Reviews (page 11 of 14)
To me, it's not a remarkable or grandiose album, but it still contains some heartfelt and well produced songs that are worth listening to.
Uf. 4/5.
Another bleak, elegant Leonard Cohen album.
Is that dude even singing! Just sounds like he is just talking the whole way through
Interesting. Practically spoken word. Not my cuppa.
Неплохо, неплохо 67%
Very chill.
I can’t listen I’m too busy cleaning mould again
Some badass lyrics. Can't help thinking I'm listening to a very religious batman tho. 3 stars.
Great lyrics, but enjoy his older songs more
Yeah, religion is a bunch of shitty bullshit for smoothbrain idiots and assholes. It took you 80 years to finally realize that? You want a pat on the back and an attaboy? Fuck off This album is just 9 versions of the same song written different ways. 9 sad tired pathetic versions. Sorry you wasted your life believing in bullshit
This album is in two parts. I suppose Leonard Cohen is in two parts. One, a musician and the second, a poet. He mixes the two so seamlessly that it is easy to forget that he is a poet and a deep thinker and his words have impact, merely listening without focus on his music as such. But then something happens and you start to listen. Really listen... By turning his back on the devil he also has to turn his back on an angel... and then that last song... after one simply listens to melancholy strings and he reflects on his life and that one thing... Yeah, it could be a three star "musical" album or what it really is, a devastating and beautiful poetic story of life.
I was pleasantly surprised by this. Added several songs to my playlist
Even better on the 2nd listen
Album Nr. 48 Hat zwar gut angefangen, wirkt aber mit jedem weiteren Titel mehr und mehr einschläfernd.
I've always liked Leonard Cohen. His music touches you deep in your soul, phrases so cutting and deep. You want it Darker is an "unholy" masterpiece of the maestro. Really like "Travelling Light" Lots to listen to on this album. A good 4
Such a smooth album. I love the introspective nature of the music and the lyrics. It sounds wise. His super low voice caught me off guard at first. I dig it. It's a bit slow and sad so I don't know if I'll ever revisit it but I definitely appreciate it.
What a gem. He finished this 17 days before he died?!?! I love this record. While I've been familiar with Leonard Cohen for a long time, I had never gone through this album. I love the ironic, skeptical, and thoughtful nature of the songs. It's so smart in its storytelling. LC is a master wordsmith, especially when relating life and love to religion and tradition. He so carefully and poignantly uses religious imagery in these songs, where you're never sure if its irreverent or purely serious. It reminds me almost of a George Carlin routine, where is smart, funny, true, untrue, serious, sad, thoughtful, lovely and apathetic all at once. I also love how unapologetic he is with his tone and voice. A lot of these songs are uneasy to listen to, because the style feels so foreign, where others feel akin to Johnny Cash's work with Rick Rubin. Its soft, sentimental and endearing. It's that old man wisdom, where he's saying his piece and singing his truth but he doesn't really care what you think of it. Its clear and confident.
Cohen's voice is... the deepest growl I have ever heard. Deeper than Johnny Cash. Lots of piano-centric music. I feel like his throat must hurt singing like this? Or he smoked like 10 packs of cigs? I can't finish this, the singing is just too rough.
The slow tempo of these songs are, I'm sure, old Leonard Cohen's sincere self-expression. I haven't heard anything else he's done, so I don't know if his other work is like this. It's all stripped down to the most minimal instrumentation, simple progressions, simple poetic meter, in your face vocal production, and the aforementioned tempos. Kind of refreshing in a way after listening to so much experimental stuff. I had this thought just this morning: very little music is acoustic now, very little is just people playing a non-electronic instruments, or singing without any digital manipulation. So I am enjoying this possibly for that reason alone, (fully aware that this album contains some electronic instruments). Electronics or the production trickery is not the main focus. For example, Q-Tip's "Renaissance," which I thoroughly enjoyed, is composed almost entirely of samples that are further twisted into a new sound somewhat distant from their original source. Whereas here Leonard Cohen invokes church organs, choruses, piano, a string quartet, and his own voice in a strikingly grounding way. I found the songs with a religious theme were most interesting. Unlike Tom Waits, he's not playing a character, seems like he's speaking (literally, he doesn't sing much on this) from the soul. Different and unique, I like it a lot more than I thought I would. Play this during the daylight hours though, that's all I'm going to say.
A very soulful, spiritual journey. His voice is hit-or-miss for me, but this really resonated with me on every track. I loved the soothing, catchy music. What a great listen.
Poetry set to music. Tones of American IV by Johnny Cash.
So wikipedia says he died two weeks after this was released. I hope this wasn't the 1001st album that he listened to on this list. The album itself isn't very melodic. I understand he was a genius, but it's difficult to listen to.
It's the fifth Leonard Cohen album... maybe I'm finally getting used to it. Though there does seem to be an amazing sameness to the style and delivery of the album... soft spoken word over simple arrangements, I like the somber mood/tone and songs like You Want it Darker and Seemed the Better Way stand out for me. I appreciated this more than what I've heard before from Mr. Cohen.
H
Not for me
Fan of LC - good album
Not for me.
LC may be the poet of our generation but personally I found very little appeal to this album. Maybe for other people but not for me
Geeeee Legalább kevesebb mint 40 perc
Pretty good songwriting, but the vocals were rough.
I like other renditions of his songs, well one song, Hallelujah. Not as moved by his performances as I am by his songwriting.
Poeh. Een albumpje met zo’n ontzettende duistere/spirituele toon. Cohen bewijst op de valreep van sterven nog maar eens dat ie een meesterlijke songwriter is. Z’n stem is op dit album een beetje op een oude Iggy Pop beginnen te lijken. Soms is dat wel moeilijk om naar te luisteren. Maar ja, mag het even, 2 weken na de release lag ie tussen 6 planken. Dan mag je als een aardbeving met een 11 op de schaal van richter klinken. Tis geen album die je ff voor de leuk opzet. Ik vind de oude zooi van Cohen een stuk boeiender. Ookal speelt hij in dit album open kaart en opent hij z’n hart en kaart lastige thema’s aan, zoals leven, dood, religie en spiritualiteit. Highlights: Treaty, You Want it Darker Rating: 7/10
Leonard's zwanenzang. Stemmig, rauw en beangstigend, maar tegelijkertijd slaat hij een geruststellende arm om je heen, om te zeggen dat het zo goed is: 'He's leaving the table.' Wat je door zijn carrière heen constant zag, is dat hij de geesten van het verleden en de lieve heer constant recht in de ogen aankeek. Dit is zijn laatste trucje, nog één keer weet hij verschillende dieppersoonlijke thema's - die een ieder tot zekere hoogte aangaat - te prediken met poëtische schoonheid. Als je puur kijkt naar hoe hij de psyche van de mens tot de laatste druppel weet uit te wringen met zijn teksten, dan is het de meest waardevolle songwriter van zijn tijd, en niet Bob Dylan. Het mag soms best wat minder zwaarmoedig, maar zo is nou eenmaal de aard van het beestje (lees: de mens). Op dit album komt hij er wat mij betreft nog voor één keer mee weg. De 'teacher of the heart' opent met de titelsong, waarmee hij officieel op de poorten van het hiernamaals klopt. Bijgestaan door een omineus koor en een hypnotiserende bass line, wordt er in een kleine 5 minuten een scene geschetst waar de gemiddelde film een puntje aan kan zuigen. Én die doorleefde stem, die is Oscar waardig. Een magnifiek begin, maar ik ben blij dat de volgende nummers toch wat zonnestralen doorlaten in een lucht vol gitzwarte wolken. 'Treaty' doet me denken aan het werk van Johnny Cash in zijn laatste fase. Tekstueel mijn favoriet van het album. Waar zijn intens complexe metaforen wel eens over mijn hoofd vliegen, zijn ze in dit nummer raak. Een weergaloos kunstwerk over verzoening, maar ook de acceptatie dat aan het eind van de dag iedereen een 'zonde' bij zich draagt, inherent aan het menselijk leven. Of zoals Leonard het op z'n Leonard's omschrijft: ''I heard the snake was baffled by his sin He shed his scales to find the snake within But born again is born without a skin The poison enters into everything'' 'On the Level' maak het overweldigende openingstrio af. Het nummer introduceert een gospelkoor, en levert een soulful verhaal over verleidingen, en het al dan wel of niet weerstaan ervan. Het zorgt voor een welkome verlichting na het zware begin, en swingt zelfs voor Cohen's begrippen. Zonder twijfel het meest toegankelijke nummer van de plaat, en het doet vermoeden dat z'n leven niet één en al melancholie was. Een instrumenteel hoogtepunt is 'Leaving the Table'. Naast dat het een mooie blijk van berusting bij de beste man omschrijft, is het vooral de steely, echoënde gitaar die het voor mij doet. Tijd om Twin Peaks weer aan te zetten. Side A was nagenoeg perfect, en als dat z'n laatste woorden waren geweest voor hij de grond inging, dan had ik daar vrede mee. Maar de dichter, en vóóral de mens in Leonard, had natuurlijk nog wat stukjes van zijn ziel te delen. Kantje twee klikt emotioneel wat minder, maar bevat nog wel een aantal instrumentele verrassingen. De piekfijne productie, de achtergrondzang, en het rijke ensemble aan instrumenten, maakt de laatste fase van de plaat een genot voor het oor. Verschillende folk-stijlen komen langs, van tango tot Keltische invloeden en bluegrass. 'Steer Your Way' is het hoogtepunt van side B, en één van de weinige nummers waar niet de machtige bariton van Leonard, maar het orkest de hoofdrolspeler is. In het laatste nummer wordt er onder begeleiding van een string quartet waardig afscheid genomen van deze gigant. Maar echt dood gaat een kunstenaar als Cohen niet, he becomes music. Kort na de release heb ik dit album wel eens opgehad, maar naast het titelnummer was hij me nauwelijks bekend. Ik kan zijn oudere werk wel waarderen, omdat zijn teksten na tientallen luisterbeurten nog steeds geheimen bewaren. Maar dit brengt hem voor mij op een nieuw level, waarin het orkestrale productiewerk, het samenspel met meerdere stemmen, en de instrumentele diversiteit een belangrijke rol spelen. Naast dat het gewoon een fascinerend testament is. Een nagenoeg vlekkeloze zwanenzang. Eén les die ik hier in ieder geval uit trek is dat ik veilige afstand hou van god, het maakt het allemaal wel erg ingewikkeld. 8/10 Highlights: You Want It Darker Treaty Steer Your Way
You Want It Darker is dé definitie van een zwanenzang. In hetzelfde jaar dat Bowie iedereen verrast met een afscheidsplaat, zegt ook Cohen de wereld vaarwel met een album een paar dagen voor zijn dood. Ik moet eerlijk zeggen dat ik de hele plaat eigenlijk altijd een beetje heb vermeden. Wanneer heb je hier nou zin in, wetende wat komen gaat? Maar nu ik de plaat een keer de tijd en aandacht heb gegeven vind ik het een indrukwekkend werk. De stem van Cohen in You Want It Darker is waanzinnig vastgelegd en komt echt binnen (mits luisteren met goede koptelefoon of oordopjes). Treaty, het tweede nummer op de plaat, vind ik ook prachtig. De nummers daarna zijn wat meer 'klassieke' Cohen nummers, en wat minder bijzonder. Traveling Light vind ik erg mooi, met name door de kleine beetjes viool en de wat middeleeuws-klinkende gitaar. Een hoogtepunt op het album. In It Seemed the Better Way ook een viooltje, maar dit nummer lijkt teveel op You Want It Darker. Dat de violen halverwege het album hun intrede doen is natuurlijk geen toeval. Dit is natuurlijk het begrafenis-instrument bij uitstek. In het slotstuk is er geen Cohen meer, maar zijn de violen er nog wel. Een uitvaart, zo ervaar ik het. Tot Cohen toch weer even begint te zingen... dat was wat vreemd. Tijdens het luisteren kon ik de gedachte niet onderdrukken: laat alstjeblieft T. Waits ook een zwanenzang-album maken voordat hij sterft. 7.5/10 Highlights: You Want It Darker Treaty Traveling Light
Initially surprised at Cohen's voice. Did more research and realized Cohen died three weeks after the release of this album. The theming and lyrics gave me a similar vibe as Blackstar so I wasn't too surprised. It even came out in the same year (2016). It's helped me open my mind more to this album and so far I am happy I have. Jesus I'm not usually inspired to read the lyrics of an album all too much but this is an exception. Beautiful stuff, especially before his passing. Hauntingly beautiful. Gonna go listen to the new MGMT album but I'll be back to this for a second listen. This is some great shit. In all, I am a bit drunk right now, but this album is amazing. The lyrics are deep and poignant while sticking to interesting and beautiful instrumentals. Solid 9/10. Surprised this doesn't get more hype.
PHENOMENAL
Released in 2016, Leonard Cohen's final album, "You Want It Darker," arrived as a profound and poignant farewell from the legendary singer-songwriter. Stepping closer to the precipice of mortality, Cohen crafted a masterpiece of introspective lyrics, haunting melodies, and a production that reflected his acceptance and contemplation of the unknown. This review delves into the album's intricate tapestry, analyzing its lyrics, music, production, themes, and influence, while also acknowledging its potential shortcomings. Lyrics: A Tapestry of Vulnerability and Profoundity Cohen's lyrics have always been a hallmark of his artistry, and "You Want It Darker" showcases them at their most potent. They are imbued with a sense of vulnerability and honesty, stripping bare the anxieties and reflections of a man facing his final curtain. Tracks like "Treaty" and "Leaving the Table" grapple with mortality and the passing of time, while "You Want It Darker" itself confronts the desire for darkness and the acceptance of death's inevitability. Music: Haunting Melodies and Sparse Instrumentation The music on "You Want It Darker" perfectly complements the introspective nature of the lyrics. Sparse instrumentation, featuring piano, cello, and subtle electronics, creates a haunting atmosphere that underscores the album's themes. Tracks like "If I Didn't Know Better" and "On the Level" showcase Cohen's signature use of minor chords and melancholic melodies, while others like "The Hills of the North" and "Leaving the Table" incorporate gospel elements and hymn-like vocals, adding a touch of spiritual depth. Production: A Masterful Blend of Minimalism and Refinement The production on "You Want It Darker" is masterful in its simplicity. Working with his son, Adam Cohen, and producer Patrick Leonard, the album achieves a perfect balance between sparseness and richness. The focus remains on Cohen's vocals and lyrics, while the instrumentation subtly enhances the emotional impact without overwhelming the listener. The use of space and silence is particularly effective, allowing the songs to breathe and resonate. Themes: Facing Mortality, Finding Peace, and Embracing the Mystery "You Want It Darker" is deeply concerned with the themes of mortality, faith, and the search for meaning in the face of death. Tracks like "Going Home" and "Traveling Light" explore the concept of returning to a spiritual source, while others like "It Seemed the World Was Ending" and "Leaving the Table" grapple with the uncertainties of the afterlife. Ultimately, the album offers a sense of acceptance and peace, not through answers, but through the embrace of the unknown and the acknowledgment of human fragility. Influence: A Legacy of Poetic Songwriting and Spiritual Reflection "You Want It Darker" marked the end of an era, yet its influence continues to resonate. The album's success solidified Cohen's status as a master of poetic songwriting and a profound interpreter of the human condition. It inspired a generation of artists working in genres ranging from folk and rock to ambient and electronic music. Additionally, the album's spiritual themes resonated with listeners seeking solace and meaning in the face of personal loss and existential angst. Pros: Lyrically profound and deeply personal: Cohen's words are raw, honest, and emotionally resonant, offering a unique perspective on mortality and spirituality. Musically haunting and atmospheric: The sparse instrumentation and melancholic melodies create a unique and captivating soundscape that perfectly complements the lyrics. Production masterful in its simplicity: The focus remains on the core elements of the songs, allowing the vocals and lyrics to shine through. Themes universally relatable: The album's exploration of mortality, faith, and the search for meaning resonates with listeners across generations and backgrounds. A poignant and fitting farewell: "You Want It Darker" serves as a powerful and poetic conclusion to Cohen's remarkable career. Cons: Accessibility: The album's dark and introspective nature might not appeal to all listeners, particularly those seeking lighter and more upbeat music. Limited musical variety: The sparse instrumentation and melancholic tone may feel repetitive to some listeners who prefer more diverse soundscapes. Short duration: With only nine tracks, the album can feel short, leaving some listeners wanting more. Conclusion: "You Want It Darker" is not simply a concluding chapter in Leonard Cohen's career; it's a masterpiece of introspective songwriting and profound reflection. It stands as a testament to Cohen's artistic brilliance and his ability to connect with listeners on a deep emotional level. While its dark and introspective nature might not be for everyone, the album's lyrical depth, hauntingly beautiful music, and powerful themes make it a must-listen for any fan of Cohen's work
I just don't get the appeal of Leonard Cohen. Just a guy talking over some bland music
I didn’t really enjoy this at all. I don’t really have any familiarity with Cohen so I don’t have any emotional attachment to this album others must. I can recognize he’s an excellent musician and his lyrics are good, but he’s clearly an old man with a really weakened voice and bland (to me) instrumentation. I recognize the impact of his lyrics and his reflections on life, but I did not enjoy this musically at all unfortunately
sad tom waits, idk if it's my jam
Didn't expect much since I knew some of his old work.. but boy was I wrong. This one hit right in the feels!
Excellent!
Placeholder. I’m interested in hearing more Leonard, but I didn’t have time to listen today. Will revisit
Leonard has such a unique sound and lives in that chesty, cigarette fueled rasp-voice that he does so well. This album came out a few weeks before he died and I remember playing the title track for my dad back in 2016. It's a great listen front-to-back. Easy, mindlessly relaxing at times.
Initial impression... what is this? As the album continues, my thought is that this exists for Cohen and not for the audience. I wouldn't call this enjoyable, but it's thoughtful and pretty at times. I just can't get past the vocal spoken word style performance. Cohen passed away in 2016, the same year of this album. It does feel like a dark goodbye, but while I'm sorry he's gone, it doesn't make this more listenable.
Y'know, I can completely hear why someone wouldn't like this album. Hell, in a lot of spots it reminds me of that needless DARK SIDE OF THE MOON REDUX thing Roger Waters did last year. But in a similar case to Dennis Wilson's PACIFIC OCEAN BLUE, when this album's in the context of Cohen's passing just a few weeks after its release... Oof. It's hauntingly melancholic. Not something I'd return to very often, but gawddamn was it powerful during my time with it.
A haunting collection of songs that tell the tale of a man who knows his end is soon.
I am deeply struggling to find the words to say about this album. It’s very rare for me to think of music as art in the classical sense – the way people get emotional at seeing the Mona Lisa or the Sistine Chapel, where they can feel the weight of history and the absolute mastery of a craft come upon them, mainly because I usually just don’t feel that when it comes to art. I can certainly feel emotion in music, but usually that emotion comes from the passion of a voice or the lyrical content. This album may be the only time I have felt the weight of a life long lived bear down on me in musical form, and in many ways, it’s a weight I’m not sure I can accurately hold or carry. In some strange way, I feel too young to truly connect to this album and its subject material in full, but I deeply appreciate every song on here and the man behind them. In that sense, I have almost no choice but to give this album a 5.
Great album, maybe across the full thing it could be sonically similar
Maybe this will slap more when I'm older
Not for me - frankly weird.
I'd never really heard Leonard Cohen before. I'd heard his name, but not his music or his style. It is unique for sure. A deep dark smoky voice. Makes me think about Tom Waits. Interesting atonal singing at times. Gravely is the word that comes to mind, but smooth gravel. Pea gravel. A dark bar. You Want It Darker is a very fitting name for this album.
It Seemed the Better Way to be On the Level of wanting it darker.
An interesting and (very) dark album about a man who's life is clearly now in the rearview mirror. You best find something uplifting to listen afterwards to pull yourself out of being clinically depressed. I'm not saying it's bad, you just have to be in the right frame of mind to enjoy it.
Fine if you're in the right mood. I was not
I've always found this to be a gorgeous, if truly dark, listen. Cohen, at the end of the life, sounds gravelly and nearly hoarse, yet fierce and biting, as he rages against the dying of the light, disguising his exhaustion as acceptance. Between this and Bowie's Blackstar, 2016 saw multiple legends wrestling with their mortality through art, and both created achingly beautiful portraits. One of Canada's greatest poets manages to hold that title to the bitter end, giving us insight to how it feels to reach the end of a remarkable life.
Dark, unique, interesting.
Another one of his albums? I barely got through the first song and opted to switch to listen to a podcast instead since he was basically talking over a synth background …. I’m better served listening to a 20 minute book review or something
I'm 100+ albums in and I think this is the first time I've rated an album that I've never listened to 5 stars. It's easy to give 5 stars to something you are already familiar with, but it takes something very special to make you give full marks on the first listen. RIP Mr. Cohen.
Shocked at his sound at 82 years old. Don’t love most of the songs, but impressed nonetheless. Great lyrics, inspired me to delve into his earlier works.
I wasn't familiar with him surprisingly. It was interesting.
Nicely produced dirge
Really good poetry, simple but lovely music, had a tough time with Cohen’s completely tuneless grumble but the man is a legend and he was like 80 when he recorded this so I’ve gotta cut him some slack.
What an amazing voice, and beautiful production. I'm reminded of David Bowie's Black Star in the sense of the gravitas of these records released at the end of a star's career/life
Sullen, beautiful, poetic and mysterious. Of course, Leonard’s voice is iconic. Each track feels like a story is being told to me. The music is haunting, yet keeps me engaged and focused on the tale being told. A legend in his own right.
Wow. Cohen's voice is haunting. This gives me chills. What a beautiful way to deal with pain and say good bye to the world.
More of a spoken word album than music. Kinda enjoyed it as mood music.
This is a tough album. I like the background music, especially the strings. But I just can’t get into a full album of talking instead of singing. These tracks seem like they would fit pretty well in a preview to a movie or a montage sequence, but it’s not the kind of thing I want to listen to again.
I can appreciate the poignancy of an album about aging and mortality that was released right before the artist's death. And the album has a vibe. Unfortunately, there is a sameness across the songs that made it hard to get too lost in it.
Appreciate getting exposed to someone I had zero familiarty with prior to now. Still not sure I'd seek out his music otherwise.
Love
5/5 Listened to LC debut album just before this. It made the resignation and acceptance of the songs more palpable. He’s such a unique voice (!) and an artist that I feel is really speaking to me. I alternate between thinking that he’s the ultimate narcissist and that he’s the universal observer/narrator for us all. Hmm.
I got nothin
super distinctive voice, the album didn’t do much for me but i know of how iconic Cohen is
Well this album definitely has a certain vibe, and I get why it's in this list, but it's not exactly for me
No lo pude escuchar entero, lo odié
Not his best work.
Am amazing poet!
Going in…I love his music when other people sing it. The other side… his lyrics touched me on a much deeper level than they ever had in the past. And while others may have prettier voices, his voice is just right to feel the longing, anger, and sadness. It profoundly altered the way I think of him and his craft. It put into verse some of my deepest feelings.
Very beautiful music. Not something I really ever see myself wanting to listen to more, but so far I'm surprised by the variety of the songs despite simultaneously all sounding exactly the same. Not my cup of tea, but I can respect it. 3/5.
Really surprising that I liked this.
more albums should have a reprise at the end
Eh
This was a very good album. I really enjoyed the subtle instrumentals with the focus on the voice. Speaking of voice, it’s the perfect amount of deep growl. Not too grating. The lyrics were also very good too. Not a particularly religious person, but I appreciate the themes anyways. And the lyrics often stand great on their own
Enjoyed this. I haven't listened to much of his work and this is obviously relatively recent. The baseline in You Want It Darker is piercing but I had to resist choosing that as my standout track as I've had that in my playlists for ages. Steer Your Way has an almost jovial fiddle/violin tune which comes as a sort of relief when it hits during the song. Standout Track: Steer Your Way
T’was fine. A good 3 star.
WOW!
mega! in dem alter nochmal so ein ding rauszuhauen.
Kan je ook normaal praten / zingen?
I don’t think we need any more Leonard cohen albums please, especially if he isn’t even going to sing on it
Very dark and understated album. Cohen’s low, whispered growl is quite a strange vocal style to me that I am not a huge fan of. The instrumentals are enjoyable.
En jäkla upplevelse. Man känner ju nästan dödens närvaro på det här albumet
Interesting voice. Would be a great voiceover on TV/film. Maybe an audiobook. Just not music. Insanely bored 5 songs in. 1.5*
Surprisingly deep voice and good lyrics too
Impossible voice
Very unique voice.
Lo mejor de este año
An amazing album.
If you don't like the style this is going for this album may be a torture device. I dig what they are working towards here. I've never asked myself if Cohen is actually good or not. This joins the bucket of I like this but if all music was this I wouldn't listen to music much. That being said, what a pro. The end of this album is powerful. Steer Your Way is a great track.
Feels a bit like one long song. Could be a musical I guess. Favorite track: Steer Your Way Least: On the Level The fact that he died 17 days later and the state he was in is important here. I assume there were limitations in the recording process. Personally I just want it to sound a little more raw. This sounds sanitized and sharp around the edges. I like this but I'm curious what other producers could have done with it.
Okay
I could listen to Leonard Cohen read a dictionary.
A mood.
I’d actually had a pretty long day and I didn’t want it any darker.
Just not really into it
Well. Leonard Cohen did something I thought he could never do. He made an album I liked. A bunch. Jerk.
I had not listened to this album before. It was a bit of a challenge.
you want it darker- what.... i dont know but 6 treaty- 6 on the level- i like the background singers 7 leaving the table- me when my wife dies 6 if i didnt have your love- he sounds like cookie monster 7 traveling light- i like the spanish sounding guitar 6 it seemed the better way- those drums 6 steer your way- damn those fucking violins bro 6 string reprise/ treaty- goddamn. this shit was crazy. favorite track- maybe if i didnt have your love
These late period albums where a classic musician are near death are always fascinating. 4/5
Great songwriting, production was a little strange. He seemed almost to be caricaturing himself a little with this one.
IMHO, his very best album, front to back, and a perfect exit.
I'd never heard much LC and am so glad I was "made" to listen properly. Thought-provoking, moving, beautiful really. I didn't enjoy it quite as much as Tom Waits the day before, but it won't be the last time I listen to him.
Perhaps not his finest hour, but his final album which renders it important IMO. Overall I found it moving and loved the first and penultimate track, but they are probably the only ones I’ll revisit. Amazing poet, glad we had him for as long as we did.
Definitely dark
Lovely send off for a legend still at the top of his craft.
Just amazing.
Really good, but not for me
It’s more acting than singing, but it’s still fantastic. The first great discovery so far. a Similar feel to Dylan’s Time Out Of Mind or Life’ll Kill Ya by Warren Zevon, but his voice is so much better suited to this ‘man facing mortality’ theme.
You Want it Darker Didn’t know much about this album before listening to it, and I couldn’t remember when he died and wasn’t sure whether this was posthumous or not. I do like Leonard Cohen but have never listened to him extensively, only really listened to his first album properly, which I think is very good. I really liked the sparse band backing, with the simple but prominent bass giving things propulsion and momentum, against the gravelly slow and spoken word singing. I like the fiddle too, gives a country/dusty/19th century Americana feel. Great backing vocals too and some very nice string arrangements, which remind me of some of Lee Hazlewood’s albums. It all feels so well constructed around his voice, persona and the songs themselves. Knowing now it was his last one before he died I like how it fits neatly into the bracket with the Johnny Cash American Recordings albums and The Wind by Warren Zevon. Overall I think this is great, I really liked it and it will go in my rotation. I’ve actually already listened to it twice and I’m looking forward to listening to it more. A very nice ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
A work of bleak genius
Mr. Leonard's voice.... oh my dear god. The feelings I feel are indescribable and not safe for work. Just.... wow. The melodies are incredible, the lyrics are heart-shattering and the vocals (both Cohen's and the background singers') are impeccable. What more could you want? 5/5.
Nem era assim tão escuro e era parecido ao Nick caverna a dar em vez de cantar. no entanto, o Leonardo parece ser um idoso agradável com boas histórias para contar.cimavoto
Gosto de cú
Had not listened much to Leonard Cohen before this album. It has been in my rotation since it came out.
As the title states, this is dark. An artist's final words at the end of a long career. Ugh.
Not my kind of music
I have always been a fan. But I did not know about this one. I liked it a lot.
Not my style at all. Tried to recreate the American Recordings vibe and it just doesn't resonate with me at all.
Not my thing
I’m very partial to this album as it introduced me to Leonard Cohen. It isn’t the most exciting, but I do find myself a big fan of albums written by dying men in 2016. There is a peace with how religion and love are approached here that I don’t think could be found without that context in his life, and it is fascinating to be taken along on that journey.
Can’t see going back to it. It was fine
Leonard Cohen. Poco más q añadir. Más negro q nunca, triste, melancólico, profundo, con la voz grave a más no poder. No hay ninguno de sus hits pero, tiena alguna canción q no sea un hit? En su linea siempre tan igual y tan diferente a la vez. Imprescindible.
This dude desperately wants to be Johnny Cash and he's failing at it. I know this was a highly acclaimed album but....it feels self-indulgent and derivative. Meh.
Not much of a singer, but an inspired poet…R.I.P
I’m not sure this should count as an album. Leonard Cohen doesn’t really sing, he doesn’t rap. If he also writes melody shouldn’t he have a singer record the music?
Didn't really like any song. Only reason it's not a 1 is that a couple of the songs had good music, but the vocals killed everything.
Great music
These kind of albums are one of the real benefits of this exercise. I should be a massive fan of his but I'd never found a foothold. He is always listed alongside Dylan and Cave who I'm massive fans of. I listened through to this 3 X with headphones to concentrate. The lyrics are basically prose. The musicality is very gentle and restrained. I'm taking a while to warm up to his growl but I think I'll get there. I hope this is the introduction I need to become a fan.
How can this be so popular? I don't get it. Where's the appeal in someone rasping and croaking their way through spoken-word songs? If the redemption is in the lyrics they must be miraculous but I couldn't bear listening to this.
Fabulous songwriter....
Loved his voice, the first song was def the best one went a bit down from there…
an old friend
Not for me, appreciate the story
I've heard a few LC tunes. How can one not? But listening to the entire album is transformative! Perfect music for a snowy day like today.
It started out slow, but this was a surprisingly moving and beautiful album. Knowing the backstory made it better.
Surprisingly good. Very dark. Great for rdr2 rambling
Grew on me as it went
Beautiful. Reminded me of true detective theme
The songwriting and music on this album sound high quality. I just don't care for the talk-singing style. Maybe that's an unpopular opinion, since it's Leonard Cohen, but I just can't get into it.
Amazing lyricist. Loved the arrangements,and overall composition.
Not my jam. I only like the one song by him from Pump up the Volume.
This one needed context. The opening track didn't excite me and sounded more like spoken poetry over a back track. But upon learning about the history of the album and the state Leonard was in at the time, it became much more powerful.
Dark and emotional album
1. you uuant it darker - 2 2. treaty - 1 3. on the level - 1 4. leaving the table - 1.5 5. if he didnt have your love - 1 6. traveling light - 1 7. it zeemed the better uuay - 1.5 8. zteer your uuay - 1 9. treaty 2 - 1
Too "not-singed"
Leonard was more despondent than usual, grappling with God, humanity and death. It was a hard one to listen to as I felt his pain.
No I do not want it darker
What a voice! Nice atmosphere about the album, only a couple of songs stood out though
.
Dark and brooding. Vocals are deep and breathy but it works. The violin really and other background instruments really help complete this album. Standouts are "Steer Your Way" and the title track.
Beautiful but heartbreaking. I loved evert track.
brilliant.
Duplicate
Reminds me of a modern day Johnny Cash. I loved the instrumentals but not so much the singing and lyrics.
Second of five Leonard Cohen albums reviewed. In a nutshell: Leonard Cohen not-really-sings-he-recites-poetry-in-his-baritone-voice about being ready to die. Again, Cohen is reliable for creating memorable lines. The music arrangement is consistent (the bass, bass synth, melotron, stripped back drums, strings etc) although cliched in my opinion. Overall: 6/10
Ég fékk svo mikið ógeð af Hallelujah strax í menntskóla þegar allir og líka hinir sungu það að ég hef bara ekki viljað hlusta á Leonard Cohen síðan þá. Ég dró það meira að segja að hlusta á þessa plötu og þurfti að undirbúa mig andlega. Svo er þessi plata bara virkilega frábær. Ég mun klárlega hlusta á hana aftur og býst við að hún vaxi við hverja hlustun.
7.6/10
A chilling and haunting piece. Expertly crafted. 5/5. Favorite Track: You Want It Darker
Horrible! I can't believe this made the list.
Comfort music.
I really liked this album. Grade: 5/5
For someone that has never liked LC it was a nice surprise. Love the arrangements on this one. What a way to go.
liked it better after I read the reviews
Wonderful voice, soulful music, too many words
My overall uniformed impression of Leonard Cohen had been that his songs are better when covered by others (his cameo on Was (Not Was) was fun though). That's not the case after a listening to this album. His voice is needed for these lyrics Like it says on the label - darker. Unrelentingly so. This one may be like Bowie’s “Blackstar” for me - incredibly powerful but hard to listen to repeatedly. It’s very beautiful musically. "You Want It Darker" Mood set: spooky, dark. Starts with a male choir of some sort, and then his croaking vocals. Tom Waits-like grooving accompaniment. Verses addressing God(?) at the end of his life. Hebrew “Hineni - Here I am, I am ready” chorus. Outro by a cantor. "Treaty" Solo piano intro, Leonard singing seemingly to both God and a partner. Arrangement supports but doesn’t distract from the powerful lyrics "On the Level" Piano arpeggios with gentle rhythm builds to a gospel feel "Leaving the Table" Slow country-bluesy twang guitar to lead in. Lyrics continue the theme of saying goodbye, ending conflicts “I’m leaving the table, I’m out of the game” "If I Didn't Have Your Love" Bluesy gospel (w/ organ) underpinning a dark poetic vision of a world without love. I’m already getting LC fatigue by this point in the LP. "Traveling Light" Mediterranean accompaniment (bouzouki?) of another farewell song "It Seemed the Better Way" Back to the spooky choir now with lyrics maybe about regretting someone he believed in? "Steer Your Way" Strange juxtaposition of Eastern European strings interposed with Appalachian fiddle. "String Reprise / Treaty" String quartet reprising the second song “Treaty” with a spoken outdo of an additional voice
Like his voice
His voice is amazing first of all but also not bad music though I haven't listened to this type much before
This one challenged me in all the good ways. The lyrics had me mesmerized.
Dark and beautiful. Classic Leonard Cohen.
Slow gravelly songs about death and God. Released shortly before his death
A collection of somber yet uplifting tunes written by someone who knows their time is coming to a close. Just beautiful
Hauntingly beautiful. Cohen's poetry, delivery, and the orchestration of "You Want It Darker", "Treaty", and "Steer Your Way" are absolutely amazing. Definitely an album for shadowy rooms and brooding moods.
Sounds like a spoken word album with a bit of music. Not really into it.
I had this whole writeup for this album that was light, interested, and professing my love of late-career albums by artists on their deathbed. I'm throwing that all out in the trash, because Jacob actually started to listen to the lyrics. And... are you hearing this? This is a man, broken, still suffering, in a very personal and desperate tussle with God, to come to some truce at the end of his life. "I wish there was a treaty we could sign / between your love and mine," is the through-line, a man exhausted by a wayward and unsatisfying spiritual search, hoping for some way to make it all make sense. The disconnect between God's forgiveness and his own broken self and failing body. "I heard the snake was baffled by his sin / he shed his scales to find the snake within / but born again is born without a skin." His vulnerability in these final moments, looking for some out, some way to have peace with all these loose threads. In between is a real reckoning with past loves, current ones ("If I Didn't Have Your Love" is gonna make me cry just thinking about it). Biting takes on the hypocrites of the faith, and the contradictions of the faithful ("The blunted mountains weep / as he died to make Men holy, let us die to make things cheap", such a pure, darkly funny line) and just a lot of baggage told through humor. I loved the line about turning your back on the devil and the angel, too, with a beautiful woman. He can still make you laugh. I'm not here to just explain away Leonard Cohen's jokes. You really have to sit up and pay attention. Thankfully, it's easy– he is a wordsmith with an economy for words, a poet and court jester of the holy kingdom, and he's very serious. Just listen. It truly is a beautiful, painful thing. I've never more felt a window into his life. Actually cried at the last song. Man. 5/5.
A bit dark
I really respect and appreciate his music, but I just have a hard time actually listening to Leonard Cohen 3.5/5
This was better than the previous Cohen albums I reviewed. I prefer the melancholic jazz with Cohen's dour poetry over the fluttering folk he did in the sixties. That said, there's too much Cohen in this book.
Deep voice was off-putting. Instrumentals were nice, but would not listen again because of vocals.
3.4
Hauntingly beautiful.
Had no idea what to expect with this, but thought it was very good. Not sure I can specify why; it was quite haunting but powerful, and you really feel the emotion and meaning behind the lyrics, which is accentuated by the light acoustic music in the background. 8/10
Lenard cohen is just a great musician but this album is not as good as songs of Lenard cohen
hm not my music. but nice deep voice "talking"
fantastic!
My favorite Leonard Cohen album. Introspective, incredible lyrics, thoughts from the end of a life.
Its weird to jump into albums blind, because when I first listened to this shit, I fucking hated it. Boring, spoken word poetry over mediocre, hushed music. And its some Christian/Religious concept album. Fuuuuck that. But apparently the guy was dying, and while suffering from pain in his living room, he recorded this as a sort of "final word" to god and life. I respect this.
I liked it way more than I expected to
beautiful instrumentation. beautiful lyrics. "you want it darker" does set the tone even if it is a bit odd for my expectations i.e. it is more spoken word and hymnal than a conventional song. same can be said for the rest of the album, more spoken than sung. stand out songs, "if i didn't have your love", "steer your way"
More interesting than the other late Leonard Cohen albums I've heard. Goes for a fatalistic & sarcastic Coheny mix of religious/interpersonal often, seems to have less range that way than other albums. Some neat turns of phrase, steeped in nihilism in a way that bothers me more than it used to. There's a song where he sings just a little & it sounds very good. I do wish that older Leonard Cohen had sung a bit more often. music: ok. (⌐⬤_⬤)
Cohen’s songwriting was always good and his instrumentation varies a lot over the albums and was pretty much always good too. He has one wild variable that makes him different from a lot of others, which is that the older and gnarlier he got, the better his voice sounded. This is as old and gnarly as it gets for him, and it’s fantastic.
His deep voice singing almost seems like a joke, it’s like Ralph inneson when he’s on a podcast and it feels like it’ll damage your speakers. It was pretty good though.
I can't really tell why I like Leonard Cohen and dislike Tom Waits so much but I do. I found this to be atmospheric and thought the combo of gospel and his voice worked together. Not very Christmassy though
So very sombre, what a silky smooth voice
Dark and lovely.
Too dark for me.
Wow! What a way to say goodbye, considering that he passed right after putting this gem of an album out. My favourite was the title track, you want it darker. Loved the vocal tone and reminded me a lot of Johnny Cash. My favourite line was 'if thine is the glory, mine is the shame'.
Different
Honestly beautiful. Leonard Cohen has been very hit or miss for me, from the stuff I’ve heard. New Skin For The Old Ceremony has been the only album up to this point that I “get”. This one is elegiac and haunting. Not going to be regular rotation but I will listen again.
I'm sorry, but I don't like Leonard Cohen. I tried, this time. I listened attentively trying to get it. I don't. What is there to like about this? I truly don't know.
I want it brighter, veel te lage stem
Enjoyable and unique, Leonard's voice contributes a cool niche sound, but it would be nice to see some more variety in his delivery and less of a one-trick-pony approach
Gutes Album
Prachtig, al is het voor een stukje ook wel prachtig omwille van de symboliek rond de plaat en niet altijd omwille van de muziek. Die blijft niet in elk nummer even spannend en de opeenvolging van gelijkaardige zachte sounds met diepe stem vlakt het geheel soms wat af. Maar een paar heel mooie songs, heel goeie teksten ook; you want it darker, treaty (ook de reprise), leaving the table, travelling Light en zeker ook on the level (goeie blues!). Sja, dat zijn ze bijna allemaal, dus wellicht toch écht prachtig.
This is a great album. It's not in my top tier of Leonard Cohen albums, but it's still great.
Sounds like music from a man at the end of his career/life.
An exceptional listen.
This is Leonard Cohen at his best. Iput off listening for a few days because I felt like it would be emotional for me, as my father and musical mentor is also now in the process of dying
Surprisingly, I don’t like this type of music. It’s more like talking with background sounds…. It creeps me out. I do like the Rufus Wainright version of Hallelujah but that’s about all. 1 of 5
Damn that's a deep crooner Birning songs though
What an album to end a career and a life on. Absolutely beautiful.
Quiet, sardonic, and a final farewell from one of the greatest wordsmiths to ever grace our ears. Much like Bowie's Darkstar, this was Cohen's last album before his death, and it reflects his knowledge of the impending end.
Poetry that is dark and depressed has a powerful place in experiencing good music. But Cohen is too much. I can’t stand his music.
I wasn't ready, my lord.
En dyb mandestemme der læser digte op over musik. Det er sgu bare ikke mig. Får ikke et pass for at være kunst - det er subjektivt og jeg synes ikke det er fedt at høre
Not quite spoken word; not quite songs; not quite good
2016. This one is hard to rate. Pretty music in some spots, particularly the closer, and the "vocals" were almost careless spoken word. Pleasant enough to listen through, didn't hate it.
Minunaaaat. Foarte frumos. De ascultat și versurile mai acătărea
This wasn't unlistenable but it was tough to get through. Instrumentation carried it.
4 stars, I think it'll keep growin on me
His voice is so deep. I want to like this album especially because this was recorded so close to his death but I just can’t get past his voice…
A beautiful, poetic depiction of reckoning with death, regrets, and uncertainty of what comes after that’s inevitable at the end of a long life. Few albums so far in this list have moved me the way this one did.
All the songs sound very similar and really just rely on his deep voice to be interesting.
I had not ever listened to an entire Leonard Cohen album. I have to say I was surprised how much I liked it - great style and clearly the mark of a poet with very hauting lyrics
Music to die for
Was ready to hate this album after the first song, but it was actually decent. I just don't like the parts that are more spoken than sung. I also find it exhausting to listen to at times. I kind of get why it is on this list, but it's not for me. 2.5 stars (hard to settle on a number here) Favourite songs: - Treaty
No.
I liked this significantly more than the early era Cohen we got a few weeks ago. The songwriting is strong here, and although Cohen's voice is not necessary an easy listen, it suits the atmosphere of the music well. A pretty strong three.
I tried one track. Not my lane.
Wow. Just straight wow. Feels like nighttime.
Leonard Cohen siempre top
Siempre a favor de abuelo con voz ronca cantando con música del chill. Y más aún si es el de Aleluya.
Simple arrangements, interesting vocal, poetic and weird - religious but not straightforward lyrics. Even more mysterious knowing he passed away right after it was released. Very Very Good.
Same good songwriting as his debut with less impressive vocals. Understandable given his age.
Hallelujah wat een schijtalbum, 2/5 want cohen
Please. Enough with the Leonard Cohen. I am begging you.
weird! started bad weird but once you got used to it it becomes good weird
Smutne, ale ładne ballady. Takie jesienne
Man, if this was any more bleak it would just be a picture of the Dust Bowl. I mean, it's probably more of what I associate with Cohen, but... man. It is just so dark and depressing. Maybe it's the vocals? I was not expecting super uplifting, but it just... wow, super downer. For me, it crossed the line from darkly beautiful to overly depressing. Maybe I was just not in the right mood? I don't know. It was good, but just... man. Not something I want to listen to over and over again.
Essentially on his deathbed, Cohen's lyrics are as sharp as ever. His voice, which got progressively worse over his career, is at its worst. But I guess what would you expect? His collaborators do a good job on the instrumentals. The title track is awesome (haunting), and the follow-up Treaty is pretty good too (lyrics try a bit too hard?). On the Level and Travelling Light are pretty darn good - the former might even be described as upbeat. Leaving the Table feels like a retread of the first couple songs and the reprise of Treaty also feels too repetitive. But It Seemed the Better Way and Steer Your Way are also a couple nice, soft, sorrowful pieces. So, around two-thirds of this album I found a nice emotional (albeit sad) connection with. As far as death albums go, this one is solid. If I remember, I might just ask for one of them to be played at my funeral.
This is a hard listen. Finely structured songs. But as with most of his output it is difficult to warm to his delivery.
Incredible voice.
Klingt Recht düster, hat gute Themen und Lyrics, aber durch den gleichbleibenden Stil fühlt sich das Album länger an als es ist, nichts zum durchhören
This beautiful thing. Oh my god.
Ah, I loved this album. This is a winter album. It sounds old, like fine wine. It sounds like wisdom and jaded. Leonard cohen is a great writer and the instrumentation to support him is flawless. It is relaxed at the right times, it pirks up at the right time. I love the choirs, and the background singers. However, cohen’s voice and his words are the Center stage and deservedly so. It’s a strong 4 for me.
Never got into Cohen despite being encouraged to by my fellow Jeff Buckley fans. I hadn’t been huge on what I’d previously heard but I appreciated the artistry. You can’t argue with the artistic merit of the man who wrote Hallelujah. With that said, speak-singing is not my thing, man. I like the bluesy elements and gospel touches, Cohen always brings religious imagery to his art which I never object to. This project has very tasteful instrumentals and it’s very well produced, but I can’t get behind the vocal delivery, which makes this hard to enjoy. Cohen is much more a poet than a singer and his words are wonderful. It’s just not for me. The title track was a great, refreshing introduction that got my hopes up, but the rest of the album had comparatively little to offer. As albums by singer-songwriter legends from 2016 go, this is unfortunately no Blackstar. Maybe I’ll like this album more when I’m seventy. Best track: You Want It Darker Worst track: ? 3/5
Loved the title track. The rest is all much of a muchness
It’s old white mans spoken word. It’s such a good soundtrack if you’re coming home from the factory to only go home surrounded by fighting and arguments, you eat the same bland meal and you have your one beer to fight the depression and after doing the usual you hop in bed your wife gently holding you but your lying on your back staring at the ceiling wondering to yourself what have I done, is this it? This is the soundtrack for whatever that is.
The title track is out of the world!
The man
That was dark and mesmerizing, I loved it
It's a downtrodden heartbreaker of an album, but intensely beautiful with it. Leonard Cohen was the best, even at the end.
The previous two entries of Leonard Cohen on this list didn't really click with me so much, but I guess I wasn't alone in thinking that this was just on another whole level.
And I got it darker
Very minimal, in a good way
To me, this is more poetry than music. It’s beautiful and sad this was his last album.
I mean it's incredible
Sad talking. Not for me.
Slow and moody
Un album tout en sobriété, en accord avec son titre. Les arrangements de cordes sont très beaux, mais parallèlement je trouvais parfois que les voix étaient trop présentes.
Pretty good but weird and kinda gloomy
Dark is right. Made the best use out of his voice his whole life
Slow 2.2
Yesss it’s so beautiful
I know he's a legend, but idk if I like his voice in this album. In general, I don't love "spoken word"-like music. I think I would have enjoyed an acoustic version of this album more. 2* for the instrumentals.
é legal mas a voz dele me incomoda
Impossível viver sem apreciar o trabalho do Leonard Cohen. Uma voz incrível, as melodias encaixam perfeitamente. O tema do álbum é um pouco mórbido mas acho as letras simplesmente encantadoras. Ouvir esse álbum é uma experiência bem diferente que eu gostei bastante. Menção honrosa: Traveling Light e It Seemed the Better Way
I made a few starts at listening to this while on holiday in the UK, but it seemed like a bit too much of a downer, so I abandoned it. The excellent title track kept coming back to me though, and I decided to listen to it again on the plane home. Listening to Coen declaring "I'm ready, my Lord" as the plane lifted off was a surprisingly calming experience. However, I found the following tracks to be a bit weaker, and was resigning myself to giving this a 3 and moving on, when "Travelling Light" started and moved me. The following song, "It Seemed a Better Way" also gave me pause. I'll definitely give it another listen now. It's hard not to compare this to Blackstar, given the subject matter and the year it was released. I definitely prefer Blackstar as an overall artistic statement, but this album is making me want to re-appraise Leonard Coen's earlier work too.
4.9
Rating: ** 4 ** Notes: Very emotional album - glad to finally hear the whole album. He has the most amazing calming voice. Songs which stood out in no particular order (credits to Uncle Gue for the idea): "You want it darker" "Traveling Light" "Treaty" "String Reprise" ------------------------------------------------------------- Rating Scale: 1- very bad 2- bad 3- neutral 4-good 5-very good additonaly -/+ sign if necessary
Love his voice! Love his albums! In addition to that I listened to the album „Songs from A Room“! He‘s famous for songs about love and faith! I cannot really put a top3 together without lying because I love ervery song equally on this album. Therefore I can‘t do a „Personal Top3 in no order“!
Leonard Cohen wird für immer einen Platz in meinem Herzen haben. Speziell dieses Album hat einen hohen emotionalen Wert für mich. Die Texte bekommen nochmal viel mehr Gewicht, wenn man bedenkt, dass dieses Album kurz vor seinem Tod erschien. 9.5/10
i have respect for Leonard Cohen as a writer but
Pretty melancholy, but great songwriting.
This is the 5th Leonard Cohen album I've had on this list and I would have preferred to listen to every single one of them after I have died. Do I want it darker? No, I want it better!
Did not like his voice at all, sounded very funny and couldn’t take it seriously, unfortunately..
Musically, a genius. Lyrically, a juggernaut. This album in jawdropping
The most boring album yet. The music was basic and the lyrics were more chants than singing. It’s like this guy found the lowest register he could reach and stayed there. This is something I would expect Tony Soprano would listen to when he’s in a brooding mood. I would be pleased if I never had to think about this album ever again.
3.5
jajaja la primera canción parece intro de película la segunda ta hermosa la tercera bellisima diosmio 10/10 full folksito profundo y bien emotivo
Boring
meh
His lyrics are great, and some of the tracks are clearly very poignant given the context in which it was written. I just found it a bit downbeat and dull to listen to though
not bad, a little too brooding for me, but Cohen is a great song writer!
A somber album by a great artist at the end of his life. AND it doesn’t have Hallelujah on it so that automatically earns it an extra star
Not a fan. Could see liking him if you're big into poetry, less into music.
it needs one more star at least
Hard to say
Sparse album that lets you really focus on the vocals and lyrics. An album that needs the full attention to listen to. Great but difficult.
Much better than the last Cohen album I was subjected to but still just OK.