Songs Of Leonard Cohen

刚听别人推荐今天就刷到了，可惜不怎么听得懂

Dirgearama

Such a beautiful album, and one of the few artists whose lyrics can actually be considered poetry.

Nice voice but the album was too slow for me. I like how soft it was though

meh 2/5

6/7/24. Don’t have much to say to be honest.

Characteristically excellent and iconic work from Cohen. Just noticed how "Mama's and the Papa's" sounding the backup vocals are for "So Long, Marianne". Everything I want from Cohen is here, dark and romantic, poetic and soul-stirring. He strikes me as a man that is far too aware of the psychology of human behavior and the fleeting beauty of living in the present moment for his own good. Clearly we are the benefactors of his past reflections, however. These songs are beautiful and give meaning and drama to our own reflections.

I am no longer a pearl jam hater

Flat, mundane, boring, uninspired. List goes on

"Songs of Leonard Cohen" is the debut album by Canadian folk singer-songwriter Leonard Cohen. Considered contemporary folk, this album is dreary and generally uninteresting.

Meh

Had a couple songs that I enjoyed. But his voice hadn't gotten “there” yet, def prefer later works. Also there wasn’t much variety of sound and it was heavy on the biblical references. But at least we eventually got Hallelujah out of it.

Canadian poet picks up a guitar and starts singing his poems

Launch of the more Canadian, hornier Bob Dylan

I know I'm supposed to like Leonard Cohen, but what a snooze fest

WoW. So much beauty. 5 stars.

There seems to be a lot of depth in the lyricism but this is far too boring of a listen to try to grasp what's being said. Every song is Cohen whispering over some light guitar chords. Heavy amount of religious elements. Would be a better to read as a poem book.

Very melancholy. It's sad poetry. I should read the lyrics but not motivated to do so.

Not a fan, the overall tone is very melancholy. While I have more of an appreciation for the lyrics, it’s not for me.

I can only assume his words, his poetry, is compelling. I don't have the time to focus on that.I don't mind and may even enjoy stripped down, acoustic music. But for God's sake, there's got to be a hook. His voice is thoroughly uninteresting. The melodies are unvaried. And what I did hear of the words was depressing or religious. ...and then, he started to whistle!....poorly. It felt like an achievement get through the whole thing. Actually, you know how in Spotify, when you listen to an album and its over, the stream plays 1 more song by the artist from another of their albums before going on to radio based on the album? That song, (not sure what it was) from a more recent album where his voice is deeper with no range, was better than any I heard on this album. Anyway I give it 2 stars only because of benefit of the doubt about his lyrics.

Holy shit this is boring

I’m Canadian, I 💕 you LC it’s part of my patriotic code.

Ich habe mich ertappt, dass ich immer glaube bei Leonard Cohen braucht man eine bestimmte Stimmung, um ihn hören zu können. Aber das stimmt nicht. Leonard Cohen erzeugt ihn dir genau die richtige Stimmung. Seine Lieder um schmeicheln meine Ohren und fesseln mich. So schön. Auch die Arrangements sind wunderbar, kreativ und leise mit vielen Überraschungen. Es lohnt sich genau hinzuhören. Ich habe es mehrmals an angehört und genossen. Das Album fasziniert.

Somehow, someone found and put on this list a bob dylan album thats even worse then bob dylan!

I appreciate Leonard Cohen and love many of his songs but this album doesn’t really do it for me.

This album has the sound of a chill friday night pub where some bloke is playing excellent music in a corner but noone is paying attention. I might put this on on a slightly hungover sunday brunch. So Long, Marianne is my favourite track of the album. 4/5

✅ took the whispering into the mic thing from gilberto and wrote poetry in english. lacks the melodic appeal of joni mitchell, but charming in his own right.

A boring, long-winded album that has no place being on a top list. There were some ok throwback vibes but other than that not a good one. 2/5.

I didnt expect to like this as much as I have on first listen

This album is a typical Leonard Cohen experience for me: love the lyrics and the melodies, but not a fan of the presentation.

One of our greatest modern poets. Like so many lyricists, his poetry translated easily to music an songwriting. 5/5

Poetic

It's impressive how an album based on such simple vocals and guitars can be so stupendous and comfortable to listen to. I didn't know Leonard Cohen. Little did I know that he is the composer of the legendary "Hallelujah". And even fewer knew that this was his first album. Still, the voice delivery and interpretation, and especially the lyrics, can be divine.

Fucking legend of a songwriter

It sounds very French:)

Takie se. Nie pociąga mnie ten spokojny balladowy śpiew.

This reminds me quite a lot of Bob Dylan. It's quite basic music often times, where it's the words and lyrics that are meant to carry the weight. As established, I am not much for lyrics or poetry though, it doesn't touch me nearly in the same way that the other musical parts can do. So just like the Bob Dylans records, it's quite boring and not very fun to be honest. The first few songs were quite a drag. Then it picked up around the middle, peaking with 'So Long, Marianne' which I thought was a really good song. Other than that I had a hard time finding songs that I liked, and it all sort of meld together. I'll give this a strong 2, simply because I dislike more things than I like. But some parts do have something that could be worth going through again in the future.

Leonard Cohen is one of my favourite lyricist and many of his songs is on my all time favourite list. This album is a bit before Leonard Cohen really finds his stride and while the lyrics are there the melodies are not always on point and can be a monotonous at times. You can tell that he sees himself as a poet foremost maybe. Still I think the instrumentation works and that these songs are good in their own right. Maybe it's because I've listened to Cohen a lot so I'm not really neutral. There are a few classics here, "Suzanne" is the first song to to come to mind. While maybe not the place to start if you want to get in to Leonard Cohen I still think it is a good album.

Just classics from start to finish. The music matches the voice that matches the lyrics. The production is very understated, and the tracks are somewhat similar. I can see how this album would be tough to get through if you're not into the feeling and vibe, but for me it's a very secure 5/5.

- boringgggggg - sick of Leonard Cohen tbh - I could put it on in the background so I won’t give it a 1 but it’s close

- decent singer/songwriter - a little less spoken word - still not something I enjoy

Great album. This album has excellent songwriting and storytelling dealing with the typical personal themes (e.g., love, desire, anger, etc.) but with a maturity and tactfulness only a 30-something poet-turned-musician could do. The music itself won't necessarily knock you out, but the arrangements are crisp and understated in a way that both serves and complements the themes/lyricism. There's an enjoyable, mellow, trance-like quality that allows you to follow the stories and lyrics. This challenge will activate my deep dive into Leonard Cohen, whose music, up to this point, I have had minimal interaction with. ****

This is ok, this singer-songwriter stuff is not necessarily my jam. 2* Too dull. I fail to see how this is different from the female songwriter stuff (Nico) I got a week or so ago. I enjoyed So long, Marianne because we actually had other voices than just LC+guitar.

Didn’t click with me at all. Boring. 2.4

Some good songs, mostly snoozy

Not the deep voice I was expecting from later releases but overall not a bad listening experience

Well that was a waste of 41 minutes and 34 seconds. Instruments were good, but I just could not stand his monotonous singing voice.

Zo'n artiest waarvan je altijd een beetje de indruk hebt dat hij overschat wordt. Dat nummer Hallelujah is helemaal kapotgecoverd, en heeft iemand een idee waar het over gaat? Of luister de latere liveconcerten, de man hoeft met zijn zware stem maar een aardig zinnetje te zeggen en hij krijgt al een open doekje van het ademloze publiek. Maar goed, hier is hij helemaal aan het begin van zijn carrière. Het openingsnummer is een evergreen geworden (shout-out naar Herman van Veen), en staat ook redelijk symbool voor de rest van de plaat. Dromerige teksten, minimale folky muziek, het is quasi-diepzinnig maar wel goed gedaan. Weet je wat, ik gun de man het voordeel van de twijfel en laat me overtuigen.

Dit is totaal niet mijn smaak. Dus eigenlijk moet ik hier gewoon niet over oordelen. Doe ik lekker toch. Dit album moet het hebben van het overbrengen van gevoel. Ben je daar gevoelig voor, zal het een prima schijf voor je zijn. Mij raakt het niet en dan is het vooral saai. Een uitzondering voor Suzanne. Zelf ik kan dat nummer waarderen. En dan kan ik het dus opbrengen om naar dat nummer nog wat beter te luisteren. Het is gewoon een uitstekend artiest merk ik dan. Maar ja. Dat is nummer 1 en daarna verveel ik me 9 nummers lang.

Wat hier ongelooflijk knap aan is, is dat met minimale middelen een maximaal effect bereikt wordt. Het eerste nummer is direct het beste en het zet geniaal een tegelijkertijd beklemmende en betoverende sfeer neer. En dat met hoofdzakelijk een akoestische gitaar met af en toe wat kleine tierelantijntjes. Op een of andere manier krijgt Cohen het hier voor elkaar, dat iedereen in een overvolle kroeg van het ene op het andere moment stil is, wanneer hij begint met spelen. Of in moderne termen: dat iedereen opkijkt van zijn smartphone. Het was dat ik aan het werk was, maar eigenlijk wil je even stoppen met wat je op dat moment aan het doen was en alleen maar luisteren. Naar hoe de beste man een soort van verhaal praatzingt met zijn zoetgevooisde stem. Op een gegeven moment weet je zijn trucje wel een beetje en wordt de betovering wat verbroken (eigenlijk vanaf So Long, Marianne), al gaat het nog een paar nummers door. Maar het goede gevoel overheerst toch wel. Prima 4 sterren.

Very lovely , such a Perfect moment

I really thought I wasn’t going to like this one. I started off thinking this was pretty boring, but the longer I listened the more I grew to appreciate it. It’s still not spectacular but there is a real subtle beauty to this one that I really enjoyed. The music feels hauntingly beautiful.

Has a hard time staying awake at work while listening to this album. I guess I can see why he is considered a must listen to artist. However, not really for me.

Epic

Just a stunning record with fantastic lyrics

jeg kan ikke

I love his songs but never cared for his voice.

He sounds depressed. And like he needs to drink some water, because he smacks his lips while he sings. I hate that sound. I can hardly make it through the second song... I did get through the album, but I didn't enjoy it.

Two timeless classics Marianne & Suzanne, but the rest is hard to listen to.

Good story teller but not gofted musically in this one

It's a guy singing. Nothing bad, nothing special.

What I think should be categorized as “emo folk”, haunting, cryptic lyrics over often a lone, plucking acoustic guitar. The language is evocative, which is good because the lyrics are the main draw. Excited to dive in further.

Great songwriting-5 stars; musicality-1-2 stars at most

If you know, you know.

Discovered Cohen and this stunning debut through one of Werner Herzogs weirdest documentaries (which is really saying something) Fata Morgana (1971) . Several of the tracks feature in the film, set in the desert. The sparse instrumentation with guitar and minor add ons from other instruments is the sonic equivalent of the warm desert and some sporadic oasis. The female accompanying song is like the Fata Morgana. Ethereal. A shimmering incorporeal longing. It constrasts so well with Cohens desert-dry voice. Although my favourite songs of Cohen are found on later recordings, his debut is maybe his best album of his career. Tastefully produced and not as bare or overproduced as some later albums.

A classic of melancholy folk. The music is sparse, despite frequent arguments with producers who wanted a larger sound. It's hard to blame them. Before hearing a complete Leonard Cohen album, it might have been difficult to imagine his iconic sound compared what else was available in the mid 60s. This debut has some perfect moments. Even if it's a bit rough around the edges, the complete album still works well as whole. It marks Cohen's first steps into music making that would influence people across genres. In some ways, the music is less than important than the tone and the feeling of the songs. Describing it as mere folk music doesn't do justice to the beautiful bleakness of Cohen's voice. Time has been a lot kinder to this album than the contemporary reviews would have you imagine. But if the reviews on this site are anything to go by, it remains a controversial record for many.

His voice isn’t as gravely as on later recordings. The lyrics are great.

what a voice, and obviously incredible lyricism. deeply deeply moving. sometimes a little samey though

The poet laureate of popular music

So much good. I wish Leo would take more chances musically and vocally but it’s beautiful.

Story time. I need to listen to it again. So far...2/5

More Lenny, already, OK.

I used to listen to this album during my uni years to look more sophisticated. Very samey but So Long Marianne is an amazing song.

Great. Just great.

Beautiful poetic imagery and a hell of a mood, but rather musically limited at this point in his career.

dude doesnt sing. talk sings but its pretty.

Definition of boredom

Nicht meine Richtung

Not my cup of tea.

So long, Marianne

Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz. Honestly, there's only real music on once track here. The rest is just noodling around in guitar in a way that is not clear.

Some interesting ideas but pretty boring overall. 2.5/5.0: Mixed

This Album is completely wasted on me. I've never understood what the fuzz is all about. Cohen, Lou Reed, Bob Dylan and other contemporary singer-songwriters have never impressed me and espcially not in my youth. On my older days I have grown into Lou Reed, especially his album Transformer. It has so much street visdom to it, so bound to the reality of life in a busy city, and so much easier to understand than Cohens religious, introvert and overloaded artsy-fartsy lyrics. Sorry Cohen. But i'm not a fan.

I had only listened to this album a couple of times prior to this but I added 3 solid listens since Friday. I get a very “On the Road” feel from the lyrics, like I’m traveling in another country and these songs are the caricatures of interesting people I’ve encountered along the way. I really love the minimal instrumentation with the occasional wide panned new layer that gives it just enough depth to keep your ears from getting bored while maintaining simplicity so you stay focused on the stories being told. All around an incredible folk album.

I guess I never really listened to Cohen, save a couple of "hits." First time listening to this one. This is a very somber album. I love the song writing. He is clearly a great lyricist and story teller. It is mood music, for sure.

Solemn, earnest, and poetic, Leonard Cohen helped usher in the “sensitive singer/songwriter” genre. His reverent voice serves his artistic intentions, but this album suffers from the tracklist order. However lyrical, the first four songs are monochromatic in style, tempo, and instrumentation, serving the listener either as an elongated meditation or a mesmerizing soporific. If one can stay awake, they are greatly rewarded as more instruments are added and the tempo picks up a bit. This change in direction is not echoed by the lyrics, which benefit from remaining poetic, visual, and a studied reflection of the human condition. The album remains at its full potential onwards, stirring emotional longing with concise phrases. The opening songs are individual works of art, but detract from the art form of a cohesive album. Once that early chrysalis is shed, this rest of album takes to the heavens. Great songs, but as an album it feels like two separate works.

The lyrics are the main focus here, the musings, narrations, and confessions of a sensitive and intellectual poet. The music seems merely an extension of the poetry. Many memorable turns of phrase, notable religious imagery (Jesus, Joseph, angels, nuns). Simple production, intimate coffee house vibes. A few waltzy numbers; most tracks have a downtempo feel. These songs call for a quiet and contemplative mood. Favorite track: “So Long, Marianne.” I liked the female vocal paired with his low, gravely voice.

This is a lyricists/poets album I think. I am aware of what a giant Leonard is in the singer songwriter world. To be honest I'd never really listened to much of his stuff. I think I get what he is going for by really painting pictures with words and the focus of his songs seem to be on the lyrical content, however the album did not do too much for me. I don't have a problem with a stripped down acoustic sound. I am a big Simon and Garfunkel fan after all. This album though didn't really pull me in. Leonard's voice reminds me a bit of Lou Reed/Velvet Underground. Maybe I am comparing him to Simon and Garfunkel and I have seen the kind of creativity and harmonies that can be done with those two guys and a guitar. I can see how this album could influence singer songwriter types particularly with all the imagery in the lyrics, but with me being more of a musical parts person and less of a lyrics person the album just didn't do much for me.

Lyrics aren’t typically what I come to music for, but that’s undoubtedly the highlight here. Nothing wrong with the music itself, but I felt like this could have been just as good as a poem.

1001 todays-selection is the one and only Leonard Cohen. Songs of Leonard Cohen. He's one of my favorites singer songwriters with a voice like a toad . His lyrics are perfection . This album should be in everyone's library. Leonard is at his finest . I like Hey, that's no way to say goodbye, Suzanne." shit, who am I fooling? I love all the songs on this album

Maybe a bit too depressing, but nice voice

My second Cohen album and I'm still unimpressed. At least he sings on this one but I still don't get the appeal. This must be for people who are into poetry and/or lyrics because musically this is a boring, repetitive downer. Please, no more....

The only song I could really tolerate on this album was the Marianne song. It didn't seem to fit within the rest of the context of the album... That was a good thing for me. The rest of it didn't seem to have much depth or meaning for me.... But it felt like it was supposed to be some serious emotional album.... That never really reached the audience and fell short of its ambition. After two Leonard Cohen albums I figured out that I'm not a fan ✌🏽💩. Does anyone besides pixie really read these things?

There seems to be a theme of religious despair, depression, and mortality in Cohen’s work. This is a heavy album that reads like a mental health journal gone awry.

I wanted to like this more. I was into the first couple songs and as it went on I got less and less interested. Lyrically I really loved it but the delivery and music started to blur together.

Atmospheric and accomplished. Quality. 4*

Gefällt mir sehr gut, sollte ich in meinen Katalog für ruhige Musik geben

The music is nice, but it's too sad and melancholy for me to enjoy.

It's hard to place exactly which emotion is being expressed. It's like a stoic passion. Like the singer is detached from the writer. It sounds like a Renaissance painting. Something weird is happening, dark but entertaining. One young man is breaking the forth wall looking right at us with no expression whatsoever. Great folk record. 4/5

This was very low key. If it has some magic I'm not sure I unlocked it off one listen - would need to really pay attention to the lyrics I think. It was pleasant though.

2024-04-28...

this guy is always nothing but hauntingly beautiful

romântico bom pra sexo caminho al pacino Saul sério

Pretty slow and dreary. I like You Want it Darker better. Good canadiana tho. Remarkable talent.

Really hard to rate this fairly as it's one of my first listens as a boy and I loved it immediately.

Sleepytime Bob Dylan. Similar to Simon & Garfunkel. Not unbearable but not particularly enjoyable. One Of Us Cannot Be Wrong is actually pretty good. Adding this to my list "1001 albums you must hear before you die if you want to die of boredom"

I’ve used the term Cohenesque a number of times over these reviews to describe the way various artists are able to utilise the craft of songwriting in a way that is both sincere and ironic, personal and universal, philosophical and sensual. Leonard Cohen is a better songwriter than Bob Dylan, he has a better sense of style regarding lyrics, which are immaculate and poetic, and is also better at crafting melody, there’s a reason he slotted so perfectly into 80’s synthpop. But Songs of Leonard Cohen is a folk album through and through, and what a folk album. At turns both seductive and sinister, Cohen gives us his thoughts on religion, philosophy and sexuality with a wit that’s dryer than the best martini, and a compassion that cuts clear through the irony. It’s also often, weirdly soothing, the sort of album you can put on and just vibe with, imagining Suzanne and her oranges, and debating with Cohen about spirituality and sex

A real Leonard Cohen from the beginning.

Not for me. Felt like he was holding back vocally. Wish the female harmonies were on more tracks

2.5 Too much Leonard cohen on this list forreal

etwas zu ruhig, plätschert so dahin

This was a good album. Cohen's songs have such a story-telling kind of feel to them.

Those vocal stylings get a little irritating after a while don't they?

Simple album, but very well done. I'm glad I listened to this album all the way through.

Such an amazing song writer. Loved this album.

It got better as the album went on

I liked "Suzanne", but outside of that song everything else was too slow and droning.

4.75

This was a pretty good audiobook, but the background music they chose was a little sleepy.

Love leonard

I feel a smidgen depressed after listening to that. Still I think Leonard Cohen is rather brilliant.

Good, but not my style. It was a little too sleepy for my liking.

Beautiful and poetic, what a wonderful lyricist

Some songs were alright but they all sounded a little too similar to each other

Better than I thought it was gonna be

A bit of a snooze, slightly preferable to Dylan.

Feels like a spoken word album.

Can I appreciate this? Yes. Does it really qualify as music? Probably not.

There is literally no range in his voice throughout. I understand it's all about the lyrics telling a story, the way it is you might as well recite the lyrics lol

No disrespect to Leonard Cohen who is an excellent songwriter and lyricist and all that, but this kind of low energy folk just never did it for me.

He's just not a singer? He creates amazing stories, but I was quite literally falling asleep listening to this.

Wonderful singing, with a mood somewhere between plaintive and pensive and positive. Enjoyed the collaborative songs. Overall not my cup of tea but the entire album is a nice listen.

It's OK. Light folk-y songs that easily slip into the background. I'll give it a couple of more listens

Love the mood but it can get tiring. I couldn't listen to the whole album in one sitting. It made me think of Soledad Bravo and other latin american singer-songwriters of that nature.

Un debut antológico de uno de los personajes más brillantes de la historia del Rock. Su voz aún no es tan cálida y grave como adquirirá con el paso de los años, pero temazos hay para aburrir: Suzanne, So long -Marianne, Sisters of Mercy, Master song... es obligatorio escuchar a Leonard Cohen al menos una vez en la vida. Este disco puede servir de perfecta excusa ; en realidad cualquier disco suyo (el del 77 también). Otros excelentes debuts de ese mismo año fueron Jimi Hendrix Experience, The Doors, Scott Walker, Pink Floyd, The Velvet Underground, y también aunque menores los de Van Morrison, Janis Joplin, Bowie o First Edition. Otrs discos fundamentales del 67 fueron: Sgt. Peppers y Magical Mistery Tour, Forever Changes y Da Capo, Surrealistic Pillow, Axis:Bold as Love, The Who Sell Out, Days of Future Passed, Disraelí Gears, Bee Gees´ First (en realidad el segundo), Younger Than Yesterday, Evolution y Butterfly, I never loved a man the way i love you y Arrives, Something Else, Wild Honey o Happy Together...

I can't take any more Americans with guitars.

Not my favorite album of his, but this is definitely a strong contender.

Great song writing, if just as stereotypically depressing as you’d expect.

It's a fairly boring album. The first few songs are dull, Cohen isn't really singing. There's more melodies in the back half. "Sister of Mercy" is a great song, which saved this album from getting a 2.

Very few things make me as angry as the amount of Leonard Cohen I've been forced to listen to by Dimery. I don't give a shit how influential this allegedly is...he sounds bored while he's singing. What other emotion am I supposed to feel when that's the case

Went into this expecting to dish out another steady 3 star rating, like I gave Songs From A Room. Like Songs From A Room, SOLC’s sparse charms grew on me the more I listened. Unlike Songs From A Room, this album is chock full of great songs - musically, as well as lyrically - there aren’t any skips on here. I’ll dock half a star because, despite this, I wouldn’t say I personally *love* any of the tracks, as much as I respect the songcraft, and I think that should probably be a requirement for a 5 star album. Still, a masterful debut. 4.5

This was a dreary poetry reading with music as an after thought.

Music to reflect to. I don't think it's perfect lyrically, but I do think it's compelling. Call it a 3.5. Favorite tracks: "The Stranger Song", "So Long, Marianne"

Rating: 2.9

Absolutely beautiful listen to it twice

Not really my cup of tea

Dull

Smooth asf but it's too slow. Only 41mins but feels like each song is an hr.

Painful, how did he get not one, two, but four albums in this list. There are plenty of other better albums than his.

Words:Cohen=concept:air

This sounded exactly the same as his other stupid album the "Songs in a Room" catastrophe. This dude is buns. I know I gave that other album a 2 but this is getting a 1 because I was in a bad mood when I sat down to listen to it and this did NOT improve it. His voice is bland and uninteresting. The music is also bland, uninteresting, and boyishly repetitive. Seriously it's just an acoustic guitar with the occasional 4 note bass line. His lyrics are just mindless drivel that people think is profound or mysterious because they can't understand it. It isn't, it just doesn't make sense. This was such a boring album. On a totally separate note he kinda looks like a young Adam Sandler.

I'm just not a fan of his voice. appreciate some of the lyrics telling a story, others just seem like rambles.

While I enjoyed most of the album, his voice and singing is way too monotone for me to listen in one sitting. That alone makes me wonder how this album is on here.

Liked this a surprising amount. Easy listening, smooth, rolling, interesting lyrics from what little I caught. A clear influence on Danny Schmidt, who I've listened to in the past.

This was really good. Quite a unique sound. never listened to much leonard Cohen for some reason. Will dive into more!

Phenomenal songwriter, but this was boring.

Poems sung in wonderful melodies.

Awesome songwriting with lyrics that really keep you engaged and make you think

Ik werd meteen blij toen dit album verscheen. Dit is de Leonard Cohen die ik ken, en fijn vind. Misschien dat ik me te erg gehecht heb aan deze ‘versie’ van Cohen, dat ik You Wanted it Darker niet objectief kon raten. We gaan van verhaaltjesverteller Marty Robbins naar de échte raconteur Cohen. Een debuutalbum, en het eerste nummer wat Cohen ooit opgenomen heeft is Suzanne. En dat werd meteen zijn grootste hit (misschien na Hallelujah). Suzanne vat samen wat ik mooi vind aan Cohen, introspectieve poetische teksten en zachte gitaarstukken. Maar de fijnste van het album vind ik One Of Us Cannot Be Wrong. Zo poetisch, romantisch, je voelt de emotie door je speakers komen als Cohen begint te zingen. Hij begeleid elk nummer subliem met gitaarspel. Hij doet niet aan solo's, moeilijke akkoordenschema's, vreemde gitaartechnieken, maar dat maakt allemaal niet uit. Zoals Keith Richards het gitaarspel van de Stones geweldig iconisch laat klinken, doet Cohen dat ook. Ik heb vrijwel niks aan te merken op dit album. En ik kan ook nog van ieder nummer genieten. Dan staat er maar 1 ding te doen.... Rating: 10 Highlights: Suzanne, Master Song, So Long Marianne, The Stranger Song, One of Us Cannot Be Wrong

In de wetenschap dat dit een dag zou worden waarin nauwelijks tijd zat voor een album was het een opluchting dat het er eentje werd dat ik intussen al meerdere malen binnenstebuiten heb getrokken. Dit debuutalbum van één van de belangrijkste poëten van de moderne tijd laat zijn penkunsten zien zoals wellicht geen werk later in zijn carrière dat deed. Waar vooral zijn derde, en in mindere mate zijn tweede en vierde album, meer muzikale verscheidenheid en volwassenheid toonde, is dit een intiem muziekstuk met een aantal van m'n favoriete momenten in Leonard Cohen's history of storytelling. De toon wordt gezet door 'Suzanne', wat de kracht van een 'stripped down' en akoestische Leonard als geen ander nummer laat zien. Maar toch zijn het de subtiele achtergrondzang en strijkers die op de juiste momenten accenten leggen, waardoor het nummer floreert. Een magisch lied. De mood wordt nog moodier bij het koppel 'Master/Stranger Song', dat de duistere tonen die later in zijn carrière tot kunst worden verheven voor het eerst tentoon stellen. Prettig voor de flow van het album is het wel dat het middenstuk wat lichtvoetiger is, met 'So Long, Marianne' en 'Hey, That's No Way to Say Goodbye'. De eerste is instrumenteel één van de interessantere van het album, al gaat hij net íéts te lang door. Maar de realistische - vaak omschreven als pessimistische en zwaarmoedige - toon in de kunst van Cohen is nooit ver weg. In de laatste fase van de plaat komt de uitzonderlijke eigenschap van deze poëet om de psyche van de mens uit te wringen tot expressie, en wordt het niveau van het album opgekrikt naar die van een 'Blood on the Tracks' of 'Songs of Love and Hate'. Hierbij reserveert hij een plekje in het canon der 20e-eeuwse literatuur. 'Stories of the Street' is een fabelachtig verhaal over de duellerende instincten in het menselijk brein, en bevat het meest overtuigende vocale werk. 'With one hand on the hexagram and one hand on the girl. I balance on a wishing well that all men call the world.' De constante strijd tussen spiritualiteit en lust die als een rode draad door het werk van Leonard Cohen loopt prachtig samengevat. Na het aangrijpende 'Teachers' komt voor mij het hoogtepunt van het album, 'One of Us Cannot Be Wrong'. Een complex love-revenge story met voodoo tinten, waarin een koude relatie door de ogen van meerdere karakters wordt beschreven. Een intrigerend en uniek stuk, en de dronken uitbarsting in het slot laat de luisteraar weten dat Leonard - ondanks zijn ogenschijnlijke rol als menselijk orakel - ook zelf gewoon maar een mens is. Een passend einde van één van de beste debuutalbums van de 60s, dat vandaag de dag nog steeds een tijdloze bron aan zinvolle lessen en beangstigende waarschuwingen blijkt. 9/10 Highlights: Suzanne Stories of the Street One of Us Cannot Be Wrong

Leonard Cohen had wat moeite om een glimlachje in zijn mondhoeken te toveren voor de shoot van de albumcover. De mugshot op de verder zwarte plaat doet dan ook geen gezellige plaat verwachten. En dat is het dan ook niet. Leonard is zijn hele leven de koning geweest van de moody songs met zwarte teksten uit het geloof. Niet iets waar je als simpele ziel zomaar even bij resoneert. En toch zet Cohen een paar bijzondere arrangementen neer op deze debuut plaat. De oneindige zin in het refrein van So Long, Marianne is een onwijs hoogtepunt. De vibe zorgt er voor dat dit de rest van de dag in je hoofd blijft plakken. Uiteraard staan er nog wat meer pareltjes op het album. En ook al zijn de nummers niet allemaal even uniek, is dit een goeie plaat. 7,5/10 Highlights Suzanne The Stranger Song So Long, Marianne

A classic

Good album

This would be a good live concert to go to, but to listen to at home 60 years later brings down the rating.

Not for me

Good music, even if it's nothing flashy. Favorite track: "So Long, Marianne."

"It's time that we began to laugh and cry and cry and laugh about it all again" ❤️

Subtle songs with calm arrangements, always a pleasure to listen to.

A beautiful downcast debut.

When I was 18 I'd have given this 5 stars easy. It's nice but melancholy doesn't seem to have as much range or depth now that I'm getting old. I've always liked the Stranger Song. In retrospect it seems like one of few times Lenny tries to do a human woman's perspective, not some mythologized muse thing - best he can do is a song about either being used as a mythologized muse or a reprieve from chasing muses though. "he'll say one day you caused his will to weaken with your love, and warmth, and shelter", because of course he will, this dude who thought "I told you when I came I was a stranger" passes for emotional awareness. very evocative of relationship dynamics everybody knows in some fashion music: appreciated. (⌐■_■)

I don’t have much to say about Leonard Cohen except for that I more or less like it all. These first ones are a trip, it’s almost impossible for me to imagine him as a youngish man, but there he is. Good good good.

This wasn't bad, but nothing outstanding.

There are many good songs on this album, but as an album it is just too monotonous to be a great album. Only So Long, Marianne breaks up the constant ballader with a nice pace and a variety of instruments. I also enjoy the few times a female vocal appears, but it is not often enough.

I’ve always heard what a great songwriter Cohen is….not seeing it. Too much the same within the songs. Too much the same from song to song. Suzanne and Hey, That’s No Way To Say Goodbye musically just seemed like theme and variations. His guitar playing style was also always the same…monotonous. Not as bad as Dylan, but similar with his too long of a song with too many words and not enough musical variety.

Best Song: So Long, Marianne Worst Song: basically everything else Album Score: 3/10

Loved

This monotone and creepy album did not make my ears happy.

He grows on me with everything I listen too.

some very beautiful music, could be a bit more up tempo

Hey, that’s no way to say goodbye was my fav on this album. Overall it’s a good album but I like it less than I want to if that makes sense… it’s a bit one note but there’s no denying it’s great songwriting and imagery. Glad I listened but feels kinda meh.

I liked the album, funny when this came out I was barely in high school. This many years later, I finally listen to the whole album. This what makes this little project fun.

My favorite

Hey not bad!

Decent listen.

you hate him or you love him. I personally like him

Love this album.

I liked this more than I thought I would.

Lovely stuff.

Depressing

This is my second Leonard Cohen album to review, after You Want it Darker. I listened to You Want It Darker before starting this project, but I’m unfamiliar with any of Leonard Cohen’s other albums. This album was fine overall. It definitely felt like it was written and performed by a poet. They lyrics were deep and well written, and the musical arrangements were simple and melodic. The lead-off track, “Suzanne,” was one of my favorite songs on the album. It had some great additional strings to accompany the guitar playing, and I enjoyed the yearning heartbreak of the lyrics. “Sisters of Mercy” also had some really nice arrangements of other instruments, which gave the song a nice depth of sound. “So Long, Marianne” was really nice too, and I enjoyed the backing vocals that were present on the chorus. Cohen’s vocals aren’t anything remarkable, but it works really well, as his voice fits well with the overall tone of the album. Overall, this album was fine. The lyrics are far and away the star of the show, but the music is pleasant and accompanies the lyrics well. I think my biggest complaint about this album is that a majority of it just wasn’t very memorable, and some of the songs felt like they dragged on.

This is like a book of poetry that you have to judge on a first read. I knew Susannah, and the last song was lovely. The rest deserves more consideration. But I want to read it more than I want to hear it.

Ah yes, Leonard Cohen, the Canadian who composed "Hallelujah," which was later famously covered by Jeff Buckley. "Songs Of Leonard Cohen" is a super chill and sparse album — I understand that his songs may be overtly dull or underwhelming for some, but personally, they were alright to me ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ Will I return to visit his works in the future? lol no.

Not bad!

It is a masterpiece! The best folk I ever listen.

Suzanne - A bloody masterpiece Master Song - Love it Winter Lady - So so The Stranger song - Brilliant Sisters of Mercy - Brilliant So long, Marianne - Powerful portrait Hey... - Love it. Probably my favourite Stories of the street - lyrical genius A true 5

Umm, excuse me? Leonard Cohen had 'Suzanne', 'Sisters of Mercy', 'So Long, Marianne', 'Hey, That's No Way to Say Goodbye', and the magnificent 'One Of Us Cannot Be Wrong' on his debut album? Unfair.

Leonard Cohen had already attracted critical acclaim as a poet before launching his music career - so it should come as no surprise that this masterful grasp of lyrics was already fully developed on his debut album.

I'm a very instrumentation-forward listener. I can recognize that this album is great, but I have a lot of trouble processing the lyrics in real-time when it comes to great artists like Leonard Cohen or Bob Dylan. That said, the instrumentation is very nice and cozy, but this is a very lyrics-forward album, which isn't my cup of tea, per se. I would be very fine with this as background music, but I'm not getting a ton out of it. Favorite tracks: - Suzanne - The Stranger Song - So Long, Marianne

Not terrible, maybe a couple of songs that I liked. Probably wouldn't listen to it again, it's just not my type of music.

Amazing voice

I really liked this album. It feels very cozy. Like sitting by a fireside on Christmas Eve when everyone else is asleep. I think my favorite was The Stranger Song because of the guitar. I’ll be real, I did not know what a single song on this album was about. I feel like the need for Genius might be part of what makes people like this album.

Solid sad Leonard

Incred

Great guitar. English troubadour

Пердед за пердедом. Ну окей, слушаем дальше звуки старины... Опять гитара. Опять под гитару поёт слегка грустный но всё равно сильный мужчина. Что я должен думать про эту музыку? конечно же её основная сила в текстах, но я не native english speaker, это не мой first language, потому я могу выхватывать некоторые слова и общее настроение. Леонарт Коэн поёт про любовь и надежду. Ну... хорошо? честно сказать, если Ник Дрейк мне нравился голосом и настроением, то к Леонарду Коэну у меня не особо много чувств возникает )

Simply stunning. There are no other words.

My first time listening to this guy. The lyrics are amazing but the music is kind of repetitive and Cohens singing doesn’t do it for me, he sounds like such a drag, but I guess it’s the writing thats the attraction here

I understand who he is, and what he is to the music world. But I can't stand his monotone droning for a 4minute song let alone 41minutes.

Leonard Cohen's debut album is a brooding masterpiece. Cohen's strength has always been his writing and it is front and center here. Many songs here (Suzanne, Master Song, the Stranger Song, So Long, Marianne) are essentials in Cohen's canon. The recording of this album was fraught, and Cohen disagreed with producer John Simon regarding arrangements. However, I think this album works very well and the arrangements highlights the melancholy of Cohen's words well.

This may be one of the greatest albums ever made. It won't pop up regularly. You may never listen to this again. But for 41 minutes and 34 seconds you will feel as if you are floating away from gravity. Nothing technical, nothing amazing for the guitar, nothing super impressive. Then, Leonard begins to speak. I wept like a child listening to Suzanne and for each song after it, it immediately brought me to a moment in my life. No album has ever made me transition thoughts between so much of my life before and it is unlikely any will after this. Leonard is doing poetry over a guitar. I dedicate this album to anyone who is over the age of 30, because you won't listen to this album and not get teary while thinking of old times long since past.

icon

This just isn't for me. Did his family own the record company back then?

“Teachers” I enjoyed. Background of chaos. Not the most musical album, but great lyrics

While I prefer the albums he produced later (when he lived in the bass range much more than he does here), this one still has some of the same lyrical power and a couple really, really good songs.

The worst album I’ve had so far. I feel like I completely missed the point of this one. I didn’t like a single song

Really haunting and very sad

Simply one of the best lyricists ever

Not my taste in music, but the songwriting was excellent

It's not just about the music, it's also the lyrics that make Leonard Cohen's music stand out. Was he a poet who also wrote music or a musician who also wrote poetry? The answer is both of course.

Not a big fan of 196”’s folk music.

Slow

Case study in quality songwriting. One doesn’t need to be a great vocalist, although it helps. Cohen is emotional without being whiny, dark(ish) in a matter-of-fact way, and an overall treat to listen to.

I'm a fan. It does take a little priming to get me into the mood for LC and I think I enjoyed You Want it Darker better, but I did really enjoy listening to his debut album, and it got even better on a second listen. Wow, his young voice is so different.

Don't really dig Leonard's jam. Seems talented, but it's just not my flavor.

I really like the album. Enjoyed listening while working. 5/5

Wonderful

Leonard Cohen is a fantastic storyteller but damn do these tracks just sound so ... boring? Lifeless? Just feels like his not really doing them justice.

Great voice

Ok album

I feel like I should find this boring given previous reviews, but Cohen's voice has something magical that makes it wonderful.

Beautiful voice, beautiful guitar, beautiful songs

Calming peaceful

Perfect for rainy days and laying in bed reading Sylvia plath and considering if my electric oven will have the same effect as a gas. Also barely listened to it because ewww.

Glad I listened to this, my only exposure to him prior was Hallelujah, which his rendition did NOT do justice (though he conceptualized it) this album is a lot more coherent and nice. 3.0

Actually enjoy listening to his music. It's very relaxing and chilling. Really like falling asleep while listening to his music. Beautiful voice.

Just beautiful. Like sitting on a campfire and listening to an old storyteller. Not overly complicated or anything, just pleasant. I really liked it

It’s like one really long good song, but it’s also just the same song

Dudes a poet and he knows it. Enjoyable listen but not something I'd revisit I think. Might throw on if I host brunch and want to sound sophisticated

Mostly enjoyed this look inside the mind of Lucy Dacus

Store brand Bob Dylan

Nicer dan ik dacht maar niet echt mijn ding . Te veel hetzelfde ook

Rustig maar mooi

There is folk, and then there is sweet poetry readings to slow plucked guitar. If the latter is for you, then you've come to the right place.

4-

It's brilliant, but I was already depressed before I put it on. What a lyricist.

nah, that was mid at best

I feel like I would have fucked with this if I was alive in the 60s but it's just kinda boring to me now.

Yeah nothing here for me. Lot of talk singing about all this guy’s feelings. One ok song to listen to otherwise they pretty much all sound the same.

Favourite song - Master song

Old one

One star is generous

Classic yet not my fav

Sorry but cannot sing for shit tbh; appreciate the unique poetic lyricism tho

Haunted and haunting. My theory is that, as much as the lyrics, it’s the production that makes these records. Specifically, the choice of instrumental flourishes plus the lyrics plus LC’s distinctive voice that add up to such affecting and memorable work.

I really enjoyed the first to listen. Plan to listen to it many more times. I can't believe I missed this album more than 50 years ago.

Interesting album. Good lyrics Standout songs - Suzanne, so long ng marianne Teachers

A decent listen to help you relax.

Songs of Leonard Cohen is a beautifully cohesive debut. It creates a haunting, poetic atmosphere from the very first track and never really breaks that spell. The songwriting is the real strength here. Suzanne and Master Song are genuine masterpieces, lyrically rich and emotionally weighty. There is a quiet intensity to the whole album. It does not shout for attention. It draws you in slowly and rewards patience. So Long, Marianne is my personal highlight. Heartfelt, melodic and timeless. It carries warmth alongside the melancholy and feels like one of those songs that only grows stronger with age. There is not a bad moment on the record, although Sisters of Mercy is probably the one that resonated with me the least. Even then, it still fits the overall mood perfectly. Favourite song: So Long, Marianne Least favourite song: Sisters of Mercy Album artwork: Iconic and understated. It perfectly captures the introspective and enigmatic feel of the music within A powerful debut and a defining early statement from one of the great songwriters

As someone who admittedly doesn't listen to a lot of lyrics, these songs aren't for me for that reason. They are very lyric dependent with some light music going on in the background. The lyrics might very well be good (although they seemed corny at times) and reminded me of Bob Dylan/Paul Simon in places. Just not an album for me. Also- album cover looks like Al Pacino...is Leonard actually Al Pacino? 5/10 (2.5/5)

I can appreciate not for everyone and I'm too basic to get the 'poetry' but I like the mellow. Would be good on a Sunday morning. Lol at the final wail though

Was all of the place on this one. Starting thinking "well, I can see why people thought he had promise" then some songs in the middle I was pretty blah on, the a couple towards the end turned me back around. Sounds like a 2.5 to me

I can see why people like Leonard Cohen but I, unfortunately, do not. I can appreciate the poetic lyrics from an intellectual standpoint but the music doesn't groove, it just kind of plods along behind the lyrics. It feels more like I'm listening to spoken word poetry over a guitar backtrack on loop than listening to a song. It makes it so every time a new instrument joins the fray, or backup singers, I'm so excited to hear them I stop paying attention to the lyrics, and then I tune back in to the lyrics and I don't know what the hell Leonard is singing about.

Look, I like Leonard Cohen - but he’s not a full album guy to me. Some of these are great songs and some are just okay.

Superclassic album. Some Girls Wander By Mistake. Sisters of Mercy etc etc

Found myself humming along nicely with this.

Probably the best LC album: very consistent set of songs with great lyrics and subtle musical variations.

Really enjoyed this album! Especially loved the guitar throughout the entire thing. Honorable mentions: Suzanne, Stranger Song, Stories of the Street

8/10 Excellent. Lovely songs, great delivery Voice reminds me of Lou Reed Mostly sparse production, love the songs that have hints of instrumentation Best: Master Song

Great, but short

Great songwriter, but not for me. 1/5

This was good. Think I like it slightly better than Songs from a Room, but it still doesn't wow me

Leonard Cohen excels at writing songs about women, and as that’s most of what this album was I had a blast. Favourite track: Winter Lady.

classic

Great but too depressing for me!

I love the poetry and the way he highlights it with the perfect music. Such a talent. Not the biggest fan of his voice, but that doesn't hardly take away from how great his album is.

This is great, very melancholy, easy to listen to. Only gripe would be the weird screaming on the last song. Every other song had a clear message, easy to listen, and was calm easy and relaxing, whilst hitting some rough topics.

Schöne, einfache Melodien. Zunächste angenehmere Stimme als Dylan. Nach einiger Zeit aber dünn.

Hallelujah

Eins og ég var með mikið ógeð á Cohen vegna Hallelujah þá hefur hann fengið uppreisn æru í gegnum þessa síðu. Mér finnst hann bara mjög skemmtilegur. Þessi plata er ekki eins góð og You want it darker en samt gef ég henni jafnmargar stjörnur af því að ég get ekki gefið hálfar stjörnur.

too qwiet

Respetable

I do want to like this, but lyrics alone just doesn't cut it for me. I would have bought a novel written by Cohen, but I wouldn't buy this album. It isn't particularily bad, just not something that excites me.

Simon and Garfunkel in sleeping pills

One song, I could cope with. Suzanne or So Long, Marianne in particular. A whole album? No thanks. Five whole albums? Hell no. I get people think Cohen's a genius and I understand why one or two albums might be on the list, but I might skip the next four because I really don't like this enough to bother with. So Long, Marianne saved this from 1 star. Just.

Dig Cohen over acoustic guitar. Suzanne is maybe his best song

#126. God damn, but that was boring. The whole thing. Every song. Just sheer boredom. And why does the album cover look like a movie poster of a biopic where Adam Sandler is playing Al Pacino? 2/5: yawn Song added to playlist: Suzanne I've created a playlist on Spotify that consists of the best and/or my favorite song from each of the albums in this book. This list can be found here if you are interested: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7MAXDGLWlwLkFLb8veGfkA?si=FqkQQPgZTFWG0jAUJXLFZA&utm_source=copy-link

If you like Jim Croche, but don't like hooks, this may be for you! Wandering tales that lack the ability to hold my attention. I would guess Lou Reed did some smack while listening to this.

Thoughts before listening: I like Leonard Cohen for the most part. His best known songs are very powerful, but his slow, almost talking, baritone singing can be a bit of an acquired taste. Review: This album starts out with its best song in "Suzanne" which is a great slow burn of a song that subtly builds throughout its runtime. The rest of the album is similar in style, and while I certainly know it is all high quality music, its just not really my style. 3-stars.

Certainly an exceptional poet with incredible song writing talent. The music is presented at face value, which is not a bad thing, it just means that some songs shine through with their beauty and the others are just thin singer-songwriter experiences.

So long, Marianne!

So torn between 4 and 5

Listened before and love

I’m just not a fan of cohen, the half sung half spoken lyrics are not it. The writing is there but it’s just so mellow and boring

Boooooring

Great listen. 2x at night, 3x total. 4.1

My cat really loved this album. It’s excellent.

Am I wrong to wish he had a better singing voice? The lyrics are masterful and the accompanying instrumental tracks are lovely. But his vocal melodies are almost monotone. I would love to hear this entire album done by Jeff Buckley (RIP). 3.4

I like the accompaniment and I appreciate Cohen's place in folk, but I have a hard time getting with this. Very little to latch onto. Probably better in the day, esp. for Canadians. Not something I'd return to. 2.9

It's like Bob Dylan but with an adequate singer. I'm not much of a lyric man, so singer-songwriters don't draw me in unless the music is compelling. Apart from 'So Long Marianne' there wasn't much that made me want to sing along, and I prefer the version by The Straitjacket Fits anyway. It's mostly just Leonard strumming a guitar and crooning and I forgot it was playing most of the time. But bugger me, the last 20 seconds of this album would scare sleeping babies.

Hmmm. Is Leonard cohen a lyrical and musical genius? Or is he a failed poet who lucked into music? I still don’t know. There are some gems on this. But am I - are we? - being hoodwinked? 2.5, so zero if it’s a con, 5 if it’s what its fans claim it to be. Rounded up