling for which his take on the lyrics capably bring to life. This track actually has been MY bridge over troubled water for the last week or so. Other reviewers seem to have mixed feelings of Fiona Apple's contribution here, but, for me, her contribution isn't so much a duet with Cash as the "Silver Girl" herself providing angelic background vocal to oversee the safe passage across rough seas.

Overall, the first few listens of the CD caused me to wonder whether the second half lives up to the first. The best songs for me seem to be grouped up in a bunch. Over time, though, I gained a new appreciation for "Streets Of Laredo," and now rank it along with the favorites I've already mentioned. It seems to provide the perfect ending to an album that begins with the one Cash original of the set: the compelling title track. Whereas "The Man Comes Around" speaks of divine justice, "Streets Of Laredo" speaks of redemption. I only hope Mr. Cash has safely crossed to whatever destination his life had led him, and if there indeed is any divine justice, that destination would rightly be blessed.

I could go on and on, but don't listen to me. Listen to this album. Mr Cash's take on Hurt is worth it all by itself. What Trent Reznor had to scream himself raw to get, Johnny Cash does with just a simple guitar and piano line and the ocean-deep sorrow and authority in his voice. Watch the video too - quite possibly the best music video ever. In fact, it pains me to even have to call it a music video. It will break your heart.

I had bought this album for one reason - I had loved Nine Inch Nails' "Hurt" by Johnny Cash so much. But with Johnny Cash, you are not going to get an album with only a few good songs. American IV has 15 great songs that Johhny sings to perfection. Despite being 70 years old he sings the songs in a hauntingly beautiful sort of way. The CD opens with the title track sung (or rather spoken) in a way only Cash can pull off. Of course, I love the song "Hurt" and found I also enjoyed "Give My Love to Rose," "Bridge Over Troubled Water (excellent, excellent until Fiona Apple comes in)", "First Time I Ever Saw Your Face (cooler than Celine Dion!)", "In My Life," and "Desperado." The only song I did not care for was "Sam Hall." These songs seem very personal to Johnny Cash and he makes each song his own. I can't wait until American Recordings V and VI come out as they were the last songs that Cash recorded before he died. Also, check out this Cash biography - "The Man Called CASH : The Life, Love and Faith of an American Legend" by Steve Turner. Very good as well!

I'm definetly no country geek. I'm actually putting a lot of distance between me and that genre, as I can't even stand it. Once I was in Nashville, visiting the grand ole opry... jesus christ, what a sad picture of "musical humans". Actually I was in Nashville right one day after Cash had died. They didn't pay as much tribute to him as they would have to "Johnny little finger", the famous Grand ole opry star (who should be put away from the surface of this world once and for all).

This album is that of a dying man, there's no doubt. You can see it on the pictures and it's official that for those they just got him out of the hospital and brought him back afterwards. He wouldn't have made it by himself anymore. Maybe that's giving the whole thing more weight and substance, but every note seems just like a big, huge, and lovable "good bye" from the man in black. We once did a tribute show for him by covering some of his songs. I liked the project but couldn't stand the music, it was like a pain in the arse trying to find songs that we liked and wanted to cover.

This album is more than just a country album. It's like a book or something very important to someone before his final goodbye. It makes me feel melancholic and very good the same time. And the NIN's cover "HURT" is just so full of painful memories, the whole album is like a look into the past. Some weeks later and Johnny wouldn't have had the chance to do this final album. I thank Nick Rubin for having us made this gift.

I often enjoyed Cash for not only not caring if he didn't fit the "country and western paradigm" but he was also double hard and didn't care who knew. He seemed to be perfectly capable of transcending all boundaries, even to people like myself who normally can't stand country.

Yes, it's a fine day when all us "S&M influenced Depeche Mode listeners" sit around at a party dressed in black and New Rocks start singing with Johnny Cash to "Hurt" at a part (full of drugs and sex and violence and sacrificing of chickens to the devil...*eyeroll*). I suppose Mr Fire-And-Brimstone forgets Cash himself was jailed twice for drug use. I suppose in Ohio they are without sin, hence they can cast stones...

The good thing however is Cash himself never bothered to label. He never beat someone over the head with his own biblical interpretation and understood - as it seems some people don't - that music from the heart, from the roots of the soul, is still music, no matter who is singing it. Like it or not, Johnny Cash singing "Hurt" worked because those lyrics meant something to him.

So go ahead, take a chance on the album, give a listen even if you never thought you'd ever pick up anything country-and-western - and if you live in Ohio, move somewhere where you won't have to deal with the nutters.

It may take that many angels to provide us the same joy that Johnny Cash did in his long and fruitful life. Rather than talk about the entire CD which I think is uniformly great, I just want to make a remark or two about the title track " The Man Comes Around." Christians and Christian theologians have been wrestling with the book of Revelations for a long time and none of them have, to my mind, ever been able to make much sense of it; then along comes J.R. Cash and in three minutes makes the most compelling and accessible intepretation of that work I have ever heard. In the liner notes he says he never took longer to write a song than this one and it really shows. He takes a complicated subject and makes a powerful and lovely artistic statement accessible to every feeling person. No need to think it through very much. I think he probably was the greatest troubadour of the last century in our language - a troubador is a worthy man who communicated important spiritual messages to ordinary people in the form of music. I wonder if something important died with Johnny Cash, something irreplaceable.

Put the cd on your cd-player, sit down, relax and listen to!
Atmosphere is mighty!, especially "Hurt".
Merely "Hurt" is good reason to buy this cd.
All other songs are very fine too.
Booklet is ok.

There have been many "Icons" in American music. Performers who have become a "Symbolic" to a certain time or era. The problem is that most performers don't have the talent to live up to the hype of being a symbol.
Johnny Cash was one of the exceptions. On his last album "Ameican IV: The Man Comes Around", Johnny Cash shows that when facing the ultimate enevibility, one must face it with dignity, compassion, thruth, tears, and a bit of humor. If you don't own a Johnny Cash album, buy this one and get an idea of what every fan already knew. If you are a fan but don't have this album, buy it. If for nothing else, just to know the fact that when The Man Comes Around for the last time, He still had purpose.

I'm not a country music fan at all, but Johnny Cash crosses all boundaries. This is a great album.