Reviews (page 3 of 8)
Rating: 4.1 Far and away the best thing I’ve heard so far. Paves the way for the guy from Modest Mouse and all the other guys who can’t sing but make beautiful music.
This man creates a mood. A melancholy mood, like no other.
Interesting instrumentation but it works with acoustic and electric guitars, strings, harmonica, occasional backup vocals, and sparse percussion. He weaves beautiful stories, but his voice is an acquired taste for sure. But it did grow on me.
Something about Cohen’s delivery makes the emotional effect of his lyrics 10x more potent. You Want It Darker was one of the first 5s I gave on this list and it’s neat to see one of his first albums feeling just as vividly as one of his last.
A slight step down from his debut but still a solid album. The change of producer from the previous album can really be felt here, I really don't enjoy the production compared to the masterful work by John Simon previously. They also really loved that Jew's Harp with it being on every song here I'd say unnecessarily a lot of the time. Cohen himself is perfectly enjoyable here though bringing solid songs. It's a solid 7/10 album but i'll round up here cause I like Cohen
I love this man's voice. It is so pleasent to listen to being so smooth and calming. And the instruments also do a great job at accompaning his singing. With only two listens, I didn't have the time to stop and analyze the lyrics, which is a shame because Leonard is a great poet and I love some os his lyrics in 'Songs of Love and Hate'. But honestly, just because of how good it sounds, I'm confident enough to give this album 4 stars.
Любимый автор наводит драмы как никто другой. Лучшая песня - The Partisan.
I listened twice. I think this is music that grows on you.
definetly not what i expected, i had listened to some cohen before, it's definetly an album of his but seems like he was still trying to find "hi sound" maybe? it sounds less old/mature compared to stuff like halellujah or you want it darker
This is a nice album to listen to. It didn't strike me as well as his first album and the fact that one of the songs was so like so long Marianne just reminded me of the other one which I prefer. I suspect if I sat down with the lyrics I'd learn to like it more, but for now it is a good, but not the best Leonard Cohen album.
A good album, I liked Bird On The Wire the most.
9/10
Bird on a Wire is an all-timer.
Dobby bylan
Leonard Cohen is always great, but it's a mood
Leonard Cohen's body of work seems intimidating but I really enjoyed the lyrics. Highlights were 'Partisan' and 'Old Revolution'.
notice the jaw harp in basically every song? I go through times where I listen to just as much cohen as Dylan I saw that this album wasn’t as well received when it was released due to its simple production technique and dismal tone. I’m a fan though
Love Leonard Cohens voice.
Could have done without the mouth harp or whatever is pinging away in the background but otherwise some classic songs here 4*
Loved reading the Wikipedia article for this entry. Makes it seem like there's a real artistic vision behind it. Leonard Cohen is as beloved a songwriter as one can be, so I wasn't surprised when his name popped up this morning. Not really that familiar with his work outside of his first album so I'm really interested in hearing how this one plays out. Going into this with somewhat elevated expectations. Bird on the Wire A song that paints a very romantic and picturesque visual with its personal and poetic style of lyricism. Love how sparse and distant the instrumental is. It's a fairly easy song to follow along to, and despite that it feels deep and carefully written. Has a sort of depressing tone to it, though plenty of light still shines through with the hopeful sounding instrumental. Great. 4.5/5 Story of Isaac Visceral and effective. Using a well known biblical story as an allegory for what I interpret as war, though I'm sure it could be interpreted differently. Twisting the perspective of the story to Isaac's point of view makes it feel much more violent and personal. The informal and conversational delivery is especially effective. This is very apparent in the final verse, where it feels almost jaded and impersonal. Fantastic. 5/5 A Bunch of Lonesome Heroes Not as consise and polished as the last two tracks, but it still serves its intended purpose. Love the way the perspective handles time. The largeness and emotional delivery of the chorus really works for this track. Decent. 3.5/5 The Partisan That simply blew me away. The songwriting style is absolutely magnificent. Love how it almost reads as a letter or some lost pages from a diary. The French backing vocals are so unbelievably effective. While he didn't write it, he gets props for making it his own. Feels like a bold inclusion. Fantastic. 5/5 Seems So Long Ago, Nancy After first hearing this song I was quite confused as to what it was about. My google search took me to a website where someone claimed to be a relative of the person this song is about. Assuming it's true (could also be completely made up) this is quite the haunting tale of someone who struggled a lot throughout their life. Extremely depressing and bone chilling. There's a lot of regret expressed through the lyircs and a real sadness in his voice. Great. 4.5/5 The Old Revolution Okay I'm stumped. I love the language used in the lyrics and I really appreciate how poetically sound it is. I just don't understand what the song is about. There are some absolutely stunning lines here. Especially the "And I thought that we were winning" and "Even damnation is poisoned with rainbows. Will need some time to find my own interpretation of this. Fantastic. 5/5 The Butcher I'm not sure what is going on here. There's definitely some context I'm missing here. Feels spiritual or religious in nature, but more than that I cannot say. The song feela dark and harrowing in its imagery. There's a lot of violence present in the lyrics. Good. 4/5 You Know Who I Am Is this from the perspective of God? If that's the case this is a pretty bold interpretation of the relationship between Man and God. Feels almost threathening and very existential. As a non-religious person I'm not aware of any text this may reference. It's a clever song with a harrowing chorus. Good. 4/5 Lady Midnight After giving up on trying to understand the lyrics to this song I ended up seeking my old friend Google. Going through ancient internet posts on the Leonard Cohen forums lead me to an interpretation that this song is about creativity and artistry. Choosing to go by that interpretation there seems to be a lot of cynisism and hopelesness in this song. About how he feels scorned and dismissed by this "Lady Midnight". Love how the climax of the song unflods, resolving the cynisism and bleakness. Good. 4/5 Tonight Will Be Fine Pleasant, smooth and soothing. Refreshing to hear a simple, beautiful love song requiring little interpretation. Love the chorus. Very visual and pretty in its imagery. The final instrumental section is stunning. Fantastic. 5/5 That was great, but boy did I need to work the old trusty Google in order to understand most of it. I'm genuinely impressed by the poetry and storytelling skills on display here. It's bleak and depressing, dark and serious, but still wonderfully colourful and stimulating. There are simply too many beautiful lines of poetry to count. Musically, that being the melodies, the instrumentals and the performances is where it faulters a bit. It's not unfitting for the style, but perhaps it's a bit spartan in its composition. Still I'm extremely satisfied with having heard this record, especially as it made me actually have to think and do research in order to understand it. Feels like a bit of a puzzle. 4.5/5 leaning closer to 4/5 Fave track. The Old Revolution
The gravelly honesty of this album surely bled its way into the folk scene at the time and everything since. It's a reflection of simplicity in songwriting following the grandeur of his first album, but the emotional depth he's obtained gives the album an almost haunting quality.
74/100. A good folk singer-songwriter record, but it feels like a step down from his debut. While the songwriting remains strong and introspective, the overall sound is a bit more muted and less captivating. It’s still a solid listen, but it lacks some of the emotional punch and engaging quality that made his debut so compelling.
There are several Cohen albums on this list, but I think this is the most typical of his style: evocative, largely spoken lyrics over sparse, acoustic instrumentation.
Muito interessante, e particularmente dificil de avaliar, pra mim. Não sou fã de folk, isso é fato. O primeiro album que peguei nesse site foi um do Bob Dylan, e por mais que eu tenha apreciado a influencia que ele teve em seus contemporarios, musicalmente, o disco simplesmente não me desceu. Esse do Cohen é outra história. Comecei a ouvi-lo com a mesma expectativa que tive com Dylan. A diferença aqui está nas canções. Vejo muita gente criticando a voz do Cohen e sua "inabilidade" de cantar. Discordo completamente. A voz dele pra mim é muito agradável, como um casaco quentinho em uma noite de ventania gélida. Também aprecio muito os instrumentais desse álbum. Eles são abertos, dispersos, com acentos momentâneos que adicionam muita atmosfera. Liricamente, Cohen não tem oposição. Suas canções contam histórias, estórias, te fazem amar novamente. 4/5
Lenny sure is good at story songwriting, and Lenny sure pushes the envelope on what is singing. But I think his voice or lack of works in the context. 4 Star
"And I choose the rooms that I live in with care The windows are small and the walls almost bare There's only one bed and there's only one prayer I listen all night for your step on the stair"
An old poet, an old revolution and an old classic.
Bird on a Wire is a 5 star song. Love the lyricism even if his voice is tough to listen to sometimes.
Wczesny Leonard Cohen brzmi trochę jak Bob Dylan. I chociaż to komplement to preferuję jego późniejsze płyty. Te z niskim głosem, dymem, sennością i bezbrzeżnym smutkiem. W tej brakowało różnorodności, instrumentów, pazura który rozcina skórę aż do serca. 7/10
IT HAPPENED. IT FUCKING HAPPENED. TWO OF THE SAME ARTIST IN A ROW. I always kind of figured this would happen eventually. I just had no idea when it would happen or who it would happen with. Turns out, the answer was "Late April 2025, Leonard Cohen." But you know what? I'm okay with this for one very simple reason. Leonard Cohen made some really good music. With this, I have now listened to the entirety of Leonard Cohen's initial "Songs" trilogy, which also includes his debut, Songs of Leonard Cohen, and my album from yesterday, Songs of Love and Hate. This, of course, is the album that came in between those two, Songs From a Room. Which room? I'm just kidding. This album's great. Not much to say really. Admittedly, I would call this the weakest of the three. This just kind of feels like Songs of Leonard Cohen 2. It takes what worked on that album and does it again. Of course, I love that album, so I love this album as well. I just don't think there's really anything special about this album that the other two I've heard don't do. Songs of Leonard Cohen did a great job establishing Cohen's style, and Songs of Love and Hate expands upon it in ways that make the album stand out to me, but Songs From a Room is just kind of there. It's got some great songs, don't get me wrong. The opener, "Bird on the Wire" is a highlight for me. The style is still very pleasant and Cohen's singing still sounds as nice as ever. I think it's the writing. It's still great, obviously. But there aren't as many standout lines and songs for me. I'm sure many of these would be most other songwriters' best songs, but in comparison to the songs off of Cohen's other albums, Songs From a Room just sits as a strong collection of songs and that's it. It's still excellent, no doubt. I just think this is one of the more cuttable albums from a list like this. It really just depends on how many albums Leonard Cohen should have on this list. If the answer is 4 or so? I could see Songs From a Room staying. If you were to cut it down to three or lower though? Sorry. I think this one would go. At the end of the day, Leonard Cohen is still Leonard Cohen. His music is still amazing. High 4/5.
- Fin stemme - Bra melodier som glir godt
I love Leonard Cohen. But his discography really does improve after he hit Second Puberty.
Production: 4/5 Lyricism: 4.5/5 Sound: 4/5 Enjoyment: 4.5/5 Overall: 4.3/5
Need to be in the right mood as this is quite mellow, but I think it’s a solid album. Arrangements are great. His voice is more talking than singing, but it works.
A tasteful collection of ballads, driven by Cohen's twangy, but ultimately warm vocals. Instrumentation which doesn't stray far from a guitar and a bass, with occasional whistles is perfect for this record. Favourite Tracks: The Partisan, The Old Revolution Least Favourite: A Bunch of Lonsesome Heroes. 7.5/10
I really enjoyed Leonard's first record, but as mentioned in that review; it was just missing /something/. So, I went into this one with really high hopes. The guitar work on "A Bunch of Lonesome Heroes" reminded me a lot of "So Long, Marianne". In fact it sounded almost identical. It was probably one of my favourites on this record, it portrayed a lot of raw emotion. This is a biased take though, because it sounds like "So Long, Marianne" - and I love that song. Apart from Lonesome Heroes, I really found this record a bit lacklustre musically. It was a bit boring, and I think I'd rather go enjoy a Bob Dylan record instead of this usually. It was still very listenable and I didn't have a bad time; it was just a bit boring at times. This is mitigated by the short runtime, so you don't get "kill me now" bored. However, what it makes up for in its dull musicianship, is the songwriting. I found the writing on this record to be phenomenal. Stories like The Butcher really gelled with me. The Butcher was probably the best song on this whole thing if we're just talking songwriting. Do I like this better than Cohen's first record? No. Is it still an enjoyable, albeit a bit dull, listen? Yes. I'd rate this a 3.5 if I could, but I'll round it up to 4 because I had a pretty good time and it had a very good pacing, especially being 35 minutes. I don't think I could have handled an hour or more of it.
Perhaps I were too harsh on Mr Cohen…
This album left me with so many questions. What room? Who's room is it? Where is this room? Why do I specifically like everything second song off this album? Why does Leonard Cohen have so many fucking albums. Why are his two most successful released back to back? I count 39 albums excluding the live albums. Is he an example of if you just spit out enough shit some will land. Man was prolific and this album is great. But questions man. Making me think too much. Ima just listen to YEAT instead 👍 8/10
I just love Cohen. Great album!
I wanted to rate it lower, because this album didnt grab me as much as other work I've come across. Musically it is not his best work. But then, somewhere halfway, I really got into the stories Cohen told. He's not the best singer, the music that supports it is also not the best, but he is so imaginative. He drags you into this world he creates and it is easy to imagine it all. Good stuff.
Great singer songwriter ❤️
It was rather beautiful.
Leonard Cohen and the Crickets! I’ll never forget the first time I heard this (being the first record I ever heard by an artist who quickly became one of my favorites of all time). The Jews’ harp features prominently throughout the album and makes it sound like the songs were recorded in a field full of crickets, and something about that natural and simple soundscape really captured my attention. Of course, the understated vocals and the lyrics crept into my consciousness and found a place to stay soon thereafter. On top of that, the chord progressions often move in mystic, unpredictable ways, and this mystery has satisfied my musician’s brain to this day. Taking all ten tracks into consideration, Songs from a Room does not hold up as an impeccable masterpiece of an album. But it is a captivating album, and one of the best introductions to Leonard Cohen anyone should ask for.
Cohen proves why he’s beloved. This is before the huskiness of his voice took over so it does sound pretty similar to the singer/songwriters of the time. It’s just that his lyrics are far better. 4/5
pet peeve of mine is when people cover "Tonight Will Be Fine" in a slow tempo. please stop
Here we complete Leo’s original “Songs” trilogy with a wonderful collection on his sophomore record. What a pretentious sentence I’ve just written. Anyways, as always with Mr. Cohen, we have; beautiful lyrics, gorgeous songwriting, good structure, good instrumentation, good production. His vocals, though not technically savvy, are iconic. A truly phantastic poet. Not as many hits as his first and third albums, but still very very solid. Enjoyed the whole thing. 4/5
Amazing that, 430 albums in, this is the first of five Leonard Cohen albums in this collection. Although I'm not at all a Leonard Cohen connoisseur, I usually like most of what I've heard by him, and to some degree this early album of his continues that tradition, despite that it's probably the first full album of his I've listened to (I own "The Essential Leonard Cohen", but I know that doesn't count). It starts off a bit uncertain, but gets into full gear with "Story of Isaac", and I also really enjoyed "The partisan" (pretty wild that he and the producer flew to France to get the chorus recorded by French singers) and "You know who I am". I'm also really impressed that he moved into his trademark spare sound so early in his career; he definitely sounds better when he's not drowning in strings and other orchestral accompaniment (which it sounds like is in store for us with his debut album). I had no idea until I read the Wikipedia entry that "Bird on a wire" is probably the epitome of essential Leonard Cohen, as he opened most of his performances with it and considered it one of his great songs. I'm not a big fan of his version of it on this album, but Joe Cocker did an amazing cover of it not long after the song was released (so sad, and a bit shocking, that we don't get *any* Joe Cocker in this collection), and Johnny Cash's much later version is also really well done. But all that aside, it's very very cool that Kris Kristofferson chose to have the first three lines from "Bird on a wire" on his tombstone.
Stark, spartan arrangements. An album that really requires careful focus on lyrical content. Mostly slow tunes, but they can quickly stab you in the heart.
Por un momento, pensé que era Leonard Nimoy. Precioso y muy relajante a pesar de la mácula infecta del neoliberalismo.
A very nice album - I enjoyed it a lot. I did, however, listen to Suzanne just after the record ended, and that song is somewhat a better version of all these songs on here. Plus, some of his choices for instruments are a bit weird on here.
YUUUUUPPPP
Fijn dat het eindigt op een positief bericht. Thx leonard
Glad I listened after it had gone dark, definitely not an album to open the day with! Low key Leonard. It's all excellent, nothing stands out.
I thought I was not going to like this album, but I was nicely surprised by it
Great lyrics overall.
Pretty good stuff. Nice and relaxing.
This good folkin' music! 4/5
I liked this better than the other Cohen album I 4-starred.
Fantastic! Viva The Partisan, for sure one of Cohen's best songs.
Het ideale nummer om rustig van te worden. The Partisan is m'n favoriete nummer van Cohen, dus deze klepper krijgt een 4.2
Another strong and memorable effort all the way around. Cohen's awkwardness as a singer – he mostly talks his way through these songs – plays to amplify the earnestness. One likes the spareness mostly, but the accordion flourishes, washes of elegant strings, and effective use of backing vocals on a few cuts suggest how much could have been done. No cuts really stand up, such is their deep even intense introspection (despite a certain casual or deadpan tone in the vocal delivery) as befitting the title and Cohen's monolithic reputation.
Enjoyable album
Wunderschönes ruhiges nachdenkliches schlichtes Album, das auch nach dem Hören in meinem Kopf nachklingt wie ein Echo von weither. Die drastisch belanglose Stimme des Sängers transportiert wie die anderen Instrumente sachte erbarmungslose Fragen und Teilantworten. Sie birgt, genau wie die Lyrics, voller Bilder und teils mystisch, und die behutsamen, immerwährenden Harmonien, eine authentische Traurigkeit, die mich auf eine schöne Art melancholisch gemacht hat.
Best album ever
Pleasently surprised by the consistency in quality of the songs I didn't know. Add that in with the obvious quality of Bird on a Wire, The Partisan etc and it might of been a 5. It's just that A Bunch Of Lonesome Heroes seem to be a poor man's So Long Marianne - so a mark off for that
Enjoyed this quite a bit more than the previous Cohen selection - Leonard must be growing on me..
Een koud, kaal en desolaat album van ome Leonard, met De Partizaan als bekendste nummer. Het voelt een beetje als een soort instapmodel Dylan. Een stukje minder druk, de woorden beter te verstaan, de zang iets minder vanuit de tenen omhoog gerocheld. Ondanks dat ik hier de vergelijking maak met Bob vind ik dit wel een lekker album. Dit is zo'n album waar ik niet te uitgebreid naar moet gaan zitten luisteren. Aanzetten en de boel gelaten ondergaan is hierbij ideaal. En zo gaat het album van aanvankelijk vrij kil naar ook wel een beetje warm, behaaglijk. M'n grootste punt van kritiek is dat de mondharp op elke track (het zijn er geloof ik 3) waar ie gebruikt wordt achterwege gelaten had mogen worden. Ik ga voor de 4 sterren. Lekker hoor.
I wonder if Kris Kristofferson ended up putting bird on a wire on his tombstone. Thats a helluva song. I didn't know big david crosby was involved in this at all. Love the stripped down arrangments that still sound like the world coming to an end. Lots of Jew's harp. Some of y'all still ain't listenidn to the story of Isaac hard enough. J' reprise mon arme, so to speak.
3/4
Leonard Cohen is just growing on me. What a sad boy.
So much better than the other Cohen album that we had to suffer through. Not brilliant, but good. I especially like The Partisan.
8/10
Lady Midnight on kyllä kaunis kappale. Muutenkin taas kerran erinomaista laulumusiikkia Lennulta.
Definitely a vibe going on here. Didn't enjoy this quite as much as other Leonard Cohen albums. Not sure why. Maybe the songs aren't quite as strong. Having said that, The Partisan is great and the whole thing sounds soothing as fuck late at night.
There's a starkness that I've always liked with Leonard Cohen. I've liked his earlier stuff, just him and a guitar. And this definitely fits the bill. It's definitely not party music, I can say that. But it's very simple, even though the lyrics are not. I wish he didn't draw out his "n" so much. There was a previous singer we had listened to, and it kinda irks me. It just sounds weird when they do that. Anyway, it's somber but not depressing. Always good to hear every so often. Top track: "Bird On A Wire," "You Know Who I Am"
I loved this album. It wasnt one I was familar with all the way through but I really enjoyed exploring it. Cohen is one of the greatest musical storytellers there is. Great lyrics delivered well. Bird on a wire and the partisan are great songs. Favourite song: The Butcher and Partisan Least favourite: All great stories Album artwork: Standard Leonard Cohen album cover
How dare you make me feel feelings Leonard.
It's poetry, some of them are songs.
mhmm... Leonard ate
Both Cohen and Dylan are considered masters of songwriting. Honestly deserved. But I place Cohen a bit higher on the list. With one petty argument. He is more self-aware than Dylan. He doesn't consider himself a good singer (he is decent, though), so he doesn't sing some parts just vocalizes or talks through them. Dylan goes with the flow and sometimes it comes out pretty bad in the terms of his voice itself.
Deep deep deep lyrics, landing on notes masquerading as folk music but something much more magical
Enjoy his lyrics, his musical styling.
I love him.
I thought, is this Lou Reed.
I had this on vinyl and listened to it a lot. Very poetic; very musical.
I was surprised by his voice. It wasn't that distinct baritone I'm so accustomed to. What a great song writer.
Enjoyable sunday morning vibes
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.
Cohen is truly a singular talent. There are many examples of artists whose lyrics are the main instrument but none hold my attention like Leonard Cohen. Bird on a Wire, Seems So Long Ago, Nancy and especially The Partisan are highlights but Side B isn’t as strong. 8.2/10
Solid album with at least 3 all time classics.
I love Leonard Cohen. He's one of my favourite songwriters. But if I'm honest, at lot of his albums drag on a bit, or aren't particularly well-structured as albums. This one's no different. It still gets a 4 for Bird on a Wire, The Partisan, Lady Midnight, and a bunch of other good stuff.
Slow singer songwriter pop from the late 60s. Pretty chill.
Good shit
The man gets under your skin. I knew him by reputation and had already had a later album in this process that was ok but didnt hook me. I started this one, finding his voice just irritating. But i finished it fairly enthralled. The melody from the guitar and the story telling are powerful weapons. Ill be going back to this and i may even consider myself converted.
i think this one is better than his first and the first half is exceptional. Kind of dies down towards the end but a fun listen for sure
Liked this a lot more than the first Leonard Cohen album we reviewed. 3.5 rounded up to 4.
We need more poet singer/songwriters in the world today. I always enjoy Leonard Cohen but this was my first full album listening experience for him. It was a solid album.
I didn’t expect this album to make this list. It’s not quite as good as Leonard’s debut, but it’s a fantastic follow up that continued the near flawless early leg of his career
This is a good one that while liking the stuff I've heard I don't know when I'd have gone and listened to an entire album. What a classic story telling album. Maybe it is hitting at a good time for me, but the stripped back simplicity of the album I really liked. I really liked it overall.
Amazing. Poetry. Yet pretentious in a rather enjoyable way.
in all honesty, I actually really loved this. Surprising simply because i don't usually mess with Leonard Cohen like that, but this felt raw and pretty and it was the perfect backing to my studying.
Love Leanord Cohen AKA 'Dark Bob Dylan'
4/5
Despite Leonard Cohen being a much better songwriter then he is a performer this is actually alright. It did grab and maintain my attention.
It has some of my favorite Leonard Cohen songs; it has some of the worst Leonard Cohen songs. I love its minimalism. He doesn’t sound quite confident on a few of the songs, I think.
Leonard Cohen's second album features reflections on love, war, and modernity. It's more stripped back than his debut, allowing his voice to stand out more. It wasn't necessarily a welcome decision as the album had mixed reviews on its release. Retrospective reviews are far kinder to this and Cohen's other early work. The most revered piece on 'Songs From a Room' is the opening track 'Bird on the Wire'. Cohen took inspiration from his time on the Greek Island of Hydra where he'd purchased a home around this time. When he arrived, the island was disconnected from the world, as those a place lost in time. Perfect for a singer needed to escape his fame. Cohen watched as telephone lines were first installed, signalling that the modern world was creeping in everywhere and inescapable. In the song, he longs to hold onto to the simplicity of the place as he knew it, from a choir of drunken men singing in the night to watching a bird gently land on that newly installed telephone wire, hanging amid the serene nature of the place. 'Songs from a Room' may not be Cohen's greatest work but it still manages to leave its mark.
Not my favourite Leonard Cohen album, but was quite good.
So melancholy. Pro-tip: if you happen to be feeling a little down while listening to this album and mowing the lawn, you can tell inquiring neighbors that “terrible allergies” is the reason for all the tears.
A 4 likely to grow to a 5. One listen isn't enough for Lenny C, finding the right mood and having the attention to listen to the lyrics makes things click.
Forgot to write. Cool collection of folk songs. Sounds like stuff you’d hear around the campfire, and not strained vocals like Bob Dylan. Standouts: Bird on the Wire, Story of Isaac, A Bunch of Lonesome Heroes, The Partisan, and Lady Midnight.
Could listen to this guy all day
This a fantastic folk album, mainly acoustic guitar and stories.
Beautiful songs, sung very understated and with just the right amount of embellishment. Honestly the only thing I’d say is that they all kind of run together, there’s a similarity to all the songs. But it still works for me, so you know.
8/10
A bit worse than his first when talking about early Leonard Cohen, but still good. ‘The Butcher’ kind of sucks, though.
This hypnotized me in a very pleasant way. I've never listened to a Leonard Cohen album before but know his reputation as a songwriting icon (hallelujah, lol) - this was great.
Gotta love ol’ misery guts; he tells a compelling tale. I’ll always find his poetry seductive.
Fabulously bleak.
**Songs From a Room** by Leonard Cohen: An In-Depth Review Released in 1969, Leonard Cohen's second studio album, **Songs From a Room**, is a profound exploration of his lyrical prowess, minimalist musicality, and thematic preoccupations. Produced by Bob Johnston, this album continues the introspective and poetic journey Cohen began with his debut, "Songs of Leonard Cohen." Below, we delve into the album’s lyrics, music, production, themes, and influence, providing a comprehensive review of its strengths and weaknesses. ### Lyrics Leonard Cohen’s lyrics are the cornerstone of **Songs From a Room**, showcasing his ability to weave complex emotions and narratives into simple yet profound poetry. Each song is a vignette, rich with symbolism, introspection, and a touch of melancholy. 1. **"Bird on the Wire"** - This opening track is one of Cohen’s most famous works. The lyrics balance themes of freedom and restraint, with lines like "Like a bird on the wire, like a drunk in a midnight choir, I have tried in my way to be free." The imagery is vivid and relatable, capturing the human struggle for liberation and authenticity. 2. **"Story of Isaac"** - A retelling of the biblical story of Isaac, Cohen’s version is a commentary on sacrifice and violence. "You who build these altars now to sacrifice these children, you must not do it anymore," Cohen sings, linking ancient and modern times in a critique of senseless suffering. 3. **"The Partisan"** - Adapted from a French resistance song, this track highlights themes of resistance and resilience. Cohen’s sparse and poignant language honors the courage of those who fought against oppression. 4. **"Seems So Long Ago, Nancy"** - A tragic narrative about a woman named Nancy, whose life ends in suicide. The song is a haunting reflection on loneliness and despair, with the refrain "It seems so long ago, Nancy was alone." 5. **"The Old Revolution"** - Here, Cohen discusses personal and political upheaval, using the metaphor of a failed revolution to express feelings of defeat and disillusionment. ### Music The musical arrangements in **Songs From a Room** are notably sparse, reflecting Cohen’s preference for minimalism. This choice directs the listener’s focus to the lyrics and the emotion behind them. 1. **Instrumentation** - The album features simple guitar work, often played by Cohen himself, supplemented by discreet contributions from other musicians, such as Charlie Daniels on fiddle and Ron Cornelius on guitar. The acoustic arrangements provide an intimate, almost confessional atmosphere. 2. **Melody and Harmony** - Cohen’s melodies are straightforward and repetitive, which, while potentially monotonous, serve to emphasize the lyrical content. The harmonies are subtle, usually provided by backing vocalists like Jennifer Warnes, whose contributions add a delicate, haunting quality to the tracks. 3. **Mood and Tone** - The overall tone of the album is somber and reflective, consistent with Cohen’s lyrical themes. The music, while not complex, is effective in creating a mood that complements the introspective nature of the songs. ### Production Bob Johnston’s production on **Songs From a Room** is characterized by its restraint and clarity. Johnston, known for his work with Bob Dylan, brings a similar approach to Cohen’s album, prioritizing the singer’s voice and lyrics over elaborate instrumentation. 1. **Sound Quality** - The production is clean and unembellished, allowing Cohen’s voice and guitar to take center stage. This rawness lends an authenticity to the recordings, making the listener feel as if Cohen is performing in their living room. 2. **Balance** - The balance between the vocals and the instruments is well-maintained, ensuring that the lyrics are always at the forefront. This is crucial for an album where the words carry so much weight. 3. **Atmosphere** - Johnston successfully captures a sense of intimacy and immediacy. The lack of overdubbing and studio effects preserves the organic quality of Cohen’s performances. ### Themes **Songs From a Room** explores a variety of themes, each approached with Cohen’s characteristic depth and nuance. 1. **Freedom and Confinement** - Many songs on the album deal with the tension between the desire for freedom and the constraints imposed by society, relationships, and personal limitations. "Bird on the Wire" is the quintessential example of this theme. 2. **War and Peace** - Tracks like "The Partisan" and "Story of Isaac" reflect on conflict, sacrifice, and the cost of war, both historical and contemporary. 3. **Loneliness and Isolation** - Cohen delves into the human condition, exploring feelings of solitude and the search for connection. "Seems So Long Ago, Nancy" and "A Bunch of Lonesome Heroes" poignantly address these emotions. 4. **Faith and Doubt** - Spirituality and existential questioning permeate the album. Cohen, who had a complex relationship with religion, often uses biblical references to express his struggles with faith, as seen in "The Old Revolution." ### Influence **Songs From a Room** has had a lasting impact on both listeners and fellow musicians. Its influence can be seen in several areas: 1. **Singer-Songwriters** - Cohen’s style, characterized by deeply personal lyrics and minimalist music, has influenced countless singer-songwriters. Artists like Nick Cave, Suzanne Vega, and Jeff Buckley have cited Cohen as an inspiration. 2. **Literary Approach to Music** - Cohen’s background as a poet informs his songwriting, elevating the standard for lyrical content in popular music. His ability to blend literary and musical elements set a precedent for future artists. 3. **Emotional Authenticity** - The raw emotion and honesty in Cohen’s music resonate with audiences, encouraging other musicians to explore similar depths in their work. ### Pros and Cons **Pros:** 1. **Lyrical Mastery** - Cohen’s lyrics are profound, poetic, and timeless. They offer a rich tapestry of imagery and emotion that rewards repeated listening. 2. **Emotional Depth** - The album’s exploration of complex themes like freedom, war, and loneliness is both moving and thought-provoking. 3. **Intimate Production** - The minimalist production enhances the intimacy of the album, making the listener feel connected to Cohen’s personal reflections. 4. **Cohesive Mood** - The consistency in tone and mood creates a unified listening experience, drawing the listener into Cohen’s introspective world. **Cons:** 1. **Musical Monotony** - The simplicity of the musical arrangements, while effective in highlighting the lyrics, can also lead to a sense of monotony over the course of the album. 2. **Limited Accessibility** - The introspective and often somber nature of the album may not appeal to all listeners, particularly those seeking more upbeat or varied musical experiences. 3. **Production Constraints** - While the minimalist production style adds to the album’s intimacy, it also means that some tracks lack the dynamic range and sonic variety found in more elaborately produced works. ### Conclusion **Songs From a Room** remains a landmark album in Leonard Cohen’s discography and in the singer-songwriter genre as a whole. Its strengths lie in its lyrical depth, emotional authenticity, and cohesive production, which together create a powerful and intimate listening experience. However, its minimalist approach to music and production may not cater to all tastes, and its somber tone can be a barrier for some listeners. Overall, **Songs From a Room** is a testament to Leonard Cohen’s genius as a songwriter and poet. It captures a unique blend of personal introspection and universal themes, solidifying his legacy as one of the most influential and revered artists of his time.
Meh…maybe I’m jaded and haven’t listened to the lyrics enough- but I don’t particularly like his voice- you know who I am hit me..yes of course he’s iconic! I’m so jaded..
Cohen always had the unique ability to speak to the soul without raising his voice. Not his best album, but it's pretty damn good.
Basically very good poetry put to repetitive music with a weak singer. But somehow it still works well as music.
Wonderful poetry put to music. The singing could be better but otherwise this is just great.
Aside from that little mouth harp thing going "boing" for every single second of the album in the background, this is a lovely listen. No huge standouts like on his first album, but every song has some great guitar work with Leonard's iconic voice. Very enjoyable.
Idk maybe we could have workshopped the lyrics to You Know Who I Am a little more
Highlight: The Partisan
Love it
My cat really loved this album. It’s excellent.
Keep coming around more to Cohen. There were some great songs here. This felt more Townes Van Zandt to me than some other stuff we’ve heard from him - some songs had that Mexican horn sound. Good listen.
story of isaac a bunch of lonesome heros the partisan
Superb songwriting; lyrics, melodies, everything. Sure, it's not as thrilling as his later work, there's a bit too much jaw harp, and I prefer his older voice, but it's hard not to have an enjoyable time listening to Cohen. The Partisan, in particular, is a great song (although mostly a cover!)
Liked very much
Perfect for a melancholy evening with a good bottle of red wine.
Siempre evocador.
# Playlist Track - Tonight Will Be Fine # Notes - Really enjoy Cohen's voice and delivery. - Tracks are not stellar, but the album is pretty consistent and there are no back ones at all.
It's a Leonard Cohen world, and we're all just living in it.
'Bird on a Wire' is a fabulous song and elevates this record to 'superior' from the off. Its not his best album or his best songs and 'a bunch of lonesome heroes' is essentially the music of 'so long Marianne' without the infectious melody. But 'The Partisan' is an absolutely immense piece of art and is Cohen at his very, very best.
Storytelling - 5 Poetry - 4 Music - 5 Voice - 3
Love Len. Not my fave, but still a classic
The mouth harp is pretty bad. The rest is typical LC quality stuff.
4.25
p chill. good music for having a cold and being kinda sad and lonely i liked "seems so long ago, nancy"
Definitely up there with the lyrics. The space of the production work well to support them. Probably a 3.5-4 though.
Leonard Cohen tells such a great story and his deep voice is superb for the job. This album starts off very strongly, but has a fee dodgy spots. Overall great listen and I love the atmosphere that the jaw harp adds
Me gustó
I rarely want to hear Cohen's stuff from my own initiative, but it's always pretty good, especially his early material.
The first Cohen's albums are the best melancholic folk around.
Deilig å høre på
Love him. Another great album of his.
emotivo
Very smooth listening.
så tråkigt. så tråkigt och tröttsamt hoohhoijjaa tyst mjuk röst hooh och instrumental långsamt hoohs gitarren sträcker sig lite här och där så tråkigt så tråkigt...flämtande och flämtande när man lyssnar på det så tråkigt där hoppar där trumma huoh...världens mest hemska läskiga läskigaste ljud... OCH SÅ HUNDRATALS VACKRA! MIN SÖT BEBIS LEONARD... vacker.. vacker.. min söta babis.. FREDOM SOON WILL COME... partisan
Well, certainly not an album I would put on to improve my mood -- beautiful, bleak songwriting here.
Hermosa voz y guitarra. Un placer recorrer estas canciones y el coro de "el partisano" hermoso.
This is great. Requires the right mood, but the songs are beautiful. Definitely one I'm happy to have been pushed to listen to.
Loved it! I only knew his more recent work, but this was also very good.
I had always heard that Leonard Cohen had a reputation for being depressing and hard to listen to, but I really enjoyed this album. It’s sparse musically, but the production really allows the voice to shine through. The lyrics are on a par with Bob Dylan with occasional bits of French. There are some nice quirky elements, with whistling and an unusual twanging sort of noise which turned out to be a mouth harp in the background.
The darkness is creeping. 2-7-1
I was so happy to be given a Leonard Cohen album today. A little over a year ago I had a rather intense Leonard phase and for a couple of months I barely listened to anything else – since then I have a deep deep appreciation for his work. Thank you Lenny <3 That being said, I definitely prefer the debut album (as well as several following ones) to this one. It being so minimal and understated, according to Cohen, is influenced by some of his friends calling the first album "overproduced" (absolute slander, in my opinion) which I'm not sure was the best call, some of the songs feel rather incomplete, some simply sound like stripped-down versions of the first album's songs. However, it still has plenty of beautiful moments and, in combination with the debut, surely put Leonard on the map as an incredible talent and an unstoppable force which he ultimately proved to be. P.S. I must note than by the third listen I've started to notice and appreciate the quiet, fragile, understated beauty of this album much more. It is cozy, it is intimate, it has some great lines. I'm leaving this listening session much more receptive to this album than I was before and I think that's the true beauty of this listening project.
While it takes a little bit to open up, after a few listens you really listen to all the little details that are scattered throughout this record and the melodies that were hiding on the initial listens sneak up on you and get stuck in your head. I had a great experience with you want it darker and this was the same. It's just solid poetry, with good melodies and instrumentation. It's a light 4 for me. Personal favs are - Bird on a wire, lonesome heroes, the partisan, you know who i am, tonight will be fine.
Pretty enjoyable. Great voice of course.
Classic
Ich has echt welle gern ha und finds scho mega schön aber es isch mir jetzt zwei mal passiert das ich während en album ihgnappt bin (was irgendwie guet aber au schlecht isch?). Einersiits so die alte chörnigi ufnahme und sini Stimm sind scho sehr soothing aber für mich isches eifach zu langsam zums würklich regelmässig z lose. Viellicht zum ihschlofe aber nid mini liked playlist 3.8/5
Ahhh leonard… ich bin nachem erste wort scho komplett dinne… i dere (1969 nonig so rauchige und tüfe) stimm. Interessanterwiis het er damals no kei chor im hintergrund brucht wie nachher oft… omg doch UF FRANZÖSISCH?! Jaaaaaa, ja ich will. Generell findis musikalisch eifacher und weniger pompös (positiv) als anderi albe (zb mis lieblingsalbum I’m Your Man)... viel meh eifach nur sini stimm und gitarre. Und au weniger abwechsligsrich. Sehr folky. Bin nachher direkt go I’m Your Man lose und finds scho es recht viel kompletters album.
ohhhh bird on a wire schomal uhuere schön er singt so lieeeecht schräg aber es passt iwie zum storytelling? oke ja ich glaub wennd eso usgseh hesch wie de cohen mit dere frisur und alles denn musch fast singer songwriter werde ich liebd muultrummle im hintergrund JZ EFACH FRANZÖSISCH aso s hetmer sehr gfalle, au wenn jz nöd mega vill "passiert" isch. han ich plötzlich singer songwriter musig gern?? hans gfühl das isches album wommer guet chan im summer dusse ufem balkon laufe lah
Like Dylan, Cohen is more poet than musician, but it’s poetry I can get behind. I appreciate that this album was on the list the week after “I’m Your Man,” seeing as how you can really hear the expanse of his catalogue between those two albums. Ultimately I prefer guttural, synthy Leonard Cohen, but this is still pretty great stuff.
This one doesn't grab me as much as some of the others I've heard from this list but still enjoyable. The Partisan stands out and I enjoyed You Know Who I Am, and Tonight Will Be Fine made me smile.
Hmmmm, I don't like this as much as "Songs Of Leonard Cohen" or "Songs Of Love And Hate", but it's a damn sight better than "I'm Your Man". It's possible my affection would grow with more listens, but for now it's a 4. Fave tracks - "Bird on a Wire" is head and shoulders above the rest, I reckon. "You Know Who I Am" is decent too...
better than his later works. he actually sings? He can still set a mood though. and that mood is dark. Which is always a good thing
Quite liked it, calm 3-4/5
泣ける
I am still both amused and amazed how similar to Bob Dylan young Cohen sounded.
Yummy
I love the vibe of this album and I’m glad that I listened to it. It’s so domestic and warm.
Very good
Another classic!
Wasn’t a big fan of the last Leonard Cohen album I got. This is a step in the right direction. The bass and acoustic guitar are amazing. The Melodie’s from both guitars are nice to hear. Lyrics are also better than the last album. While it is better than my last outing, this doesn’t mean it’s not flawless. Some of the songs are not that memorable. Still good!
4/5
Solid, I could for sure come back to this if the mood hits.
First 4/5 of this activity. I loved the melancholy lyrics, and the sound. Just a thoroughly enjoyable listen
My second Cohen this week! This one is a bit more varied than "Songs of," but it does get a little bit corny in the more Western-influenced tracks.
Die stem was een stuk hoger dan ik verwacht had. Verder qua muziek wel de Leonard Cohen zoals ik die ken, en dat is gewoon heel goed. Heel fijn album dit, alleen ik voel dat het net niet genoeg is voor 5 sterren. Misschien als je hem nog 6x zou luisteren wel.
Beautiful and haunting!
Def going to listen again
Really chill rainy day album
This was the first Leonard Cohen album I really liked. The stripped down sound works well, and the lyrics are genuine and affecting
Favourite songs: A Bunch of Lonesome Heroes, Bird on a Wire, Story of Isaac, Tonight Will Be Fine Least favourite songs: The Partisan 4/5
Nice easy listening.
Una hermosa e íntima colección de canciones. Leonard Cohen interpreta con pasión sus complejas letras con una voz potente, sobre una interesante instrumentación que decora hermosas líneas de guitarra. Un infaltable en el catálogo de todo melómano.
Shows that simple can be effective. Took some time to adjust to the album, wasn't enjoying his voice or the extra stripped down instrumentation to start but a few songs in was able to enjoy. I know Cohen has some very strong output and this feels a bit below average for his body of work. That said, managed to still be a good listen and I'll give it an extra point for ending on a recorder solo.
Depressing as owt this, Leonard was the OG emo ey. Was class though, his voice lends itself to these sort of songs so well. Sailed through it and I knew straight away once Amazon music started playing tracks off other albums so this one must be very cohesive. If I was going to nitpick I'd say he could have mixed it up slightly, there are a few songs with almost identical picking and tempo. As it is, well worth a listen.
Pretty reasonable although not my favourite album of his. I really enjoyed the production - simple and elegant, doesn't feel wasteful. Excellent songwriting as always.
Another melancholy album from Cohen, seems that's his bread and butter. At first I didn't enjoy it as much as the other two albums we've had, but his poetic lyrics kept me coming back. On a second listen it grew on me, just so simple and beautiful. Highlights: Bird On A Wire The Partisan The Butcher
Don't think this was as good as his other albums we've had so far but still really enjoyed it. Kinda sounded like he hadn't quite found his singing style in this album yet... Particularly in that opening track. I do think Leonard Cohen is one of the most interesting artists which I'd never listened to from this list
Not quite the undeniable triumph of Cohen’s debut. However, it’s still packed full of heart-rending poetry.
I’m a 4 star guy on this one. “Bird on a Wire” is right up there as maybe my fave Cohen song, and I have a strong suspicion we will not have another album on this list with anywhere near this much mouth harp. That’s gotta be acknowledged and rewarded.
I do like Leonard Cohen. First heard of him on the Natural Born Killers soundtrack. His style is definitely unique. I like his deep voice. I always think he looked like Al Pacino. I enjoyed it. I'll give it a 4
Loved
I'm not a songwriter, but Leonard Cohen almost makes me wish I was. There are some all-timers on this one. Best track: Bird on the Wire
Amazing album. Just great slow folk songs.
Finally, my first Leonard Cohen album. I quite liked the atmosphere of this album, and I liked how bare it sounded. Nothing was too long either, which was nice. I'm excited for his other albums. My favourite songs were The Partisan and Story of Isaac.
Poetry
Not my fave by Leonard but great nonetheless.
Mouth harp driven backing music with some read Leonard Cohen-y Leonard Cohen songs… I mostly liked this. Doesn’t unseat You Want It Darker as my favorite Cohen album so far, but I dig it!
Becoming a big fan of Cohen because of this website. Liked every song on this album and love listening to the melancholy stories he tells
A solid follow-up to Songs of Leonard Cohen. I don't think it holds up quite as high as a whole album, but it does happen to kick off with one of Leonard's finest and best-known songs. Decidedly more stripped back in its production, the album continues to show Cohen's strength as a writer, though one of my favourite moments on it happens to be Leonard's cover of Anna Marly's anti-fascist anthem "La Complainte du partisan" - a gorgeous and powerful song. The back half of the album doesn't feel as strong as the front but it's still quality.
Maybe slightly more tuneful than the later work, but not quite as interesting, more stripped down without the subtle and stylish flourishes as on the debut record or the later ones. One exception, “The Partisan,” is a highlight, as is the mournful organ on “Nancy So Long Ago."
Compared to Leonard Cohen's debut album, Songs From a Room isn't as chock full of "hits" as his debut. Also, he felt the production was too lush on the debut and wanted sparser arrangements on this one, and that's what he got. This puts the lyrics and his voice center stage, it's a bit like listening to an old time folk singer, like Woodie Guthrie. This is fine except for the instances when LC really belts out the tunes and his voice is strained, as in Bird on the Wire, which is still a great song. My favourite is the one song LC didn't compose: The Partisan
There were some good ones and some duds. This was my second favorite we have listened to. I most liked The Partisan and You Know Who I Am.
“Partisan” & “Bird” are top-tier Cohen Next favourites are “Nancy”, “Tonight”, and “The Old Revolution” At L.C. album #4 I confess, I somehow get irritated hearing him say “your/her body”. Because there’s at least one example on all those albums- including some of my favourite songs, like “Suzanne” and “Manhattan” March 29, 2023
Rating: 7/10 2nd album by Canadian Leonard Cohen, released in 1969. 1) Bird on the Wire - Beautiful song 2) Story of Isaac - Song retelling a story from the bible from Isaac’s perspective 3) A Bunch of Lonesome Heroes - A song about a soldier in the Vietnam war 4) The Partisan - An adaptation of “La Complainte du Partisan”, a song about a Frenchman fighting as a partisan after the French surrendered to the Nazis 5) Seems So Long Ago, Nancy - A song about someone Leonard knew, who committed suicide due to mental health. 6) The Old Revolution - Seems to be about religion. 7) The Butcher - About religion again? God? Evil? Leonard asking why he should praise God who hasn’t seemed to bring him any goodness. 8) You Know Who I Am - A song about someone who Leonard loves but he can’t let them love him? 9) Lady Midnight - An older woman? 10) Tonight Will Be Fine - In a relationship that where he knows he can no longer love the other person, but wishes to spend one. more night with them. Review: I can see why it’s a good album, lyrically in particular. But for personal enjoyment, I can’t see myself ever going back and listening to it again, nor can I see myself listening to any song from it again. Poor replay value for me personally. However, with that being said it is still a very well put together album and was an enjoyable listen.
Ich find das Album ziemlich cool und ich mag seine Stimme echt gerne. Ich hätte mich aber gefreut wenn noch ein paar schnellere Songs dabei gewesen wären, dann wär das Album mehr in Kopf geblieben und es gäbe mehr Abwechslung. 3,9/5
Schöne Stimme 7/10
Makes use of some interesting instruments that you don’t hear enough of.
Enjoyed most of this album very much. Simple yet beautiful music under pure poetry.
Better Bob Dylan
Leonard always sounds best in the winter time :,)
LP
I listened to most of I'm Your Man before realizing I was supposed to be listening to Songs From a Room. It gave me some interesting perspective... I didn't really like the sound of I'm Your Man as an album, though I have enjoyed a song or two off of it. The songs seemed too dirge-like for me to listen to for a while album. But!! Going back almost 20 years prior to Songs From a Room, I liked it. It's folksy, the lyrics seem hopeful but also wistful and bummed out at times. It was musically more interesting to me than I'm Your Man. Would listen again!
Top
Great!
Unique
i appreciate how some songs kind of just feel like sitting alone, strumming and letting the music come to him, venting out his experiences in an artistic way that lets you sit and reflect. It's exposing raw and vulnerable aspects of life. Other songs are a lot more captivating instrumentally, though still in a simple way, a steady rhythm with other instruments creating the variation and interest. The singing is gentle and constant enough that it's easy to let it fade to the background, an album that can keep you company. But when you take the time to listen there's a deeper story to follow. I'm glad this was the first album i got, leonard cohen is one of those artists that people who inspire me boast about, but i haven't gotten to his music until now
I'm not the biggest Leonard Cohen fan, but I played this while driving my 4-year-old daughter to school; she didn't say a word the whole ride, and then when we got there she announced she wanted to listen to this album every day on the way to school. So that counts for something.
I didn't like it as much as the prior albums I listened to the past few days, but it was pretty good and deserves 4 stars
The vocals are a little rough at times, but the songwriting makes up for a lot of that. It's enjoyable, really enjoyable. Simplistic, but there's something comforting about that. Reminds me a little bit of John Prine, but not quite as entertaining.
Leonard Cohen is a genius.
That's good, not so varied tho
Very similar to his first album. It's a vibe.
I'm bummed so it does what's intended.
Precursor to even greater things, but still very good
Liked this more than I expected to. It's poetry to music but LCs voice cracks and whispers and points towards the suggestion of great melody. Easy to see why he's been covered so much.
I have spent a lot of time with this album in my life. Like others we’ve heard so far, this is good but only hints at how good his later work becomes.
There's a lot of what I like about outlaw country in here.
good shit
Great folk album, but I guess that the beauty reveals itself more in the lyrics, which I rarely give much attention on first listen. Will definitely listen another time and read the lyrics. Some songs here are classic and beautiful, like "Bird on the Wire". Overall, I liked this one. 7,4/10
Excellent lyrics. The voice wasn’t yet there.
I definitely preferred this to previous LC albums, more upbeat and some lovely songs in there. A bunch of lonesome heroes sounded so like So Long Marianne it was confusing. But I loved both songs!
Just another excellent Leonard Cohen albumbumbumbum
A third album by Leonard Cohen and third distinct style. Classical guitar and bass are the only instruments on most songs. With Cohen's talk singing vocals this creates a very sparse and intimate record. Rating: 4/5 Playlist track: The Partisan Date listened: 25/12/22
Enjoyed the composition but didn’t really pop.
Ok
étrangement j'aime bien les lamentations de leonard cohen
Unpopular opinion: Leonard Cohen is much better than Bob Dylan in every sense. He is a poet and there is no fucking harmonica.
4.5 Love me some Leonard Cohen!
i luv leonard cohen
Leonard Cohen mi fa sempre scendere la lacrimuccia.
As usual the lyricism in Leonard Cohen's ballads is unmatched. His voice is amazing and yes it's half spoken but that somehow makes it better? Favourite songs: A Bunch of Lonesome Heroes, The Partisan, Seems So Long Ago, Nancy
Another inexplicable hole in YT Music’s catalog. Honestly I wouldn’t mind it as much if there was just some website I could go to and find out what arcane IP infighting was responsible for the situation. I know that has nothing to do with the music but you know, it’s early career Leonard Cohen. If you like that you’ll like this. It’s not his strongest album in this era, there is some relative filler and it takes the austere sound to a fault, but there are some absolute essentials on it too.
listened to before truly a great poet and songwriter
Only album so far I've listened to twice. Very good.
Production is spare but still pretty. Personally, I would like a little bit more grit in it, but you can't have everything. It is mostly simple acoustic guitar and bass arrangements, augmented with occasional strings, distant organ, even a little bit of fuzz guitar. And Jew's harp, for that extra bit of spice. Leonard's voice is not great, but he can (usually) sell the damn song. I think the weakest vocal performance is Bird on a Wire. I think he was intimidated by the song (and a really world-class standard song it is), and it took him another 10 or more years to settle into it. The songs are so great. They are so evocative. I realize that he almost never talks in generalities or abstract concepts. He tells the story through vivid and concrete images. I love that approach to lyric writing.
Mycket fin platta med många fina spår. Inte hört denna platta förut.
The potential on what could be forthcoming is clear.
It's very Leonard Cohen
I can't decide whether I love this album or not. Leonard Cohen has a pretty depressing dreary voice - but most of these songs are most poems/stories, and extremely beautiful. I don't know what they are about but I was captivated.
Top notch song writing on this album but there wasn't anything that really jumped out at me. Favorite tracks were the story of Isaac, the old revolution, you know who I am, and tonight will be fine. Would have liked more dynamics.but that's not really the style. I want to give this album a 3.5 but it's good enough to bump to a 4.
What defined Cohen in this period is his signature lyricism and simple recordings based around his guitar playing rooted in classical playing. A soothing listen that captures his words well, but lacks some diversity in the songs to make the album a little grander. Enjoyable nevertheless as I am a fan of ‘60s folk.
I like the partisan and a bit of the folky-ness
Not every composition is strong enough to be held up by basically only Cohen's guitar and recognizable vocal, and the melody of 'A Bunch of Lonesome Heroes' borrows a bit too much from 'So Long, Marianne' off his previous record. That being said, an album containing 'Bird on the Wire' and probably my favourite Cohen recording 'The Partisan' will never go below 4 stars. Ever.
Leonard Cohen's debut album was a masterpiece that came out of nowhere, announcing the arrival of a new singular wordsmith to the wider world--as well as a skilled crafter of timeless tunes. After such an unmitigated success, it was obviously harder for the Canadian songwriter to catch the same lightning in a bottle twice. While a fine LP, 1969's *Songs from a Room* ultimately feels less assured than *Songs of Leonard Cohen*. Compared to John Simon's illuminating production on the latter, the one Bob Johnston crafted for the debut is filled with quirkier choices--that jaw harp marking the beat on several tracks, those off-kilter synth sounds grinding their way in the background of "A Bunch Of Lonesome Heroes", or that bizarre recorder flute drunkenly supporting Leonard's whistling in the last 30 seconds of closer "Tonight Will Be Fine"... With such weird details around them, Cohen's characters sound even more like the true misfits they are. The intent is therefore topically interesting, but unfortunately music suffers from it. Depending on their mileage on such things, listeners might find those instrumentation choices we've just mentioned up there either charming or annoying, and the same goes for some of the vocal performances here. Cohen's singing and meter are more tentative and uncertain than on his other work from that period, especially the debut, and especially when he struggles to reach notes on the higher end of his naturally deep, low register. As for the overall quality of those *Songs from a Room*, surely it is a little more uneven than the ones on *Songs of Leonard Cohen* or *Songs Of Love And Hate*. "Seems Like So Long Ago, Nancy", "You Know Who I Am," and "The Story of Isaac" are for instance very nice, but "The Butcher" and "Tonight Will Be Fine" simply aren't up to his usual standards. Said standards are however aptly represented through two cuts that are now part of Cohen's classic repertoire, "Bird On The Wire" and "The Partisan". "Bird On The Wire" is, simply put, another quintessential Leonard Cohen song, as frail as the singer's voice is on this one--even if such flaws may also have their charms, as we suggested earlier... In keeping with the performance, the tune is moving, sardonic, touching, evocative and witty all at the same time. And speaking of performance, that minimalistic and yet heartwrenching cover of the war song "Le Chant Des Partisans"--including that coda Cohen is singing in the original French language, supported by female background vocals--proves the "less is more" philosophy can actually yield truly epic results. Despite the album's flaws, such iconic moments convey a naked intimacy and fearless emotional honesty that's every bit as powerful as the debut, and left no doubt that Cohen was a major creative force in contemporary songwriting in the early seventies. I stole those last words from someone else in this group, but it was so rightly put that I couldn't refrain from doing so. If I had to rephrase this idea my way, I'd say that as far as albums go, *Songs From A Room* isn't the most obvious entry point onto Cohen's oeuvre, but if we had to pick individual songs so as to prove the immensity of his talent, you and I can find gold there, too. I'm pretty sure the reviewer whose words I borrowed here would agree, at least... Number of albums left to review or just listen to: 868 Number of albums from the list I find relevant enough to be mandatory listens: 73 Albums from the list I *might* include in mine later on: 32 (including this one) Albums from the list I will certainly *not* include in mine (many others are more important): 28
Some of his best.
Oddly comforting, with a real stripped back folky feel. Typical dark Cohen songs to sit down and feel sad to.
When nobody got my back, I know a new Leonard Cohen album got my back, CAN I GET AN AMEN
Sedate
Así me entero que Leonard Cohen tuvo cosas en las que no todo era cantar lo más lento y grave posible… Aunque no es algo que tendría en rotación, sí fueron canciones que algo me transmitieron mientras escuchaba. Especialmente los detalles instrumentales, más que la voz, pero igual vale la pena. En especial me gustó The Partisan.
I mean, this is fine, but it's all a bit... pleased with itself. Feels like a guy at open mike night at a pizza place with some very well off friends.
He wrote a shrek song
Ljúfir tónar frá Leonard Cohen. Frekar gott bara.
This isn’t my favorite Leonard Cohen album, but it’s nice to hear him with a more stripped down sound. As great as his songwriting is, it’s hard for me to get into his 80s sound due to the extremely dated synth and drum sounds. This album however is acoustic and sparse, having been produced by the same producer that produced much of Bob Dylan and Simon and Garfunkel’s mid 60s output. Though this is just his second album, Leonard Cohen’s thoughtful songwriting shines through.
Such a poet. Something careful and precise about his music. Coincidentally I just heard "Bird on a Wire" on the radio and it filled me with hope and calm. His influence is obviously wide ranging but it made me think specifically of Walter Martin (listen to "Bird on a Wire" back to back with "Old as Hell" and I think you'll hear what I mean, if nothing else in the way he's singing).
My favorite thing on this album is definitely the jaw harp. Really adds to the atmosphere and almost sounds like a synthesizer at times. Surprised that an instrument which seems so simple, almost like a toy, is able to be so expressive and versatile.
Róleg og notaleg plata með góðum textum. Fínt svona á mánudagsmorgni.
I think these songs would be great in a movie. For a studio album, though, the melodies are a bit too bare.
nicely miserable montrealian gravelly nasal monotone
Best Song: The Partisan. Haunting lyrics paired with sparse instrumentals, further assisted by the French chorus, which contrasts and elevates Cohen's ruddy, nasal voice. Worst Song: Story of Isaac. Lyrically beautiful, but this is Cohen, who can have a tendency towards vocal timidity, at his most quiet and disinterested in his delivery. Overall: Although I prefer Cohen's later work, when his voice was coarser and his lyrics darker, this is a good entry into Cohen's canon. Cohen's music is best listened to intentionally, not as background music. Quiet, contemplative poetry set to music. One of the best singer-songwriters of our time.
Undeniably a force in songwriting.
Only the beginning… impressive!
Beautiful
This is very sweet
Bird on the Wire - uuughh Story of Isaac - YES A Bunch of Lonesome Heroes - meh. Good hook, appealing story, aggresively infuriating instrumentalisation The Partisan - YE-oh it's french. godddamnit. YE-meh on this one, closer to YES than meh Seems So Long Ago, Nancy - pleasant tune The Old Revolution - why banjoooo The Butcher - meh. uninspired. the album starts to drag, here tunes tunes good ending
There's something charming about this album. Maybe it's the melancholic vocals, the soothing guitar, or both. Didn't know much about Cohen's music, but gotta say - after listening to "Songs From A Room" I want to explore more of his works. Hooked by the style, I guess. Or maybe I needed some intimate, toned music at the time of listening. Definitely not an album for every occasion, but a delightful treat for when it's needed. Highlight: The Partisan
To bardziej zbiór utworów poety niż piosenkarza. Cohen zabiera nas w emocjonalną wędrówkę przypominającą rozmyślenia o życiu po kilku głębszych podchodząc pod cienką granicę doomerstwa. Album kończy się równie szybko jak się zaczął i człowiek łapie się na tym, że nie do końca go docenił i należy go odsłuchać jeszcze raz.
Very good
Leonard Cohen i sooo good
Wasn’t he a nirvana lyric?
Similar to Songs of Love and Hate. Not quite peak Cohen
Though this album isn't as good overall as the ones preceding and succeeding it, the first track is one of the most low-down gut punches you'll ever hear opening an album. I wish I'd not read some random review calling attention to the fact that the mouth harp is used on every track, because now I can't unhear it. I guess it was always just something in the atmosphere of the music for me, but now it's center stage. Like all Cohen's records, this one is delicate, intimate, and oh-so confessional. A kind of gentle yet earnest wrestling.
Good, solid Lenny but not his best.
Production is spare but still pretty. (Personally, I would like a little bit more grit in it, but you can't have everything). mostly simple acoustic guitar and bass arrangements, augmented with occasional strings, distant organ, even a little bit of fuzz guitar. And Jew's harp, for that extra bit of spice. Leonard's voice is not great, but he can (usually) sell the damn song. I think the weakest vocal performance is Bird on a Wire. I think he was intimidated by the song (and a really world-class standard song it is), and it took him another 10 or more years to settle into it. The songs are so great. They are so evocative. I realize that he almost never talks in generalities or abstract concepts. He tells the story through vivid and concrete images. I love that approach to lyric writing.
Leonard can fucking write man. His voice isn't always the best at times though. But I really fuck with him.
I only really knew Leonard Cohen's older, gravely voice before listening to this. Very interesting to hear him as a younger man, but with the same talent as a songwriter and lyricist.
Another Leonard Cohen album. 4 🌟
There were moments of this that I loved. I think I would listen to it again but it just barely made the cut. It's pretty and sweet enough to be worth some more of my time.
Wasn't expecting to really like this, but this album cast a spell on me; it has a certain magic to it. Made me a bit emotional I really liked all the songs in minor keys, especially The Partisan. That song is pure enchantment to me
Definitiv keine Musik für das 21. Jahrhundert; Ich habe gestern versucht das Album auf dem weg zur Universität anzuhören und trotz Kopfhörern Leonard Cohen kaum gehört. Sagt das mehr über die Gesellschaft als über Songs From a Room? Wer weiß. Einige sehr gute Songs. Auf eine Art das Gegenteil von einem Konzeptalbum: Der Themensprung suizidale Jugendbekanntschaft zu Eichmann wird in einem Songwechsel vollzogen. Insgesamt nicht ganz mein Ding weil Lyrics mir nicht das wichtigste an Musik sind, aber denke ich werde das bestimmt nochmal anhören.
I like the how he sings slower
I like how short it is. I don't have much else to say though.
Great album that I'm very familiar with. More a 'sink into a comfy chair with a scotch' listen
Songs from a Room is an album I already own, but its not a working album I don't think! Definitely a sit and reflect over whiskey album, still great though!