American V: A Hundred Highways

Apologies in advance for the language here.

Today's Music of the Day is American V: A Hundred Highways, by Mr. Johnny Cash. This album, like the other American recordings, comes from the period near the end of Mr. Cash's life - this was the last one.

Let me be clear about my stance on Johnny Cash: I'm a big fan. I prefer the younger, "Now they're recording this, so don't say any bad words like 'damn' or 'shit'" Cash to the older Cash, but I still appreciate a lot of things about the American recordings. It's easy to want old Johnny Cash to sound more like young Johnny Cash, but the fact is that we're fortunate that the American recordings exist at all.

American V isn't as adventurous as the other American recordings; it has a much more reverent and somber tone. Gone are the duets and the covers of popular songs from days past - this album's sound is as sparse and austere as anything Cash has probably done. The spiritual element of his music - ever present, to varying degrees through the years - is openly available here, though the mood is far too introspective for any sort of preaching.

In hindsight, American V is bittersweet. These are gentle songs, words and guitar from somewhere deep in the man himself, resigned words from a life full of regrets. It's a bit sad to listen to, knowing it would be his last album, but it also serves as a fitting farewell. It's like leaving a party and not getting a huge cheer from everyone still there, but having a few people you care about tell you it was nice to see you again and to take care.

So there. American V is kind of a historical curiosity, a rainy day, and a sad goodbye all at once. Worth a listen, to be sure, but I had a hard time just thinking about the songs for what they are.

In Other News:
Wednesday went pretty well. And I got souvenirs!

Giving some thought to visiting the twin cities next weekend. Maybe.