American IV: The Man Comes Around is the fourth album in the American series by Johnny Cash, released in 2002. The majority of songs are covers which Cash performs in his own spare style, with help from producer Rick Rubin. For instance, for the song "Personal Jesus", Rubin asked Red Hot Chili Peppers guitarist John Frusciante to re-work an acoustic version of Martin Gore's song, which featured a simple acoustic riff that stripped down the song to a blues style. He receives backing vocal assistance from various artists, including Fiona Apple, Nick Cave, and Don Henley. American IV was the Read more on Last.fm.
I got this album for Christmas in 2003. It’s still one of my favorites, a man staring down mortality and not blinking, all the while admitting he’s sinned enough for two lifetimes. This is Cash at his weakest, his most honest and his most poignant. For a lasting taste of what the Man was all about, look no further.