Songs From A Room

Leonard Cohen's first album was an unqualified triumph which announced the arrival of a bold and singular talent, and many who heard it must have wondered what Cohen could do for an encore. By comparison, Cohen's second album, 1969's Songs from a Room, was something of a letdown. While it's a fine LP, it ultimately feels neither as striking nor as assured as Songs of Leonard Cohen. Bob Johnston stepped in as producer for Songs from a Room, and his arrangements are simpler than those John Simon crafted for the debut, but they're also full of puzzling accents, such as the jew's harp that punctuates several tracks, the churchy organ line in "The Old Revolution," and the harsh synthesizer flourishes on "A Bunch of Lonesome Heroes." Johnston also had trouble coaxing strong vocal performances from Cohen; his singing here sounds tentative and his meter is uncertain, which regardless of how one feels about Cohen's much-debated vocal prowess is not the case with his other work. And finally, the quality of the songs on Songs from a Room is less consistent than on Songs of Leonard Cohen; as fine as "Bird on a Wire," "You Know Who I Am," "The Story of Isaac" and "Seems So Long Ago, Nancy" may be, "The Butcher" and "A Bunch of Lonesome Heroes" simply aren't up to his usual standards. Despite the album's flaws, Songs from a Room's strongest moments convey a naked intimacy and fearless emotional honesty that's every bit as powerful as the debut, and it left no doubt that Cohen was a major creative force in contemporary songwriting.

"hmm after i take another hit of this crack pipe maybe i should pick another album for the list" 1

I was actually dreading the inevitable Leonard Cohen album, since I feel he is kind of the epitome of a singer/songwriter who cares more about song than sound, a topic I discussed a few reviews back. And sure enough, the album was what I expected it to be: a collection of barely-sung poetic lyrics over simple music. What I didn’t expect was how much I didn’t hate it. The feeling I got was kind of like a more melancholy version of the way I felt about the Sinatra album: it was just a nice thing to have in the background that doesn’t really intrude. My only disappointment was the lyrics. All the reviews and notes refer to his wit and wordsmithing in superlative terms, but honestly I feel like a lot of more recent lyrics, especially rap lyrics, are more impressive. He does tell a good story through. My personal enjoyment: 2.5/5 Did it belong on this list: 5/5

Songs should've stayed in the room.

It’s cool that the generator keeps recommending these bleak-ass Leonard Cohen records on Saturdays. Really great way to kick off the weekend…super cool.

Lenny tells a story, it must be said. Not particularly uplifting or tuneful. Overuse of the jews harp

Another Cohen album, another review that says pretty much the same thing. Namely that, while Cohen was a world-class songwriter, his songs are best when someone else performs them. He really can't sing and the guitar playing on this album is pretty dismal as well. At first listen, there's nothing to really recommend the album... until you really listen to the lyrics. Because those are brilliant. Shame Cohen can't perform worth a damn.

Cohen is so very good at the melancholy thing, and I love it. On later albums he gets even better, as his voice ages he grows into it more and it's just beautiful. This album is a lovely listen, full of stories. I enjoyed it lots. I thin it only misses out on being a 5 because I know he gets even better.

What an album! Always heard the hype but never really listened to Cohen--I understand now. A great listen, I can picture a recently divorced man who lost everything but his sense of self sitting on the porch smoking a cigarette on a cold gray winter morning. Calmer and muted for a 5 rating for me but truly there's no reason not to give it its due.

"The Partisan" is a hauntingly beautiful song. I really appreciate the song-writing quality of Cohen. Very much in the same vein as Dylan, you're listening for the poetry and the lyrics more than the flow of the music.

Hadn't heard this album before, and unfortunately with good reason. Best bits are on Greatest Hits, rest is unremarkable. I love me some Lenny but not this so much

Reminds me of Bob Dylan. Sounds like a storyteller.

I get that he was a great talent but I'm not so hot on this album

Listening to this makes me want to develop a unified field theory for male singer-songwriters of the 60s-70s. I am envisioning a Venn diagram with circles for Leonard Cohen, Bob Dylan and Townes Van Zandt. Although I have to admit that where the three circles overlap is an area I don't like very much. I guess what I am trying to say is that all three of these guys are irritating to me in the much the same way - bad singing, obscure lyrics and occasionally odd musical settings. The kind of artist that you're told you're supposed to admire, and often I do, but music that requires explanation or backstory is fundamentally flawed.

A pinch of monotony can be a spice, one of my conclusions as I slowly rotated from scepticism about this record’s polish and reserve to getting its cool and the force of tough words delivered drily. Reading a little about Cohen helped: I originally mistook the hard effort behind the deadpan facade as dilettante disinterest.

Leonard Cohen is always a good listen for me.

Another brilliant Leonard Cohen album. I love the spare arrangements. Songs are all memorable. His idiosyncratic voice is perfect to express the beautiful lyrics. 4.5 stars

Loved this. Proper spoken word story telling. Great songwriting, emotive delivery from someone I only got into after he died. 4/5

Not a huge Leonard Cohen fan, and it looks as if I've got a bunch of his albums in my future here. Maybe he's an acquired taste. This album is pretty spare: guy singing some songs he wrote accompanied by some music. It was fine.

TIL Leonard Cohen used to be a folksy baritone. I want to hear him re-record this album with his characteristic smokey-throat bass. Alas.

Storytelling with nice guitars.

No. 197/1001 Bird on a Wire 4/5 Story of Isaac 4/5 A Bunch of Lonesome Heroes 3/5 The Partisan 3/5 Seems So Long Ago, Nancy 3/5 The Old Revolution 3/5 The Butcher 3/5 You Know Who I Am 3/5 Lady Midnight 3/5 Tonight Will Be Fine 2/5 Average: 3,1 Not his best work. There are not really stand out singles here. Everything meshes together

Another excellent record from Leonard Cohen with a couple of all-timers in the mix. It feels of apiece with Songs of Love and Hate. Musically, it's very stark, and the lyrics standout more than any of the melodies or arrangements. It kind of makes it difficult to grade on a similar scale as other albums on here that are more musically interesting because it feels like it's a different artform altogether. This isn't a record I have a lot of experience with and I suspect my appreciation will stretch and deepen over time the more the lyrics sink in, as is the case with many of his records. For now, it's siting comfortably at a 3.5. Favourite songs: "Bird on a Wire" and "The Partisan"

I do love Leonard Cohen, even if in the grander context of 70s Folk icons he falls behind the likes of Dylan and Joni. This album in particular has some of his most stripped back and bare songs that hit hard like 'Seems So Long Ago, Nancy'. Also, there is The Partisan which might be my fav Leonard song. The rest of the album is a little hit or miss for me.

Really dug this album. Leonard Cohen is one of those artists that I enjoy but want to get more into and was thrilled that this album popped up. It was only 35 minutes long but still it flew by and I was sad when it was over. It was especially disappointing after the last track "Tonight Will Be Fine" because it was a delightful song.

It's hard to explain, but this album was very fitting to receive on the tail end of Holy Week and Easter Weekend. Similarly, while I understand the criticism, I like the way Cohen's music makes me feel.

Every cliche lamewad that claims Jim Morrison's lyrics are poetry should be forced to listen to Leonard Cohen.

A perfect album! Genius from front to back.

I’ve wanted to hear this one for a while

I guess I’m kind of a Cohen-head

hard to pick a favorite, loved the whole album. Story of Isaac The Partisan Lady Midnight

Much like Tom Waits, I find that people either love or hate Leonard Cohen. I’m in the love camp here and I’ve yet to hear any of his music I haven’t loved.

More like spoken poetry than songs, this music is still very pleasant to listen to. Leonard Coen obviously isn't a great singer, but there is charm in that for me. The songs here all mostly sound the same, with a single guitar strumming around several verses of prose, but at only 36 minutes, it works for me. Definitely still one of my singer songwriters from the era, and I like this more than most Dylan music. My favorite here is Story of Isaac.

Oh. This is why we love him. Such profound wisdom in such a neat package. Yeah the second half drags, but the perfection of the first half cannot be found anywhere else.

masterful, perfect, gorgeous, life affirming to listen to. i love him so much

Sorry but I have an irrational affection for Leonard Cohen.

Ten folk songs with poignancy weaved throughout. Cohen's half spoken vocals seem tailor made for this, but he does flex his vocal chops at times. Story of Isaac is good, haunting acoustic guitar. A Bunch of Lonesome Heroes is more upbeat with the keyboard and an almost soaring chorus (ok, it's Leonard Cohen). On the Partisan, the guitar riff is intricate and fast, delicate picking, and the vocals and lyrics are somber. Then a female choir backs him up in French. You Know Who I Am is another sparse number with some of the best guitar on the album. Tonight Will Be Fine brings back a fast folk rhythm and closes the album on an uplifting note. It took me a couple listens for this to click, but I wouldn't change a thing.

a great influential album

got a lot of physical burnout atm from the busyness of work but i finally stopped falling asleep long enough to listen to what has to be one of the best possible albums for my situation lol. kind of equal parts uncanny/desolate and lush/pretty...cold in ways ive felt enough to be kind of comfortingly familiar. where dylan tends to be super dense and abstract, layering on tons of little gems and details and images that make the most sense as a sort of freefloating whole, cohen is maybe closer to a "traditional" storyteller...he certainly recounts a lot more specific, follow-able events...but he infuses these deceptively straightforward recountings with a lot of mystery and mysticism that make them feel like theyre a few layers of interpretation away from unlocking some Secrets Of Significance. very few new-to-me songs in this project have captured me as wholly and immediately as bird on the wire...something beautiful ab being surrounded by the shattered pieces of urself

I love Leonard Cohen. That’s all.

Great album from a Canadian giant in music

minél tovább hallgattam annál jobban tetszett. zeneileg nem a legbonyolultabb, de talán ez a nyersség az ami kiemeli a szövegeket. inkább megzenésített irodalom hangulata van. elég depresszív de pont jól. kicsit azért repetitív zeneileg. favvv: the partisan

Kedvenc/Favourite: A Bunch of Lonesome Heroes Pont az ilyen zene miatt szeretem a folkot és a countryt. Egyszerűen volt szívhez szóló, könnyű volt hallgatni és meghallani a súlyosabb témákat, amik megjelentek a szövegekben. Nyersen és őszintén szól az életről, a maga kissé depresszív, de fülbemászó módján. This is the kind of music that made me like folk and country. It was simply heartfelt, it was easy to listen to and hear the heavier themes that came through in the lyrics. It's raw and honest about life, in its own slightly depressing but catchy way.

INJECT IT INTO MY VEINS! Yes, it induced be into a melancholic malaise that I struggled to shake of for the rest of the day. But I still facking loved it. The saddest of all the lads. Simpsons: Yes

Amazingly stripped down. Just a guitar and emotion. Far better than Dylan.

Mooie teksten met veel gevoel gezongen

Inspiring composer. 5/5

Some of the greatest songwriting ever. And young Leonard Cohen had as much emotional depth as old Leonard Cohen.

Absolute classic!

Favourite tracks: seems so long ago Nancy; bird on a wire; story of Isaac; you know who I am; the partisan; the butcher; the old revolution

this is a five for me. i love this a lot. leonard cohen, the man you are

I accept Cohen as my Lord and Savior.

Feel like I usually know going into an album whether or not there's a chance I'll give it a 5. I was not familiar with Leonard Cohen's game. The album wasn't particularly exciting or groundbreaking, but there were just so many really nice sounding songs on here. Really liked it

Love this album...High points: Story of Isaac, Lady Midnight, The Parisian and Bird on a Wire. No one else like him.

Leonard cohen!

Fuckin’ wonderful.

I didn’t think this would develop into a 5 star album for me but it did! This is my first Cohen album on the list and can‘t wait to hear the other ones.

A master songwriter. The Partisan is one of the best songs to exist.

The fact that everyone who covered Hallelujah did it better does Leonard Cohen a disservice because his first three albums are absolutely fantastic.

The Partisan.

Leonard Cohen is one of the greats. The Future from a future recording turned me on to him and his entire catalog 30 plus years ago. An original. This album is a joy to listen to in its entirety. A joy in the sense of the wonder of how such a stark album could be so good.

Fantastic album. I'd never listened to Leonard Cohen before, but I will for sure be listening to more. Brilliant.

Not as strong as his first album, but still classic LC of course.

Simply brilliant

Leonard Cohen is an artist I discovered while working my way through the "1001 Albums You Must Hear" list, and he's now one of my favorites. It's hard for me to give an in-depth review since he's still so new to me, but this is my second time hearing this album, and the more I listen to him, the more I like him.

10/10 album. Feels like I’m listening to a western (praising)

Not really my taste but really nice music to walk to, “Tonight Will Be Fine” is 5/5

It was good

The first Cohen album I have listened to, and I was pleasantly surprised that I totally loved it. It’s brilliant.

great singer with a remarbable and unique voice - love the sound and the lyrics - great album

Poetic, melancholy, moody. Just the sort of thing I like.

beautiful and ageless

just what I needed today.

I need to listen to more Leonard cohen.

New album for me but not new songs. His poetry is lovely and there are many amazing exams here. His voice hasn't dropped and is still smooth, but totally hypnotic.

I can't imagine another album that is going to surpass this one. Leonard Cohen's poetry and singing... They just never get old

The Partisan

Masterpiece of an album.

I mean… c’mon. Favorite tracks: a bunch of lonesome heroes, the partisan, seems so long ago, nancy; the old revolution! The butcher (beautiful). All of them… DAMN… Lady Midnight MEEE! Etc etc. 5 stars. Anyone surprised?

Já Curtia o som, baita energia

Slow, hypnotic, story like songs

I don't really know many songs of this type but I really liked this album ! And in bonus, a song with some french... It's a hit !

One of the greatest records in my collection. Deep and thoughtful and dark.

Premier storyteller of the early rock age!

Goddamn it, Leonard Cohen! You've stolen my heart.

This is one of my favorite Leonard Cohen albums I've heard. I think it's much more dynamic than his debut and he seems to have a bit more humor in his lyrics than on other albums. I really enjoyed this one and went back to listen to it multiple times throughout the day. Standout Tracks: Bird On a Wire, Story of Isaac, A Bunch of Lonesome Heros, The Partisan, The Old Revolution, Tonight Will Be Fine

5/5 Love his voice. Huge fan of Leonard

Simple yet deep. Definitely the kind of album that benefits from additional listens. Nothing to complain about. It’s my favorite album that prominent incorporates a jaw harp.

the best lyricist of his or any generation. the instrumentation is unobtrusive, letting you really revel in the poetry. the partisan is one of my favorite songs ever written, and bird on the wire is also up there. i can’t name other highlights here because every song brings something new and tragic and beautiful.

Cohen wrote many great albums and this is definitely one of them. While other albums might contain better and more famous songs this one here really shows why he's such a great song writer. He doesn't need cheap rhymes or a great singing voice to lure you into his musical world.

One of the best records ever recorded.

I found it interesting that this album felt different and distinct from Songs of Leonard Cohen and Songs of Love and Hate, which were previous listening assignments in this project. While those two albums hit me immediately, these seemed to be songs to savor, and I was happy that I was able to listen to them a few times, finding new things each time and growing deeply in my appreciation for them. The songwriting really shone through this one, where the instrumentation and the vocals were quite simple. I probably shouldn't say it quite like that, as the classical guitar work is masterful, but it gets to shine through brightly here with the occasional Jew's harp accompaniment. Just as an example, each time I listened to "Story of Isaac" I was knocked over at a new bit of the message it gave, using the Biblical story in a way that blew my mind. There's a good reason so many artists have performed these wonderful songs.

Some nice Leonard Cohen with a lot of mouth harp. Boing-boing-boing.

A musicalidade presente na construção dos versos cria uma sensação que ritmo que se apresenta para manter a atenção. Assim, escutar as músicas é sentir fortemente a mistura de tristeza, alegria e euforia.

I was sceptical at first but this one is really beautiful

Godlike.

Poesía de Cohen. Sólo por The Patisan ya se merece un 5.

so wonderfully flawed, out of tune and even more intimate for it. maybe I am alone in this, there is something playuful & humourous, even hilarious, as well as a soothing. Its not melancholy - more a lugubrious tone, hence playfyully sleepy, lulling. and then, at times, its like a Nick Cave lyric pops up... original. I need MORE COHEN, not less. adding nhim to my new listening pile, alone with Serge Gauinsbourg.

What an album. Definitely has a nostalgic feel to it which I love.

This became a personal favourite of mine