Songs From A Room

Songs From a Room Although I’m not that familiar with this album it does essentially feel like Songs of Leonard Cohen part 2, continuing the structure of picked acoustic, half sung half drawled vocals (probably for the best when you listen to his straining on A Bunch of Lonesome Heroes) and image laden poetical ruminations on love and mortality. The bass tone throughout is great, particularly on Bird on the Wire, Story of Isaac, You Know Who I Am and The Old Revolution (great organ on that last one too). I also like the liberal smattering of Jew’s Harp, sounding a bit didgeridoo, but giving nice accent amongst the bass and acoustic guitars. The Butcher has a nice nagging rhythm to the guitar, and Lady Midnight has a great organ swell. And I really like the cowboy-ness of a Bunch of Lonesome Heroes, and Tonight Will Be Fine shares some of the clippity clop vibes, but with a nice drollness to the lyrics and some (I think deliberately?) wonkiness to the woodwinds. Overall with his songs in this period there is a sense that he just has one type of song and vocal cadence, but it is one I find pretty pleasing. There isn’t much daylight between this and the first album. I think I vaguely prefer the first over this one, but then it does have a couple of my favourite songs of his in Bird on the Wire and The Partisan. So I’ll give it the same score of 4. 🎶🚹🎶🚹 Playlist submission: Bird on the Wire

I like quite a bit of Cohen's work, and I do think he was a lyrical genius, and some of his music also hits very high highs. However, I feel this album is less than his first album or what came later. I don't understand why it is on this list, as I feel that it mostly just feels pedestrian, which is not at all how I'd explain Cohen generally to anyone. This album just feels too safe.

I appreciate it more in theory than in practice

Nice lyrics, but his voice sucks Too 3: Bird on the Wire, Story of Isaac, The Partisan

Not my favorite Cohen album, but quite good.

It isn’t the album with the hit on it, but I’ve always liked Leonard’s singing as much as his songs, and I wasn’t left thinking about cover versions. I could just enjoy these, and I did.

I thought is was really repetitive and boring every song sounded the same but it was a chill album ill give it that

Not hos best, but still Leonard Cohen

Unlike the debut which felt too morose, and You Want it Darker which was dark but in a reflective and poignant way, this album seemed to be far less drab, more accessible and I got a lot more pleasure from his voice, which was I happy to let wash over me in this one. Nearly got a 4.

He’s not my style. It’s like a poetry slam with a guitar. It wont give a two, because theres much worse out there. My wife who is into poetry and heavy on the lyrics of songs would offer up a 4, but agrees he can be boring musically.

Beige 2.5

Vocals are a little rough, a couple of great tunes.

What a beautiful album

Really bad voice

tender hearted, but a little droning

finally

Mas o menos

Hell yeah!

The master of gloom - yet touching and soulful. It's an album I know quite well and it's mood music for me and not always the right time for listening to. This one caught me at the right time of the year, and of the day. A definite 4/5 for today.

6/10

I've rated every single Leonard Cohen album 3 stars so far, and this album isn't moving the needle for me. A straight down the middle, nice enjoyable listen that plays well in the background. There's moments of flair that stand out, like the atmospheric guitar in The Partisan. He has some presence, and the songs hold some weight. It's very stripped back, but he sings well and the songs work. It gets a bit old after a while; I certainly wouldn't want this to be any longer. You guessed it... 3/5!

what else can i say but he’s got the juice. the sound is a lot more “full” than i would’ve expected with the branding of “from a room”, but it contrasts very nicely with cohen’s amateur vocals (a strength in this case). ill have to dig further into these lyrics but they are all so evocative.

Inte intressant

Passar enbart vissa tillfällen men då passar det jävligt bra

Zzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Yea I rock wit it. Byron-esque

Holy shit, this album did not help my mood today. One depressing track after another, this is a 35-minute onslaught of sadness set to a plinking guitar. This was better than his debut album that I listened to about 100 albums ago, in the sense that this actually made me feel genuine emotion. Unfortunately, I don’t care for Dylan-style folk and Leonard Cohen couldn’t carry a tune if you gave him an empty bucket, so it’s a low 3/5, barely in the OK category for me.

I am drawn to "Seems So Long Ago, Nancy." I know he doesn't have the most beautiful of voices, but I never doubt Mr. Cohen when he sings.

Not a fan of his voice, or his guitar so 1.0

Jesus, how has this bloke got 5 albums on the list. This is the 4th one I've had the 'pleasure' of listening to and they are all, consistently, up-your-own-arse pretentious bullshit. He can't sing, which absolutely destroys any musical value the album might have. This particular album was turned off before Track 2 finished (and it was a struggle to listen to it that long, but I have a policy to give an album at least 2 tracks before I start forming opinions). On a positive note, I only have 1 of his albums left to review.

Det minner om debut-skiva, bare mørkere og mer nedstrippet kanskje. Bytter på en måte bort litt av folkelige og pop-aktige ved debuten mot låter som ikke går noen vei eller later som at de skal ta av. Og så har du A Bunch of Lonesome Heroes som ikke passer den beskrivelsen helt, men i stedet høres ut som en "dårlig" kopi av mesterverket So Long, Marianne. Det fortsetter egentlig sånn og vipper litt mellom å høres ut som en nedstrippet versjon av debuten og låter som ønskte de var So Long, Marianne.

Tonight Will Be Fine to give this a listen.

7.1/10

Disappointing.

My first two Cohen albums got one star but the two since have got a 3 so maybe he’s growing on me. I might go back to those first two and give them another go. Is was a really solid album with a couple of crackers on it. The Partisan in particular was bloody great.

Let's see... I gave the last Leonard Cohen album one star. The one before that? One star. And the one before that? One star. And how about the one before that one? One star! Notice a trend there, Bob? I give this album negative five stars. Maybe I should give it 37 and one-half stars. Whatever... It doesn't make any difference. We are all doomed to a lifetime of unwanted Leonard Cohen albums.

I actually like Leonard Cohen, but if you hear one of his albums, you've heard them all. Low rating for over representation on this list.

Bob Dylan assed voice

Jamais écouté avant. Quelques notes de guitare, des ponctuations à la basse, des nappes parsemées de violon, quelques accents à la guimbarde, et au-dessus, loin au-dessus, la voix bancale de Leonard Cohen. Songs from a Room est un exercice de dépouillement musical presque extrême, conçu pour mettre en avant les sublimes textes de l'un des plus grands poètes de la folk. Et ça marche, très bien, même, à condition de se laisser embarquer dans la noire mélancolie de ses mélodies diffuses et la puissance évocatrice des mots. Top : The Partisan Flop : The Butcher

Every song kinda sounds the same, with the finger picking and the nasally voice and the rambling lyrics. Can be a bit of a vibe at moments.

I love Leonard Cohen but this album falls a little flat for me. Nothing really stands out.

I may have a tainted view of this because I was doing some reading for class while it was playing, but I was pretty let down by this. A lot of the appeal of the last Leonard Cohen album that I listened to was his voice, and how present and distinctive it was. But here, he kinda sounds like any other guy, and very rarely do the instrumentals do anything to save him. It was just kind of a let down, I was expecting a lot more from this. Favorites: Story of Isaac, The Partisan, The Butcher

FUCK LEONARD COHEN!

Better than expected

Divine.

hay una sensibilidad simple pero muy directa que llega y me gusta

This was terrible. This was only my first Leonard Cohen album on the list... I can't believe I have to listen to 4 more albums of this crap

I'm thinking Leonard may have been a happier person if he'd gone outside and walked around in nature for a while. Staying in one room is not good for mental health!

Another album from Leonard seems excessive, but as we already know, songs about war and religion get you on The 1001 Must Hear List. This sounds and feels like more outdated music for old folks. It did improve as it progressed, but not enough to get it a rating over (2.02*s) If we’re listening to another from a Lenny, let’s make it Kravitz

Too many songs from Mr. Cohen. The ones from a room don't stand out as better or any different than the others that made the list. Not sure why so many albums by this guy are making it. He's a poet but it's all the same. Should have just the debut and that's it. I'm not sure what the editor is thinking using up precious spots for other albums...1.08 stars.

Wasn't excited about another Leonard Cohen entry. Another slow acoustic folk album to tune out to. Songs From A Room didn't feel like it did anything to differentiate itself from many other albums on this list from the same ilk. This one was a little better than his debut, but not as good as some of his later-career stuff where he went electric and added some synths. I'll admit Leonard Cohen can finger-pick a guitar and is a competent songwriter but it just doesn't interest me. I've already have my fill of acoustic folk and expect there will be more to come. Leonard Cohen has had a storied career but I'm not into it unfortunately. I'm hoping this is the last of Leonard I need to deal with. 1.62 stars

One of the best pure songwriters I've ever heard

Another work of beauty, might've come between a couple more prestigious of Cohen's contenders but this is a lovely album to listen to in itself, fitted with graceful words and warm sound

Soothing storytelling and a beautiful voice

His other album was better. This one isn't bad but it's a sophomore slump. Not as good, a bit more polished. Like he used his better material for the first album. It's alright I liked the Partisan a lot. He's a very good poet. I'll probably never listen to this album again but I'm not mad I listened to it.

Can Leonard Cohen sing? Definitely not. Can he write a bleak 60s folk song or ten about young lads dying in 'nam? Hell yeah. Doesn't make for the best listening, though. Still I liked some of the delicate instrumentation. Lots of weird didgeridoo that really rustled my jimmies aussie-style.

It’s fair to say that this isn’t the liveliest album on this list (I did fall asleep on my first listen, but I have a very tiring job so don’t blame Leonard too much for that), but I did enjoy this. Cohen has a real knack for an emotional song, and the sparseness of the production really helps that. It’s probably stronger in the first half and the repetitive sound does make it feel longer than it’s 36 mins, but still a good listen.

Some really good songs considered as compositions, but the performances are sadly rather underwhelming. The sound is very sparse, based mainly around acoustic guitar and vocals, with a very prominent and distinctive jaw harp on many tracks. I really respect Leonard Cohen as a songwriter, but his lacklustre, half-spoken vocals don’t help with this dreary atmosphere pervading the whole album. Funnily enough, I think he sounded much better in later years as his voice got rougher and deeper. It feels longer than it is, and regrettably, I don’t enjoy the listening experience enough to give it more than 3 stars.

Another wonderful collection of songs from LC.

А ось і він)

One day isn't enough to absorb this album. "Bird On A Wire" was the only song I already knew, and Leonard Cohen's quietly loaded lyrics need time to percolate though. I'll definitely come back to it though - I've been listening to "Songs of Love and Hate" for 20 years and I still don't feel like I understand it. Lovely stuff.

Kinda boring. His hooks on this one just don't really sink in.

There are very few words that I could say to express how I feel about Leonard Cohen. He is the poet that we needed our whole lives.

I know this guy's a legend, but only had heard a few of his songs and didn't know his history. While listening to this album, I saw that he was first and foremost a writer--a poet and novelist. He apparently took up folk music when the first two didn't pan out. Knowing that he's so beloved, I'm a little embarrassed to admit that I find this album insufferable. His voice is grating--almost out of tune in places, and it feels like he's copying Dylan (I'm not saying he is, but he came after and his style is similar so the comparison is inevitable) without the unique qualities that made Dylan's strange voice special and bearable. The lyrics didn't reach me because of the grating voice and uninteresting music.

I never knew he was Canadian. Enjoyed it. I am partial to a bit of LC and this felt like his most approachable / tuneful album that i have listened to so far.

Middling

This is my third Leonard Cohen album for this exercise. The voice is rough initially, but if you hang in there for a song or two, it starts to work its magic. Mostly him and his guitar, with fairly sparse accompaniment (including the great Charlie Daniels before his career took off, on bass and violin). The Jew’s harp on a couple of tracks sounds a bit goofy. And what is that on the last track at the end? I assume the whistling is Cohen himself. There is a second lower flute-like sound, but I think too thin and out of tune to really be a flute, or even a recorder. Maybe an ocarina? Maybe someone blowing into their cupped hands to produce the sound? A little weird. Overall, a good set though.

I love the melancholy feeling written into each soulful song, but I'm not a fan of Leonard Cohen's vocal skills. Most of the songs have similar, chuntering instrumentals and warbling vocals. The mix isn't bad, but it becomes grating after a while. This album wasn't too long though, so it was fairly listenable.

okay not his best

It was fine

2,5/5

Unexpected jaw harp album

703/1001 2026.09.16 😴😴🌑🌑🌑

Nope.

Beautiful, as usual with Leonard

It's been a while since I listened to this record. It seems like this one is a bit divisive. I've always really liked Cohen's voice and approach to songwriting. I also tend to like the material from the sixties to the mid seventies the best of that material. This record obviously falls into that period. The song arrangements tend to be a bit stark and minimal, emphasizing Cohen's voice and lyrics. There's a lack of interest in virtuosity that aligns this record interestingly with the later indie trend of bedroom recordings and conscious embrace of the amateur. The comparison some make the Dylan isn't too surprising and makes a bit of sense in that the rhythm of the songs is driven by the flow of the lyrics. Cohen is obviously a bit more gloomy, but there is a playful element to the lyrics that they both hold. It feels a lot less guarded than Dylan's work though. Looking forward to revisiting more of this work.

If you like melancholy this one is for you, otherwise give it a miss

I respect him so much. I just did not jive with this.

Давно уже хотел послушать этого мужчину с грустными глазами, но все ждал когда он мне выпадет. Штош.. альбом намеренно написан максимально минималистично, поскольку Леонарду не понравилось то, как звучала его предыдущая пластинка (по видимому, НЕ МИНИМАЛИСТИЧНО) И это как бэ, камень предткновения, и причина по которой он вам либо понравится, либо нет. Здесь есть характер и стиль, есть интересная лирика и песни, но как мне кажется, у Коэна есть более интересно звучащие вещи (надеюсь я не ошибаюсь лол) которые я ещё послухаю, учитывая что составитель списка оч любит Коэна, судя по количеству его альбомов здесь.

Probably his better album on here, I mean he nearly sang in tune on a couple of tracks. I have fond memories that go along with The Butcher so wasnt all bad. Never been a fan though.

What is with the author of the book licking this miserable bastard's arse? They're all the same - shite. Reminds me of the guy who brings a guitar to a party in an attempt to impress girls, but they all think he's a loser instead. One of two albums out of 600 odd that I've turned off, it was that bad. Made me irrationally angry. Please let this be the last one. I'd rather listen to someone being disemboweled.

I was not vibing at first and then like ever cohen it just made sense by song 3. Such a solid storyteller and in such an interesting way. Love every second of it, love every cohen of it. Top mouth harp user all time.

Wonderful album in particular the Partisan. He loves his poetry/lyrics more than his music.

So, I really like Leonard Cohen but I feel like including five albums is just lazy. Pick one from his early acoustic folk albums and one after his shift in sound. Anyway, sometimes I’m not in the mood for gloomy folk but when I am, this is great. If you are looking for more like this, check out Pearls Before Swine which came out a couple years before this. Good stuff!

So mellow and pretty. Always enjoyed Leonard Cohen and this album was no exception.

Nice!

Ik vind Leonard Cohen een lastige artiest. In zijn latere albums draagt hij zware materie bijna voor en is het meer poëzie dan muziek. Dit is zijn tweede album, en eerlijk? Dat merk je. Waar zijn stijl zich steeds verder door ontwikkeld vind ik dat hier nog echt een beetje in de kinderschoenen staan. Zijn stem is duidelijk nog niet doodop zoals op "You Want it Darker" en ook zijn pen is nog niet zo sterk als later. De hoogtepunten zijn wel vet hoor, dat Franse koor bij The Partisan en You Know Who I Am, maar merk dat ik wel echt wat minder enthousiast ben dan over You Want it darker. Alles bij elkaar? Interessant om te zien waar Leonard vandaan komt, maar niet perse een album wat ik vaak ga herluisteren. Ook geen banaan op cover, extra minpuntje. FAVO: The Partisan, You Know Who I Am

not crazy for this guy in the first place. just don't enjoy singer song writer. it's okay, but i am never going out of my way to put it on Would I listen again: NO Deserves to be on this list: he's got like 3 albums here, no 2.2

Somehow tougher for me to get into than Songs of Leonard Cohen.

THANK YOU, my Leonard Cohen hyperfixation lives to see another day! Since my last album, I have purchased a book of poems, built a playlist around him and “my guys with shitty voices💛” and asked approx 20 people “do you like Leonard Cohen?” and learned Allison and her aunt do… anyway. Pumped to listen. // Absolutely loved this one. Poet/freak (complimentary). Devastating at times, hilarious at other times, profound and raw and silly and beautiful and vaguely unhinged at times. “A bunch of lonesome and very quarrelsome heroes Were smoking out along the open road…”

Man I can’t with Leonard Cohen. Not sure why. I love Dylan, he’s clearly a good lyricist, and it seems like something I should be into. But I just can’t. His voice is bad songs all drawn on and are just kinda… Boring I’m here to tell you about the best cover of one of these songs, though there’s a bluegrass band called Mighty Poplar, who did the cut of Story of Isaac to close their self titled record. It is absolutely amazing one of the best recordings of all time. You should definitely check it out because that song is amazing, but to hear it given more life without Cohen, as the one singing is definitely how it should be experienced!

No no, honey, we have Bob Dylan at home. Cohen is a legend and his songwriting is great, but this early folk acoustic stuff just doesn’t grab me.

50/50

Go to your room

It's alright, singer songwriter

Easy listening

Bit dreary

It’s just a bit boring really

This reminds me so of early Dylan that I warmed to it immediately. And some of the lyrics reallhy touched my heart. yeah, this is pretty good. 3.5/5

that's not entertanining enough for me