Reviews (page 4 of 9)
This one was fun, the instrumentation makes this album more varied than other Cohen albums. The cheap synths and backing vocals really make the songs shine more at points than the usual plain acoustic guitar. It is really cheesy and feels dated, but not in a bad way. The album is mainly cool fun and goes by like an 80's action pop corn flick. For some reason, some songs sounded a bit like David Berman's songs in Purple Mountains. First we take Manhattan is an awesome opener and the title track is a classic. Jazz police is AWFUL though. Fun. 7,8/10
Playoff Lenny (Cohen)
His voice takes a bit of getting used to, but once you do it just flows like musical poetry.
I enjoy the apparent musical contradiction of Cohen plus synth. Beware the Jazz Police!
His unique storytelling and vocals remain on top, but with a contemporary, refined and fuller sound. I enjoy all his albums, as they are all like reading classic novels.
I think Leonard cohens early stuff is the only era I don’t like. This album was cohen evolving into the 80s really well and was nice to listen to. No songs really were memorable though, maybe on another listen
This album was pretty weird. I can’t say I loved every track, the backup vocals and synth was a bit too much at times but even the ones I didn’t really like at least kept me entertained or interested. Listened to this one twice today, didn’t expect such heavy 80’s vibes. Kinda had me thinking of Dan Bejar/Destroyer with the witty odd lyrics. Everybody Knows was my favourite song and Jazz Police was the weirdest but fun. The cover is also hilarious. 3.5 stars rounded up to 4
I have heard a lot of about half this album, as when my family gets together the playlist is often a bunch of the same albums on shuffle. This brings me nostalgia, much like “Buena Vista Social Club”, “Graceland” + the Beatles’ “1967-1970” compilation are all ingredients in a big, nostalgic soup. So maybe I was conditioned to like this, though it may not be quite as good as Cohen’s “Songs” from ‘67. “Take this Waltz” is an example of some dated synth strings, but it’s still in my top 5 Cohen songs. And “Jazz Police” is delightfully weird & unfamiliar to me, considering how much I’ve listened to “Manhattan”. HL: “First We Take Manhattan”, “Take This Waltz”, “Everybody Knows”, “Jazz Police” November 30, 2022
grande leonardo
7/10 sometimes creepy, and sometimes the 80s sounds were a bit much, but overall i really enjoyed the atmosphere that this album had.
8/10. I listened to this one before it came up on the list, and on a second listen I think I like it a bit more. I still think that it's a bit over-wrought, and would have been better without some of the backup vocals etc, but I still really like a couple of these songs, which manage to sound good despite the cheesiness of the affair. Everybody Knows and Take This Waltz are probably my favorites from this album, but Jazz Police fits the awkward style better.
Þessi er klassík. Þægileg róandi rödd. Skemmtilega 80s raddanir í viðlögum sums staðar. Poppljóð.
actually found it rlly interesting! liked tower of song, everybody knows and take this waltz. jazz police just made me laugh. his voice is rlly cool & lyrics are good, kinda used to his weirdness bc of my dad. :D
A great Cohen album. Very poetic.
The fourth Leonard Cohen album we've had. I'm always a bit back and forth on his work and find my level of appreciation wavering and influenced by current mood. As a songwriter, I think he's absolutely fantastic. For instance, from this album, I really love Joe Cocker's cover version of First We Take Manhatten and also appreciate Don Henley's cover version of Everybody Knows quite a bit. I'm a lot less certain regarding my feelings on Cohen's own performance of his songs. They often sound like deliberately flatly performed Disney movie songs. 3.5 stars rounded up.
I've listened to this album before, I think when I was going through a 'I should listen to more Leonard Cohen' phase. The album is VERY 80s. But somehow manages to avoid being cheesy. Best song: Everybody knows
I've never heard Leonard Cohen like this before. What a groover.
I’m torn, idk if jazz police should get the album 5 stars or 1
Nice deal voice, dark and spooky, got a few love songs i could send you girls
Rock suave de Cohen. Un 4.
He’s such a cool guy
Better than I'd expected
Cool as it gets. Cover art: 3/5
He really makes the 80's synth thing work for him. His voice is so commanding, it demands that you take it seriously regardless what he's saying or what's happening around it.
One of my favourite Cohen albums (but not his best by any measure). I find the more sophisticated production far superior to his earlier kumbaya albums, even if it’s overtly eighties sounding and the world has moved on since (and we’re better for that). Several really good tracks here!
Fine record from Leonard Cohen. Probably my favourite of his that I've heard so far.
Didn’t know Leonard Cohen like this existed. Pretty cool. This is how you adapt to a new era of sound while still maintaining what makes you great
Fourth Leonard. At this point I just assume all of them are on here. My favorite one by FAR. Like a skeleton singing you love songs.
Really have to listen to the lyrics. Type of album to impress a date with. His voice is something else.
The casual coolness of an absolute badass posing on his album cover with a half eaten banana perfectly exemplifies what this album is all about: it's a bold new Cohen for a bold new world, it's the juxtaposition of his poetic songwriting with his synth heavy 80's sound. He gives no fucks, takes no shit, and does what he wants. Then he takes Berlin! Everyone went a little synth crazy in the 80's... you were contractually obligated to try it. But you know, we salute a Canadian icon, always. Do your cool different thing with the 80's cheese factor dialled up past 11, it's all good. If you wanted Tom Waits and The The rolled up into a dang tortilla this is a close enough approximation of what you'd get.
Kinda lit...
4.5
Sequencia certeira das composições.
Blijft me fascineren die Leonard. Ditmaal een iets vrolijkere kant van hem.
I expect a lot of people don't like 80s synth Cohen but I actually think it gives his music a bit more identity beyond his voice. Some of his best lyrics on this album
Never heard of him, but seeing a dapper guy eating a banana at a warehouse is always a great first impression. Actually really like this. Enjoyed the vocals, the slight 80s cheesiness was endearing (I love stupid songs. "Jazz Police" was great). My favorite song though was probably "First We Take Manhattan" - sounded like a Bond villain speech and I'm always a sucker for that kind of evil sound.
Smooth, always
Backing music hasn’t aged well, but brilliance comes through
I came into this project already a big Leonard Cohen fan, so it was nice to see him being recognized with several albums. This album is right up there with the others. First We Take Manhattan is a great song that many already know, or recognize. It makes a great introduction to an amazing album. Standouts: First We Take Manhattan, The Tower Song, I'm Your Man, Take This Waltz, Everybody Knows 4.5/5
Very different from his early work. I wasn't expecting this sound at all. I kinda like it more, actually.
wow, a good album from leonard... I gotta say, im impressed
Don't let the peeled banana fool you, this is a divine collection of songs that do not guarantee spoiling upon neglect. Leonard works surprisingly well with the synth sounds, rather bending it to his will as opposed to the other way around. Is he our man? With this album, he sure is. Favorites: First We Take Manhattan, Ain't No Cure for Love, Everybody Knows, Jazz Police, Tower of Song.
Me gustó más de lo que esperaba. Sólo conocía Everybody Knows así que el resto fue sorpresa. Muy ochentero por el uso de los sintetizadores y el tipo de coros, pero sin llegar al pop tipo Our House (in the Middle of the Street). Letras medio crípticas, que siempre le caracterizan. 3.5 que sube.
I really enjoyed this album. Fantastic lyrics, and I don't understand the criticisms of his voice and delivery which are perfect. I also think the production adds an interesting layer as well.
It was good
C'est journée chill aujourd'hui.
mon chien n'a pas aimé du tout
Randomly had 2 Leonard records in a row! What are the chances of that! This one from the end period of his first career, (Before his manager nicked all his money!) This is a bit like Leonards "Highway 61 Revisited" His (over)use of synths on this was a shock to some. A great album with some classic Cohen Tracks "First We Take Manhattan" "Everybody Knows" "I'm Your Man" and the wry, humourous "Tower Of Song" (I was born with the Gift Of A Golden Voice!) Love this album and some of the classics on it, my second favourite LC album after "Death Of A Ladies Man". Rightfully on this list and in my collection.
A voz abençoada de Cohen! Ótimo álbum! Melhores músicas: I'm your man e Ain't no cure for love.
kind of strange 80s sound. Cool. Everybody knows.
I'm not fully sure why we are taking Manhattan or Berlin but I'm pumped to do it! "Everybody Knows" is an all time great track. "Take this Waltz" is a beautiful song. "Jazz Police" however is a terrible track in the midst of beauty. Ironically I first found this album through a video of the worst songs on great albums (shoutout to Alfo Media). The album recovers in the last two songs though. As a big fan of folk I know and love a lot of Cohen's early work. I do forget just how good Cohen's mid career was. Some of the songs are a little long and "Jazz Police" is what it is. I would give it a 4.5/5.
Six times Platinum in Norway! I have fond memories of “Manhattan” from the winter of 88. I was in France and it was being played all day long in the cafes and bars. There are some great songs here, like “Everybody Knows” & “Tower of Song”. There are also some borderline-muzak stinkers, but as always, the lyrics save the day. He's still relevant 25 years after his first release. I usually think that back-up vocalists are a great addition, especially if the lead singer is as flat-line as LC, but here they could have been used more discreetly, like on “Songs of Love & Hate”.
Solid album, really enjoyed the singer songwriter aspect of the album. However the musical aspect seemed a bit of an odd choice to me and prevents the album being a 5 star for me at least. "First We Take Manhattan" probably my favourite song, but all songs were enjoyable.
Eu esperava algo completamente diferente pela capa. O veio é bao, gostei
Enjoyed this much more than I thought I would. Was hooked right from the start when Cohen intoned "first we take Manhattan.....then we take Berlin". I really didn't expect this to feature synths at all, let alone have them as prominent as they are.
This is the polar opposite of the cheesy crooner I'd (very wrongly) imagined Leonard Cohen to be. Dark, brooding, enigmatic music which is often synth-led. Dark, interesting, menacing and sad lyrics, all sung in a distinctive baritone voice. An interesting and emotive album. 4/5
Band: Let's score this like an upbeat '80s film! Leonard: Here's some lyrics about the AIDS crisis.
Solid album!
Middle-period Cohen: masterful songcraft dressed in the tackiest 80s production. I can see why it took a Jeff Buckley to get Hallelujah the credit it deserves. But you know what, I'm charmed. It adds a (deliberate?) layer of absurd humour to the whole thing. And anyway, there are a handful of 24-carat classics on this album (Everybody Knows, I'm Your Man, Tower of Song etc). Leonard you horny devil, you've done it again.
Meesterlijk…
Some all time great songs on this. But, off, that 80s production. The synths, the saxophone solos, the stacked backing vocals. His singing is not bad, probably amongst the best he has ever sounded. But is it a coincidence that I love many of these songs in cover versions? The production really distracts me. Five stars for the songs, one off for the sound.
A welcome return to form after a patchy period. It doesn't quite live up to his first four albums in my opinion, but it's great to hear Cohen being this adventurous at this point in his career, and his longevity and relative consistency such a testament to his skill as a songwriter
Interesting album. Very wistful and emotional. The synths have aged better than you'd think. Great vocals.
Some great songs on here, synth sound is a bit dated. Worth another listen
When I saw this was a Leonard Cohen, I was NOT ready for those sequencers in the first few seconds. What a stylistic shift. But overall it's a solid entry. Cohen's vocals are even more raunchy and mature than before. Lyrics are dark, covering themes such as desperation, loneliness, and mid-life crises. I can really get into the more synth-heavy songs. Got pretty weak in the second half but it still had notable ideas, like the unusual techno-waltz theme. Favorites: Everybody Knows, I'm Your Man, Tower of Song
Enjoyed the album - had kind of this futuristc 80s vibe.
2x na elkaar Cohen. Dit album vond ik beter dan dat van gisteren. maar zeker niet het maximum waard
I’m Your Man represents a return to form for Leonard Cohen. The album has a sultry late night feel but is brighter than his previous work. It’s obvious why Tom Waits thinks so highly of this album. My only qualm is the synthesizer based production which grounds the music in a recognizably 80s sound and takes me out of the timelessness of Cohen’s music. Obviously it’s a brilliant album nonetheless
26th November 2021 Listened on my headphones while working on Friday before meeting ebbs and Charlie for duckpin bowling and jen's fam coming for the weekend. Loved it - cohen's most accessible album. Big, brash, but still with lyrical intricacies.
smooth, chill music, manhattan is a bop
Cohen fucks man. The writing on this is solid, followed with a fucking sultry ass voice. It's good, I am vaguely familiar with him but not enough to say I am a fan or anything like that.
on the first song I swore I was listening to some German industrial... and that's before he was talking about taking Berlin. and I didn't think I was going to like this album, then it surprised me. not something I'd put on a lot but I dig it.
Very good. I’ve never delved into Leonard Cohen before but I think I’ll rectify that error.
Rock suave de Cohen.
I know your supposed to dump on 80ies Leonard Cohen, but tbh this was the Leonard Cohen I got to know first - Manhattan was a bit of a radio hit if I remember correctly, Everybody Knows was on the Pump Up The Volume soundtrack - so it's got a special place in my heart. Yes, it's got lots of synths but it works with these songs. I wouldn't know how else you'd produce them. 8/10
Good Album, enjoyed.
Lovely.
Lento pero atrayente
This is not bad at all, something to relax to, but too wordy for my tastes to give it 5 stars.
Interesting to see Leonerd Cohen try something very different. I still prefer his folk albums, but this is pretty good.
The first track was a little 80s and synth-y for me... but then as Cohen's deep, gruff voice took over the dark, cynical lyrics really hit me... I really enjoy this. Probably more like a 3.5 but let's give it a 4.
Good old Cohen, stubborn and unbending in a new synth entourage.
Very Noir, light simple instrumentation and a smooth deep voice singing poetry. The whole album reminds of me that "Nick's Cafe" song. I dug it, added Everybody Knows to the playlist. Probably not an album I would go out of my way to put on but I appreciated it. Edged it to a 4 over a 3 but it was close.
Ok so I really love 4 of these songs, 3 of them are very good and 'Jazz Police' really belongs on a completely different album? Really threw off the vibes with that one Leonard. Still though, great album
very foundational music!
Questo album non era quello che mi aspettavo. Sono riuscito ad ascoltarlo una sola volta e mi ha lasciato l'esigenza di sentirlo ancora. L'impressione è positiva, l'utilizzo di strumenti elettronici ricorda per certi versi anche i Kraftwerk e lo stile canoro, in linea al trend degli anni 80, nonostante tutto mi piace e non risulta eccessivo. Il voto per me è 3.5 ma che premio con qualcosa in più.
4/5. Classic Cohen, even with the 80s vibe, he still is amazing. Standouts: First We Take Manhattan, Everybody Knows, I'm Your Man, Tower of Song,
I liked it much more than I thought initially. It's strange to listen to it so "sad" songs with this electronically vibe, but the Cohen voice is so interesting that hypnotizes anyone independentilly of the song. For sure, I'll include it in my favorite albuns list.
I love this album one of my all time favourites
Three songs in all three songs are good. Everybody Kows is excellent. If I were to nit pic I could complain about the 80s production sounding somewhat dated. But the quality of the songs transcends any complaints about production. First half stronger than second half. But, Tower of Song is a solid album closet. I feel like it's a 4, his earlier albums are slightly stronger .
Great songs...dated 80s production. Did I mention Great songs!
Smooth, voice like caramel.
A cornucopia of musical flavours, some industrial, some serene, Jazz police was a dud but hey that's the eighties.
Tower of Song - one of my favourites
Fantastic, love Leonard Cohen.
the lyrics are good the 80s seem fun
Great album. I really enjoyed the vibe all the way throughout. He has this quiet energy that sort of encompasses everything your doing while you listen.
Smooth and easy, really like his voice.
Surprisingly groovy and quite synthy at times
Interesting, yet odious experimentation with 80s synthesizers along great ballads. My first Leonard Cohens album, liked it a lot
The mans voice is awesome.
It was much better than the last Cohen album. Just adding better instrumentation helped to make the songs enjoyable.
Liked Lenny’s style…. Good one!!!
Very pleasantly surprised. Enjoyable listen that. 4/5
I like this one so much better than the last leonard cohen album. Thought his voice was great n deep, and the synth popped
Leonard does the 80s. Cohen is a poet first musician 2nd and throughout this is lyrically fascinating but the most impressive slight of hand he performs here is producing an album that is both unmistakably him but also pure 80s. Maybe I need a few listens to dampen my enthusiasm but having only really known Cohen's big hits like Marianne, Suzanne and Hallelujah, I have been a little blown away by the two albums of his this group has thrown up. Its clear how hes influenced other artists I love, particularly Nick Cave. The man was a Genius. Truly the Godfather of gloom. Highlights: Everybody Knows, Tower Song. 4/5 but close to my 3rd 5.
Now this is an ominous yet silly album. I am shocked by how much I like this. Vocals are a little odd but endearing, content is just a thinly veiled joke. Keep telling 'em Leonard.
Iconic singer
Very cool album!
Very cool album. Cohen has this deep, soft voice, that just pierces you. Most of the songs are very calm, which gives it a cool feel. Cohen is the one who first performed "Hallelujah" This is one of his later albums. He began 1967, this album is from 1988.
yo what did i just listen to it’s like the italian mob and love songs made this. It’s pretty good though
"First We Take Manhattan" is a fantastic track. I really like Leonard Cohen clearly from previous rankings, but this one with its synths, holds a special place for me.
This was my first Leonard Cohen album and I didn’t know what to expect, but I was especially not ready for dark and brooding lyrics for over plasticy eighties synth production. It seemed like the entire album was digital instruments but somehow hardly felt cheesy or fake. I enjoyed it and can see the depth of Cohens lyrics. Jazzer, drop your axe, it's Jazz police
Great album, you can really hear the influence of 80's pop and new wave, but it's infused seamlessly into Cohen's stripped back style.
Very up and down - some great tracks, some that didn't age well.
Not sure how to feel about the more pop feel but the lyrical songs make up for it I guess
Leonard Cohen is my man
This was really nice. I'm still getting used to Leonard Cohen's tone, but I quite enjoyed each and every song.
7/10
Listens: 2 Standout Tracks: First We Take Manhattan, Jazz Police This is my 3rd Leonard Cohen album, and while I wouldn't consider myself an expert who is well versed in his music, I am now "vaguely familiar". My own take on this album is, as with almost all other synth-based music from the 80s, I am not really a fan of the direction Leonard went with this album. The synth now feels dated. The backing vocals come off as kind of weird. I am not sure I can explain why. There are some good songs on the album - the idea of "Jazz Police" is strangely compelling in a futuristic, dystopian way - but I was not as impressed as I was on You Want It Darker or Songs from a Room. I continue to like the qualities of his voice, independent of whether or not I actually enjoyed the album.
Listened before?: nope First We Take Manhattan - 4/5 Ain't No Cure for Love - 3/5 Everybody Knows - 3/5 I'm Your Man - 4/5 Take This Waltz - 2/5 Jazz Police - 1/5 I Can't Forget - 2/5 Tower of Song - 3/5 Average score: 2.8/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️ i have generally liked Leonard Cohen's albums featured on this list, but this one was probably the most jarring to me. pairing his sultry, mature voice alongside cheesy 80s production and synths was definitely a choice i can't understand why this is on the list aside from the fact that it's a Leonard Cohen album but whatever. i don't think i hated this enough to give it 2 stars, so i'll generously round up the score this time
A very distinct voice. He’s got something
Hmm synthy Leonard Cohen hey, that wasn't a thing that I was aware that existed. After reading the wiki entry I thought I would hate this, but it wasn't too synth heavy at all really. Cohen is one of the artists I've found from this list that I enjoy the albums when I hear them, yet I rarely seem to want to listen to them again strangely. I do think I enjoyed this less than all the others of his we've had before. Still I reckon 3.5
This was over shockingly fast. It’s crazy how quickly 40 minutes can evaporate. It sounds like progressive music one long nice song. I’m sure I would like it much more with multiple listens.
Very smooth listen. Leonard Cohen's voice sits powerfully above the lush instrumentals and the backing vocals and singing performances are grand on this project. Another great listen!
More listenable and entertaining than I would have initially thought
More than one song reminded me of “Be Prepared” from the Lion King. This is both compliment and complaint.
I did not expect this from mr cohen. I kinda don't really like it but it's got something to it Will I listen to again: 10%
Difficult to rate. Not interested musically interested in this (second for me) Cohen album. Like covers of everybody knows. The album did get me to laugh or smile at times, so maybe another listen sometime?
Leonard Cohen is really good at the creepy, dark and brooding, sad guy stuff. And what a lyricist. He's not someone that I would listen to often but I do enjoy him when he comes up. The problem that I have with him is that it's actually a little hard to just throw on a Leonard Cohen album and listen to the whole thing. I don't want to say that it's boring, that's not the right word at all. It's something you really have to pay attention to and focus on. At least for me. And while I like this record, I can't see myself running out to buy it, or any other of his records for that matter. 3/5
"First We Take Manhattan" 6 fun super poppy 80s tune "Ain't No Cure for Love" 5 ok but his voice dosnt really fit in some spots for this slower tune. "Everybody Knows" 6 I like the subtle kinda spanish style guitar backing on this "I'm Your Man" 5 kinda starting to get bored with this one. "Take This Waltz" 4 sounds like a runescape plugin was used to make this song "Jazz Police" 5 I fear with this one we have officially lost the plot. at least its kinda fun "I Can't Forget" 4.5 tropical marimba? this was not what i expected following "jazz police" lol, i am ready for this ablum to be done. "Tower of Song" 4 good song to listen to if i wanted to pregame napping.
Ummmm what lol. Scar ?? Kinda cool?
Leonard in his 80’s phase, great songs naff production.
Weird hearing Leonard Cohen do synthpop.
A bizzare record, so much so that I don't really know what to make of it. It's got Cohen's signature wiring and structure to it, but over these cheesy 80s synths. Some tracks are so eccentric that I actually begin to really like them (Jazz Police), but the rest just melds into an odd-sounding mess.
My second Leonard Cohen album- this one was a little better for me. Still a little sappy for me but I appreciated the varied instrumentation and emotion behind the songs. Overall- decent album
Sounds very 80s and outdated.
Correcto
This is a good example of an artist who peaked in the 1970s to make a good album in the 80s, especially the late 80s, with that commercial and synthetic sound. That's what this album is a decent example of and while I wouldn't say its great, it has a few okay tracks on it.
Leonard Cohen looks exactly like the style of music he makes. Very smooth. Easy listening. Not much else to say about this one.
The songwriting is great. The music and backing vocals are sometimes odd
I do love a bit of Leonard Cohen, and this album delivers.
Odd album but not that interesting
Odd. I like Leonard Cohen. I even like that voice that puts so many off him. He’s a great songwriter and a genius. I hated the backing vocals on this. At first it was almost a joke but then they got old. They’re so nice and soulless and really put me off.
Well I suppose they can't all be winners... This felt like an odd release compared to the others we've heard from Leonard Cohen
Oh man, this is one of those times where the algorithm gave me the same artist a week apart. I listened to one of his late-60s albums last week and it was...fine. Not for me, but whatever. Sad guy in a turtleneck with velvet drapes trying to drop some panties. Not what I like, but okay, fine. But this is a different beast, and it could have been so much better. “First We Take Manhattan” had a chance to be so awesome. It’s dark. It’s dangerous. “First we take Manhattan / and then we take Berlin.” OKAY, I’m in! What’s the first step? But then all of a sudden there are Debbie Gibson synths, and backup singers that belong in a Salon Selectives commercial immediately undercut the whole vibe. “Ain’t No Cure for Love” starts with sax that is pure late night Cinemax, and then he drops the line “I need to see you naked in your body and your thought,” which, holy fuck, someone get this guy a glass of ice. The production is just so 80s, and the backup singers, once again, shoot this thing in the foot. But here we go...“Everybody Knows” is a fucking banger. If you’ve seen that Christian Slater movie Pump Up the Volume, you’ll know this song. And damn, it’s good. The delivery, the lyrics, the whole thing. Everything is done. Everything is fixed. Everything is fucked. Everything is rigged. I know it and you know it and there’s nothing you can do. The synths hit, the backup singers don’t try to do too much, and the vibe intersects perfectly with the lyrics. Give me a whole album of THIS. The title track is just horny lounge music, but not even really endearing in any way. The rest of the album just misses, unfortunately. Cohen has a really distinct voice and a distinct delivery, even if I don’t care for all of the lyrics or the production here. “Everybody Knows” is the song that really rises above the rest and it’s the one song I could actually return to. “First We Take Manhattan” could have been incredible but it shoots itself in the foot with poor decisions. The rest of the album is pretty forgettable. Giving it a 3 because I respect him and I’m glad I listened to it, but I won’t return to it outside of “Everybody Knows.”
This one sounds as if some idiot record company executive tried to make him a pop star. Lyrics and vocals are mostly good, if a little repetitive, but the production is really appalling at times with cheap synths and that awful background choir. I kind of liked the finale, that bumped the rating up one point. All in all it's definitely not one of his best records and of course it's not an essential listen by any standard.
Clearly the weakest of Cohen's in the list, it is not without its highlights in 'Everybody Knows' and mainly, the opener 'First We Take Manhattan'. However, it is of the bunch of his albums here the one I'd be less interested to listen at any given time. 8/10 [DROP]
Kinda enjoyed despite initial misgivings
Alright
good
Sounds an awful lot like a guy with an impressively deep voice speaking over music, so essentially exactly what you would expect from Leonard Cohen.
This one has some of his good songs, that’s for sure, but I dunno about a lot of his sonic choices. Lots of the synths and drums in this sound silly. Strangely, I think The Future is my favourite Cohen, and it’s fully synth. Those synths sound more evil though, that’s probably why.
Lyrically it is quite good in parts but the 80s productions has not aged remotely well. Jazz police is particularly heinous, how does this get released? 2.5*
Среднее
Старый сиплый голос на синтах будто дышит тебе в спину
Some of the songs were solid, but it did feel a bit boring.
bruder was geht ab
I thought I was done with Leonard Cohen on this list, but I guess not. This was one of the more palatable albums of his, but that’s due to the music and not his voice. 2.5 / 5
The goofy 80s-ness on this was kinda charming
Una faceta que no conocía de él. No me gusta su voz y su música me parece aburrida
Like most of his albums, the production is a weak link. It's really weak on this one. It sounds not only dated, but like it never made sense. The backing vocals are tragic. It's a shame because Everybody Knows and Tower of Song are really great songs. In another universe where he works with Rick Rubin or Jeff Tweedy or someone else this is probably great.
I respect Leonard Cohen, especially his backstory, more than I enjoy his music. But it's hard to respect "Jazz Police."
Strange sounding album, not sure the baritone vocals entirely mesh with the synth heavy instrumentation
интереснее ранних альбомов, как по мне, но это все равно 3.5
A great artist with an ability to create emotions from his music. Its not music that works well for every day listening to me though. I have to be in a certain mood to enjoy it but when you are there its great.
7.2.26 some beautiful lyrics, but I don't love love the sound (and I definitely a person who listens to music before lyrics). Cohen has an interesting and pretty smooth voice, but I just wanted more from this musically. still enjoyed. Favorite Song: Tower of Song Rating: 3/5
While the lead vocals, arrangements and performances are excellent, and the shift to an electronica style suits the material perfectly, the female backing vocals are largely jarring. They create an awkward 1980s sonic collision with the main tracks and, rather oddly, date this album much more than his earlier releases. These twee additions would be better suited to a Tina Turner album; the material here does not require them. Barring 'Jazz Police', this is a fine, enjoyable collection of songs, but it stops short of being essential. Three stars. Side one 1 "First We Take Manhattan" (4/5) 2 "Ain't No Cure for Love" (3/5) 3 "Everybody Knows" (4/5) 4 "I'm Your Man" (4/5) Side two 5 "Take This Waltz" (3/5) 6 "Jazz Police" (2/5) 7 "I Can't Forget" (3/5) 8 "Tower of Song" (4/5) Total - 27 Average - 3.4 367/1001 194/367 albums reviewed were new to me.
Most of this was great, and then we hit Jazz Police, which was awful, and the rest after that was not nearly as good. Still a fine album, but wowza, J.P. was a stinker.
Such a weird album - maybe that’s why it’s on the list? I had heard this version Everybody Knows before, and thought it was interesting and quirky, but an entire album that sounds like that was a little too much.
I like Leonard Cohen, but slightly odd, Miami Vice, electro-pop Leonard Cohen isn’t really doing it for me.
A classic.
I knew "Everybody Knows" but didn't know the rest of the album. I'm not super into Cohen's style of talking as singing, but I think it hides what are actually pretty decent melodies.
This has that Lou Reed almost-spoken-word quality to it, but it is pretty frequently undermined by some seriously dated production.
Mr Cohen, I was not familiar with your game. This felt like when I'd deliberately make my voice deeper when calling a girl.
Cohen precisa de menos ruído à volta
There some really great songs on here like Ain't No Cure for Love and also some absolute bollocks like Jazz Police. It's so weird that these two songs like this could possibly exist on the same album.
Pretty nice, "I'm Your Man" and "Tower Of Song" were my favorites
absolute decency. last lenonard cohen album got my hopes super low but this one was listenable. Still not the biggest fan tho. love u leonard <3
"Jazz police are talking to my niece" was an unexpected bit of internal rhyme. The synths and drum machines sound very 80s but kind of charming? I also wonder why and how he chose to pose with a banana in the album cover photo.
631/1001 2026.06.08 🌕🌕🌕🌑🌑
not as shit as I was expecting it to be
Lenny ain’t one of my favorite artists for the simple fact that I don’t think his music is that interesting. But he is such an obvious master of songwriting that I find myself eventually returning to his albums anyway. Here, he’s middle aged and funny, and it’s a good time. Not much else to say, it’s Leonard Cohen. Great writing.
MIDI spoken word poetry. Banana is a good fruit. Jazz Police is tough.
3 seconds into the first track and I was put off by the instrumentation. Leonard Cohen's voice and lyrics were able to elevate the standard synthesizer music here. Everybody Knows is a great track. I'd like to say that maybe the list has enough Leonard Cohen, but I think this one belongs on the list. Sonically the closest album I've heard before is McGruff's Smart Kids Album. Do yourself a favour and look it up if you have not heard it before.
I do like me some Leonard Cohen. His rasp, his poetry, his simplicity. This album wasn't as necessary to introduce or celebrate him.
I'm Your Man is famous for its synthy 80s production, which is obviously atypical for Cohen. But I think it could have gone bigger. Yes, there are background vocals all over this and a big cheesy sax on "Ain't No Cure for Love." But at least half of these songs are subdued enough that the synths can be forgotten and they become typical Cohen fair. At that point it makes sense to judge them on lyrics, and it's a mixed bag there. "Tower of Song" and "Everybody Knows" are very strong. On the other hand, the opener and "Jazz Police" are difficult to follow (and that's not the only negative for "Jazz Police"). Despite some great songs, the album ends up being fairly average, dragged down by a weak second half. If this leaned harder into the sophisti-pop sound, I think it would be better.
Leornard Cohen wrote great songs, but was only an okay singer.
A confused man eating a banana is a pretty good representation of how I felt throughout the album. A lot of interesting songs that range from odd to downright weird, and very few are alike. His voice is pretty fire though I can't lie. Best: First We Take Manhattan Worst: Ain't No Cure for Love Liked songs: 5/8, 63% Mid 3
I can’t really see myself replaying most of these songs other than “Jazz Police” but I will say the instrumentals in this album are well done. 6/10
Álbum equilibrado, tiene elementos bastante pop, contrastados con el tono de Leonard tan característico Me parece que el nivel de expansión musical que tiene es muy interesante Acá me parece que artísticamente hablando no busca complacer a nadie, simplemente necesita evocar los elementos con los que él conecta Reescuchable y sé que eso permitirá agarrarle aún más gusto 3.5
He’s growing on me.
Certainly took some getting used to, and the arrangements are all over the shop, but there's some gems to be found in here, "Tower of Song" especially
Hurts me to rate him so low. I love his lyrics. But the 80s keyboard sound and the backup singing on most songs are quite distracting. Love him though. For poetry he gets 5 out of 5.
Interesting! He might have lost a few fan with this one but it's nice to see artists trying to live with their time.
Took and extra listen or two but found some appreciation for this. Turns out to be a solid addition to his discography for me, with some fun tunes on. 3.5.
kalo sxetika. stin arxi apla mou fanike ligo vareto gt den sunuthizo na akouw tetoia fasi alla meta mou arese kai epsaksa gia ton tragoudisti
Would give it a 4 but giving a 3 because I have to be in a specific nostalgic mood to really enjoy Leonard Cohen’s music. Otherwise I’m always thinkin this man needs to speak up!
Wow, I can't think of an album with music that sounds so dated. I hope that someday a "remaster" is possible with better instruments because this sounds like garbage.
Dark and broody Likes: First We Take Manhattan; Everybody Knows; Take This Waltz
3.0
6/10 There really are some great songs here, but they are buried under 10,001 tons of 80s garbage. Still they fight to get out and sometimes they make it through, only to be dragged back down. Reminded me too much of Paula Abdul
Some songs I recognized and some interesting stuff here but not really my cup of tea. Still a worthwhile listen though. 3.5
I'm supposed to love this, at least Turk Tuckahaw says so. I like his songs when other people sing them. The Casiotone and golden voice together were too much for me to find enjoyment in listening.
I love the two folk albums by him that we've gotten, but I don't think this super-80s album from him works. Very low 6/10.
Cohen's one of the rare folk singers that truly draws me into the stories any time I listen. With how dated synth-heavy 80s records tend to sound, I was actually surprised that it suits his singing pretty well here (even if they overdo it pretty bad on Jazz Police). The stripped-back Tower of Song is still Cohen at his best though; one of my favorite songs of his to date, and a beautiful closer to this album. Not bad! Standouts: First We Take Manhattan • Everybody Knows • Tower of Song
One of the best things about this album challenge has been realizing how much I love Leonard Cohen. However, I can't give this any higher than a 3. The first four songs are an absolute tour de force. Take This Waltz is not good. Jazz Police is abominable and the last two are forgettable.
felt like he tried to be more 'hip'
Pues un poco irregular…las buenas, joyas…pero las malas muy malas. Entiendo el mame pero no me subo por completo. Inevitable pensar en Sabina
Easily the best album by this guy on this list so far, though that isn’t saying much. Decently listenable album that moves along. I didn’t hate it as much as his other stuff. 3/5
Sorprendió, buena voz grave, canciones bastante variadas. Algún día lo pondría de fondo.
Raspy, gravelly, typical Leonard Cohen
I think the lyrics lovers love this album but for me something was lacking. The man is a genius for sure but I prefer a little bit more melodic and a bit more music. Just don't think it's entirely for me but definitely worth a listen. Favorite track - First we take Manhattan.
About as good as I can go with Leonard Cohen. Somewhat enjoyable, but not my favorite and I honestly think he's overrated. 3.
Idk. Is this for real? Its campy, ill give it that. This is not the LC im grabbing. Its a reluctant 3. Maybe a 2.5. Jazz police IS funny af.
7.5 / 10
This was not terrible, he almost tried singing! The songs do have a nice vibe.
Dark and gloomy, classic from this guy. I am rarely in a mood to really sit down with this, but it's nice when it passes by.
I’m Your Man by Leonard Cohen is an album I’ve always enjoyed, and one I was really looking forward to revisiting today. Vocally, this is Cohen at his best. His delivery is confident and commanding, and the lyrics are as strong as ever, full of sharp, powerful storytelling. Musically, I know this album divides opinion, but I really like the production. It’s different from his earlier work, more synthetic and polished, but it creates a unique atmosphere that really works. The first half of the album is particularly strong. First We Take Manhattan is a brilliant track with a great sound, while Everybody Knows and I’m Your Man are standout songs that show just how good this album can be. For me, it tails off slightly in the second half. Take This Waltz and Jazz Police don’t quite hit the same level, and if the consistency had been there throughout, this would easily be a 5/5. Favourite tracks: First We Take Manhattan, Everybody Knows, and I’m Your Man Least favourite tracks: Take This Waltz and Jazz Police Album artwork: A great cover that really suits the tone and style of the album
First we take Manhattan then we take new york,
Leonard Cohen in the 80s. You felt the 80s for the first half then more Cohen the second. Nice album
This one’s not hitting for me as well as the others have. Lyrically great and musically fun, just nothing I would ever come back to.
This is really a strange one. Leaning into nascent synthesizer tech was probably fairly forward looking at the time and maybe Leonard Cohen was interested in modernizing his sound and didn't want to sound stuck in some old way of doing things. The instrumentation to these tracks is honestly pretty heinous. From a lens of many years later this gives vibes of something like Wesley Willis. It sounds like a karaoke machine. It's really just confounding to me that this was so successful. It makes me conflicted on how to rate it. The fact that the intent is so confusing and the difference from previous albums almost makes it noteworthy on its own but just listening to it absent of other context wasn't very enjoyable for me. I'm going to go 2 stars for the listening experience and maybe 4 stars for being worth knowing about so average to 3.
This would have been more compelling with a proper band instead of synth
Again I had a long review and it got lost because I got distracted. The first two songs I like a lot. Very 80s, but different style of 80s pop. First song is very dancey, much more lovey on the second. Everybody knows is very well written. I’m your ma is fine, again another very lovey song but 80s style. It was fine. Didn’t really like take this Walz. Goofy lyrics on jazz police but the piano solo is incredible. I also find myself wanting to dance to this one. Really good somgwriting again on I can’t forget. I really like this one. Really good production. Tower of sing is very interesting because I keep expecting it to breakdown and speed yo but it doesn’t. Still pretty good. I actually like his voice on this one. Good way to close the album. Overall it was good not great. Probably won’t ever listen to any of the songs again but enjoyable enough for the last 41 mins. 2.7 stars.
Not going to lie. The sound is dated. Very late 80s.
Not a bad attempt at an album for a celebrity chef/travel documentarian.
Mans got a voice like a gravel pit.
Not normally a fan of LC, but the 80s production works with his voice.
A nice feel to it, but just a bit too samey. A high 3.
Resonant
A couple catchy tunes, and the lyrics are pretty lyrical, but it doesn't overcome the occassional off-tone of Cohen's voice. 2.5/5
Enjoyed this both less and more than I thought I would?
*I liked this better than any other Cohen album I've heard, but it still drones on too much for me to appreciate more than a 3 *I did like the jazz instrumentation that showed up at times
As you'd expect lyrics are so sharp and witty its impossible to tell if the production is a joke at our expense or just some bad 80s, but can't really rate them separately...
Leonard Cohen is an acquired taste, and I’m… weirdly indifferent towards him? The title track and “Everybody Knows” are the best tracks. The rest are okay. This my 713th album generated and the first Leonard Cohen, so we’ll see how the rest are.
Tufft, dock några lite segare låtar
totaaaaal niet wat ik van hem had verwacht, wat een zwoele stem. Ik vind het na een paar nummers wel oke - maar heel mooie muziek.
Je demeure indécis encore face à ce cher Leonard après 2 albums. Je ne sais pas si je trouve sa voix réconfortante. J'aime assez l'ambiance de cet album, belles voix des choristes sur certaines chansons. Le classique Everybody knows est sur cet album. Pas mauvais, mais mitigé est mon avis,.
Eh, it was fine. Leonard Cohen generally isn't really my thing, but I didn't dislike it.
3/5
This one barely gets to three stars, and honestly it’s mostly because it’s short. It’s over before it has too much time to wear me down, which helped a lot. Even Leonard Cohen wasn’t immune to the 80s synth obsession. The keyboards feel cheap and dated, and they take away from what actually makes him good. His writing is still there, but it’s buried under that plastic sound.
A weird one. The sound has not aged at all well (how many times will I write that about 80s albums) but there are some good songs in there behind the production. I liked First We Take Manhattan and Tower of Song. The front cover is also excellent - Leonard Cohen eating a banana.
Just when I thought I’d heard the last Leonard Cohen album on the list, I get this - and it’s kind of weird. Actually, that’s underselling it. It’s baffling. Cohen’s trademark gravelly voice and sharp lyrics are there, as you’d expect, but they’re couched in this oddly generic/cheap 80s sound. At first, it kind of works - maybe because of the contrast - and then it doesn’t. I didn’t hate it, but it really threw me for a loop. First We Take Manhattan, Everybody Knows 3?
I had some misconceptions heading into this listen - that Leonard Cohen music was unrelentingly gloomy, and that I generally don't enjoy synthesizer-heavy pop music. But with that said, I found this to be an enjoyable listen. Cohen's voice is excellent, and I found a lot of wry humor in his lyrics. The orchestrations are generally nice as well. Definitely a case of "don't judge a book by its cover." While ultimately this isn't an album I will return to again and again, I do appreciate hearing it.
Ok. Ish.
nothing to dislike
Bizarre moment in the Cohen discography from what I've heard on this list, but I don't hate it
Maybe not for me
Definitely more varied and interesting than You Want It Darker, but I think I slightly prefer the emotional gut punch of YWID vs this one. Some pretty solid and fun cuts, even if it's a tad too much on the 80's side for me. Liked Jazz Police quite a bit.
Admittedly confused with its own identity between Cohen's folk songwriting and the new-age synth instrumentals, but I sorta respect it for how different it is, and at times even enjoy it. Probably the most 80s album ever conceived by virtue of being fueled solely by cocaine and the chase of obtaining a radio pop hit for suburbanites to listen to while driving into the city.
Such a pity. Leonard Cohen truly is a great songwriter, but for me this album is completely spoiled by the arrangements. I read he was trying to be more "modern" with this album. Well, maybe he was "modern" (for the time) but give me the man with the guitar, any time. Don't like the 80's synths. And don't like the omnipresent female choirs that don't always fit the music (IMO). Cure for Love starts like it could be a theme song for The Love Boat with the cheesy sax, and then it also has Celine Dion-esque synth sounds. Hmmm. Still a 3 because most songs are fundamentally good. If only they sounded better.
*1988. *He's Canadian. Didn't know that. *I started out skeptical, but this was a pretty haunting, gripping album with some catchy ear worms (e.g. No Cure for Love and Everybody Knows). *I like this - would revisit. The first half is better than the second though. RATING - 7/10
It was alright, the songs were diverse enough. Id get the most out of it having the lyrics out in front of me but that’s just not how I like to digest music. Rating: 2.9
Ich kann mit Leonard Cohen nichts anfangen, fand das Album in meinem Hörmarathon gestern aber noch am ansprechendsten. Entsprechend schwache 3 Sterne..
Da passiert musikalisch nicht wahnsinnig viel, aber ich mag Cohens Stimme einfach sehr gerne und das zieht das Album auf 3 Sterne.
Stimme gefällt mir gut, Musik an und sich auch (brauch ich aber schon ne ganz bestimmte Stimmung dafür), textlich gefällt es mir weniger.
Alright
3,25
Had some moments. 2.5/5
4 for vocals, 2 for that keyboard
I didn’t mind this, but a lot of the songs sound similar. Jazz Police was most interesting to me
When I saw this as my next album my heart sank but upon listening I quite enjoyed it. He is like a storyteller and I found myself listening to each word. Something different, which can be a good thing.
A primeira faz me lembrar Daft Punk “Giorgio by moroder”, de resto não consigo ultrapassar a voz de homem que se acha smooth neste álbum em particular
Unfassbar geile Stimme, würde ich auch so hören.
The songs are good, but the singing is mediocre and the production is not appealing. If not for First we take Manhattan, I would probably give it two stars.
I like Leonard Cohen's songs and really admire his career, but there's something about the sad 80s "modern" orchestration on this album that really (really) mars nearly every song on this album for me, with the only possible exception of "Take this waltz" (and even that can't redeem the truly atrocious following track "Jazz police"). It just sounds so much more vacuous than it should, especially because a number of the songs on this album are really well-written and interesting--"First we take Manhattan", "Everybody knows", the title track, and the classic "Tower of song". I'm glad he felt like he'd gotten his voice and style back on track with this album, but this isn't really my idea of great Leonard Cohen, sadly.
Did not like this as much as I expected. Songwriting/intrumentation feels very dated. Much as I love Cohen, and a couple of the songs on this album, this feels like it can stay in the past.
Good, not great.
First we Take Manhattan Ain’t no Cure for Love Everybody Knows Jazz Police
some of this album is really very good. nonetheless, 3
Cohen managed to transition from folk music to synth-pop without losing most of his greatness. Only a very few people have achieved that. I think Cohen is better than his contemporary, Bob Dylan. Leonard's songwriting on "I'm Your Man" and other albums is something else. This album is far from perfect, however. 3 stars for "I'm Your Man".
This isn’t that bad but probably not something I will revisit, pretty standard 2/3 stars. I’m feeling generous so I’ll say 2.5 and round up to 3.
If this album was just "Everybody Knows" it would get 4/5 stars. Some of the other tracks just bring the overall album down to 3 stars. Maybe somebody should call the jazz police for the dissonance of those back-up singers....
Buenas canciones lastradas por la producción típica de los años 80, que no sienta bien a Leonard Cohen.
I think I would have liked this 60% more with, like, 80% less synthesizer.
This is pretty dang great for a posthumous album.
Very very 80s. Almost so much so it's a joke. Some decent songs but mostly just lyrics heavy.
This was ok
Good but aggressively 80s
He's honestly a really good songwriter, but the slow, artsy, poetry type songs are not my cup of tea
This album inspired me to go and listen to more Leonard Cohen albums, but now my question is, why this one? Some great songs, but a lot of his earlier albums are better. Definitely made me a Cohen fan though Favorite Songs: Everybody Knows, Tower of Song
I love his voice, so refreshing The backing vocals are angelic Favourite: Ain’t no cute for love Least: first we take Manhattan
3.8
Perhaps the only Leonard Cohen album I've ever enjoyed. I prefer his vocals matched against the synths and the lush production of the 80s versus the spartan boredom of the 60s and 70s. To those who disagree, you are wrong. Having said that, he is still not my cup of tea. And WTF was "Jazz Police"?
idk i likes the songs but the guys voice just sounds like he’s talking
I've never heard a Leonard Cohen record front-to-back, but I have heard Everybody Knows from movies. Turns out there are a couple other songs from this one that are popular - First We Take Manhattan, Ain't No Cure for Love. Cohen growls and whispers his wry lyrics with his typical dry humor and bass/baritone voice, but the production and instrumentation on this are very 80's - lots of synthesizer, which makes it sound dated and more than a little hokey. I'm not sure if the cheesiness is intentional, it could be part of Cohen's sarcastic persona coming through or him being self-deprecating in a subtle way. Beat poets and Sinatra influence his work, and in turn you can see where Nick Cave gets his inspiration. Despite the dated production, the melody and construction of the songs comes through well - it would be interesting to hear them re-recorded without synths to see what other interpretations could improve on. I hope the other Cohen records on this list are better representations of his reputation, though.
Haunting. What an album!
Stylistically more varied than the other Leonard Cohen albums I've heard, but to what end? 2.5
rare that an album loses me in the middle but gets me back at the end! really enjoyed the almost goofy 80s production and the chorus of female vocalists
Prob my fave of the Leonard Cohen albums so far.
I appreciated how he gave this album a more modern sound for the time period, but it still felt like he was more so speaking than singing.
A few gems, like Everybody Knows, but other tracks missed their mark.
Musically, it sounds like a soundtrack to an 80s legal drama. Lyrically, it's Leonard Cohen. Open, honest and kind of creepy. I didn't hate it.
3.5/5
I’ve never really found Leonard Cohen’s music very interesting. A common criticism I expect. On this album he tries to snaz things up with the synths and backing vocals, but it all feels weird and out of place on most songs. Cohen trying to stay “relevant” in the 80s is what this seems like, even though I doubt that targeting the trendy youths is a very good marketing strategy for Cohen’s type of music. Leonard Cohen is a fantastic songwriter, don’t get me wrong. There’s some beautiful poetry on this album, which makes up for my distaste towards the arrangements. So overall, a decent album. Solid 3 in my book
im not sure if leonard is growing on me or not. i certainly prefer this over the other three albums ive had from him where most of the music consisted of barely strummed guitars. the music on this is very dated but actually went surprisingly well with his voice.
I wanted to like this more, because Leonard Cohen's dark lyrics about the climate of '80s America with the cheesy synthpop works so well in describing Trump's America both then and now, but if I'm being honest with myself - it sounds so dated and gimmicky. Great songwriter though! But apart from a curiosity and a time capsule of the emotional/political climate at the time I'm not sure how good this really is.
Hadn't heard this either. Everybody Knows feels like a song for the times, tho it came out in 1988.
Decent and relaxing