Quick 'N Dirty Review: Johnny Cash | American VI: Ain't No Grave

Before we start, here's a quick look at the rating system that we use here at The Dirtywhirl:

100 - Classic Album; One Of The Best Of All Time
99-90 - Exceptional Work; Rush Out And Get This
89-80 - Very, Very Good; You Should Still Go Out And Get This
79-70 - Not Bad At All; Might Actually Be Worth Your Time
69-60 - Has Its Moments But On The Whole... Meh
59-50 - Won't Make Your Ears Bleed; Won't Make You Dance, Either
49-0 - Don't Waste Your Time; You're Smarter Than This (Probably) 

Now... onto the review:

Johnny Cash | American VI: Ain't No Grave

As a music fan, it feels somewhat blasphemous to bash a Johnny Cash record but I think that’s what I’m about to do. The first (and hopefully last) posthumous Cash release, American VI: Ain’t No Grave, is the sixth (and hopefully last – I’m stressing this, in case it wasn’t already painfully obvious) volume in his series for Rick Rubin’s American Recordings label and the blame for this record’s existence rests squarely on Rubin’s beard… er, shoulders. Seemingly trying to turn the Man In Black into country’s answer to Tupac is offensive on many levels as American VI: Ain’t No Grave has the stink of cash grab all over it. Since the majority of the record was recorded during the American V sessions it quickly becomes clear why they weren’t included on that set: they’re just not that good. Sure, there are moments when you remember that you’re listening to Johnny Cash for all that entails. Take “Ain’t No Grave” for example. The track may be one of the only songs on the record that deserved to see the light of day. Pairing Cash’s ragged voice with Rubin’s production that employs a dragging chain sound effect creates the feeling that Cash is a specter singing from beyond the grave, “When I hear that trumpet sound/ I’m gonna rise right out of the ground/ Ain’t no grave/ Can hold my body down.” This is a bleak, death obsessed record as “Redemption Day” and “Can’t Help But Wonder Where I’m Bound” flirt with poignancy but there are just too many songs here that feel unfinished which seems to justify the theory that this is work that should not have been released. In some ways, it feels like you’re peering in on a part of Cash’s life that’s off limits and that you’ve been sullied because of it. And, honestly, the way that Rubin structures the album (good track/bad track/good track/bad track) implies that HE knows the record isn’t that good either. The American Recordings series has been a powerful final chapter of Cash’s legendary discography, but American VI: Ain’t No Grave was unnecessary. Cash is an icon – no question – which is why it’s sad that this record could end up as the postscript to an otherwise brilliant career.

Standout Track: "Ain't No Grave"

Dirty Rating: 47/100


"Ain't No Grave" Video On YouTube