You Want It Darker

Interesting. Practically spoken word. Not my cuppa.

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

Album Nr. 48 Hat zwar gut angefangen, wirkt aber mit jedem weiteren Titel mehr und mehr einschläfernd.

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.

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

I like other renditions of his songs, well one song, Hallelujah. Not as moved by his performances as I am by his songwriting.

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

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.

Nicely produced dirge

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 got nothin

Eh

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.

Interesting voice. Would be a great voiceover on TV/film. Maybe an audiobook. Just not music. Insanely bored 5 songs in. 1.5*

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.

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.

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"

What a voice! Nice atmosphere about the album, only a couple of songs stood out though

Reminds me of a modern day Johnny Cash. I loved the instrumentals but not so much the singing and lyrics.

Deep voice was off-putting. Instrumentals were nice, but would not listen again because of vocals.

hm not my music. but nice deep voice "talking"

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 want it brighter, veel te lage stem

I wasn't ready, my lord.

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.

This wasn't unlistenable but it was tough to get through. Instrumentation carried it.

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…

All the songs sound very similar and really just rely on his deep voice to be interesting.

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.

Same good songwriting as his debut with less impressive vocals. Understandable given his age.

Hallelujah wat een schijtalbum, 2/5 want cohen

And I got it darker

Dark is right. Made the best use out of his voice his whole life

Slow 2.2

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.

i have respect for Leonard Cohen as a writer but

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!

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

Much better than the last Cohen album I was subjected to but still just OK.

Atmospheric, mellow instrumentation with his low, gravelly voice. Not too musically interesting, but there's probably a story in the lyrics that I missed

I always just think of Leonard Cohen in the studio like: "dude check out how low I can make my voice go lol doesn't that sound cool"

Cohen's style doesn't grip me, even with the beautiful and intricate lyrics.

Eh

Nicely written songs. Really depressing listen though.

I feel like the mix is really interesting here. The vocals are super far forward but you can still hear the instrumentation. Cohen's voice is super interesting and the poetry is quite good but it doesn't really hit for me. This guy's dying, but I don't know if I can connect with being as world weary as he is

RIP Leonard Cohen. Not my favorite but there are still some cool songs on here.

I didn't want it this dark

Love the voice. Would not call it rock and roll. It’s not that I didn’t enjoy it, however, I do not see it in my top 1000. Only the 2nd one I’ve rated so not sure if I’m being too harsh. It ain’t rock n roll.

The high praise for this feels like a lifetime achievement award---he has much better stuff.

Leonard's deep dark voice doesn't make me horny.

not for me but cool

Not for me at all. Maybe if I was a lyrics person. The music underneath was well produced but the vocals were just awful.

Okay, he's not even singing at this point. And I don't understand English so for me it's just an old dude rambling over minimalistic music

Not my taste but a few cool songs

someone get this geezer a glass of water. this is the clint eastwood of folk rock, melodramatic, been around too long, outta touch, and lame.

This is less music to me and more spoken-word poetry. Lots of bitter songs about failed relationships coming from a dying man - it seems like a very sour way to sum up a life.

boy i don't think this should have been my introduction to leonard cohen. i'm not familiar enough with his music, so the whole "released while he was dying" thing does not really hit for me and personally, this was a bit of a slog. god i'm sorry this album is so boring for me. and boy i really can't get past his voice on this one. it feels like he's barely singing at all. look, i know, i know! i think it's just not for me.

Interesting, but not an album I’d listen too often. Title track feels like it’s out of Breaking Bad

Really can't see why people like this

Music is lovely and ethereal and all musical aspects I really enjoyed. EXCEPT I couldn’t get into Cohen’s spoken word attempt. I may be influenced by snick Cave’s spoken word album but I found Cohen’s voice distracting and disjointed as opposed to blending into a musical/spoken word piece. Wanted to enjoy this a lot more 4/10

Not really my thing, but knowing this was the end, I'm not going to make fun. I know the name and know he has inspired many other artist, but for me I don't get it. I did a little research about him and copied this from a rolling stone article: When the Velvet Underground's John Cale asked him to send over the lyrics so he could cover it, he received a 15-page fax full of discarded verses. Cale cobbled together a new version of the song, which he recorded on the piano. It was that version that Jeff Buckley covered on his 1994 LP Grace, and slowly the song became an absolute sensation, covered so many times that Adam Sandler spoofed the practice at the 12/12/12 charity show at Madison Square Garden. Knowing my boys from Velvet Underground were inspired by this guy, he's OK in my book. I did like the lyrics in Treaty. Was a very unique listen for sure. Almost like a talking book put to music. 2

I can acknowledge Leonard Cohen’s greatness as writer or poet. And listening to a song or two of his in isolation is fine. But a whole album with that monotone voice is really off-putting and no amount of lyrical genius can paper over the fact he can’t and never could sing. Perhaps that’s not the point and never was, and people that love Cohen love him for his words and tales of love, life, meditations on mortality and death, and liberal use of religious symbolism and metaphor. And I get it. He’s brilliant at that, but publish it in book or written form, because for me (and this is the 3rd Cohen album the generator has given me now) his albums are a chore rather than a pleasurable listening experience, and ‘You Want It Darker’ is no exception.

De sigaret die hij aan het roken is op de cover is echt aan het inslaan Elk nummer is eigenlijk een beetje hetzelfde - behalve steer your way die op de een of andere manier beter binnenkomt

I loved the first song, the rest just sounded the same. Depressing spoken word poetry over minimalist background music. Its fine, but I'm not going to be returning for more listens.

I don’t know why I didn’t realize the guy who wrote hallelujah would have a lot of religious vibes to his songs. Vocals were different, album was a bit mediocre. I felt like he was trying to say something or be edgy, but he didn’t do it well.

Couldn't get into it. Still kinda cool. Might have needed a different environment.

Put a pin in this one for when i have less joie de vivre

Very nice deep voice, but the music overall just was not for me.

It was okay. His voice was a little off and the songs mostly sounded very similar

Boygenius reference

My 4 year old said "He sounds like a bad guy" and she is right. The title track gives me major Scar vibes from The Lion King. In a way, the music actually fits his voice better than some of the other albums we have had to listen to. That is the only reason that I am giving this an extra star and should in no way be misinterpreted as a softening of my dislike for this artist.

“Not this asshole’s voice again…” - Me 2 Leonard Cohen albums ago predicting this review. Not far off. To his credit almost entirely gave up trying to sing and somewhat melodically talked the lyrics. It’s the best use of his voice that I still dislike. I very much enjoyed the music on Traveling Light. Thank goodness this is the last Cohen album we have! See, I found two nice things to say, which is a record for me and Leonard Cohen.

The music itself is very good but I CANNOT with this low gravelly voice. I don’t know why but it’s so unsettling and I physically can’t finish this

Raspy but good to nap to 2.5/5

Ei jaksa innostua levyllisestä puhetta musan päälle.

Tommonen rauhallinen runopläjäys. En saanut orgasmia…

Leonard Cohen would make for a good sleep therapist if you didn't understand English. If you did, someone better tell him you were looking for music, not a talking album.

I want it lighter.

Interesting voice, almost spoken word

Singer songwriter album with strange, very deep and almost spoken vocals with dark lyrics and sparse production. I wasn’t a fan at all however I like it slightly better than the similar sounding album from Bill Callahan.

Not my style

Ok though a bit drab

Not my type

- Very much sounds like a man on his deathbed - Clearly a strong songwriter - Groovy, but not for me

Love the title song. The rest all sounded the same.

More Leonard Cohen... I mean, really?! 4 albums out of 1001 so far. Hopefully, this is the last. The title track is rather good, but my god he needs a holiday in the sun and to cheer the fuck up.

doing this one out of order to get all the Leonard Cohen album's done why are there four here he's really old in this one

Find it a hard listen

Never got the attraction of Leonard Cohen

Continue to not be able to appreciate the music of Cohen. Lyrics are ok, but don’t move me

For me it is a boring humming from an old man.

The fifth Leonard Cohen album we've got and certainly the one I enjoyed the least. It sounds like a mix of French chansonnier and Christian church music to me - both not styles I'm a fan of. I guess the direction makes sense for the point of life Cohen was at. But it's not something I care to listen to.

Who seriously could like this? Just speaking into a microphone with some light repetitive instrumentals. 3/10.

There is some nice tasty backing and some clever lyrics but I still find him annoying.

They lyricism is great. But it's still just an old man whispering over violin and acoustic guitars.

The music was great but this was such a strange album.

I can respect what he's doing, but the self-important talk singing just doesn't hold a lot of appeal for me.

musikalisch und textlich interessant, Stimme und Sprechgesang furchtbar

It's OK, I guess? If you've never heard Leonard Cohen before, this is a pretty good example of his sound. That said, his sound is kind of hit or miss.

I think the author of the book took the "before you die" part of the assignment a little too literally.

Kudos to whatever studio forced this one out of Leonard before the poor old fart died – the cigarette on the cover is fitting, as the man sounds like he's on death's doorstep with how onerous he croaks out each verse. The range and dynamism of his earlier vox are clearly out of reach on this one, and even if the vocals were at their previous peak the dollar-bin production and instrumentation would damn this LP anyway.

If I wanted to listen to somebody croon I’d listen to Lana Del Rey

El álbum realmente no es algo a lo que acostumbro a escuchar, tiene buenas letras pero me parece que con alguna connotación religiosa, su voz no es muy de mi agrado y es muy tranquilo y calmado para el ritmo que me gusta. No es lo que me gusta escuchar y tampoco me parece un álbum reluciente.

Disco con el estilo característico del cantante en sí. Melancólico, triste, y más que cantado, narrado. En ocasiones, un tanto deprimente. Tiene algún buen gesto, pero demasiado plano y similar entre sí

I made the mistake of trying to listen to this on a sunny day. Had to try again in the evening. Being old definitely suits him but there weren't quite enough musical ideas or great lyrics to sustain the whole thing

Bit weird. Better than the other one on the list.

I liked the other Cohen albums that I listened to along this list, but this specific one I didn't like too much. It looks like a poetry reading session more than an album. Maybe I'm not in the vibe.

Not for me

Feels bad to say, but although i get the emption of the situation and lyrics, the voice and arrangement do less than nothing for me.

I deeply revere his 60s and 70s albums, but for me personally, he has a sharp cut off date in the 80s. His voice got flatter then and his style of arranging changed to where I no longer enjoyed the sound. Still a great songwriter all the way through to the end but honestly I'd rather hear other people interpret these songs. Hearing him croak them out on his deathbed is just sad. While listening to this album I just kept trying to imagine the songs being sung in his youthful voice.

Didn't like it

My grandma loved him. His vocals are mixed so high on this record it feels silly. I know that's the point with Cohen. But, I mean, we get it, man. It's distracting and I honestly didn't get into this record as a result. Hoping for more early-period Cohen on this list. All the instruments sound superb. And the lyrics (especially given his subsequent death) are prescient. It feels like a final farewell.

Good voice, a tad too slow

Boring

Weird that this album was on the list, considering how late it is. And not that great?

I want it meistens gar nicht. Nicht euer Ernst, oder? Texte gut, Musik Schrott.

Mama always told me that if you can’t say anything nice…. And seeing that this album was completed only 17 days before his death, I’ll bite my tongue. Suffice to say I’m still not a Leonard Cohen fan.

Peculiar album

I have heard some Cohen on a soundtrack once. It was ok. The album has some nice ambiance in some songs but his singing style is kinda repetitive as its more like talking.

Hm

It not my music

Artistic and poetic, but I really can’t listen to album after album of depressed muttering

I think I like his older stuff better. This album was a bit too spoken word for me.

I couldn't really get through this one.

I've heard of Leonard Cohen, but never listened to any of his music. From the first note I wasn't sure what to expect, but when that deep, booming yet soulful voice came at me I was taken aback. Overall it was a very dark and somber album that was ok but wouldn't go out of my way to listen to. Best: You Want It Darker Worst: Steer Your Way

Voice halfway between Thriller/Hot Summer Night narration and typical singing. Dark/religious theme lyrics. Quieter music, style gets old by the end of the album. Select listening/Halloween would be good!

Pretty dark.

Gets too much attention simply because Leonard Cohen died shortly after this was released. That doesn't automatically mean this is good! Maybe Cohen and Tom Waits can get together at the after party and determine who had the more annoying, gravelly voice (it's no surprise that my favorite song is the instrumental closer). The only thing I want darker is my coffee. And my men.

Oude man vertelt verhaaltjes. Als je er van houdt kan het leuk zijn, maar het is niet zo mijn ding. Verder ook niet irritant of zo. **

This one left me cold. Had the same Cohen vibe I like a lot, but nothing here made me want to listen again.

It was alright. Nothing really noteworthy. I had didn't hate it. A lot of just speaking the lyrics.

so spooky

Not expecting back to give back to back 2 star reviews for Leonard Cohen. Too dark for me. In the words of Tom Hanks “I want something peppy, something snappy”…

Spock was better

This sounds like something I'd hear on a radio in a movie directed by Guillermo del Toro. I'll listen to it if it's in the background of something else I'm concentrating on, but as an album it's not very interesting. Favorite track: Leaving the Table

Questo album è quello che mi ha messo più in crisi forse in assoluto. Leonard Cohen era nella mia lista di gente che aspettavo alla resa dei conti. Questo disco però è un macello da giudicare, è stato scritto e registrato con lui che manco se reggeva in piedi. Da una parte è evidente che la voce ti al secondo pezzo già diventa irritante (ma appunto poraccio c'ha delle attenuanti), dall'altra comunque è il disco di una persona matura che probabilmente sa pure che non gli rimane molto da vivere e quindi ti aspetteresti qualcosa di incredibilmente profondo. E infatti suona come un disco profondo, però secondo me ci suona e basta e la cosa mi irrita pure. A me sto disco sembra pretenzioso, magari un giorno rivaluterò questo voto quando avrò più esperienza per giudicare ma per ora me dispiace tanto Leonard RIP è 2.

Great lyrics and some great tunes but gets tiresome quickly.

You Want It Darker is not an unqualified triumph, but I still enjoyed it, mostly because of Leonard Cohen's take on mortality, (not) coming to terms with God, life and impending death. I'm sure I missed a few, but here's one memorable line: "As He died to make men holy Let us die to make things cheap" A short laugh out loud, followed by an internal groan. Sadly, the music actually diminished the impact of Cohen's poetry. It's old-fashioned in all the worst ways. It's overbearing when it should be spare, sentimental where it should be cold and bleak. Imagine the impact if Leonard Cohen had hired someone like Boards of Canada to do the music. Leonard Cohen was never much of a guitarist, but his accompaniment for Songs Of Leonard Cohen was a good fit for his poetry. If you want the full impact Leonard Cohen is capable of, watch McCabe and Mrs. Miller, a fable about our wonderful and plucky free enterprise system, which has the songs of Leonard Cohen as its soundtrack. By the end of the movie, you may want to kill yourself, but then again, Leonard Cohen was always tuned in to the more melancholy currents of life. On Accuradio, I used to hear a version of Democracy, a relatively modern Leonard Cohen tune, that I've never been able to find. That version was ghostly and gorgeous, deepening the themes of Cohen's poetry. The released version was a horrible patriotic march, intended as irony, I'm sure. You Want It Darker isn't as bad as that, but I regard it as a missed opportunity.

What a Lovely deep gravelly voice.

Enjoyed the music to this but couldn't get on with the vocals for a whole album. Was ok though, surprise surprise another 2*.

Not really my cup of tea but I respect it.

I wasn’t surprised to see that the dude died shortly after this was released. It had some interesting composition pieces, but his voice is mostly speaking and the mood a bit melancholy instead of how I think of Jonny Cash toward the end of his life.

Somehow manages to be both interesting and boring

M'agrada molt Leonard Cohen, hi ha àlbums seus que em porten a la infància i a la adolescència, i la seva poesia em sol emocionar profundament. Podria enumerar desenes de cançons seves que col·locaria en una hipotètica llista de les meves preferides. Però amb aquest àlbum (que desconeixia tret de la cançó titular) no hi he connectat. Me'l guardaré per fer una escolta atenta en el futur, però la primera impressió ha estat més aviat tíbia.

graveliest voice

Dark, gravely voice. Melodic album, you’d really have to be in the mode for this one, not a listen on loop thing.

eh

Interesting at first, but got really boring really quickly. I liked the story telling , poem driven method but will never listen to it again tbh

just not for me

Feels like an old man i saying a poem

cant stand his voice

Creepy voice

nao gostei nem um pouco, sorry.

Good songs, but voice is too deep? Made me uncomfortable.

First listen

unbelievably boring. just a guy with a dark voice.

another largely spoken word album. a couple of interesting songs/poem(?) but still of little interest to me

Perdón Leonard, pero muy aburrido el disco... No llegué a conectar con ninguna canción.

Q verga

bit boring

I understand the circumstances surrounding this album's recording and release, but this is just such a bore,

I've never been a fan of Leonard Cohen unfortunately. This was hard to listen to, only because I thought it was more spoken word than anything.

Seriöst det med pedofiliska jag hört i hela mitt liv

I don't know what Cohen's earlier albums are like, but this felt like bad spoken word.

That was depressing. I'm also not fond of his singing voice.

4th Cohen album I've had on this list and I continue to question why any of them are here. Maybe he's a good poet. Frankly I don't give a shit about that. This is a list about music and this music is awful, generic drivel. Add his trademark low-talking vocals over the top and it becomes completely intolerable.

😟

Nope

When William Shatner sounds self-important, I think it might be his schtick, might. With Leonard Cohen, I’m pretty sure his self-importance is the real deal.

I have very strong negative views about LC, he's in a class of his own.

This guys the biggest suck to ever suck.

Man skulle kunna hoppas att när man blir äldre och visare slutar man ta sig själv på så jävla blodigt allvar, inte är så uppfylld av sitt eget geni och tar sig ur sitt eget arsle åtminstone lite grann. Men inte Cohen inte. Stanna i kloster din pretentiösa fan!

Todas son muy habladas. La música es buena pero me da mucha flojera que su voz sea todo lo mismo

Are you kidding me with this lol I guess the music is pleasant enough (I guess) but I just can't take this guy's "vocals" seriously. The whole talk-singing thing is probably never going to work for me, but I guess some people appreciate it. NOT for me at all.

If you want to hear an old man rambling while boring ass music plays, boy to I have the perfect album for you.

Track one sounded like it was on the opening credits of some bad ass movie I watched a while ago....that was pretty much the only good thing about this collection of 'songs'.

I'm so fucking scared

crusty old man voice rambling about his grandchildren not visiting him backed by ossanslop tunes

meh. not for me

I guess it isn't awful, but Cohen just isn't my taste, even his best stuff. This album is not his best stuff.

I'm definitely not the demographic for this, it was okay though I could be too young to get it... maybe when in the future I'll have an appreciation for it but its just so not my thing favourites : String Reprise / Treaty

Bad. Terrible. No good.

No thanks.

bijna asmr joh dit vind ik niet fijn ieeek

I’m sorry

Una mierda. No me como la curva de los que dicen que es muy poético y las letras son buenísimas y esas boludeces. Hay mil artistas que hicieron canciones con unas letras de las san puta y al mismo tiempo disfrutables de escuchar. En cambio esto es una verga inescuchable.

Why

No thank you

Not quite my tempo

I did not enjoy that at all.

It's just an old bloke that smokes 60 woodbines a day, talking over some really dull music ... or am I missing something???

Bad. Very bad.

This might have been the worst album I have listened to since starting this. J Just bad. I don't understand why this crap is considered something everyone needs to listen to?

I don’t get it, I mean he had an unique voice, but not for me.

cool voice, but songs suck

Reading poetry over music doesn’t really do it for me, But there were a couple tunes I kind of enjoyed. Props to a Canadian Legend though - I’ll try this again in another 30 years - maybe then I’ll get it.

Spoken songs are not really my jam. Also underwhelming instrumental. Don’t ever see myself reaching for anything by this artist honestly. At least not until the first million in the bank.

I did not want it darker

1 - TERRIBLE

what the actual fuck i guess. Onda, entiendo por qué esto le puede gustar a alguien???? onda, slow music, señor que canta turbo grave, etc. pero el mismatch entre lyrics y melodía (es medio como que el canto del señor es almost poetry reading y no cantar per se) me perturba, como que no me termina de cerrar, no me termina de gustar. Eso sumado a que las melodías terminan sonandome repetitivas después de un rato, me la re baja al puno donde ni lo quise terminar bien, empecé a skippear canciones ya halfway through it, lo cual es decir un montón, el disco es cortísimo. No escucharía esto de nuevo, just not for me. Ahora leyendo la wiki entiendo por qué le puede gustar a la gente, lo escribió muy close a su muerte, los lyrics justo tocan temas darks related, etc. Pero creo que esto solo confirma que es mejor cuando venís a las cosas medio blind, porque musicalmente sigue no cayendome bien. Escuché otros temas del señor en spotify y suele cantar!!!!!111 por favor denme más de eso no quiero mas poetry reading no-melódico.

1 star, Tough listen, sounds like something you'd hear at a funeral while on heroin.

lets put it like this, i dont love spoken word stuff, much less did i enjoy the topics, and more than the topics is the narrative surrounding the songs. trully not for me, maybe 2-3 years ago it could have really hit, but now i didn't enjoy it

Not for me, artistically it might be brilliant as a man dying is coming to terms with his mortality, musically I don’t find it enjoyable and it’s not something I want to listen to, and enjoyable doesn’t mean oh the atmosphere was sad because I do like sad songs, not enjoyable as in I don’t particularly like spoken word.

1.5

How does this artist have 2 albums in this list is mindblowing

No thats okay

Music for old people above the 65 nothing for me

My first double up - Already listened to it. I just don't like Leonard Cohen. I don't get the appeal of his guttural spoken word. Some of the music behind his speak-singing is decent. But he is boring.

Made me uncomfortable. Felt like I was seductively getting sweet talked by an old man.

Darker yes, but not boring.

The slam poetry rasp of this one doesn’t exactly do it for me, either, unfortunately.

longe de ser meu estilo. não consegui ouvir 2 músicas

Still don’t get it…

The Good: Mr Cohen just kept on smoking! The Bad: He should have been smoking something else… The Ugly: Having to sit through another Cohen album! FUCK ME. 5. FIVE FUCKING TIMES! You listen to one Cohen album, you’ve heard them all. Sure, if you like that kind of stuff, then enjoy it. I really believe that I will have to buy the book of the 1001 albums so that I can start understanding what the rationale is for Dimery and his list. This was the third album I’ve had to listen to, so the last 2 albums need to either be something spectacular, or I am going to shit a brick. Also, what is it with dying artist needing to record a swang song? Off to listen to silence for the next 2 hours… 1*

I’m not sure what I just listened to

Like the guy but this was a completely useless album.

Jesus Christ. Another Leonard Cohen album? You’re telling me no artists not on this list have ever recorded an album that would be better time spent listening than all of the Cohen albums? This is some bullllshit.

Not for me 1/5

Feel really harsh with this one. But it was half 5 in the morning. I was tired trying to bike to work His fucked up voice did it for me. You take this album with good vocals or someone else singing it I could see it been a decent album I probably won’t go back to it anymore

Oh, for fuck's sake already.... this shit again? At this point, being forced to listen to yet another Leonard Cohen album is making me angry. VERY angry. So angry, in fact, that if Leonard Cohen were still alive, I would wish him dead. You Like that, Dimery? Does it make you happy that your choices have made me betray my core beliefs and wish another man dead? Never mind that he has already passed. I want to bring ol' Lenny back from the afterlife so that I may inflict agonizing pain upon him and end his existence once again. Does that make you happy, Bob? Is that what you really want? What the hell is wrong with you, Bobbo? You sick fuck.

Didn’t fw it

Terrible

No

🥇if i didn’t have your love 🥈leaving the table 🥉steer your way

Not a fan but respect the weird

wth is this, it doesn’t even sound like he’s singing

I didn’t like this at all. Couldn’t finish it.

I never expected what would come after that first song. I really didn't enjoy this experience. Top: You Want It Darker (i guess???) Not Top: All of it, but Treaty was the worst

How low can you go.. how low can you go…this guy makes my voice seem like a Alvin and the Chipmunk’s 🐿️ My first listen through didn’t love it my second lesson through. I enjoyed the first half of the album a lot more than the second half… I’ve never really known the affection that Leonard Cohen has got from anything that he’s made, but I know people seem to adore him and think he’s the best thing since Wonderbread. I don’t think I’ll be listening to more of this. It’s kind of like talk poetry but with weird inflictions.

What is even going on with his spoken word thing

Honestly, he should have just skipped making the album. It's actually just spoken poetry on top of random music. The music is fine but I wouldn't to this listen again.

I just dont understand the list's love affair with Leonard Cohen (there's a total of four). while not as moody as the previous offering, but this one is just blah as well. it just seems that the only people who listen to him are snobbish music critics who want to sound important to the point of making you wonder what you're missing by not listening to him. the truth is that no one listens to him, your taste is better, and you should wonder why the critic has a job.

No. Worst one yet.

First things first, some of the lyrics are interesting. I think another artist could’ve potentially done something with these lyrics. Some individuals are meant to write music. Some are meant to write lyrics and some are meant to do both. I think in this case this guy should’ve just stuck to lyrics. The positives, the album was only 36 minutes long. No other positives. Negatives too many to list.

C'est vraiment vraiment pas pour moi.

Depressing

I wrote that the Dire Straits album yesterday was melancholy, but this album puts that one to shame. I can only think of two situations to listen to this album, one could be a very dark moody cocktail party with this low in the background and easily talked over or when grieving the loss of a loved one. This album makes you want to hide in a dark corner and contemplate life, loss, and suffering. Cohens voice is deep and moody, which magnifies the dark mood of this album. The music is fine, and Cohen talks more than he sings. This wouldn’t be on my list of 1001 albums, but I can see how it may be on someone’s. This isn’t my cup of tea, but may have its place in someone’s collection.

Most terrifying album I’ve ever heard

Bro n’est pas Renaud. Fumeur maxxing au point d’avoir la clope à la main sur la cover; t’inquiètes bro on avait entendu à ta voix.

Boring and overrated, like all LC.

Maybe I could use this to help me get to sleep

How much darker and more somber can it get?

Meh. Never liked him

I would choose Nick Cave over Leonard Cohen when I'm looking to explore these emotions

Absolute fucking dog water

How does one begin to say bad things about an album created by a legendary singer on his death bed? Well, I guess one could start by saying that at this point in his life, he just could not sing very well. Understandable. He is on his death bed as previously mentioned. I can cut him some slack for that, but I won't listen to the album again. He can't sing. I like listening to good singing. Now, lyrically this album is probably a 5/5. The songs are written beautifully. Another issue I have with the album is the instruments. It's very minimalistic. Usually just a piano, maybe some strings of some sort occasionally. That's fine, but it obviously is taking a backseat to the singing, which as I've said isn't good. This album would be perfect if it was sung by someone who still had that ability. No hate to Leonard Cohen, though. I am excited to hear his previous works. I'm just not a fan of this one.

Completely turd of a record

I know Leonard Cohen is considered a great poet, but his musical ability always feels lacking. Also, if this album was by anyone else it would be in the dustbin of washed up artists.

He was way too loud in my ear

1/10 the dude just talked the whole ass time really boring

I just don’t get it. Every song sounds the same because Cohen doesn’t sing along to any tune. He speaks his lines in the same bored cadence. This just sucked. I couldn’t wait for it to be over. 1

Not for me

Absolut nicht meine Musik

Not my thang...

Some old dude moaning about Jesus. This is my FIFTH LC album on this project and its making me really question what people enjoy in these records.

This is really interesting, it genuinely feels like a guy talking over a track at times, I don't think I'm a fan. Although the music in the background sounds good. Summary: Sounds good, vocals bad

Man, that was the worst album I’ve ever heard

Not my thing at all...

I'm quite sure I'll not like this. Lenny's voice is awesome, but usually his music is all lyrics and not enough cool riffs. It's about heavy breath on your ear, loads of air in the sound and not enough meat on the bone.

Talk about a brutal send off album. Leonard sure got darker and not surprised he died shortly after the release. Kinda feel bad for the guy cause this wasn't a "had a great life, see ya" record like Bowie's finale. Dude was down and sounds like he "Left the Table" with a pair of 2's. A life of touring and scoring literally broke his back. I am not into Cohen's talk song style but I guess it's unique and poetic. Doubt I ever play this again, hopefully not cause any occasion that calls for this is dire. 1.10 fading stars.

After the first song and title track I didn't think the album would be so awful. Unfortunately I was hit with more and more very slow, acoustic folk rock from an aging octogenarian that did very little to keep this interesting. I'm sure the list creator finds meaning in this album but I'm not sure I had to hear this before I died. Just because the guy was 80 doesn't mean I have to enjoy it. Evidently I do want it darker as I found this album pretty much a bore. I didn't realize that I gave his prior entry such a low score because I had basically removed this from my memory but that tracks. To echo prior review, I'd like to nope out of future Leonard Cohen albums if possible. 0.76 stars

nah

Tough listen. Not much of a vocalist, very dark. Not my vibe.

Fuck no.

Not my thing at all

Baaah! Was never a fan and listening to this, I was reminded why.

Not for me

Asmr ahh album

I suppose that there is an artistic merit to Leonard Cohen but he just isn't for me.

Yeah that was a rough 36 minutes.

Ik vond dit vrij matig. Erg traag, een vieze oude rokersstem die alleen maar op een lage, bijna monotone pitch de lyrics fluistert. Ben vanaf de helft snel door de nummers geskipt om te kijken of er nog iets redeemings in zat, maar voor mij zat het er niet in.

BOOOOOOO Blasphemous 👎👎👎👎

Massive respect to a hugely popular artist who died shortly after this was released. However, apologies, but for me, You Want It Darker is not made any more poignant for that fact - it's still just "man mumbles over mostly uninspired and uninteresting musical backing". I mean, his work was pretty bleak while he still had his whole life in front of him, he's not going to be any less so reflecting on his own mortality, is he? It offers me no insight into his plight or the human condition though, just cliched appeals to pseudo-religious imagery which do not interest me one bit.

Can this even be considered music? He's just talking over some sounds, and boy is his voice is grating.

not for me.

So weird

Would rather listen to William Shatner.

i do not like poetry

Didnt rlly resonate with me

Vocals were so bad good instrumentals doe 1.5 star

no me lo quiste escuchar not the vibe

Jedinica iz principa. // Bila bi jedinica jer sam htjela da počinim samoubistvo.

I was raised Catholic - but haven’t been to church in 25+ years. I listened to this on a Sunday morning as was right back in a church pew feeling bad about everything I’ve ever done in my life.

Not for me

Very disappointing.

a 1, hate, stop making music please

"on the level" is a good song... other than that... this is a cow patty... i'm sure people think this artist is great... he sure seems to be TRYING to be deep and artistic... but, that's all i can see... a man TRYING... and expecting you to think because he croaks... and talks some kind of pretty prose... that you might fight off boredom and suffer through it and then call it great.. and make fun of all the folks who now listen to it because you said so... lol... to compare this guy to Bob Dylan... is like apples and oranges... one guy is a genius SONGWRITER... who can rock and roll... the other one is Leonard Cohen... stock... hack... let me throw in some esoteric Biblical terms, etc... to seem "profound"... five stars if you are a fan... one star for one ok song from me... is that harsh? not enough... lol... zzzzzz

No

Not for me

So ass dude. What was this