Search - Various Artists, Cash From Chaos :: Cash From Chaos: A Tribute to the Legendary Man in Black: Johnny Cash

Cash From Chaos earns its name

The Delite Rancher | Phoenix, Arizona | 11/30/2007

(3 out of 5 stars)

""Cash From Chaos: A Tribute to the Legendary Man in Black: Johnny Cash" can be a rough listen but it contains some real gold nuggets. While playing a broad spectrum of Americana, the problem is that the effort leans on post-modern subgenres like psychobilly, death country and gothabilly. That written, the mellower tunes make for some of the most memorable and interesting Johnny Cash covers. Playing alternative country, Crosseyed's 'Let The Train Blow The Whistle' shines. The Boxcar Tramps play a great rendition of 'Understand Your Man.' Chris Connelly's haunting vocals on 'Don't Make Me Go' sound like a cross between Thom Yorke (Radiohead) and Bob Dylan. Echoing Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young, another stand-out is Jeffrey Venturo's 'I Walk The Line.' The band rearranges Johnny's first number one hit to the point of being barely recognizable. Despite the employment of such poetic license, it's an absolutely delightful rendition thanks to the sweetest harmonies imaginable. 'Jackson' is also given justice thanks to a gritty duet performed by Chris Livesay's group. Aside from these highlights, other tunes play clamorous power chords, industrial beeps and a cacophony of screams. Then again other songs occupy the spectrum between caustic death country and smooth alt-country. Genres aside, the song choice is a strength of the project. While many of the Man in Black's signature songs are played, there are a few tunes that only the most experienced Cash listeners would recognize. The post-modern art work stands as another asset. The comic book style graphics really compliment the music. For better or worse, this project lives up to the title: "Cash From Chaos""