While Johnny Cash has always been a country western icon, I’m not sure if he has ever been as country or as western as he is here…
Mean As Hell is a collection of old western tunes, and damn if it doesn’t play exactly that way. On some of these songs, the only thing missing is a lonesome coyot’ howlin’ in the distance. The disc is as dust covered and spur-janglin’ as every cowboy movie. These songs all feel like they’re being played in an old saloon, at risk of being interrupted by a stranger in town any second. That being said, it is a very specific Johnny Cash album, and pretty far down the list of which record I’d toss on if I’m in the mood for the Man in Black.