Reviews (page 10 of 13)
Depressing
Heard before: No Favourites: You want it darker, On the level, Steer your way Decent album. Guys obviously a great writer but his lyrics don't click fully with me personally, though maybe one day. Appreciate the themes he writes about though, especially considering he would die a few weeks after the albums release.
Lyric and solemn, with some really good arrangements. Not my cup of tea honestly but it has its place.
Good if you’re drunk on bourbon and smoking cigarettes alone. A bit quiet.
Ik ben geen grote fan van dit stem geluid. Wel grappig dat ik hierdoor heel bewust naar de tekst luister ten opzichte van normaal. Productie echt sick
Nice start, too religious -y at the end
Gloomy introspective type album, slow and quiet
good voice, but what's with the narration?
old man growls into microphone
It’s alright.It doesn’t outstay its welcome.Leonard cohen’s voice is nice enough,it’s a very dry album quite bare and lacking in energy,lots of religious references,basic Leonard cohen.
I see it’s good/important, but not really my thing
I enjoyed this album a bit more than his early stuff. It's good album to listen on a cold rainy day with a healthy pour of single malt scotch.
I appreciate Leonard Cohen, I just don’t like most his music.
It’s neat that Cohen was able to release this in anticipation to his death. It’s a cool story and a nice way to shut the door on a legendary career. His dry witty humour shines thru on this one even thru the somber theme of death. I just want more music, it was nice but I can’t give it more than 3 stars
Decent album. Not a fan of the overdramatic violin.
Never got round to listening to this when it came out, though I did listen through some of his earlier acclaimed albums after his death. The opening track on here is brilliant, his voice is so dark and brooding throughout the whole album. It's one to give some more listens to, as it feels like it'll open up some more. I like what i'm hearing off first listen.
Like the loud rockier numbers but the slower ballad song are pretty forgettable
He definitely shines in this album in a way that he didn't in the previous one we listened to, or perhaps he did but I simply could not appreciate it properly He has a very powerful prescense and Steer your Way is a really nice song Overall it was not too crazy but a nice experience. I recommend reading his biography on his Spotify page, I'm about halfway through but it's written really well and is very introspective and captivating
Whispering croaky chap
I thought this was gonna be some boomer nonsense after the first song but I actually liked this one a good bit. Obviously his voice is an acquired taste but I was able to get past it and enjoy it on some songs. I think the songs that hit the hardest for me are the ones like leaving the table and treaty that give off a feeling of surrender and acceptance of your life despite regrets and shortcomings that’s very haunting coming from an artist near his death. That being said the title track was really bad to me and I don’t like the ones where he’s trying to be slick or cool.
3.5/5. La primera canción es 4.5/5. Después flojea un poco. En general, inesperadamente bueno.
Cohen is such a difficult one for me. Much like MF Doom or the Beastie Boys, he only really has one flow, one poetic structure. Most of the time it's so good, and paired with that amazing gravelly voice, that you don't really mind. Musically, the songs are also incredibly simple. There's no real development or variety. It's kind of like brickwork - just one block after another on loop. All of which sounds like I didn't like this, which is unfair - the track You Want It Darker is a brilliant opener, and the whole mood of the thing is impressive. It's just that when you compare it to something like Bowie's Blackstar, it's a bit...dull? I gave it a second listen, and there are some nice rhyming couplets, but apart from the title track nothing really sticks in the memory.
Leonard drops down another level here with the vocals. This is an album that has the passage of time running through it. The macabre subject matter isn't hidden away from. It got a little too deep for me. It made me question things that I'm not really ready to question right now. This is a cool version of Songs of Praise.
first song was pretty solid. i like his other popular album better, but this wasnt horrible
Pretty good
You Want It Darker is the fourteenth album by Canadian singer-songwriter Leonard Cohen and his last released during his lifetime (he died 17 days after release). This critically acclaimed album has themes on death, God, and humor and has genres of folk rock and blues. It performed well commercially in Canada, the US, and the UK, being ranked within the top 10 of these countries' album charts. I loved the acoustic and moody vibes on this album. The music is sparse so the listener can focus on Cohen's gravelly voice which was hauntingly beautiful. This is a great album, but the mood and occasion has to be right to really enjoy it.
You Want It Darker is a great song but I didn't enjoy the rest of the album nearly as much. Still a great accomplishment considering Leonard Cohen's age at the time of recording. Highlights: You Want It Darker
Just not my thing
And We Got It Darker.
3.5 Woof, this was a heavy one. Yet another album written and recorded on the verge of the artist’s death, knowing it was going to be their last. This one is up there with Blackstar in terms of its reflective and haunting nature (and released just seven months after - 2016 was clearly a bad year for music), however, whereas I feel Blackstar offers a successful balance of mourning and celebration, there’s not a whole lot of celebration to go around here… I feel like I was genuinely listening to a dying man’s last words. It also felt just a touch more personal than Bowie’s in some ways, like we really got to explore the depths of Cohen’s final thoughts and acceptances regarding life, relationships, and religion that were in some ways relatable and in other ways just as cryptic. As someone who wasn’t really familiar with Leonard Cohen’s work outside of Hallelujah, I can definitely see now why he’s held in such high regard - this album is a lyrical masterpiece. Sitting here a day after I listened, I’m still finding myself mulling over his words and contemplating existence. That to say, I don’t think this album is perfect. I know Cohen is a poet first and foremost, but a lot of songs here leave a bit to be desired musically. While it admittedly matches the tone well, the musical backdrop feels a bit too subtle and funeral-ly at times to really pull me in, and in the case of Traveling Light, had too strong of “Italian mob boss” vibes to take seriously (that’s probably a me thing). Also, maybe a hot take, but I don’t love his voice, and a full album’s worth of that Death Valley-esque vocal range is a lot for me to handle. Overall, this has been one of the hardest albums for me to rate and review so far. Despite my best attempts, I can’t describe exactly what I think or feel about it - in some ways I think this could be higher than a 3.5 for me and in other ways it could be lower. There’s so much more I feel like I could touch on and yet even more I feel like I haven’t even begun to scratch the surface of. At the end of the day, music is all about making us feel something right? Well, this album did that for me, and while I think I’m still figuring out what exactly that is, at the very least, I feel Cohen’s absence in the musical world today.
Can tell that it is more modern Cohen - but still a lil depressing.
Always an acquired taste, and one I’ve tried a lot over the years, Cohen’s style just isn’t for me. That doesn’t take away the validity of his music or this album. It’s haunting listening to someone’s final stamp on the world. Maybe it’s just a little to much for me at 5 AM when I’m trying to listen to it. Maybe it’s too much for anyone at that hour.
Cohen premeditates on the afterlife with a tombstone timbre as his two feet steadily sink down six.
3.8 - What might it sound like to sit next to Dracula at his death bed?
I don't think I'll ever listen to this again but yeah, I get it. Pretty depressing vibe.
Titelnummer is briljant, en een paar andere zijn ook mooi, maar het had zo erg een ep kunnen zijn, ik denk 3,5 ster
Норм
While a handful of tracks have very hollow production, there are a handful of genuinely gorgeous moments here and consistently introspective and powerful writing. RIP Leonard (but not actually because you were kind of a gross asshole)
Pretty good, not my favorite.
3/5. Dark and depressing themes, especially for a man who dies 2 weeks later. The title track is really good but there are some definite misses throughout. Some blend into each other, as is with most Leonard cohen songs.
this album is only a three bc im not as musically into it. the music is good, gospel lite, christian hymnal referential. all well in good to the concept of self decision making and avoiding institutions seeking to sway the mind. its a cool album. its just not for me. this is a great last album. and it feels thoughtful and grand.
Odd with a funky tune and a deep voice.
I really liked the instrumentals in every song. His extremely baritone voice worked towards the end of the album for me but caught me off guard in the beginning and took some getting used to.
Solid bassline to start off. The music is good and dark for a dreary day like today. Although it made me tired I think because of the casualness of his voice. There were some really good background instrumentals. Very gritty and weathered but definitely sleep inducing.
Meh. This is better than normal. I appreciate his dark unamused tone and darker voice on this one. Still better writer than musician.
Enjoyed this.
The mixing of this is a bit unsettling, it feels like he's whispering in your ear. Not bad, but I think his music is something I'd have to get used to.
Pretty weird. This guy's voice is super gravelly and deep.
It's really good poetry, and enjoyable to listen to with a glass of wine. But strictly musically speaking one would need another Jeff Buckley to turn these songs into 5 star songs.
All the tracks sound pretty much the same: poems read over a barely present melody. It is definitely a vibe, but it gets old after a few songs.
Very different Interest guy
if the rest of the album was as good as the title track it'd be a five-star ⭐⭐⭐
really good, i liked but not somthing i’ll listen to all the time
You Want It Darker og Steer Your Way er gode sange og resten er sådan også okay, men sidste halvdel af albummet er klart det bedste for mit vedkommende.
very quiet Cohen
- Incredible vocal performance and lyrics - Lowkey and groovy instruments - Songs blend together a small bit - Favorite songs: You Want it Darker, Leaving the Table
man, i loved it
If you like biblical references and generic love poetry you’re in luck. I wanted to hate it but I didn’t. I feel like Bowie and Cash had more deathbed gravitas and Cohen uses his voice as a crutch here…how pretentious is this review.
Jazz blues, not my style, but is a good album.
What a voice! He's making Tom Waites sound like a soprano!! Time has gone by very quickly, disappointed that things have come to a close. A very nice album, Mr Cohen's voice is great, and he is backed up by excellent instrumentation and songwriting. Lovely stuff. 3 / 5 stars.
When it comes to Leonard Cohen you know what you’re getting. That said his silly dulcet tones hit nicely even if the album as a whole could use an inflection of energy at certain points.
i love and admire leonard cohen but the only thing i really like on this album is the title track
dark and lovely
too poetic
Raw and brilliant musicianship with terrible sound quality. I know some will say this is the point but it is poor to the point of distraction.
It is possible, I think, to acknowledge the appeal of Cohen without actually warming to him. Part of it is to do with the fact that (to my unending sorry) I am not, and now will never be, a lyrics person. Part of it is reactive, and thus illogical. I live in a place captured by the Cult of Cohen, largely uncritical and in thrall more to the social image that coalesced around Cohen during his lifetime (reinforced, unsurprisingly, by his death) than to, say, his actual music. (This too is reactive and subjective on my part. Perhaps I should simply go to a therapist, rather than working out my issues with my habits via intermediaries like stylish singers of a certain age.) All that said. Songs like Chelsea Hotel are indubitably from the top drawer. this album is of far more modest origins, and should do him no favours. (I do like the cigarette on the sleeve. But there you go, I'm imprisoned by trite superficialities myself...)
I actually did not ask for it darker
Dark
3/5 İ really don't know what to think about the album because i don't have any background information on it. The singer's voice was deep but not that type that i would marry the man. İ liked the tunes but overall it wasn't much to my liking.
idk it was alright. Really depressing. May Lenard Cohen rest in peace.
Música hablada de Cohen bastante tostón. Un 3 por ser él, que si no era un 2.
favorite tracks - you want it darker, steer your way least favorite tracks - n/a
ca m’a rendue triste
Decent enough, got a bit samey
Música hablada de Cohen bastante tostón. Un 3 por ser él, que si no era un 2.
Really good emotional album
Leonard does it again. Title track and treaty are the best two here
I've never been a huge Leonard Cohen fan, but I do like this album. Haunting and beautiful in its own way.
Loved the instrumentation but couldn't really get into his voice. Maybe I'm not in the right mood, so will have to give it another listen to form a better opinion.
meh
It was fine, bit depressing though. Not my cup of tea.
Gravel in a washing machine lubricated with a darker pondering.
Somber tone to the whole album which makes sense given the context. The music itself is very solid, the vocals are strained at times and really fit the vibe of the album. 7/10.
I didn’t grow up with Leonard and although it’s OK, I don’t think it has the same effect on me as others.
Previously I noted Cohen's talk-singing style, and I feel it becomes perhaps too dominant and too growly in this album. I also have to wonder how much his by-then-massive popularity contributed to the critical acclaim. I mean, two or three of the songs are 4s, for sure. But the rest are solid 3s.
Nice deep voice man
Decent but can't imagine me listening to it a lot. Very different and that's to be applauded.
Way better than I'm Your Man, at least.
Not quite my jam. Reminded me a bit of Lou Reed or Johnny Cash. The ballads of a man at the end of his life.
Not as good as his preceding album, but still better than most songwriters' output.
Nice Leonard album. All of his stuff is good. Still like his earlier stuff better than this one though.
Cool & Kinda boring. 3 and a half
Damn his voice is raspy. Explores themes of religion and love, seemingly having given up on both by their old age. Very gospel-y songs with the organ in the background and the chord progressions reminiscent of church music. He practically speaks, his voice is amazing and raspy but I don't think it's very much "singing". Remaniscing about past, giving up on "me and you", connecting back to giving up on love, metaphoricially speaking to a past love. Superb bass on this album. The thoughts of a sad, lonely man who's been failed by both love and religion are around every nook and cranny of this album, the instrumental work on this album is wonderful, no musical sound is out of place or there by accident. Solid 6.5/10
Was not my cup of tea but very riveting listen.
not an uplifting album; heavy on the blues
What an interesting album! There is something incredibly poetic about Leonard Cohen releasing an album talking about the heavy topic of death, mere days before his own death. It feels so deeply personal that you can't help but feel like there's some level of prophecy going on here. I'm not the biggest Cohen fan, but this album really did catch my attention. "You Want It Darker" may very well be my favorite of any Leonard Cohen song I've ever heard. There is something about him honing in on this dreadful topic, both on the song and on the album, that drew me in. I DO want it darker, indeed.
Im not entirely sure what genre of music this is it almost seems more poetry than song. I don’t know if it’s for me but I respect the artistry of it I enjoyed it more on the second listen. Still not sure what genre to call this
It’s okay
Interesting. Liked it more than other Cohen I have listened to, but that may just be because of how raspy his voice is. Glad I gave it a go. 2.5/5
interesting to listen to once, don't know if i have the heart for it past that
Pretty Dark...
I love how the vocals are produced on this album. His voice has so much texture and putting it front and center in the mix highlights that. At its best, the album feels like reading poetry. The songwriting isn’t complex and the production is sparse. We really get to sit with the lyrics and his voice. I’d be curious to return to this album after listening to more Leonard Cohen. He seems to have crafted it knowing it would be his final album. That’s not something a lot of artists have the chance to do. Great album cover. Highlights: “You Want It Darker,” “If I Didn’t Have Your Love” (I like that he found room for a pretty straightforward love song on this album), “It Seemed the Better Way” (such a sad and beautiful violin melody)
What an interesting concept to have a "goodbye" album of sorts... his vocals are at the forefront, as they should be with the heavy lyrics.
as much as i find leonards music to be quite boring, this was a beautiful send-off. rip
S'écoute bien mais pas son meilleur, je sais pas pourquoi il était nécessaire dans les 1001
Revisiting from first listening in 2016- its not my favorite but is such a classic.
As a fan of late career Dylan there is a lot I appreciate here. A broken voice. An obsession with legacy and mortality. I think Dylan does it better but he is bob Dylan. I found the title track to be too much. The Russian choir, the bass, his voice. It just felt like an album of this would be too much. But then I liked it a lot more after that.
Okei nimikkobiisi oli aika hyvä, ja Traveling Light joka oli vähän samantyylinen. Ehkä pitää vielä kuunnella uudestaan ja keskittyä enemmän lyriikoihin.
So this is my third Leonard Cohen album now and it's still just fine. I like it but don't love it. Obviously this album being recorded just before he died makes it interesting and his voice sounds actually really great and I quite like it. But again you kinda get the same sounding song repeated over and over again.
Dark and brooding, nice
love the man but his voice is just too close to ASMR here and it's actually hard to listen for me
I really didn't understand the appeal of Leonard Cohen until i listened to some of his earlier records, which I thought were quite good. Later in his career, he had a bit of an revival and attracted new fans and treated his old fans with new material. This music i have less interest in, unless you're old and/or female, it's not for me. Listenable, but I prefer his back catalog.
I’ve been listening to some Cohen recently so it was fun to see this pop up. As usual, lyrics are introspective and pseudo religious, with some straightforward but not too simple backings.
Puro Cohen
This album compares and contrasts well with Black Star in different, morbid ways. I feel like they are both sort of reaching the same conclusion, but approaching it a bit differently as they age and mortality creeps closer. I feel like "You Want It Darker" and "Treaty" are the stand-out tracks. You Want It Darker is a better-than-average but feels like an intro that doesn't stand on its own as a track. Treaty I do like a lot. It reminds me of something Tom Waits would do, which is great in my book. From here after Treaty, it falls a bit short of what I'd want. Maybe I'm just not old enough, but it's just ok for me. The spoken-word delivery gets older and older the longer the album goes for me. I don't dislike it, but I want a lot more out of it.
Preferred this over Songs Of Leonard Cohen. Not exactly uplifting though
You Want It Darker is the fifth album from Leonard Cohen that I have reviewed for this list. I think I liked this album perhaps all of the other albums so far. I was still left wondering at times if Cohen is actually singing on this album. I have not yet reached a full appreciation of Cohen. I am primarily just getting through the albums. This album does have some guitar work that adds to the mood of the album. The overall mood of the tracks is okay and interesting even if I don't get in sync with Cohen's work. The lyrics to "You Want It Darker" are dark, but the track was a good opening for the album. I think I enjoyed "If I Didn't Have Your Love" and "Traveling Light". This album gets three stars because it was okay with a few additional bright moments spread over dark themes.
Eh, cool, but not really into Liam Nieson-esc vocals.. 6/10
Not used to this genre, but grew to like it towards the middle. A nice sombre album
Get this man a throat lozenge and a cup of lemon tea! Jokes aside, this is a beautifully intimate album. The backing band is a tight and dynamic collection of instruments, that is varied from track to track but cut down to just the essential pieces within any given track. Leonard's vocals whisper, growl, rumble and occasionally claw their way up into the lower musical register. The lyrics are quintessentially Cohen; poetic, built on a frame of relatable narrative and decorated to the hilt with evocative imagery and metaphors. I entered into the album thinking I wasn't in the mood for it. Turns out I was wrong.
Not my style of my Music, wouldnt listen again, but it is its good music
Definitely grows on you
That deep rasp tho 😍. Really really enjoyed it!
Loved the voice loved the mood 3.5/5
RIP Stripped back Lenny ❤️
Po prostu Cohen, nastrojowy niski głos. Spokojny, wyważony całkiem ciekawy.
I appreciate the music, but I don’t really enjoy Leonard Cohen.
I know he's a popular guy but this was a little too monotonous for me.
Second Leonard Cohen album to show up. His older gravelly voice gets a bit much for this long but I enjoyed it still.
David Bowie, great in his own right, released his last album in life "Blackstar", and passed away mere days later. As if he also knew his time was up, great Canadian folk artist Leonard Cohen followed suit in the same year. You Want It Darker, Cohen's last album in his life time, came out October 21, 2016. 17 days later, he died. There's not much left of Cohen's voice on You Want It Darker. What he has, though, he leans into. The titular song and opening track is, in fact, dark. Cohen sings about death in a very religious way. Similar to Balckstar, it's as if Cohen knows his time is up. Unlike Blackstar, Cohen prefers to keep things simple with his last album. This subdued sound is nice, but can lose steam after a few songs on account of sounding samey. Cohen is really dwelling in this sombre, grizzled mood the whole time, so you'll really need to be in the mood for that.
3/5 beautiful to hear, but not enough to buy it.
halleljewha
Dat zijn stem zijn uithangbord is, staat als een paal boven water. Muzikaal vind ik dat album net iets minder. Aangenaam om te luisteren, maar geen hoogvlieger
Leonard Cohen's a legend. This album isn't my usual cup of tea, but I'm glad to have experienced it.
Like the title suggests this a dark plodding album that is still quite fulfilling ecause of Cohen's incredible lyrical sense and dramatic delivery. The music matches the lyrical themes perfectly. I found something to enjoy in most every song. Thouvh in the end s little monotonous t ate higher than 3.5🌟
From the first track Cohen's vocals were like wrapping yourself in a warm fluffy blanket of "zero fucks given". Would pair well with whisky and a nice cigar
Perhaps never the artist to listen to if you're feeling a little down. Leonard's remarkable voice is always worth it though. Could listen to him read the phonebook.
This is the guy that does the true detective intro songs! Not something I would listen to a lot but a cool sound
Like a William Shatner album, but classier. Seriously, though, I was a little befuddled by this one. But still enjoyed it somewhat. Fave track was the title track.
6/10
I didn't expect to see this on this list at all. Only ever listened to Cohens best ofs/greatest hits. He died not long after this record was released and that hits home in the lyrics
Dark indeed. Quite cool if viewed as poetry set to music. I might listen again on my death bed with a whiskey in hand. Did hold my attention until the end though, even on a second listen.
Good songs. I wish I liked listening to L.C.
Salmer med bedre tekster og lyd. Men stadigvæk lidt kedelig til tider.
Cohen's farewell album. It's his later work so there's more electronic bubbling than acoustic folk. All that's left to say is thanks Leonard; you made us all want it darker throughout your career. Best Tracks: You Want It Darker; On The Level; Traveling Light
Comme vous le savez, j'ai une bonne dizaine d'albums a rattrapper suite a une semaine de vacances bien méritées sur la côte Atlantique. J'ai donc des preoccupations bien plus importantes que d'analyser l'album du cadavre de Leonard Cohen
Track 1- No Thanks. Track 2- I now remember how much I dislike Leonard Cohen as a performer. Track 3- This isn’t really for me. Track 4- Would be a really good song he actually sang it. Track 5- I would really love this song if someone else were singing it. Beautiful Lyrics but sounds like its being sung by Lurch from the Addams Family. I get that’s supposed to be his appeal, but it’s not working for me. Track 6- See notes for Track 5. Track 7- “Seeing a better way” to my heart if this were covered by someone. Track 8- A solid song. Love the fiddles. It’s got a good beat. I can dance to it. Would love to hear this without the vocals and just scrolling lyrics across the screen. Track 9- I do like the concept of the reprise. Bookends everything. The album is engineered beautifully- and you can hear every nuance of his voice (which for me is unfortunate.) Overall, I respect this man for everything he’s created. He wrote some amazing songs. The Jeff Buckley cover of ‘Hallelujah’ is one of the most amazing songs ever. Also I have a special place in my heart for Canadians. If I were a troubadour looking for songs to cover there’s a treasure trove here. I simply don’t like his vocal styling. Thanks for including me! I promise I’m not a contrarian!
I can appreciate Leonard Cohen as a lyricist, but as a singer/musician, not so much. Reading his words, I am a fan. Listening to him perform them, I am not. I just can't get into the talking over the background sounds, which always seem slightly religious. The mood is like being in a dimly lit cathedral where some creepy cult is going to jump out of the shadows. I think this was among his last albums, and perhaps he was trying to excise some demons because he knew his time was limited. I know I should probably like Leonard Cohen, but I don't.
Bien mais un peu déçue. Après avoir tant entendu parlé de l'artiste je m'attendais à quelque chose de grandiose. L'album est très très calme et assez monotone.
good background music.
Once I got over the initial weirdness factor, I actually didn’t hate it!
He comes off as using other songs to jump start his, then doing a tom waits voice over impression. The arrangements and assembly are top notch however. Does he do anything not sleepy on the edge of creepy?
2 1/2
It was alright. The instrumentation was pretty good paired with Cohen's voice, but I just didn't vibe that hard. Highlights: 1, and 4.
This was enjoyable, highlight track was traveling light for me, its not the best driving to work on Friday morning music but can see myself listening too again.
It starts great and it ends perfectly, it's a shame that the middle of the album is one long drone of boredom.
A me la voce di Cohen piace e questo disco potrebbe annoiare di più ma non lo fa e alla fine scorre abbastanza tranquillamente. Mi piace come il cantato si appoggia sull'arrangiamento minimale, il risultato l'ho trovato cinematico ma non scontato. 3.5 pieno.
Ah
Feels a bit unfair to review this as I could have paid more attention to it but in the right mood it would probably gain more stars. Recognised ‘Treaty’ from the recent Your Honor tv series and caught various lyrical gems that other writers would murder for. Pretty dark.
It finishes strongly but ultimately the title track sets expectations that aren’t met. Nonetheless it’s a beautiful and heartbreaking piece of work.
The song I already knew was the best one. A pleasant listen but nothing much stood out that I didn't already know. I find elements of the arrangement and production distracting.
Like pouring a fine aged brandy into a small, new glass.
interesting seeming to chronicle his wrestling with the end of his life, death, and religion. I am not a huge fan, but respect the content. Probably 3.5
This man's voice! Good lord, it does things to me. Didn't have my favourite leonard cohen song which is 'i'm your man' but still a really good album, love the dark/existential themes
An album that lives up to its name! There is a time and place for this album and I'll give it this - he's good at picking interesting lyrics. I kept finding myself guessing what he was going to say and kept being wrong. The lyrics can be... obtuse. Dude speaks in metaphors constantly. I loved the addition of backup singers and collabs. If the whole album was this guy, I think it would be a two. It's a solid three though and deserves to be heard.
Dark, bluesy on places, great feel voice. Good.
It finishes strongly but ultimately the title track sets expectations that aren’t met. Nonetheless it’s a beautiful and heartbreaking piece of work.
Not bad
A little somber, great deep voice tho! More references than I expected to gambling...?
Fande das sterbe Album von Jonny Cash besser.
Good for a listen, lots of raw emotion, but not something I'd listen to on the regular.
Nooit echt mijn ding geweest. Moest ooit Suzanne zingen bij zangles. Wat een hel! Wel een mooie Peaky Blinders sfeer, dus toch drie sterren
He’s got a very deep voice hasn’t he.
‘You want it darker’ is natuurlijk een fantastisch nummer. Verder had ik op iets meer zang en iets minder gepraat gehoopt.
Pretty cool 80 year old. It was a good listen, but not one I’m likely to go back to, save the first track. “As he died to make men holy, let us die to make things cheap” was an interesting lyric
Another Leonard Cohen. Again, nice to listen to. 3/5
Enjoyed this much more than I thought I would. It was really crazy listening to very early Leonard Cohen after listening to this album.
Cohen is good when you first encounter him but like Nick Cave, I've kind of grown tired of his schtick.
Good but like you get ir by the third track
almost a 4
3 - Musik, die man allein beim Rauchen hört.
Well, new Leonard Cohen certainly isn't my fave and this less little impression on me. Some nice bits and as ever, the poet over the song writer.
Decent.
It's darker alright. I like it decent enough. 6-7/10
Think of Johnny cash but down one octave. A little slow for me, but good album.
This one was okay. I don’t really prefer albums where the person is sort of speaking the song, so I guess I didn’t like it as much as the other album by him that I’ve listened to with this project.
I thoroughly enjoyed this. It could have been the alcohol.
Good ol' "new" Cohen. Quite alright but nothing spectacular.
Me gustó lo tremendamente melancólico que es en algunos puntos, aunque creo que ese es el sello de Cohen. Sorpresa que un álbum relativamente tan nuevo esté aquí, hace obvio que al menos habrá uno o dos más de él.
Bit over the top but I really liked Travelling Light.
Nada mal, mesmo sendo quase todo falado. Dá a impressão de palavras finais, com tom mais macabro e só um pouco ébrio.
My least favorite LC album, though his voice still sounds buttery.
Great lyrics
Too slow and too much talking for me
It’s like a story book opera. Leonard Cohen is one of a kind
I think I've listened to enough growling old dudes but this was fine. There was one track on it that I really enjoyed
Dark
12/8 Certainly dark, a coming to grips with certain demise album. Lot of religious themes, which I guess you get into at that stage of one's life. Standout Tracks: You Want It Darker, If I Didn't Have Your Love, Traveling Light, It Seemed the Better Way, String Reprise / Treaty
Good album... probably requires listening in a different time and space to the one I currently reside though.
I have really liked Leonard Cohen in the past but this swan song just did not do it for me. It felt like he was fading away and just doesn’t hold a candle to his previous work
Hated it ngl (why is he reciting a poem💔)
i dont know how i feel about this one. the story behind the album is compelling of course it’s his last work before he died and the pain he felt can be heard through the lyrics and vocals(?) but it seems like more of a personal project than anything. i’m not sure i’ll come back to it, but it was worth the initial listen.
The background vocals were doing a lot of heavy lifting on this album. Leonard Cohen has always been an epic songwriter but a subpar singer. This album would not been on this list if he wasn’t near the end of his life. I admire the bravery it must have taken to write and record when death was so close at hand. But, his voice is really awful.
Christian themes and raspy voice, just not my style unless i have a cigar
Why do people like this?
From title to execution this feels.. manufactured. It feels like someone knew there was limited time left, but that someone was an exec at a label and not Leonard .
2.3/5
This album is really fucking weird?? It is the most best poetry thing I've ever listened to and like it's cool and all but it was not hitting for me. I feel like this kind of thing is maybe best live for the full vibes
Too slow and not musically sound enough for my tastes. I feel like this album would go well with the people that like a dark and gruff voice. I am not one of those people.
This grabbed me more in the tracks where there was more than a single instrument, or other singers, or what have you. I get this man is a legend, but this did not grab me at all.
I get that he’s a great songwriter, but I can’t stand his voice and it just ruins it for me
Total weirdes album. Ist eher wie eine Erzählung als musik
Penultimate Cohen. After this, I only have Songs of Love and Hate to get through. I don't remember anything about Songs From a Room because it was BORING, though I admittedly am interested in hearing what a late-career Cohen album sounds like. I'm pretty sure Leonard Cohen is the artist with the biggest decade spread on the list. He has albums from the 60s, 80s and 2010s. Technically the 70s as well, but does it really count if Songs of Love and Hate was the third consecutive album of his to make it onto the list and released in 71? Anyways, time to rip this open. Man if this fella's voice ain't gravely. Anyways, I wasn't feeling this one. Folk isn't my style, and having some creepy old Jew whispering in my ear for half an hour isn't my idea of a good time. The album is notably weak in the instrumental department, featuring a lot of the subdued, minimal compositions. The pianos in particular are airy to the point of being non-existent, and the folky guitars are incredibly mild, even by folk standards. Fortunately, the string sections are generally quite nice - notably on the final track of the album. The organs are decent, too. I feel ashamed for admitting to being a simpleton, but I didn't bother paying attention to Cohen's lyrics this time around. I know his style, and I find it to be a bit rambling. The songwriting, on the other hand, is generally quite adept. The rolling, smouldering vocal style never ceases to be distinctive and contains an intensity which is befitting of folk. Overall, I can see this album being a strong player in folk, but the style and sensibilities of this genre just don't resonate with me. Book time. This was added to the 2018 edition of the book. I don't have a scan of the 2018 or 2021 revisions, so book time is cancelled, it seems. Guess I'll bee line it right over to Wikipedia. Released 17 days before Cohen's death. Wow, 2016 was a cursed year, huh? First Blackstar and now You Want it Darker. Cohen's spine had fractured in multiple places by the time he got around to recording this album, with it being recorded exclusively in his living room as a result, with the songs being turned over to Cohen's collaborators via e-mail. The album also marked a pivot towards a more minimal sound and was very well-received by music critics, who put it on a few year-end lists. The album topped the charts in 12 different countries and peaked in the top 10 in 11 more. The album made it on to a ton of year-end charts, notably being the fourth best-selling album of 2016 in Belgium in addition to being the fifth in Poland, the seventh in Austria and the ninth in the Netherlands and Switzerland. Belgium especially liked this album, with it having also lingered on the 2017 and 2019 year-end charts. Yeah, these all seem like good enough reasons to me. I cosign this inclusion.
О, мой любимчик. Давайте до конца списка все альбомы будут только его. Полный восторг. Диапазон и мощь его вокала оставит не у дел даже Брюса Дикинсона. Разнообразие песен такое явное, что будто каждый трек писали разные люди. Количество интересных мелодий и гармоний в каждом треке просто зашкаливает, а аранжировками и продюсированием наверно занимались одновременно Рик Рубин, Брайан Ино, Буч Виг, Мартин Берч, Доктор Дре, Джек Антонофф и Макс Мартин. Удовольствие на кончиках пальцев, 12/10
he got old, it is just like reading your diary out loud… sure it may ne lovely but it is not really music
Recognizing the unappreciated goodness.
Meh
day by day does he sing or just talk rhythmically String Reprise/Treaty was my favorite- nevermind he started talkig again.
The best part of this album is where the cover looks like it's a highway billboard and his arm is that extra-deluxe extra piece outside of the normal rectangle.
This is not for me.
This one was better than the Leonard cohen lp I got one
This is decent. He uses all his history to eek out another drop. Not really my thing, but good to see people keep going with their passion. The earlier albums obviously sit at the peak of the mountain.
Strangely intrigued, but not something I's listen to intentionally. I'm totally curious to experience a live performance, just to people watch, and to know if his other albums are similar.
Oh goddammit more Leonard Cohen. I begged for no more and the universe did not listen. Alright, so we've jumped forward to right before Cohen's death, and we now have raspy old man Cohen talking at us. The music is more produced, and I actually like it better than the older stuff, which is not saying a lot because I have no love for Cohen's music or style. Standout tracks for me were "You Want It Darker" "On The Level" and "Traveling Light" I liked the subject matter of the album, it's grim and personal; the thoughts and words of a dying man reckoning with his fate. But Leonard Cohen is still just so boring to me. Every song is mostly the same. It's a bit better than some others of his, but not by much. It's fine to experience once, but I don't see myself ever revisiting this. The music itself is more fleshed out and interesting, but it's still 2 stars for me.
Not for me but I appreciate the talent
Really tricky album to rate, it's moving but it's ultimately not very enjoyable to listen to, more of a meditation if anything. I'm going the perfect midpoint which is 5/10 which is a 2 here
This f’n guy again… I will say this is better than the other albums he’s had on this list, but still boring as hell. I don’t care for his voice or singing style, but the music itself isn’t terrible. 2/5
not as good as Joni Mitchell’s Blue
I get that people love his poetry. It's not bad. But he really shouldn't be a singer.
Probably more suited to a 2am listen with a whisky
1.8/5 First time I've heard Leonard Cohen and I was surprised at his style. It's not something I'm usually into but it was an interesting listen. I'm sure if I gave this a few more spins I could appreciate it more but is was just ok.
it's not for me!
no. guy whispering in your ear for 5 minutes.
I have no idea how to rate this. It wasn’t really music in the traditional sense.
..
2 stars I don’t know. Low droning voice over and over. It wasn’t bad but I wasn’t interested.
Doesn't work for me
This was the most recent album we've heard so far and an interesting case study on how an artist's style can develop over the course of several decades. I wonder if he smoked too many cigarettes? XD There is some decent music here, but this album won't be for anyone who can't get into his "singing." Similar to the last album we heard from him, he still displays skillful lyricism and chooses to employ sparse instrumental accompaniment. I didn't mind the minimalism and I actually liked a lot of the instrumentation and supporting vocals, especially on the two or three gospel inspired tracks. There is a soothing quality to his voice, but it's mostly hard to take seriously. It's a little sad and pitiful, but also slightly heartwarming to hear an elderly man croon about his loss of love and luster as he enters the dusk of his life
Kind of getting tired of all these artist repeats. On this one, I don't think I can get past his voice (as an obstacle to me potentially enjoying it). And, since this album is more about the words, and I'm more about the music (and tend not to like music where I don't like the singer), well, I don't think I can go higher than 2. Somehow, a 1 would feel wrong, as I think there's some artistry here, but, since I don't appreciate (enjoy) it very much, 2 it is. I'm more annoyed, though, by there being 2 Leonard Cohen albums on this list, than by this album in particular (not that this affected my rating of this album). I know there are people who LOVE Leonard Cohen. I'm just not one of them. I liked the string quartet, on the last one, though.
Maybe I'm cynical, but I don't think the context of an album alone can make it great. I like the line: "As he died to make men holy, let us die to make things cheap" IF it's a criticism of capitalism
Gear: Fostex TH610 Artwork: 🚬😎🔳 Production:😌👂🧈 Music: 👴🕊️⚰️ Rating: 🖤🖤(🖤)/5
Boring
#905. Were the people around this guy just too scared to tell him the music he was making was boring as shit? I think this is the third one I've heard so far, and every time I just can't wait for it to be over. 2/5: yawn
no es exactamente mi gusto pero fue una experiencia interesante
Played this a few times, thought I would have been able to really listen to the lyrics the way he talks them. But no, I kept getting distracted by the sound of his voice, it just became a background drone. I do respect him as an artist otherwise it would have been a one
2,5
Holy what a voice. Shook me to my core the second I heard him sing. Very poignant sound to the whole album. The instrumentation is quite minimal which compliments the robust voice of Cohen. Created a great, moody atmosphere. However, I didn't get much enjoyment out of it. Not an album I would listen to over and over again or have songs get stuck in my head from. Favourite tracks: You Want It Darker 2/5
Dit genre is nogal oververtegenwoordigd. En dan kan een in het genre weinig vernieuwend album uit 2016 wat mij betreft wel wegblijven. Dat zing-praten, het is gewoon naar om aan te horen.
I get it, its just not for me. I'm probably not cool enough.
Full disclosure I did not listen to the entire album. Also full disclosure, I recognize that Leonard Cohen is talented and I appreciate that his style is “different” than much of the mainstream music available today. That said, my God, what frame of mine do you have to be to appreciate an album like this? I’m picturing someone sitting upright at a table in an uncomfortable chair with one bright white light hanging above, the rest of the room dark, wearing a black leather jacket, staring at an ashtray full of smoked cigs, a gun, and a shot of whiskey.
not my thing but not horrible. think i would've enjoyed some of the songs better with a different vocalist
This was atmospheric & a good background soundtrack to work time
The lyrics were fine, his voice was just too grating.
Fine. Dark. I don’t know if it’s worth revisiting.
dude im 21, never have i said this about an album before now, but like fuck man, wtf am i supposed to glean from an album from Leonard Cohen!!! what could he possibly have to day to me
I really liked a lot of this music but then, as usual, Leonard Cohen has to open his mouth and ruin it. I clearly don’t get him. Two stars.
Best Track - "You Want It Darker"
Depressing
There are moments where this feels very powerful but much of it quite honestly bores me. I'm glad I listened to it in a way and I can see what's interesting about it, but it's nothing I'd ever revisit.
It sound like less horny Peter Steele talking over some violin underground bar melancholic sounds. Oh how I love that music but vocals were sometimes pissing me of.
I almost feel bad giving this a low score, so maybe I’ll listen again at some point in the future and feel differently, but this album just wasn’t for me at this time.
Interesting but won't be part of my usual rotation
This was a pretty heavy listen. I think to fully ‘get’ this album I need to listen to it while I’m not driving as it is so lyrically dense. Music was somber but interesting. Will have to revisit.
On the Level Steer Your Way
Depressing as hell.
I didn't like it; the songs sound like spoken word.
Saved? ❌ Would listen again? 🤔 Would recommend to anyone? ❌ Would buy on Vinyl? 🤔
Fine don’t know his back catalogue apart from Suzanne. Was ok
Ok so after hearing (and liking!) the first three Leonard Cohen albums, now I’m getting a late career album. According to Wikipedia this is so late that he croaked a couple of weeks after recording it. Death is the topic of the album, a bunch of ominous dirgey songs, where Cohen is awaiting his death, yearning for some understanding or certainty of the entirely impossible kind. Cohen leans into his deep sound, and so is the music. This is pretty one note throughout though I guess that could fit the subject matter. Overall not a bad listen if you like Leonard Cohen but entirely ok to miss otherwise. Two stars.
I listened to “Rock Lobster” by the B-52’s after I finished this album because I felt a deep need for music that doesn’t take itself too seriously.
Leo disappointed me with his new work, not gonna lie. Boring.
Bro just cough
um tom mt diferente do q costumo ouvir, mas achei poético.
I didn't really like this that much
leonard tu t’endors ? moi oui
Leonard tells a dark story this time. He looks rough in the album photo
pretty much just slam poetry with a soundtrack
одноименная песня с которой начала слушать была даже на грани понравится, вообще в целом сделать один такой трек как бы загадочный было бы прикольно, но я не думала что весь альбом будет такой... ощущение что старый дед-извращенец тебе на ухо шепчет что-то, ну хз
Idk man I don’t rly feel like I needed to listen to this. -Ruby Noah did not finish this record despite it being 36 min long
I get it, it’s about the lyrics and the meaning is deeply profound written and recorded in his house shortly before his death as a sort of farewell and acceptance of his passing. Coulda been an email.
Aight
Personally not a fan of his voice. The music around it is very good, but I cannot get past that. Voice is a major component for me and if I don't jive with the voice, I don't really want to listen to it all that much.
Leonard Cohen sounds like he doesn't care any more on this, which may be intentional, but it doesn't make for the most engaging listen.
Probably a personal failing on my part that I just can't seem to manage to like anything by Leonard Cohen. Weird because I love Tom Waits and like Nick Cave. Oh well.
Ik vind dit niks. Het voelt ergens niet echt, alsof hij zo’n lage stem opzet ipv dat het z’n echte stem is. Als hij wat hoger gaat, hoor je wel wat z’n stem is, maar dat lage, nee. Als hij een andere stem had gehad, had ik het misschien wel iets hoger gerate. Ook wel saai.
Quite possibly a great late career Leonard Cohen album. Don't know enough to make that call. Not really my cup of tea. Reminds me of tom waits
Ovaj Cohen uvijek zvuči kao da je na smrtnoj postelji, a skoro sam i ja slušajući ga. 2/5, 3/10
This album was made 45 years after the last Cohen album I had, which I hated. This is an improvement. It's listenable for a start. He still doesn't seem to do upbeat, but he has hired a good choir and backing singers. Most of the songs seen to be about God or the Devil. It's so bassy that when he does tey to move up the register it sounds like he's going to split something. Overall ok. But I just don't want to listen to his downbeat dirge on a regular basis. 2½
2.0 - Weak
Album 82. You Want It Darker — Leonard Cohen (2016) It has vibes of Bowie’s Blackstar album. It was also written right before his death, deep and dark topics and etc. Both were released in 2016. But in general, I have difficulty listening to this now. It’s not the right kind of music for me right now. It’ll resonate better later. However, I enjoy it. It’s like poetry with music, cool. Because he actually was a published poet before becoming a musician. Remind me to relisten to it 40 years later. It’ll be 3 or 4 out of 5 , but for now it’s… 2/5 —————————————— Liked: — You Want It Darker
I find this so bad, genius or not
Not Tom Waits.
I’m afraid I’m not a fan of Leonard Cohen. I have tried and there’s the odd song I like. I prefer the cover versions or other interpretations. I do appreciate and understand his position in musical history.
No on parempaakin hönkäilyä tällä äijällä. Taitaa olla vika levy. Rapin sukulaista- puhelaulua
I don't know, I guess I just don't really like his music, the storytelling, rather than singing. The title song was rather interesting.
Melodic poetry reading. Initially reminded me of Nick Cave. Not for me generally, but I liked the feel of some of the later songs in the album.
Feels like a reflection on Christianity and how it's fallen from popular culture. Very moody and all about his raspy vocal
all the songs sounded the same
Not as bad as I expected. I just don't like his spoken word gravel voice. The music behind it wasn't too bad though. This was a one-time listen. Can't get through a second. Mostly tuned it out.