Man in Black

[prillalar]

Well, I didn't expect Miracles to be cancelled quite so soon after I watched it. Damn.

To help me through this difficult time, I'm listening to the Johnny Cash album I just picked up: American IV: The Man Comes Around.

This album frankly amazes me. Cash's depth and artistry shine through in every song. He performs a mix of original, traditional, and cover songs and all of them are wonderful. The album is dark as he explores themes of death and the afterlife.

Some tracks:

The Man Comes Around - The title track. Cash apparently spent months on this song, writing page after page of lyrics based on the book of Revelation. The result is eerie and compelling. If I had the source, I'd make a Millennium vid to this song.

Hurt - This Nine Inch Nails cover is filled with pain. "You could have it all, my empire of dirt. I will let you down, I will make you hurt." Cash gives this song a tragic gravitas that tears my heart out.

In My Life - Another cover that is made even more poignant by context, performed by an artist nearing the end of his life.

Streets of Laredo - Makes me cry. "Take me to the green valley, lay the sod o'er me. I'm a young cowboy and I know I've done wrong."

Not every track is so sad as these -- though several are. It's only recently I really started to listen to Johnny Cash and I'm more impressed by him all the time. I highly recommend this album.

Comments

Cash

[tzikeh.livejournal.com]

Every song on this album is a complete shock to me. I heard his cover of "Personal Jesus" on the radio back in November as a pre-release, and I was totally blown away. I've already got ideas for "In My Life" as a vid - and have you seen the MTV video to "Hurt"? It's breathtaking and painful.

Re: Cash

[prillalar]

Shock is a very good word for the impact of this album. The more I listen, the more impressed I am. I haven't seen the video, sadly. It's all I can do not to play "Hurt" over and over again.

[shrift.livejournal.com]

The video to "Hurt" on MTV nearly made me cry -- they used footage from Cash's life and it just... well, it hurt.

In addition to the tracks you listed, I'm also very partial to "I Hung My Head". I think it's because I really dig that storytelling tradition in songwriting that a lot of newer bands seem to eschew.

In other words, I totally dig the album, too. The cashier who rang me up said she knew it must be a gift. I said no, and didn't ask her what she thought I was supposed to be listening to...

[prillalar]

Yeah, "I Hung My Head" is lovely too. All the tracks are. I just thought it would be overkill to comment on *all* of them in one post. *g*

And why do cashiers say such things? Like the time I was buying Kraft Dinner and Kool-Aid and the cashier said my kids were going to love me. "Sure," I said. "My kids."

[valarltd.livejournal.com]

Mmmm, LOVE Johnny Cash.

I'm amazed he's putting out a new album. He's been very ill lately. It's amazing to watch someone work when they are chronic. The sheer determination.

I'll have to check it out.

[prillalar]

This album must not be missed. Go and buy it this weekend. You know he must just *have* to work.

[meacoustic.livejournal.com]

Luuurve Johnny Cash's music. Although I fear that if I listen to him sing "In My Life", I will spend an hour crying.

Of course I shall now go download it.

[prillalar]

And did you? You should get "Hurt" too.