Reviews (page 3 of 9)
Många bra låtar. Produktionen kunde varit roligare på en del av dem. Dress rehearsal rag hade tjänat på något instrument till. Å andra sidan är Cohen själv sämst ju större produktionen är. Diomonds in the mine är country. Men hur sjunger karln? Sing anither song boys är också bra tills Cohen får för sig att han ska skråla. Hade han låtit bli hade fyran varit given.
Started out pretty good but was honestly getting bored towards the end
Well this was a dense but quite cool experience. I normaslly listen to a lot of artists who have Cohen as inspiration and I can tell the blueprint of the guitar picking and the atmosphere, but I can tell thatbis Cohen's poetry that shines here. It is not overall my cup of tea but you can tell ehy he is so influential. 4/5 Definitely on my list to listen before you die
My only exposure to Leonard Cohen is through Hallelujah, and even then moreso through the various covers of the song. Outside that one song, I have no history with Cohen's music. • Avalanche is a striking opening track, it feels heavy, and the occasional horn strings that gradually become more prominent give it a thick feeling. • Last Year's Man and Dress Rehearsal Rag are both fine songs • Cohen's vocals have a lot more roughness to them in Diamonds in the Mine • Joan of Arc is a good closing track, I like the backing vocals I think by now I can pretty safely say that singer-songwriters aren't my cup of tea. I've had a few different folk albums like this so far and none of them have really stood out to me. I'm rating this a 3 because Leonard Cohen is clearly a talented musician, and the songs all do have substance here, but I don't see myself revisiting anything from the album. Favourite song: Avalanche
Tried before and this just doesn't work for me. Not a single song from Cohen I would like. 0.7
I don't know, while it was better than other Cohen's albums, I just really dislike the speaking-over-music style.
Surprisingly less dreary than his last album, which was the first one I listened to. But still, it did not do it for me.
I’m sure I just need to listen to Leonard Cohen music in a specific setting to let it sink in (idk what that is quite yet) but his music just doesn’t do it for me
This is now the fourth of five albums in this project. I took another look at my previous reviews. They were much better than I thought. There was the rather fundamental rejection of the cerebral, intellectual singer and the surprised realization that I liked the music more than I expected. It was the same this time. Maybe, ultimately thanks to this project, I’m becoming a fan? 4/5
malardo
This fluctuated between "not my thing" and "actively obnoxious". This guy is so sad! And he's sharing his sadness with the world. Repeatedly. I don't find the lyrics that deep or meaningful, but he does sing it well, and the instrumentals aren't half bad.
The lyrics are pure sunshine and the melodies are absolute ear candy. I couldn't get enough of the vibrant energy! Please play this at my funeral. JC! It was all I could do to get through this miserable album.
Haven't had time to digest the lyrics. Averaging sound (2) with suspected lyrics score (4-5) [6.5 / 2 = 3.25]
I hate Leonard Cohen as a vocalist. Let me repeat that, I hate Leonard Cohen as a vocalist. Only Bob Dylan might be worse. Every song sounds exactly the same. He takes his voice, which is pretty good in and of itself, and does absolutely nothing with it. Like any sort of inventiveness, dynamism or variety is morally wrong to him. The music itself occasionally has a bit of life, but mostly that is pretty monotonous (except, Diamonds in the Mine, that was a nice change of pace). I now know I'll never need to listen to one of his songs again. The album title is two words too long. Being generous and rounding up 1.5 stars entirely because of Diamonds in the Mine (though the more songs I listen to the harder this becomes).
There's definitely a time and a place for this album, it just doesn't come up very often. If I ever have all my family killed or when Bruno Fernandes leaves United I'll put this one on
Not a fan of Leonard Cohen’s voice, and the guitar backing the moaning on this album is super basic. Very melancholy. Overall didn’t care for this but giving it a 2 because I suppose lyrically it’s very poetic and well written, but I couldn’t tolerate the music enough to listen. (2)
Excellent album but damn is it moody. Doesn’t blow me away like his debut did, but the songs really are top-notch. Must-listen #312.
He’s cool. Or is he a worse bob dylan. Hard to say.
I like his song writing, but don't care for his voice.
I didn't read about this album before but some of the songs are head scratchers with their lyrics and the other ones are just sad and depressing. His singing and guitar doesn't redeem anything. Ugh.
I used to claim Cohen was better than Dylan. I’ve since learned I was wrong. Dylan is in his own league, Cohen is incredibly one note. But god damn i always submit to the melancholy of Cohen. When it hits right, like in one of Cohens absolute best tracks, ”Famous blue raincoat”, there’s no denying his sad exalted genious.
*snap* *snap* Sounds like weird beatnik music. This barely works singing wise. Beatnik musical voice styling. What works is the lyrics. The weird, dark, somewhat bizarre lyrics. Cohen's a weird dude but I like this one. It's better than the Eating a Banana album. That was awful. 3 *snap* *snap*
Absolutely fucking fantastic album for just sitting alone and thinking about everything.
I thoroughly loved this
Immediately the guitar sounds amazing and his voice is deep and soothing. The guitar is acoustic and has the quick strumming rhythm reminiscent of Spanish music, making me think of Pierce the Veil. There is a string accompaniment in the background of "Avalanche" that is just perfect. We'll see how the rest of the album goes, but the first song is great. Wiki calls this Contemporary Folk and that feels right, it's mostly just him and an acoustic guitar. Not sure if the full album will be for me, but "Avalanche" is an absolute stand out so far. The full album was not my style, but "Avalanche" is a 5 star alone. Might do 4 for the album as a whole though.
I liked the first song on the album, but after that I just couldn't quite get into it. I absolutely hated Dress Rehearsal Rag and Diamonds in the Mine. The rest of the songs were fine.
He’s so good.
Just like every other Leonard Cohen album: slow, monotone, spoken word.
I like a bit of Leonard Cohen every now and then but this not really landed today. A few too many words on this and not enough tune.
Songs of Love and Hate This feels very much like a continuation of his first two albums, and upon the first couple of listens I wasn’t really sure if it really added much, feeling a little like diminishing returns of just doing the same thing over and over. However it really grew on me on further listens, with the string and horn arrangements coming more to the foreground, as well as the more band style performance of Diamonds in the Mine, as well as realising just how fantastic Avalanche, Love Calls You by Your Name, Famous Blue Raincoat and Joan of Arc are. I’m still not totally sold on the relatively flat and overly dreary Last Year’s Man and Dress Rehearsal Rag or the slightly ropey and not brilliantly recorded Sing Another Song Boys. I don’t think it's as good as his debut, which is the peak acoustic poetry period for me, but those three tracks aside it is undoubtedly a very good album, deserving of a lo-mid 4. 💘🧢💘🧢 Playlist submission: Love Calls You by Your Name
A well-regarded album in the Cohen canon, this one doesn't land as sweetly as his more melodic debut, or the soaring swansong 'You Want It Darker'. In fact it feels like the debut, but sucked of any vestiges of hope, to deliver something incredibly stark. The lyrics are even more cryptic here than usual, and go deep into religious imagery and analogy. A weighty tome indeed. The album generally delivers the classic Cohen approach of quickly arpeggioed finger picking, or plain strumming, typically centred on one or two chords, no chorus. There's barely any harmonic movement or progression, this is all about a coiling narrative, delivered completely emotionlessly. It's an easy album to admire but quite a hard one to love. I couldn't much warm to it, although I certainly find it enigmatic.
This is my second Leonard Cohen album over the last few weeks. Cohen's songs are always all about the lyrics and not so much about the music in my mind. This one is pretty dark and depressing. The music is pretty morose. Kind of appropriate of a rainy Sunday morning.
Not for me. 1/5
Often a sad mood
I veer towards the melancholy and this is a masterpiece of melancholy. His hoarse bark of a voice nestling in the slight but intricate arrangements. And of course the words are the heart of it, little jewels of sadness and fury. The greatest example of which is famous blue raincoat which is a top five song for me
Great acoustic guitar in the back. Sounds depressing
i like lenny but i have to be in the mood for lenny. it’s a good listen. maybe for a depressing saturday night in alone. i prefer “songs from a room”, i think.
more leonard cohen. an artistic venture on his part, the title of the album is literally. songs of both romance and despair are equally featured in this record. i really like how emotional the whole album is. the way he sings and how he draaaaaags his vocals perfectly embodies that emotion. out of all people that this platform has introduced me to, cohen has been one of the standouts. i dunno, i like the melodrama.
I’d rather have root canal than listen to any more Len.
He's a bit of a struggle, but there was something I liked I cannot put my finger on.
I see the influences on things I like.
I guess I can see the appeal, but it's not something I enjoy.
Solid music, no real stand outs for me.
Je dois dire que Leonard Cohen a une sacrée voix. C'est son deuxième album sur lequel je tombe dans la liste et jeune comme vieux, il a une voix qui marque, profonde et puissante à la fois. Cela dit, sa musique n'est pas vraiment mon truc, donc je n'y reviendrai sûrement pas, mais je dois admettre que c'est un très bon album malgré tout.
Very good, definitely got intense. I liked Famous Blue Raincoat most
a tedious slog through a dreary, dank dirt alley in a rainstorm
Actually kind of haunting. 3.5/5
[shrug] In the words of John Heard’s character in BIG: “I don’t get it.”
What a great songwriter.
I know I’m supposed to like Leonard Cohen because he’s a great songwriter, but I generally find his lyrics obtuse rather than deep, and he’s musically repetitive. This album is no exception.
Reallynot to my liking, if i hear another La la la again in my life it will be too soon.
A bit tiring, very monotonous.
Need to explore Leonard Cohen the artist more
As a first experience to Leonard Cohens work this is incredible, his voice is so emotive and his lyricism is so precise. Incredible album
I realized while listening to this album that the songs I like most by Leonard Cohen are the songs that remind me of Bob Dylan. There's a similar poetic quality to their lyrics, even though they each have their own sound. This album was fine, I think it may have been better if the weather was drearier. Favorite track: "Avalanche." I love the way the guitar races behind the vocals on this one.
- Another artist I'm boycotting for two main reasons: 1. Although it's hard to say what he would say today given the genocide, I'm assuming he would remain a liberal Zionist because when he was alive, he played in Israel for the IDF, went back later against the BDS movement, and apparently believed the solution for peace in Palestine was to kick out the people Israel stole the land from, as per this quote from an article: "I was surprised by Cohen’s familiarity with Feiglin, no less that the nationalist leader’s views had found favor with the octogenarian star. “We need to separate from them (the Palestinians),” he told me. “But it must be humane.” Feiglin has long held the view, as he explained in an AFP interview in 2008, that the Palestinians “will have to seek the right to self-determination in Arab states.” Feiglin added, “Israel will encourage the Arabs to emigrate to their countries and assist any Arab who wishes to do so.”" Oh yeah, soooo humane. 2. Dude appears to be another pedo: His poem “the 15-year-old girls” published in his 1972 collection “The Energy of Slaves”: the 15-year-old girls I wanted when I was 15 I have them now it is very pleasant it is never too late I advise you all to become rich and famous The article I found that in continues: "If only Cohen’s alarming interest in “15-year-old girls” was merely found in one poem. But the ugly truth is that Cohen’s attraction to young girls is a theme repeated throughout his life, such as the harrowing story of “hypnotizing” his family’s 15-year-old maid to undress (according to the author of Cohen’s epic three-volume oral history, Michael Posner, it is unclear exactly what Cohen’s romantic involvement with his maid entailed, and he expressed genuine regret for the whole episode later in his life). Most damningly, a 1971 interview with Rolling Stone magazine ends with a random Cohen outburst, “Hey, where are the 14-year-old girls? This is California, isn’t it? Where are the 14-year-old girls?” It is unclear from the interview if these words, like so much of Cohen’s work, were full of irony or meant to be taken seriously."" In my opinion, I don't care if it's irony, 1. it's not funny, and 2. sounds like a pattern, and I'm not supporting this kind of shit. - The songs are poetic, dark, and brooding. The subject matter didn't capture me, though. - As for this album, I find his voice way too nasal or growling and forward without having the full baritone tone to support it - I really hate it on the middle pack of songs on this album. It sounds like he's trying to do Tom Waits, but it just doesn't work. Also, the very basic backing choirs of women or girls as a counterpoint to his growling just makes his growling seem even less convincing. - The melodies aren't very interesting, but I like some of the instrumentation that supports the songs. - "Famous Blue Raincoat" is the highlight for me. - Overall, the songs were too long, and it all felt very self-indulgent.
You know when you can see the merit but can't find a way to engage emotionally? Fine album just not for me. And that's my loss.
The Cash and Cohen combo back to back was tough. This one is decent at least, I enjoyed the songs it’s just a pity that Leonard Cohen is singing on all of them and it’s SO loud in the mix. I like most of them but all the songs are just a tad too long. He’s like if Bob Dylan was good. But that’s a LOW bar.
interesting album. really bitter and hateful in parts in a way that didn't make me feel any pity for the image he was presenting. in fact i felt like the self hating kind of invites the audience to dislike him as well. i liked the lyrics but actually had to look them up to register them - his very drawn out style of singing made it very difficult to follow along with what he was saying which i feel like is kind of a failure of genre for such a lyric-focused album. i also liked the very specific guitar strumming style on some of the songs which apparently is a signature of his - avalanche was my fav song partly for that reason and partly for the allegorical lyrics. his voice was grating to the point of becoming unpleasant in songs like diamonds in the mine and sing another song boys. i did not enjoy this album but it did do Something to me
Ugh. This is a chore to listen to. Cohen's voice does not do it for me. I feel like he's another man who can write a killer song, but cannot sign it. Avalanche and Famous Blue Raincoat are the standouts, though I prefer the Tori Amos version of Raincoat.
3/2/26. Really impressed with this one, glad to dive more into Leonard Cohen! Very unique voice and storytelling with the perfect instrumentation to back it up. I'm guessing this is where Cameron Winter got his inspiration for Heavy Metal.
140/1001 First listen. Dylan of the north. This feels like it was primarily words put together in such a way then the music added was of less importance. Didn’t do anything for me. 3/10
I like Lenny but cant really understand the following he has. I love dark music and this but objectively I feel its overrated. Yes it was different and can understand it having a cult following. I like it a lot yet I cant really justify giving this album 4-5 stars
Wasn't bad but really gotta be in the mood for Cohen and his brooding, sneering voice to hit home.
Leonard Cohen would be very cathartic to listen to if I was navigating grief or loss. This album was a great listen on a slow Saturday morning. Diamonds in the Mine seemed fitting for the current political climate, especially living in Minneapolis. Overall, a solid and balanced album.
This is my first time listening to Leonard Cohen, both in the project and in general. And it has probably the best lyrics I've had since I got Bob Dylan(albums #9 and #16). The soundscape is far better than Dylan, trading annoying vocals and harmonica for a spare baritone and guitar, almost reminiscent of Johnny Cash. It's extremely spare and bare-boned, with an intimate atmosphere that differs vastly from most other records. To listen to this album is an experience like few others. It's not the kind of album that impresses through big choruses or heavy riffage or jaw-dropping solos; it demands you read into the lyrics as poetry, for they are basically poetry sang over spare guitar and occasional strings/piano. This is not an album to be played constantly; it's one to sit down with and really take time to listen to. And when you do, I suspect that you will be rewarded with an experience like few others. That is one of the many markers of a great record, and the one that gives this greatness.
Yeah he’s a poet and a talented performer all around but he just doesn’t tickle my fancy in the way he tickles others. Probably the most consistent of his albums that I’ve heard so far. It was ok.
I’ve had two Leonard Cohen albums so far and I’ve hated both. I’m Your Man is in the discussion for my least favourite overall so far. This one however I surprisingly liked. In saying that nothing blew me away or anything but, considering my rock bottom expectations going in, a three is a good score. I could even push to a four on another day since I won’t have that feeling of dread going in.
Not my favorite. I cant really get into Cohen's talk-singing, and a lot of thr songs had a droning quality and lyrics that felt forced. Overall- not bad. But not for me
I just can’t get into Leonard cohen. Mediocre voice and he speaks most of his “singing”
Boring folk music. There’s little energy here. Doesn’t motivate me to listen again.
An amazing album, I don't know how I went this long not listening to this! I loved it!
Obviously, very good. Not quite my favourite of his but it ticks all the Leonard Cohen boxes.
Negative stars.
Good lyrics, good guitar, great voice. Nice listen.
I was a music major in college, and inevitably, you get to a point in music history where you must talk about Arnold Shoenberg, widely considered one of the greatest composers of the 20th century. He was, without a doubt, deeply creative and immensely influential. And yet, I never want to listen to anything he ever wrote. Yes, I can stop everything and pay attention, and gain appreciation for what he’d written, but I will never seek out his music for pleasure, and I certainly won’t enjoy it if I do listen to it. Leonard Cohen is similar for me. But replace “composer” with “songwriter.” He just doesn’t do anything for me, even if he’s technically brilliant. And, as far as I’m concerned, there were other great songwriters at the same time who actually wrote music that was worth listening to. I will pick those songwriters every time.
Not for me I'm afraid. Seemed like it just went on and on.
The spoken‑word style doesn’t give enough melody to latch onto.
You can see why so many artists cover his songs. Full of emotion and excellent songwriting. Interesting lyrics and hooks. Great album.
ça eat dsl
There’s no musical payoff. This might as well be an audiobook with a garage band instrumental loop
Bob Dylan but not shit. A bit repetitive though
I kinda loved Diamonds in the Mine because of how obvious the hate was in the song. Everything else was nice, but I feel like a lot of the true meaning was lost on me.
Great intro track (Avalanche) then nothing really hit me afterwards.
I have never really listened to a full Leonard Cohen album but have heard a song here and there. This feels like a dark Bob Dylan and it’s pretty darn good.
Avalanche - 4 Last year's man - 3 Dress rehearsal rag - 4 Diamonds in the mine - 4 Love calls you by your name - 3 Famous blue raincoat - 4 Sing another song, boys - 3 Joan of arc - 3
Interesting, not exactly upbeat
Another Dylan comparable. Songs of Love (love the poetry) and Hate (hate the singing).
more like songs of love and love.
Depressed. Visceral. He never fails to drag you into the depths with him, where all men are equal.
I respect this guy's gig. Great songwriter. This wasn't the easiest thing to get through, though.
What a grim and dull set of dirges. Absolutely awful.
Didn’t really care for it on a musical level, the lyrics are probably deep if I listen to it again. Doom and gloom.
# Album Name: Songs Of Love And Hate # Artist: Leonard Cohen # Rating: 4/5 # Comments: A good album. I love a bit of LC after discovering him on this list. A mellow chilled album. Never really moves out of fourth gear. Just cruising a long the highway. # Top Tunes: Avalance / last years man / Dress rehearsal / Joan of Arc # Would I listen to it again? Yes
You mis-titled the album. Songs most people HATE 1
4⭐️/5 02.12.2026
no el millor que te però leonard nunca falla
Boring ballads. 1/5
Frenetic guitar opening with layered strings and Choen's deep baritone on Avalanche. So brooding and flat.
Better than the previously-reviewed Cohen album, but … not by much. His intonation & style is [personally] grating & just not that enjoyable to listen to.
Having previously mildly disliked Leonard Cohen's work, this actually wasn't that bad. Maybe I've just grown accustomed to his style, not sure. I found most songs quite interesting, but found 'Diamonds in the Mine' to stand out the most. Most of the other songs were more of the standard Cohen you'd expect with some poetic rambling and slow guitar playing.
I love Leonard Cohen and this album has a few stand out tracks. For me the best one is “Avalanche” which may have been one of my first introductions to Cohen. Early Cohen is more poetry than music and listening to this while working feels quite unfair. The songs I knew I liked and while following along with the lyrics on some of the new songs they felt quite good too. This needs more than a shallow listen to give a fair review. I’ll give it 3 stars for now but will need to come back to it when I’m more focused.
SHOWSTOPPING
Sing another song, Leonard.
Not so sure about the “Love” bit
I wasn't really in the mood to listen to this today, but still amazing and slightly unhinged in places. 8.9 Fav track: Famous Blue Raincoat Least fav: Sing Another Song, Boys
Leonard's poetry is moving in its simplicity. His storytelling and vocal abilities are undeniable and he uses them in a really masterful way. The instrumentation is acoustic but sharp, sombre and dramatic - in a good way. It's really appealing and it's very easy to see why.
When to listen: In a bed, with tea, in dreary weather, when feeling a deep pit of despair in your stomach. Look, Leonard Cohen is an impressive artist. This album is lovely, gritty, and complicated. It's just not all the way there (for me)
Famous Blue Raincoat is one of my favorites, but this one does feel like a bit of a drag listening to the whole album, even though I like the songs individually
Laughing Lenny. This sure isn't background music. It's a fascinating journey through each track, where it's going the first listen, looking for meaning afterwards. I can see why this might not be your thing but I enjoy the journeys, and he is some of the only poetry I can follow. 4 Star
6/10 His voice is more suited for anger and cynicism than melancholy. I prefer his later works as a result. Highlight: Avalanche
1 1/2 Stars: Okay, so it's poetic and moody. It still does nothing for me. The music isn't catchy. The lyrics don't speak to me. Cohen has been a difficult artist for me to crack. I just don't "get" him, but I'm still searching for that thing. Let me know if you found it.
Naw
his voice does something to me and not in a good way
Not the biggest fan of Cohen but also have had a mixed response to the different albums in this list. Initial take is that it is closer to his debut, which I didn’t love. Like, I get his vibe and he does it well, but just not that enjoyable a listen unless I’m in a hole! Maybe to be saved for mornings of regret and existential dread in the future… There are clearly good, well written songs, with clear talent but just doesn’t seem to really land with me so well 🤷🏻♂️ the melancholy is rough and the energy on ‘Diamonds in the Mine’ is just 😬 I’m sure there are some very clever lyrics here, but I just fancy a bit of a groove, Lenny boy. You know what I mean?
Malo ste napunili jaja s Cijenom. Ne mogu ga više slušati. 1/5, 2/10
Damn! Why did I sleep on Cohen for so long!!! This is just plain beautiful. What a songwriter! 5/5
Leonard Cohen may be a great poet, but his music is a bit disappointing.
I did not like this one nearly as much as the other Leonard Cohen album from a few days ago. This one is pretty monotonous, 1 star.
ARE YOU FUCKING KIDDING ME? Two Leonard Cohen albums in a row?? This one feels more like a poor man's Dylan ripoff. Can't believe we get a Friday and Monday bookend of this crap.
Ouch, ok two Leonard Cohen albums in a row..this album doesn't have any peaks to even out all the monotonous valleys for me.
Great Songs: Good Songs: Last Year's Man, Dress Rehearsal Rag, Love Calls You By Your Name, Famous Blue Raincoat, Joan of Arc Mid Songs: Avalanche, Diamonds in the Mine, Sing Another Song, Boys Bad Songs:
okay, the guitar helped him a lot but it's still white music, boooorig
So cool, Mr Cohen - great lyricist - really liked the album - must listen again soon
awwwwww shit. look who it is. no other than the legendary canarian asshole, mister leonard cohen. you tryna sing me some song about love and other songs about hate? sorry but due to a series of unfortunate events there's no love in me and what remains is only hate. let's check out what the fuck do you have in your bag... em, "Avalanche". Nick Cave covered it twice and said that the song changed his life. he even wrote about how he first heard the song in his book, The Sick Bag Song. For him its a song that shelters him from the blazing Australian sun and cover him up in the darkness. but i just dont heard anything that he heard from this shit. maybe the australian sun has melted his brain. are you trying to cover me under these thick snow using your guitar appargio? i am indestructable and radiates heat. and the string crescendos... why are you canadians all so enthuastic in crescendos. but it bores me. i havent seen anything that nick cave seens in this song. but actually its not shit either. i kinda get him what he means about the "darkness" part. but can you stop croaking like a fucking frog? and next, "Last Year's Man". still croaking. still flat. still filled with weird religion references. still as plain as white bread. although i love white bread. and who the fuck would consider a children's choir as a good idea to put in the track, like, i just dont understand. following up with "Dress Rehearsal Rag". i get the self loathing in the lyric but why you sound so funny, especially when you are singing the "four o clock in the afternoon and i dont feel like very much" part. you need to sound more depressive. you need to sound more painful. wheres the pain, old ass man. a long way down the downward spiral but its so unserious. it even dont sound like a downward spiral. try harder, boomer. the poor kids are singing on this shit too. you are doing child abuse. also, Mr. Cohen, why are you doing country on "Diamonds In the Mine"? you should know i am probably the number one hater of country music. stop your annoying speak singing. its damaging my mind. and i find myself a failure while listening to "Love Calls You By Your Name", because im just impossible to describe why it is boring. its just purely boring. *sighs* ok... "Famous Blue Raincoat". i have to consider it as the album's highlight cause i just can't not do it. during my "the phase" i sang this in the year end karaoke party of my high school, before my brother become my killer. im sad and thinking of the past. but if event didnt happen ill still have this flaming hate toward you. and look whats going on? trying to lighten the mood with "Sing Another Song, Boys" while still sounding as desprate and dreary as ever? another huge L for you, Leonard, as L is the initial of both "Lose" and "Leonard". and i... don't even want to talk about "Joan of Arc". it sounds like an exact carbon copy of every other song on this album so what applies to the other songs could also be applied here. it sucks. too long don't read: i dont think i actually hate you but yet, this is indeed really fucking mid. some bonus brownie points for how you managed to make me love some of the songs and hate the rest, hence the album name. Now so long and godspeed, mister cohen, before I had the chance to dig your grave and violently assault your fucking corpse. Sincerely, (my pen name) 4/5
#838. A few of his albums in now, and i can very clearly say this is not for me. 2/5: nah
If it was Leonard Cohen's mission to be a boring version of Bob Dylan, he knocked it out of the park. I am still bored and I finished this album 40 minutes ago
I respect Leonard Cohen as a Montrealer, a boulevardier, and a poet, but I do not like his music. I had a very hard time staying interested in this record. His delivery is boring.
heavy album. although the vocals are somewhat similar across the album, it doesn’t get too stale. nice flow across the album but pretty heavy overall
Good lord this music is so boring. If this is supposed to put me to sleep, it's working. Toward the end it was getting actively annoying to listen to though. Barely not a DNF.
I can't do any more cohen, please don't make me. This guy would benefit from a greatest hits album on here instead. Perhaps if I truly appreciated the art of poem writing and song chanting I could enjoy this but I don't. I am also just not a sad enough person for this stuff.
I enjoyed Songs of Love and Hate, except for Cohen's singing. I don't really enjoy when an artist is extremely monotone (only other that comes to mind is the lead singer of Cake), and there's not a single time where Cohen isn't being monotone. That being said, it definitely fits the depressing mood perfectly. Favorite Song: "Famous Blue Raincoat"
Famous Blue Raincoat was the only song with which I was previously familiar. Avalanche is fantastic, and I liked Love Calls Your Name. The shouting in Diamonds in the Mine felt very out of character.
Cool. Haunting vocals, hypnotizing guitar, singer songwriting at its finest. interesting compositions, vocals, all songs pretty different. Not a whole lot separating them for me, suppose famous blue raincoat takes it. 3/5.
Avalanche, famous blue rain coat, sing another song Boys stand out songs, few songs sound samey so minus a star
Leonard Cohen and Tom Waits are two peas in a pod. Leonard Cohen feels more like a poet whose poems have been set to music. There's a similarity to Bob Dylan's work. Dress Rehearsal Rag is a good song. I bet Cake loves Diamonds in the Mine. I like this more than I thought I would as it started. Second Joan of Arc reference.
This is not really my thing. I can hear the quality in the lyrics and the songwriting, and I get why people rate it, but I find it a bit dreary to sit with for too long. I respect the creativity. I just do not enjoy spending much time in that mood.
Vilka melodier han får till med det begränsade omfånget! Nära på en klassiker. Stark fyra
Mislim da znaš da mi je ovo jedan od najdražih albuma uopće
Avalanche - 3/10: I just found it kind of boring. Last Year's Man - 3/10: Same as the last one, I did enjoy the guitar though. Dress Rehearsal Rag - 3/10: I don't really like the way he sings. Diamonds in the Mine - 2/10: I don't like his vocals. Love Calls You by Your Name - 3/10: I just found it boring. Famous Blue Raincoat - 3/10: I don't like how slow it is. Sing Another Song, Boys (Live at the Isle of Wight Festival, August 31, 1970) - 2/10: Boring. Joan of Arc - 3/10: Just not my favorite. Overall Score: 22/80 Overall Rating: 1/10 - There's honestly not a single song on this album that I like. I found it very boring and I don't like the way he sings. It's like he's just talking. I definitely won't listen to this album again.
i hated it.... its too sad and long for me
I need more time. This is probably a 5, and almost certainly "essential". But I'm not feeling it right now.
I'd never heard any of these songs; I also didn't know what Leonard Cohen looked like...
Maybe this is because I've listened to this whilst working, but I've not felt struck by this in the same way I was You Want it Darker, and I only got depression from the little attention I paid to the lyrics. That said, I paid full attention to Joan of Arc which is a wonderful piece of poetry, so I may be being too harsh on the album here. 5/10
Não gostei muito não Meio meh
A good poet for sure, but musically, not really for me. People who cover him usually do a great job.
hauntingly beautiful
Leonard Cohen is an interesting guy. I still don't know how I feel about his unusual style....it's a mixed bag.
Please stop taunting and antagonizing people through song
Leonard you bastard why did you evade me for so long
The last Leonard Cohen album I listened to was not only my first but also his first release (Songs of Leonard Cohen). I didn’t give it a great review cause I didn’t really like his voice and I didn’t really connect with any of his songs or his vibe. Which I thought was unfortunate cause the guitar playing was pretty insane. But that being said I enjoyed this album much much more. It’s not competing for my favorite folk album but it had its endearing moments. The biggest being “diamonds in the mine” which I Loved. It wasn’t just my favorite song on the album it made me see the talent and potential of his voice. I can appreciate that this is more of a silly song but I obviously resonate with that, and I think the vocal delivery is the most compelling and interesting out of every song I’ve ever heard from him (I’ve admittedly only heard these two albums from him). But regardless I enjoyed my little afternoon with this album, it was slow and relaxing and I actually enjoyed it for moments.
This album is a road trip down a highway of dreariness and darkness while stopping at every roadside attraction possible; some are cool, most aren’t worth a glance. But you just want to tell him to get to the end already. It tries to be dark and dreary too hard. ⭐️⭐️
So relentlessly serious it makes you feel like you’re eavesdropping on a man narrating his own emotional autopsy. Impressive, but spiritually heavy in the worst possible way.
ICE agents shot a woman in MN, and a fat, facist f*ck is the president of the US. There's talk of invading Greenland for some stupid reason; and regime change wars continue. Groceries are getting near unaffordable, and the homeless population continues to rise. The world is pretty effing bleak on it's own without an accompanying soundtrack. 2 stars.
Not really music but more poetry. Some of it was hard to listen to but there were some pearls in there if you were in the right moment.
Album 1013 of 1089 Songs Of Love And Hate - Leonard Cohen (1971) Rating : 4 / 5 As I’ve said before, I love the space Cohen occupies - it’s less about hooks or melodies and more about the experience of sitting with the music. When I give this a 4, it’s coming from a completely different mindset than rating something like Born in the USA the same. This is about atmosphere, mood, and reflection. The title says it all. These are songs of love, hate, despair, doubt - all delivered in Cohen’s unmistakable, haunting baritone. There’s a quiet weight to every track, and while it’s not an album you casually throw on, it rewards the listener who’s willing to slow down and live inside it for a while. This one didn’t disappoint at all. It’s somber, intimate, and emotionally honest - the kind of album that doesn’t demand repeat listens but naturally invites them. I know I’ll come back to this one.
Not for me
klassiker
DNF
Total classic from laughing Lenny
There were some interesting songs here but I've never really been crazy about Cohen. I should probably listen again though.
A good one, but a bit depressing
I can't. You give me Tom Waits one day and the next Leonard Cohen? No. Just no. 1 /5 because there's just too much Leonard Cohen on this list and I'm angry now.
Angrier than I expected
To be honest, it was fairly dreary and miserable. Combine Lou Reed and Bob Dylan, put some twangy acoustic guitar and give it come fairly miserable themes in the vocals and you get this. I didn't really like it.
This album is like sneaking out for a cheeky dart at a house party. Your flatmate’s friend’s boyfriend is having one too, so you strike up a conversation. He tells you that the spark is gone between him and his girlfriend. Also his dog died last week and he’s currently negotiating redundancy at work. Without being able to pay his rent, he’ll need to move back in with his parents. You reckon you’ll quit smoking after this one.
A good story teller and some nice opening tunes. Did feel like I was going to fall asleep while listening at,times.
Hands down his best album imo. Famous blue raincoat I think is fucking brilliant work. Sincerely L Cohen gives me chills. Love this shit
Some rly pretty songs. I’m slowing down… so slowwwwwwww
Surprinsingly good
LC sucks 1/5
I liked this as much as I liked other Leonard cohen albums we have listened to. It was beautifully told and sounding. He has a mesmerising voice that really puts me in a trance.
Found loads of depth here, enjoyed it as much as the other Cohen record we’ve listened to. Plenty of interesting stories.
zzz
good but the constant lack of instrumentation makes it kinda boring
Edito comentario. El anterior decía que en un día no había llegado a darle bola a las letras pero que ahí había algo. Ahora confirmo que lo que hay es increíble. Me voló la cabeza. Oscuro y misterioso, pero sin perder la poesía ni lo directo. Quiero meterme en el mundo Leonard Cohen ya. Bajo dos puntos porque musicalmente no me conmueve. Pero es increíble. 8/10
No private session used for Spotify. I keep thinking I should do a deep dive on Cohen some time, but I think this site will have me covered. I like the music, but not a real fan of his voice..lovely guitar work, though.
Music to kill yourself to.
6/10
Leonard Cohen is ok, some of his stuff is better than others. Admittedly I haven’t listened to a lot of it, but this is probably the most tolerable one so far. I guess you have to take it for what it is. It’s basically poetry, loosely (sung)/spoken over acoustic guitar type laid back folk-music. It’s fine, but I don’t really “get it” I suppose. People love him, and I don’t see what all the fuss is about.
A fantastic poet and lyricist, but not really a songwriter that grabs my attention. It feels like enjoying Leonard Cohen is done moreso with the brain than the heart. While there are highlights on this, the lack of dynamics or exceptional instrumentation result in a 48 minutes that go by at a plodding pace. Best Tracks: - Diamonds In The Mine - Joan Of Arc Worst Tracks: - Dress Rehearsal Rag Rating: 5/10
Beautiful
Joan of arc is certainly a way to end an album, whew.
If you've got something to say, just write it down. Don't put it over lousy guitar.
His first album was used as the soundtrack for McCabe and Mrs. Miller. I liked it as it fit the moodiness and darkness of the film. But, his music on its own just bores me. His poetry is brilliant, but his music is, to me, thin and listless.
This is a good collection of calm and relaxing songs. Fit well to my mood today. A little too monotonous to get me really excited, but a nice listen nonetheless.
FFS! 5 albums of the same dreary shite! Down with this sort of thing!
This list has made me appreciate Leonard Cohen more, but this was not necessary. You get a sense of his music from 1, maybe 2 albums. I will say I’m glad I heard Diamonds in the Mine. I liked hearing him actually yell. High 3.
I hate Leonard Cohen
Meh not really for mw
Mostly stunnung
Very depressing. Very sad, the children’s choir on a couple tracks was haunting. I did really like Diamonds to Mine, but that song was also sad and depressing lyrically. Hey, at least it was upbeat.
ok not my fav but Listenable
I like
7/10
This is awful
Amazing. A bit boring at times, still amazing.
It's ok. Not my music.
This album is a drag and Cohen can't sing. I just don't get it. I'm sure it's probably been said before but this is more like songs I love to hate.
I'd like to think that this is 70s doomer music. Favourite Track(s): Diamonds in the Mine Least Favourite Track(s): Dress Rehersal Rag
Leonard Cohen simply writes great songs. Sometimes I’m not in the mood, but when I am, there’s nothing like them.
I like Leonard cohens guitar playing. Always beautiful but still simple
Such a gem. Love the haunting combination of Cohen’s lyrics and delivery. This album features most of my favorite tracks from him, one of his more varied and eclectic albums and not a miss on here. 10/10 Favorite tracks- “Avalanche” “Diamonds in the Mine” “Joan of Arc”
Ja dit is lekker. Vanaf die eerste track die verdomd veel op 'The Partisan' lijkt zit de sfeer er lekker in. Ome Lennard met z'n mengeling van zingen en vertellen, waarbij hij meer zingt dan bijvoorbeeld Nick Cave (die wel heel erg aan het vertellen is vaak). Ik heb de neiging om wat meer dan anders te letten op wat hij te vertellen heeft. Zo hoor ik hem vertelzingen dat de mondharp op tafel ligt in track 2, terwijl ik in m'n review van een ander album van hem nog aangeef dat ik wilde dat hij dat ding achterwege had gelaten. Geinig. Het is niet voor elke dag, vier van zijn albums in deze lijst is teveel, bij "Diamonds in the Mine" gaat het even gruwelijk mis (al komt het daarna wel weer goed, met dat nummer dat begint als 'Mijn Vlakke Land'), minimaal één van de andere albums van hem in deze lijst heeft betere nummers; Ik moet het allemaal meetellen. Ik blijf helaas steken op 3 sterren.
call me sabrina carpenter’s ex because I be jacking off!
I have to be in the right mood for Cohen....I'm just not in that mood rn :/
Ya'll shat on Adele for making her voice sound the same throughout her entire album...
I neither love his songs nor hate his songs. He is a lousy vocalist but a great songwreiter.
One of my all time favourites
Lucky you if you’re getting to hear this album for the first time. I wish I could again. By the time you get through listening to this record you feel like you need a priest or a therapist. It album made Cohen’s reputation, as a songwriter and specifically a depressing songwriter, but listen carefully and you find it’s not depression so much as depth and complexity. The reputation for miserablism is more an artefact of the delivery, the lived-in low baritone voice and the minimalist arrangements rather than the subject matter. Alongside Joni Mitchell’s Blue this is one of the great ‘bleed into the mic’ albums of all time and it kind of makes you wonder what was in the water in 1971.
Don’t get it
I really love his guitar style but his voice can make it hard to get through at times.
This genre is either hot or miss for me so I can never give it more than a 3 unless it really stood out to me
like the voice, but early on too sparse and reptitions on the music. I might be more in the mood for this some other time, but I dont really like the overly sparse non-energetic droning.
Loved Avalanche and Dress Rehearsal Rag. Hated pretty much everything else.
Deep. At points, impenetrable and trivially obscure. Musically more complex than the sparse palette suggests. Interesting and emotionally satisfying
Favorite Track: Avalanche
A pretty solid if inconsistent folk record ranging from incredible to abrasive entirely depending on Cohen's vocal performance song to song. Compelling and at times haunting guitar lines with deep lyrics unfortunately overshadowed by very shaky vocals. Would be much better with any other performer. Top tracks: Avalanche, Famous Blue Raincoat
Not my favorite stuff from him but still enjoyed it
Everytime i read an article about a metal, goth, or punk band and their influences, about half the time you see the name Leonard Cohen. i have to admit, i simply do not get him and his popularity but he's not the only one i have this opinion of (there are two or three also in the 1001 listing). if i have to pick a song or two, it would be "Diamonds in the Mine" and "Sing Another Song, Boys".
I've taken dumps that were more audibly pleasing than this.
Depressing. Although that might be the point.
I can imagine this album being recorded at some early 1970’s beatnik basement coffee house in NY City where a bunch of musicians are trying to make it. In my opinion Leonard Cohen should’ve been serving coffee and pot instead of performing!!! This was awful!!!!
I think I've decided that I really hate lyrical albums like this
Not for me, but he's good
Not really a Lenny Cohen guy.
The Good: Always nice when an album title explains what you are going to hear! The Bad: The album title not explaining that it refers to how you will feel about the songs… The Ugly: The fact that there’s more to hate… Oh Leonard, what troubled life you live. Is he a great poet? Yes. Does he know how to pluck a string or two? Yes. Is his voice particular? Yes. There, that’s the positive stuff to say about the album. I will not dive into the negative portions of the album, as I believe those who’ve not had to listen to this album yet should dig in with a blank slate! Don’t let my score discourage you for, potentially, loving the album… I hated it… 2*
Interesting. Not my sort of thing, but made notes on some of the chord ideas. Cohen loves a compound time signature!
Oh my, it does not get any better. Thank you
Beautiful. Never had the chance to listen to a whole Cohen's album. At times repetitive and not really my genre, but 2-3 amazing songs (Avalanche, Famous blue raincoat, Love calls you by your name) alone deserve 4 stars...
Not really my sort of music, but I could see the appeal. Probably best listened to while sitting in a big leather chair, by a fire, sipping whisky.
Was fine but not something I'd go back to. Bob Dylan without the catchy tunes - fast fingerpicking will only get you so far......
He's not a bad songwriter and plays guitar well but he can't sing. Every song was dirgy! The last one Joan of Arc was bearable but I'm not sure if that's because I'd made through the album!
Really liked the dark vibes, reminded me of the acoustic mid era Swans output
little boring 3
Mää en oikeestaan hirveesti tykkää Leonard Cohenin laulutyylistä. Se on jotenkin niin puuduttavaa ja laiskan kuuloista. Aika mid levy, pari parempaa kappaletta. Parhaat: Famous Blue Raincoat, Sing Another Song Boys
Ok 2/5
There's nothing I really loved on this album and there's nothing that I really hated on this album, I was just bored.
leonard cohen said he wrote this during a period of deep and prolonged depression. it sounds like it. 4 stars for accurate advertising.
um wow! i hate this! this is music i feel like hozier listens to but sorry i'm not hozier. and i love him too so idk where the disconnect is.... i was born in 2001! bite me!
All songs of hate for me. Utterly terrible.
A legendary lyricist of candid intimate confessions half spoken, half sung with stripped back instrumentation, this is not his best album IMHO. Avalanche and Famous Blue Raincoat are stand outs for me but I expect some of his other albums will come up here like Songs of Leonard Cohen.
Lots of quasi-biblical lyrics and imagery, but mostly nonsensical poetry to my ears. Passionately delivered, but nonsensical nonetheless…
A mediocre Bob Dylan
Not as strong as his debut album. It is still a great work of songwriting.
I really want to love Leonard Cohen, but it doesn’t click for me in a way that pulls me back for repeat listening. He was beyond gifted and I respect everything he’s done, just can’t get over the hump to a 4 though.
Avalanche
It was so ..... booooring. The guy sang 3 notes for the entire album. "Great" melodies :/
#2 Where are the drums? Droning monotonous vocals. Interesting guitar.
3.5
3.5
I finally Listened to the whole thing as a whole and I got to say this is quite frankly my favorite album of his I've heard so far, probably will be the peak of his albums for me. This is to me it has the perfect ominous feel for his voice and and the way he plays. except6 for the the children's Choir, it doesn't really have a lot of the strange intricacies he seems to have in some of his Productions, like where he puts in weird things like Mouth Harps... But even the Children's Choir really worked for where he was going with this. I think a lot of it has to do with Bob Johnson's production. I think this is really a fantastic album and probably the first five star album I've given for an album I had not heard before this project 10 ★★★★★
Gorgeous, but very dark album. Not my favourite Cohen, but still 5 stara
I think this is a great album. I think Cohen's songwriting is getting a little darker and more interesting here. You can definitely hear the influence on people like Nick Cave. I do wish some of the arrangements were more fleshed out, but there's some great stuff here. Highlights for me are "Avalanche", "Famous Blue Raincoat", "Dress Rehearsal Rag", and "Diamonds in the Mine". 4 stars.
Songs of Hit and Miss. Good and Bad. Gems and Clunkers. There’s bleak gems like Avalanche and Dress Rehearsal Rag that are really spell-binding and powerful. Then there is some weird cranky stuff like Diamonds In The Coalmine and its cheesy jarring backing singers. ‘There are no chocolates in your box anymore?!’ I’d like to see you say that to Forrest Gump you complete bringdowner. Sing Another Song, Boys is another rough cranky clunker near the end. Unless that song happens to be Africa by Toto I would say ‘No. You may not sing another song, boys. Not even the final one after it Joan of Arc. Only Africa by Toto or at a push one of their earlier singles All Us Boys’.
His voice is such a drone. I'm sure the words were really meaningful but it didn't do anything for me.
I think about him the way I think about Bob Dylan. Good poet, terrible to listen to
Hate is certainly an apt descriptor. Love, not so much.
They say his music is depressing? It’s far worse. A monotonous bass drawl drone, with a lot of it not even in tune. (But with some nice guitar, granted). If I wasn’t driving I’d have fallen asleep. Utterly dull and uninteresting. Never again.
3/5
What a miserable guy.
too slow for me
Solid album by really unique artist. Includes few classics and introduces bit rockier side of Cohen.
Not my cup of tea.
It's not the worst of the folk stuff this list has been spewing, but it's by no means good. I like music, not lyrics and most of this album is just lyrics.
lovely
It’s nothing to rave about, but it’s musically and lyrically ahead of so much other shit on this list.
I hear that Leonard Cohen is an amazing lyricist but I can't tell because this is so fucking DREARY. And my favourite band is Radiohead for fuck's sake. I like dreary. This is just... I mean, is he lying down all the time? No energy whatsoever. It's actually making me depressed, and I already am so that's something. Fuck me, gonna have to turn it off NOW.
A truism I feel about 90% of songs is I'd like them more if they were played at double time. For Leonard Cohen, that may not be enough. His singing is so deliberately slow, it almost feels like he's doing a bit. The primary emotion I get out of Leonard Cohen's singing is somnambulance. The music is secondary to the lyrics here, and I'm not really a lyrics guy. But even paying attention to them, the ideas are not anything that speaks to me. Cohen is a glacial poet who revels in inscrutable imagery and I'm not feeling what he's putting down (although in "Famous Blue Raincoat," imagining Leonard languidly penning a letter to the man who cuckolded him is very funny to me). Anyway, this is another Me Thing since a number of smart people (including many musical artists I like) love his music. I would have given this one star, if not for the angry, growling "Diamonds in the Mine" which I think is terrific. If only the rest of the album was more like it.
A bit dull & dreary 5/10
Pretty classic Leonard Cohen…
Dour, depressing, but devastatingly beautiful. But please god, no more Leonard Cohen on this list... this is the third album now..
Started off great and thought it was going to be a hidden gem for me as I didn’t know of the songs from this album, but fizzled out a bit. Suzanne is one of my favorite songs of all time but this album didn’t quite do it for me.
Just felt depressing
Pretty boring standard fare for singer songwriter from the early 70s? Dunno why this one is so crucial. Dude is definitely leaning harder on the songwriter than singer part. Kinda like a crappier Canadian version of Neil Diamond? No real urge to listen to anything else by him, most of the album was a fairly boring slog. 4/10
Heavy
Don't like it, sounds weird.
The lovers will rise up and the mountains touch the ground · · ─ · ✶ · ─ · · Not sure what he's beaming about on the cover, because this album didn’t trigger anything even remotely close to joy in me. Cohen drones on for 45 depressing minutes over some sparse instrumentation, and it’s just a drag to get through. The lyricism is this album’s saving grace. Great poetry, and probably should’ve stayed that way. · · ─ · ✶ · ─ · · Favorite track: Joan of Arc Least favorite track: Diamonds in the Mine
Like a smooth whiskey on a cold winter’s night. 4/5
Good
Either I've grown and changed in the 11 months I've been doing this project, or I've developed something akin to Stockholm Syndrome for this variety of folksy poetry recital. Either way, I actually enjoyed listening to this album!
If a day comes where I need some sad, slow music, I might turn to this album. Today was not that day however
*Emotionally heavy- definitely need to be in the right mood for it *Don't love his voice and several songs dragged at times- but there were some nice moments
Not my fav LC album, but still pretty decent
singer songwriter music doesn't really appeal to me. its not that i don't care about lyrism in my music, im more inclined to read into them when the surrounding instrumentation is also interesting. I'm sure the lyricsm on here is excellent when analyzed, and there were parts i like, famous blue raincoat was great. I just find the production to be so uninteresting. I also jus don't like his voice its just not for me also why is diamonds in the mine kinda reggae i feel like im going insane
3.3/5
master piece
A tough listen, incredibly sad. Beautiful sure, and Cohen's voice is deep and gorgeous but man is it a depressing specific mood. Famous Blue Raincoat is an incredible song, and the stand out there. I couldn't do it justice, it is powerful and s statement of a song. Overall, as an album I think it's mostly good, albeit a little simple musically, but I get what it's going for : devastating poetry. It is effective in that. The length of most songs are a bit long, and overall it is weirdly structured : too coherent sonically, too different thematically. That being said, I don't really mind it here, it creates tension, and the album is only 8 tracks and most songs feel there are here for a reason. I don't like all of them, Diamonds in the mine is the "breath" I get it, it's almost a parody of pathos and strange, but it is also a song you hear once and never want to again. "Sing another song, boys" is also the slowest song I ever heard, every word is streeeeeeched and it makes it barely listenable. That being said, I get them in their context, but they keep the album at a solid three for me.
Like
Hauntingly captivating singing style. Beautiful guitar playing
i love me some Leonard Cohen
I love Cohen but I really didn’t enjoy this today
I've never understood why Leonard Cohen is held with such reverence. He talk-sings half the songs and the music is mostly uninteresting. The songs overstay their welcome too: 7 of 8 are 5 minutes or longer; 4 of 8 are 6 minutes or longer. I enjoyed “Famous Blue Raincoat” but could skip the rest. 2/5
Es ist ein düsteres, poetisches Meisterwerk, das die Tiefen menschlicher Emotionen auslotet – Liebe, Hass, Einsamkeit und Sehnsucht. Es ist kein leichtes Album, aber eines, das sich tief in die Seele eingräbt. Die Songs sind minimalistisch arrangiert, oft nur mit Gitarre und Cohens unverwechselbarer Stimme. Die Texte sind literarisch, fast wie Gedichte, die von gebrochenen Herzen und existenziellen Fragen erzählen. Es ist ein Album, das nicht tröstet, sondern herausfordert – und gerade deshalb so kraftvoll ist. Das Highlight: “Famous Blue Raincoat”. Dieser Song ist ein emotionaler Höhepunkt des Albums. In Form eines Briefes geschrieben, erzählt Cohen von Verrat, Vergebung und der melancholischen Schönheit vergangener Liebe. Die Zeile „Yes, and thanks, for the trouble you took from her eyes / I thought it was there for good, so I never tried“ ist ein Paradebeispiel für Cohens Fähigkeit, komplexe Gefühle mit schlichter Eleganz auszudrücken 😊.
***An ok album, slow but easy listening
Once the children's chorus comes in I'm done and Leonard Cohen did it to me TWICE
Интересный голос и манера исполнения, но слушать я это не стану
Impeccable
Woof. I adore Leonard Cohen but this early stuff is a SLOG. It is interesting to see pieces of what he becomes later.
Oh Leonard, you sing like you're holding my hand