Reviews (page 3 of 13)
Very charming, and a great send-off after having a lengthy career.
This album is immediately one of the best I’ve ever listened to. I relistened like four times already. It’s scarily relevant to my life right now, but while he offers no solutions or direct help there is a strange peace exuded through the album in cohen’s surrender. Also the circumstances of this album alone are just crazy. He sounded amazing even at his age on his death bed. The first time his voice is heard in the opening track was so ominous, creepy, and powerful but all in a good way. I was also a huge fan of all the background singers. There’s a certain level of album where it’s good enough you can’t ever listen to it. Like I don’t think I can add these songs to my big rotation playlists cause hearing this album without being emotionally prepared for it could just side rail a perfectly normal day. So for that 6/5.
More or less a spoken word poetry album. Cohen died 17 days after its release, and media coverage of his death is what had prompted me to first start listening to him (more through compilations and playlists than individual albums - I know I heard the title track off this album back then but I'm not sure about the rest). This is a very good (but bleak) album, and the context around its recording gives it an extra weight that gets it into 5-star territory for me.
I love this album. Cohen doing what Cohen does best.
I listened to this for the first time not too long ago as I saw it on a list of some of the best of Cohen's albums. Definitely a little more contemporary in sound, though this is mostly due to recording techniques--his sound is typically kind of timeless. The title track is amazing, vintage Leonard Cohen. Treaty is great writing. Traveling Light, Steer Your Way and It Seemed the Better Way are awesome. It's a great, complete album, and though I'm really only familiar with his earliest albums, this one definitely holds up. 4.5.
haunting and sooo beautiful. my faves were the treaty and leaving the table. really grateful for the chance to sit down with this, I probably wouldn’t have without this album list
Amazing songwriter and poet. I love his voice, but understand why so many artists cover his music and put their own twists on it. I listen to Leonard Cohen often and can't complain.
I ended up loving this album. The titular song is great, and I knew it before. The music underneath Cohen's mostly spoken words is really compelling, and the sound of his voice is very powerful. Great album.
In beginning of 2016, David Bowie broke my heart with 'Lazarus' from Blackstar. Later that year, Leonard Cohen did exactly the same with the title track from You Want It Darker. 'I'm ready, my Lord' is absolutely crushing and the album is a perfect parting gift.
You Want It Darker is the perfect end to Cohen’s wonderful career. His voice became progressively more fitting for his songwriting as he aged and the songs are filled with both sorrow and humor - a most excellent full stop.
Fantastic
Can do no wrong. I suppose I’m partial to his earlier material, but I still cannot fathom how he remained on top of his game until the very end.
A beautiful last album, talk about ending on a high. it's a 4.5 but i'll give it a 5, why not.
Would listen to this if it was just a reading. What a way to go out.
Loved it. Normally not a fan of talk-singing but the words were beautiful and so was the music.
This was devastating and I loved it.
Beautiful, sad and emotional. Can't say anything other people here haven't said eloquently already. But I think it's well worth a listen
Perfect for dark times.
The title track is amazing. Not a bad lyric amongst the songs. That is saying something given how heavy handed Cohen was in general. Here's to Canada's man in black.
The best swansong anyone has done so far. He has been a true poet until his last breath.
I am sure this was great and the lyrics seemed interesting but I personally couldn't make it too far through this album yesterday. I will try to give it another shot though.
Leonard Cohen possessed the ultimate amount of gravitas. His voice is the opposite of a dog whistle. The album was extremely consistent throughout with its gospel and American folk influences. The two genres almost clash in the way that some songs alternate between gospel harmonies and 12-bar blues chord progressions. This helped to outline the clear religious turmoil prevalent throughout the album. Not something I, with my staunch religious views, can understand or relate to. The only song I had heard before was You Want It Darker which kicks off the effective use of unsettling minor chords which resolve into uplifting/biblical cadences. The incredibly short album made me feel like I had just spent a month on my deathbed. Cohen had a vibe and a message that he wanted to convey with this album and I don't think he could have done it any better so it gets five bags of popcorn from me.
The relief I felt going into this after listening to brothers on the same walk cannot be overstated. Some actual musical variety, and it’s almost like poetry as well. I’m blessed.
I won't let preconceived notions discourage me again. I had 2 very misplaced ideas of this album: 1. Leonard Cohen was Lou Reed. My bad. 2. Even though I found point 1 to be untrue, it would still be equally tedious. How wrong I was. Deeply moving album. I shed a few tears at the final lines. There's not much I'd listen through here individually, but I'll certainly be listening to the album again as a whole.
I wanted to dig into more Cohen before getting to this but I've been putting it off for 9 years apparently. Pretty awesome Epitaph. Though it's one of those albums that suffers when lacking context around it Highlight: Travelling Light
Fan-tas-tisch. Eerder het Bowie album gehad wat hij aan het einde van zn leven maakte en op de een of andere manier vond ik dat al geweldig. Maar wat Leo hier doet... De man had altijd al een bepaalde zwartgalligheid om zich heen, en natuurlijk helpt zijn ontzettend zware stem goed mee, maar dan nog. Dit album is iemand op zn sterbed. Hij overweegt zn hele leven, waar ging het fout? Had hij dingen anders kunnen doen? Ook de ontzettend minimale instrumenten dragen echt bij aan de sfeer. Ik kan me absoluut voorstellen dat ik vaker niet dan wel in de stemming ben om dit album aan te zetten, maar als je in de stemming bent dan is er denk ik bijna geen beter album voor te stellen dan dit. Heel af en toe word de zware stem van Leo onderbroken door een koor. Je-zus wat is dit een sfeervol album zeg! Fantastisch album, zelfs zonder banaan op de cover. FAVO: Alles, het album onderscheidt zich moeilijk in losse nummers, maar dit is echt een front to back album. Je luistert dit bijna niet als een single hier en daar, maar in plaats daarvan luister je het hele album.
I am vibed
rest in peace king
Stopped me in my tracks a bit this album. The first track "You want it darker" caught me by surprise and I felt compelled to look into the album and Leonard Cohen a little more. He died a few days after this album was released which explained a lot of the themes that were laced through it. It's not something I'd listen to again in a hurry- but hearing what is essentially this man's final monologue, as he stares down the barrel of his own mortality was quite poignant, and something I really enjoyed. Not in a morbid or sadistic way, like I know being a Zionist Jew in this day and age isn't very fashionable, but I don't mean "enjoyed" like I'm some Hugo Boss clad album Nazi, that listens to perishing Jews on repeat every evening to unwind, I mean it sincerely. The ebbs and flows Cohen provides were superb and profound, as he wrestles with his fate- meandering through acceptance, melancholic reflectance, hope and tinges of regret. The orchestral reprise of treaty at the end felt like a perfect topper to the album, and all in all I personally struggle to find a reason not to give this a 5.
Loved it. Awesome.
FANTASTIC
<3
This was a truly visceral emotional experience, sparse and simple keeping a perfect length for this retrospection on life. It’s an album I can see myself coming back to periodically to take in its genius. Rating: 5
I've been struggling with these farewell albums. I hated Blackstar Somehow Cohen manages to compensate for the crumbling voice and makes a very depressed album shine in a way that is almost unbeleivable. The lyrics seem less complicated than his previous albums, but it also feels like an intensely personal conversation with god.
I hadn't listened to much later era Cohen and the way his voice matured and gained grit was just fantastic! Not a million miles away from Tom Waits/Iggy's radio voice
A real beauty. Like Black Star by Bowie, or the Wind by Warren Zevon, this is a record put out by an artist who knew he didn't have a lot of time left. The title track, "Treaty", "Leaving the Table", "Traveling Light", and "On the Level" were all highlights.
If I if I had to choose one album that I could accompany myself on a guitar while singing at a coffee shop open mic this would be my current first pick.
Obviously knew about Cohen, but never listened to him. How much I regret that. This is a bit melancholy, but great.
Excellent
Amazing
lalalalalalala
IMO, best listend as a whole. Leonard Cohen's strong, dark voice leads us through a masterful exploration of mortality, depression, and spiritual longing with both gravitas and exciting expectation.. This is one of my favorites and I can listen to endlessly, a deep final statement from a legendary songwriter.
You want it darker You want it starker Brings back dark days sewing the seed of what lays 2016 a dark year 2020 is when it became darker we lived in great fear so 2016 it all seemed starker
This is so miserable and good. I don't know why people about to die are so good at music but guess that's when I'll record my album
I wasn't expecting this. The title track, which opens the album, is amazing, Cohen's voice darker and smokier than ever, the Jewish (?) chanting at the end adding to what seems to be criticism of religion or preachers. I didn't realise that this was released days before Cohen's death but it has that feeling, similar to Johnny Cash's American recordings, of a final statement, a setting right of things, a last will and testament - especially on "Leaving the Table". I have always respected, never loved, Leonard Cohen's work but I really like this and maybe I have to go deeper, and darker.
This album, released just a few weeks before Cohen's death, is arguably his best one. Certainly Cohen knew that his time was coming soon, and this album is testament to the utter grace with which he accepted that. Subject matter is diverse here, the lyrics are often ambiguous, but meaning shines through often enough (Leaving the Table, You Want It Darker, If I Didn't Have Your Love, Traveling Light). The best song, however, is Treaty, whicht together with its Reprise in String Reprise/Treaty is as poignant as it is moving. I cannot recommend this album enough. 5/5
The title track alone would be enough for it to earn a place in my charts. Treaty is good as well, and along with its reprise forms a beautiful bookend to the rest of the album. On the Level through If I Didn’t Have Your Love is a slump, sonically. Cohen’s signature cheap synth pads and simple arpeggios undercut his lyrics. It’s difficult to believe the gospel when it sounds more like karaoke. Traveling Light recaptures the highs of the opener, though, and the album finishes strong from there.
Sombre mais combien bel album, imprégné de poésie. La première chanson est tout simplement un chef d’œuvre. Plusieurs autres m’ont aussi rempli de grâce, en particuli Celles avec les chœurs si beaux.
This haunting album stays with you. Fantastic
12/16/24. Wow, really great album. And I didn't know this was Cohen's last while alive. Nicely contained but emotional at the same time, and lovely instrumentals. One of my favorites recently.
Perfect poetry.
FIRST BOB NOW THIS???? i just can't stop winning!! one of the best albums ever and a personal favorite OBVIOUSLY
an impeccable late career masterpiece
Shows to me that music doesn't have to be spectacularly energetic or heavily produced to be good. The last testament of a world-class poet.
Self explanatory. Been a favourite for years
This was a dark album, but really good. I was surprised how much I enjoyed it.
I haven’t looked at the reviews yet, but I already know there’s going to be more than a few who trash this album. Cohen has always been polarizing like that. I can’t remember where I heard it, but I remember a conversation about Leonard Cohen where someone was basically saying that Leonard Cohen was one of those artists that they never “got” when they were young. Then, at some point, they were finally at a point in their life where they were ready to receive and appreciate what he was doing, and it just “clicked”. That was the case for me. And it was this album, probably surprisingly for some, that made it click for me. I had always been aware of Leonard Cohen as “that guy with the deep voice that makes weird music. You know…the Hallelujah guy.” But I never really thought much of him until I heard this album. I was going through kind of a dark time in my life (as was the country) when this album came out, and these songs just rocked me. I was so touched by the delicate display of emotion throughout, while still maintaining a strong masculinity. The tongue-in-cheek (but maybe not completely tongue-in-cheek) biblical and religious references also really resonated with me as someone who was raised staunchly religious but has since turned away from that (with all the deep-seeded trauma and guilt that comes with a decision like that). I still count (the song) You Want it Darker as one of my all time favorites. Hearing Leonard come to terms with his life, and the fact that it was quickly coming to an end, is such an intimate and haunting thing for him to have shared with us. And I’m so grateful for it. It might be one of the most brutal and powerful expressions of surrender I’ve ever heard recorded in a song. It still gives me chills. “Hineni, Hineni. I’m ready, my lord.” What an artistic powerhouse we lost just weeks after this album was released. Wherever Leonard is now, I hope he’s found his peace. ❤️ — 5/5 Highlights: You Want It Darker Treaty On the Level Leaving the Table String Reprise / Treaty
Cohen's best work. Supremely atmospheric, gorgeous, and hits like a sledgehammer. The only Cohen album to truly take my breath away.
4.5 stars Embarrassingly, I think I have only heard other people cover Cohen's songs so I was not prepared for the gravel in his voice. After a few songs it got to be a bit much for me but the lyrics and instrumentation were so beautiful.
Influential. Beautiful. No notes.
🎧 Melancholy and brooding but somehow life affirming too. A beautiful farewell from a deeply spiritual artist.
a great late career record very introspective
I loved it. I do want it darker.
Did not expect this to hit so hard.
I miss Leonard Cohen
So mellow. It is reminiscing of The National, which I love. It was a really solid album
Initially I was taken aback by Cohen's extremely weathered voice, but after a few spins another beautiful, final, album emerges.
Getting this and Bowie's Blackstar in the same year was both incredibly special and (obviously) incredibly sad. I adore this album. No filler (unlike some of his other albums). Hey, that's the way to say goodbye.
Splendid! It is the second Leonard Cohen album that I have listened to through this site. Both from different eras (1967 and 2016) and it is clear that even though there are so many years of difference from one to the other, this introspective vibe that is brought out in the sound and especially in his voice, has not dissipated, quite the opposite. Speaking of his voice, in this 2016 album, it is much darker (as the name of the album suggests) a style that apparently was adopted by Leonard throughout his career and that manages to convey unique emotions to the lyrics of the songs in such a way which makes me think that no one else could be singing these songs but himself. I will repeat, splendid!
Emotional music. Didn't really give it full attention, but it still grips you.
It's Leonard freaking Cohen. Nuff' said.
Just going to review this on sentiment. Obviously not the height of his powers, and hard to see it as anything except a remarkable parting gift. Couple all-time great tracks, the rest strong. Head would say 4 stars, but it's Leonard Cohen, so going with the heart.
I had not listened to this album, Leonard Cohen's parting work. It is beautiful and eternal.
This was completely absorbing. I had heard about this album and have enjoyed everything that I've heard from Leonard Cohen but this blew me away. It is a complete piece.
This is deep. Deserves close listening. Obviously, heavy subject matter. Way better production than his previous few albums. All the cheese gone. An album to keep coming back to. A dying man singing his final songs.
Loved it. Somehow never gotten into his work but am hooked now.
I mean come on
Dark and moody indeed. The title track sets the tone, a groovy bassline and Cohen's distinctive gravelly half-spoken vocals, with backing chorus emphasizing the religious feel. Leaving the Table is slow and bluesy and another strong track. If I Didn't Have Your Love is even better, emotionally charged with backing keyboards. It Seemed the Better Way is my favourite, though, with a captivating melody and tribal sounding percussion. Steer Your Way is a touch more upbeat, driving bassline and melodies underpinning a strong vocal performance. During the outro I'm left considering that this was recorded so near the end of his life. Maybe the depth of these pieces owes something to wisdom gained through the years. Anyway, a special album.
like
Listened to it a few times. Love the quiet, low voice and instrumental parts
Great! Just long enough. Not too long. Didn’t know it ended!
An Album like a Testament. To Beauty, to self esteem, to the love of God. Deeply moving.
Without context, this would be a 4. Knowing he wrote it as his final work while preparing for the end of his life makes it stand out as a gorgeous final goodbye
I'm a dude, but this album got me pregnant.
Oh dude….. this is a pretty incredible album. It is certainly an album to which you want to read the lyrics and learn the context. Cohen lived a fascinating life, and to learn that this album about the very inevitability of our mortality was produced and released only a few months before he passed is CHILLING. He wrote his funeral album. The String Reprise / Treaty is so laced with emotion I was going to cry listening to it close out the album. PROFOUND. The lyrics are a must read (obviously just an extension of his poetry which I now want to read) and his baritone is extremely impressive. Oof. Chills.
This is so cool. It's really rare to hear music from an 80 year old, and I loved the way his voice sounds now. And the music surrounding it, and the backing singers, are absolutely beautiful.
THIS is the Leonard Cohen I was looking for. Leonard Cohen and Tom Waits are playing to identical audiences, I would not be able to tell the difference between this album and some Tom Waits. Leonard Cohen could have been less goofy Randy Newman for Pixar. You can hear his sound coming through, it's like late Dylan where it's different but you can still hear his sound.
I love Leonard Cohen, but I wasn't expecting too much from this album: I haven't been as grabbed by his post-2000 works by and large. But this was lovely: the sound of a man reconciling himself to mortality, acknowledging his failings without being overwhelmed by them. I suspect I'll keep coming back to this one - I was going to stick with a cautious 4, but I already find myself putting it back on, so I may as well go all the way with a 5.
great album from the master!!!
holy fucker gonna have a cry now i guess
Epic, raw, perennially Leonard Cohen, and particularly transcendental, given it was recorded as Cohen was dying.
This is a cracking album, especially given the circumstances it was recorded under. I would claim to be a Leonard Cohen aficionado but I did like this one.
Leonard Cohen, one of my absolute favourite artist. His lyrics are really something else and his whole catalog shows his writing chops with poignant and often humorous lyrics. Many times I have found solace in his music. I saw him singing live in 2012 and it was such a good experience, he refused to stop and sang encore after encore even though he was nearly 80. That was his album before this which also is great. This being his final record released just a few weeks before his death, it is a great farewell. The title track with its ominous baseline is a great start. We then get treated to some more pretty standard Cohen music. The lyrics are as always what really shines through. I'm not sure if any other artist are this good when they are this late in their career but Cohen released great music until the end. While I get this is not everybody's cup of tea, for me this is a masterpiece and a great farewell. While not many of my favorite Cohen songs are on this album it is still great. As a good bye album it is worth a 5 star. Thanks for the memories!
The sound of hairs standing on end. And tingles down spines. An album about death that made me feel so alive. "I'm so sorry for that ghost I made you be." From start to end. Life. Exquisite. A stunning work of art. I can't really describe this - it is music from one soul to another. A gift. A curse. Poetry. Beyond the sky. Beyond the bottom of the ocean. Beyond the stars. Beyond anything we think we know. This comes from somewhere darker ... before and after.
Wow. This is really good. Dark, but with a real warmth. Some brilliant lyrics, sparse but effective production with excellent bits dropped in like the strings on Travelling Light, and the guitar on If I Didn’t Have Your Love. Bass lines were great the whole way through. I like the slow but not sluggish pace. The whole album feels like I’m in a small dimly lit bar sipping whiskey and smoking cigarettes. I love his voice. As a fan of The Streets I’m not adverse to a bit of talking over music as long as they’re saying something worth listening to. And Leonard Cohen definitely is here. Some real poetry, made even more visceral by the fact he wrote and released this just weeks before dying. Immediately the parallel with Bowie’s Blackstar was apparent. It takes a true artist to create something so introspective and beautiful in the knowledge that their time is almost over. Bravo Leonard Cohen. Favourite track: If I Didn’t Have Your Love
I immediately got goosebumps and was on the verge of tears by the end. It’s not perfect - a little less lyrically complex than I might’ve preferred, though warranted given the circumstances - but I feel that kind of strong reaction is what warrants a score of 5.
After a week of weird little guys (derogatory) finally we are gifted a weird little guy (complimentary) This might be a 4 if I didn't get to play it on the radio (torturing the tri-county area) and hear it in the station. I'm not actually sure the mixer's speakers are that great but it has string lights.
Yes, I really do want it darker.
Second time listen-through. I’m inspired to not really sing either.
4.5★. Not the most musically interesting among Cohen's discography, but the stripped-down production only adds to the dirge-like quality. No skips as far as I'm concerned but Traveling Light is a particular favorite*; "Traveling light, it's au revoir / My once so bright, my fallen star / I'm running late, they'll close the bar / I used to play one mean guitar" ... "Traveling light, like we used to do / I'm traveling light" When it's time to go, we all do. *Though I do looove the violin on Steer Your Way, plus: "And say your mea culpa, which you gradually forgot / Year by year, month by month, day by day / Thought by thought"
One word, cool. The voice, the minimalism, great stuff... Perfect length and perfect 1st and last track. Easy 5.
Loved it!!!!!!!
epic late era Cohen. The master.
Ya gotta listen, with your ears on and mind open. Once you do, those that like Leonard, would love this. Those that have never encountered him, would be intrigued by this. Those who like your music to be thrashy, nope, not for you. If you have a spiritual side to your being, you would probably connect strongly to his work. The pieces are poetry plus music. As his work evolved through his years, it became more poetry and philosophy than music n beats. There is a beauty, and grace to his work, it's not just music, it's a mixture of the human condition set to music, and placed on an album. I think we are all better for having Leonards efforts and vulnerabilities at such a striking time near the end of his life, shared like this. 5 stars.
Steve Hogarth’s hero is mine too now. Wow.
I loved this. It felt like a spoken word evening at bible study. On top of the sparse background, his voice sets one helluva a mood. You can almost sense his acknowledgment of the end.
Excellent
Favorite Tracks: You Want It Darker Treaty Traveling Light
Famous last words!
The legend’s swan song.
That gravely voice- so good.
Yessss
I havent listened to this straight through since it came out iirc, and god what an album..!! I've listened to more cohen since then, so i dont think this is my fave necessarily, but its so so strong
Brilliant
You Want It Darker is the last studio album released by Leonard Cohen during his lifetime. Cohen had an unmatched literary and musical career that spanned decades, and this album is his curtail call. Cohen made his near-monotonic baritone into an expressive instrument - his version of the jazz-crooner was not made from a strong voice. Cohen's somber delivery matches the stories and images in his songs. You Want It Darker is an incredible collection of songs - a few last words from one of the most talented songwriters in popular music.
4.75
A perfect album to end the journey for a poet turned singer. He questions everything on this record, his belief, and everything. Rest in Peace, Leonard Cohen.
This was completely devastating.
Never heard of him. His lyrics are moving. Glad I was steered to this.
Moving between a 4 and a 5 on this one, but that opening song... Man. Insane that in 2016 we got two different incredibly strong albums about death from musicians who died right after.
Death sells, huh? Nearly liturgical in its orientation, and profound in its poetry. Lovely light-touch arrangements despite all the mournfulness. Haunting, too. “Treaty” is gripping. “On the Level” bittersweet and sung a bit tongue-in-cheek. Among the most overtly death-head records, one will take this over Zevon’s and Bowie’s. And the voice holds up way better than, say, Sinatra’s in his last efforts. Stark and powerful, a beautiful and most fitting exit for an artist of massive, massive stature.
An extraordinarily powerful and profound work of art. Produced and delivered so close to his demise adds to the effect (obviously). If you had tto pick just one record to listen to before you die, this might very well be it.
I don't have a single bad thing to say about this album. The arrangements are beautiful. The mournful lyrics and delivery are peak Cohen. The sadness is palpable. It's heavy, as you'd expect, but it feels rather cozy. Standout Tracks: You Want It Darker, Treaty, Traveling Light, Steer Your Way
If I wanted it darker, it'd have to be pretty bloody black to get there. I'm not usually a fan of Cohen, but this album is one that I respect. It's beautiful in a way few things can be, and dances around the limits of rawness without becoming a charicature. Great.
It seems a bit wrong to listen to his dying album only having listened to one of his others (his first one, too), but it’s an interesting contrast between the two. This gets overshadowed by Blackstar in terms of 2016 death albums, but it’s still a great look into one of the greatest songwriters’ outlook in his last days.
Just a monster album released on his deathbed. Almost transcendent in his messaging and writing
God I love Leonard Cohen. I’ve been giving these 4’s, but honestly I keep thinking about it so it’s probs in 5 territory at this point.
If you make a morbid list of the albums an artist released shortly before his death this one would be one of the greatest, hands down. Cohen gives no quarter as the title track is already very dark. What follows are other songs of longing facing the end of this hard life. 'Treaty' is also another great contribution describing an interesting contractual social relationship with one's God. Maybe that's one of the few things that could give us a little bit more security considering we can't ever know the answers to the big questions. What a masterpiece. Rest in peace, Mr Cohen. You were one of the best lyricists music ever had to offer.
Um álbum com um sentimento melancólico único, composto de um misto de tristeza, aceitação e até de contemplação, escrito por um homem que sabe que vai morrer. Se cria uma atmosfera sombria e taciturna através de um vocal monotonal, moroso e minimalista, em que o cantor se preocupou em falar (e não cantar) somente o necessário que conduz todo o instrumental. A melhor forma de ouvi-lo é dedicando um momento só para ele, para que todo esse sentimento complexo de premeditação do fim possa assentar de acordo dentro do seu âmago.
Leonard Cohen’s acceptance is one of the most poignant statements in music I have seen in a long time. It’s on par with Bowie’s Blackstar
Man, this one got me in the right mood I guess. Loved it.
Great album - what an emotional experience
Wow, such dark, religious, end of life introspection.
I draw parallels between this album and David Bowie's Blackstar. Both released days before the demise of their creator and carrying gravitas and a rather sombre atmosphere.
I did not expect to enjoy this. Generally I prefer the melody and harmonies of a song to the lyrics but the words just hit hard. It was truly beautiful. Coupled with the extremely subdued arrangements it was a haunting listen.
Despite being a bigger Bowie fan, I think this may be a better album than Black Star and it's impossible to not compare them. Definitely dark, but with a surprising softness despite the tone and vocals. The instrumentals feel sentimental contrasting Cohen's voice and lyrics, but the mix works astonishingly well. I kind of dreaded listening to this so the surprise enjoyment boosted this to a 5 for me. It's like being at a wake in the nicest way possible. 23/04/24
Wonderful album. I hear the sound of Tom Waits in the voice in many of the songs. Is suspect that is on purpose.
Ominous
Haunting and beautiful. Love it.
Love this guy! Jazz and poetry blended together.
Wonderfully dark and haunting. Stripped down and simple. A beautiful gift to give the world before leaving.
I took my time approaching this one. I prefer early Cohen before his voice deepened. This was a delight.
taas tämä jutskupoika... ei voi julkisella paikalla itkeä.... mitäs tässä nyt kirjottahanan... hyvä musiikki., hyvät lyriikat, hyvä ääni... menee kuunteluun kun paremmat ehjät kuulokkeet joskus.. haavoittuvainen vanha mies... NOSTAKAA ELÄKEIKÄÄ... pakko otta eläkkeistä pois NYT.. NYYYYYYYYYT!!!! helposti paras albumi herralta, kaikki mitä hyvää artistina tulee tässä yhteen pakettiin, viimeisinä päivinä kuoleman partaalla...taivaan porteilla...niin hyvää puuta... Useless cunt leaving the table
😭😭 ved ikke om jeg er ved at blive gammel men den her ramte mig lige i solar plexus
This one was definitely brutal, as someone who hasn't listened to any other Leonard Cohen album, this album still very accurately described the haunting final days of someone's life; the ones where they know there time is almost up. The best comparison I have for it is probably Hurt, the Johnny Cash version; fitting as I haven't fully listened to a Johnny Cash album either. Both the cover and this album use this sense of finality in a sort of uplifting ending. Despite this album *sounding* downtrodden, I think it's an acceptance to the certainty of death. While I wouldn't say it's my favorite album in the entire collection, I have to give a 9/10 (rounded up to 5 stars) on the sheer message alone that I took out of it: Cherish your life, it's gonna end soon.
Oooh! Beautiful! Those choirs!
Great, sadly last, album.
Wow! I thought Leonard Cohen wasn't for me, but I was wrong. This is so darkly atmospheric, I was happy it was raining outside while listening to it. The arrangements are sparse but it works wonderfully.
Great misnight album, so haunting...
Very pleasant. I enjoy this album.
Like a fine instrument filled with gravel, Leonard Cohen's voice. Lyrics are beyond compare.
very very good.
Love the choral elements.
Oh! Sing melancholy of love and regret. Sweetly serenade the last pains of my heart.
Blew me away! The tempo gets a little samey as you go on but the individual songs are all excellent.
With over 50 albums listened to and rated I can honestly say this was the first one that really REALLY impressed me. Lyrically intense, melodies that are subtle and complicated, and subject matter that was deep and intense. So good I listened to it back to back and again later that day.
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.
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.
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.
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
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Really surprising that I liked this.
WOW!
mega! in dem alter nochmal so ein ding rauszuhauen.
En jäkla upplevelse. Man känner ju nästan dödens närvaro på det här albumet
Lo mejor de este año
IMHO, his very best album, front to back, and a perfect exit.
Lovely send off for a legend still at the top of his craft.
Just amazing.
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.
Had not listened much to Leonard Cohen before this album. It has been in my rotation since it came out.
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.
an old friend
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.
Beautiful but heartbreaking. I loved evert track.
brilliant.
A chilling and haunting piece. Expertly crafted. 5/5. Favorite Track: You Want It Darker
Comfort music.
I really liked this album. Grade: 5/5
Dark and beautiful. Classic Leonard Cohen.
A collection of somber yet uplifting tunes written by someone who knows their time is coming to a close. Just beautiful
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.
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
fantastic!
My favorite Leonard Cohen album. Introspective, incredible lyrics, thoughts from the end of a life.
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"
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'.
Gutes Album
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
What an album to end a career and a life on. Absolutely beautiful.
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
Wow. Just straight wow. Feels like nighttime.
This beautiful thing. Oh my god.
The man
That was dark and mesmerizing, I loved it
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.
I mean it's incredible
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
4.9
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
Musically, a genius. Lyrically, a juggernaut. This album in jawdropping
it needs one more star at least
Good stuff, nice story telling, sweet voice
Oof, this one hits you in the feels! It’s an end-of-life farewell. Amazing album, obviously a piece of art even to a pleb like me. Hard to pick a fave track, probably Travelling Light. 5/5
im familiar with cohen's early work, and although i didnt like all that much on the first listen it has grown in me. sadly his voice is in it's final struggle, so i'll try not to take that in consideration upon reviewing the album, for i think the real thing here is the message of the last moments of a dying beautiful composer. the thing about cohen's songwriting is that he makes everything about love. You Want it Darker is in my view about how he's living his last moments and although he is already in a very bad shape (very dark), God wants it worse (darker). But in another way, the song talks about love, in the sense that it doesn't matter what he will do, his lover wants more. doesnt matter how much he humiliates himself and gets darker, the one he loves and tends to do whatever for wants it darker. so as i said, everything that comes from cohen's lyrics talks about love, in multiple and different ways. although the instrumentation and vocals are not my favorite part of the album i'd say it fits perfectly the atmosphere of the album and even creates the whole atmosphere. i was thinking about giving it a 4 because of this points but honestly i don't care, the thing here is the message, fuck the music, im treating this as a poems book and giving it a 5. rest in peace leonard cohen.
Sublime
I didn't think I would like this album because I don't like Cohen singing. But wow is the song writing just amazing. Every song was so intimate. Like he's singing to the woman he's loved for 30 years
I’ve listened to one Leonard Cohen album before today. I remember enjoying it, but I don’t actually remember any details on how it sounded. I think that’s why I’m a little hesitantly eager to listen to this. I hope it’s good, but my brain has deleted anything precious to compare to. Fingers crossed! Songs I already knew: none Favourites: Treaty, Travelling Light When I was younger, my music taste revolved around all the happy music - ska, pop-punk, etc. As I’m broadening my musical horizons, I’m finding that there is a lot of joy to be found in the sadder side. This album is very maudlin, but oh so very lovely. Leonard’s voice is the vocal equivalent of sitting by a warm fire. Everything here is so nice. Although the whole album is soft and slow, it is a somewhat short album so it doesn’t start to get boring. I loved this.
Leonard Cohen is one of those artists that I have always kind of struggled to connect with personally. Songs of Love and Hate is great without a doubt, but I still always felt like I was missing something. When I saw this pop up, I expected to struggle through it but this CAUGHT ME from the very beginning. Man, this is beautiful and haunting. Leonard, you were a genius. I get it now.
This feels like Leonard Cohen unearthed some ancient scrolls written by ancient gods detailing the meaning of life and death. Incredible album.
Not usually my cup of tea, but this was awesome. Emotive. Honest.
Þessi er ansi góð, er á fjórða rennslinu núna því hún fór alveg fram hjá mér á sínum tíma. Lögin falleg, textarnir góðir (smá Snorri Hjartar og Hauströkkrið yfir mér), og hljóðheimurinn tímalaus og flottur. Ljúffengur kór í upphafi og ótrúlega fallegir strengir í lokin. I wish there was a treaty between your love and mine. Fimma held ég barasta.
A great swan song. Its great to see him confront the end so bravely.
Fucking Beautifully melancholic. Very intimate. Emotional Journey.
The last prayer of a man about to die. Deep, personal, wonderful.
There's no denying the power of this album. A legend performing at the very end of his life. Full of pain and exhaustion from old age and back fractures. It's his final attempt to complete his legacy and his condition means that he has no other responsibilities or needs than to write, sing, and record from his living room. R.I.P. Leonard Cohen, a true great.
Voice so deep
Wow. Might be his best work? A treatise on death by a dying man who knows he's dying.
Amazing. Thanks for exposing me to this.
I'm not sure but I think his voice aged a bit... but holy fck that's some Blackstar type of shit... I love it!
No notes. No jokes or funnies. This album is fucking good.
A magnificent swansong for Cohen.
Yes Mr Cohen, I think I do.
Brilliant album!
A fitting swan song. If you love Leonard Cohen, this doesn’t disappoint. A little cracklier, a little deeper, a little moodier. My adoration is unadulterated.
What a voice, I'm loving this one. Wasn't aware of it's existence and I'm glad it's been brought to my attention
Yess. This is the spare, haunting Cohen I came for.
When I saw Leonard Cohen on the list today, I thought “darn, I hate this guy”. But , I’m 639 albums in at this point so, I guess I have to listen. About 2 songs in, my reaction was: “g-d- it this is actually good, real good”
Mit dunkler Stimme in Singer-Song-Writer-Manier eingeladen in eine ruhige Folk Rock Ecke zum verweilen.
Wow. I will admit that I didn’t know what to expect from an album at the end of a man’s life. This album is upfront and almost confrontational about it. It’s not bitter, though, just honest about regret and loss and love. This album is remarkable.
Only listened to early Cohen before but this feels really strong, kinda feels similar to David Bowie's Blackstar. I don't usually give albums I've only just listened to 5/5 stars but this one really compels me, its crazy that he released something this good at such an age. Favourite tracks: You Want It Darker, Treaty, Steer Your Way
very sad but great
HL: title track, "Leaving the Table", "If I Didn't Have Your Love", "Traveling Light", "String Reprise / Treaty" despite the brevity of the album & the minimal instrumentation, I needed a 2nd listen tonight, free of the distractions of construction work & traffic, to really let it sink in. It's amazing how much gravitas Cohen's voice carries despite his physical frailty. Despite its status as Cohen's swan song (other than that posthumous album) and the grimness of the title track, there's also serenity and sweetness present in both the words and the music. For instance, the strings swelling in the final track. 5th and last Cohen album on this list. 1st I got from this list was his debut "Songs of Leonard Cohen", which is one of the albums that grew on me since the 1st listen to possibly belong with my 5-star favourites. Well here's another one July 26, 2023
His voice is so dreamy
Wow. Having only a limited amount of knowledge of Leonard cohen before I was really taken with this album. It was brilliant.
Loved the atmosphere and felt like adding melody from the sparseness
Beautiful. Fav tracks: You Want It Darker, Treaty, On The Level, Traveling Light, Leaving The Table, Steer Your Way, String Reprise/Treaty
heartbreaking!!!
O! the king
Best Song: On the Level. The juxtaposition of Cohen's gruff voice with the soulful backing vocals is perfect. Worst Song: It Seemed the Better Way. This feels like Cohen at his most sombre, almost religious, and without the counterpoint of some intrumental levity or the backing female vocals, it trends towards morose. Overall: Cohen sounds otherworldly here. Like some kind of ancient titan. Like the voice of an old mountain. I enjoy that he acknowledges that his own singing chops are not spectacular (and honestly, not why people listen to him) and so the majority of the musicality comes from the backing vocals and instrumentation, leaving Cohen's lyrics and rough delivery to stand on their own. An excellent culmination of Cohen's career.
I didn’t know he was still making albums as of 2016. Some of the songs on this are as good as any he ever made 30 years ago.
Fuckin darkly beautiful
Real good...
A great goodbye to live from a great poet and singer songwriter. Songs and lyrics are from a very high level. Gives the feeling you are on his funeral in church. An album to sit by relaxed and really listen to with full attention.
What feels like a self written eulogy is as crushing as crushing gets. Beautiful, sincere, Leonard Cohen
Really beautiful lyricism and gospel sounds. A very distinct voice as well.
Leonard Cohen taught me what English teachers couldn’t- the rhythm of poetry He uses strings so effectively on this lp The music blends so well with poetic cadence It’s bizarre how a man can ‘recite’ songs in a monotone, like he does, but draw so much emotion out. It shows the strength of his writing
omg wowwww 10/10!!!!!!!!!!! never heard this before but i love leonard cohen so im off the bat excited. And its his last album released 3 months before his death, immediately u can hear that emotion of almost dying. like this is so beautiful im feeling very emotional. ON THE LEVEL!!!!!!! wow what an awesome song leaving the table- "i know you can feel it, the sweetness restored" "im leaving the table, im out of the game" like he is the master songwriter, and goddamn i didnt know i needed this album so bad. what a badass death album- feels like a final eulogy and tribute to his entire career. Like hes saying this is the conclusion for you all! This is the end and thats okay! I love you leonard, thanks for letting me attend ur funeral </3 </3
Was definitely "darker." Kind of exhausted with Cohen's subject matter these days.
So much music comes from the experience of youth. This is one of those rare albums / artists that speaks to different points in life that you can appreciate more the older you get. 5/5.
Oof... I forgot how good this album was. Not only are the lyrics wonderfully dark, but the violin throughout a lot of the songs just enhances it. My second 5/5 in a row this week.
One of the best albums about death ever made. A man towards the end screaming at the void.
Maybe I was just in the right headspace today but I loved every minute of this album. Cohen's writing is utterly brilliant (as usual) but his performance here is maybe his best. He's given up trying to be a singer and, instead, leans into a sort of gravely, melodic, spoken word that just... it just works, man. And the songs! This is the last album of a man who knows this is going to be his last album. The lyrics are poignant, pointed, and heavy with significance. These are the songs of a brilliant songwriter who has lived a lot of life. They're the songs of a man who can see the end but who doesn't know how to stop doing the thing he loves. The gravitas is palpable and I believe that the world has more depth and character because Mr. Cohen was able to release this one, last album out into it. Full marks.
"I wish I had a treaty between your love and mine" I really needed this today. It completely took me by surprise and blew me away. Not something which I'd listen to regularly but a great piece of music
Absolutely amazing album with a dark and romantic tone that's just...*chef's kiss*. I especially adored the use of the orchestral score, it was just gorgeous and complimented Cohen's vocals so well. Top tracks: You Want it Darker, Treaty, Traveling Light, and String Reprise/Treaty.
One of the most beautiful voices in the world, saying her farewell. Everything about it is perfect, the lyrics, the melodies...
Beautifully composed, performed, and produced. I can't find a bad thing to say about this album. Sure it's depressing. It's an introspective album on death near the end of life. Of course it is.
Such an intimate album, he clearly knew he was reaching his end and gave us this wonderful gift.
Track 2, "Treaty" was a tear jerker.
Recorded in the last months of his life (and released two weeks before it ended), You Want It Darker is Leonard Cohen’s final masterpiece, reflecting on the pain and sadness he endured with a sense of acceptance-in the end, it might just have been worth it. Gravelly-voiced with spare instrumentation, this is a truly special listening experience.
This was a real wow album for me. One of the things I love about this generator as I would never bother to listen to this otherwise. I’d never clicked with LC before listening to this today. The whole vibe and themes of life and death given his own circumstances when he made this album just work, and his distinct vocals just fit with the atmosphere of the album. An absolutely beautiful masterpiece that you should listen to before you die. It’s the least you can do given Leonard put the effort in to create this masterpiece just before he died.
It’s tough to describe why I liked this album. It felt very raw and vulnerable which is cool. You want it darker is super weird and absolutely rocks. Overall a great listen
beautiful, sad, everything i’ve ever wanted from leonard cohen. i cant believe his voice sounded this good at his age, truly aged like a good wine.
I have attempted to rate this album at least 5 times now. At first I wasn't sure whether I even liked it, but I think I've figured out that I do.
What a cool record. It just got better and better. Fav song was leaving the table, I love the guitar in that one. Sounds like ry cooder. Huge fan of the string outro. I love when records have themes like that. 4.7
What a beautiful album. It’s moody and honest. Leaving the Table is my favorite lyrically. I’ll be listening to this over and over again.
Zijn stem en zijn melancholische teksten maken dit een perfect album op een droevige manier
Think I've listened to this four times already. His voice sounded like he smoked and drank his whole life but it fit the style and lyrics of the album perfectly. I really liked the darkness and melancholy of the album. Easily goes into a list of best albums I've ever heard. Highlights were "Steer Your Way", "You Want It Darker" and "It Seemed the Better Way".
WOW! This was absolutely incredible. Did not expect that. His voice(!!!), the backing vocals, the finality of it all that comes from him being close to the end of his life. I felt quite emotional in parts, only a very small amount of music does that to me. I think this is up there with the best albums I've ever heard. Albums like this, which I would have never listened to otherwise, are exactly why I wanted to work through this list.
Z’n stem, de soberheid, het einde in zicht en de teksten. Klein traantje gelaten
Careful what you ask for. He didn't exactly make the happiest albums before this one you know.
wow quite beautiful
ich geb dem einfach mal ne 5, weil ich finde es ist eine 5 und will das es eine 5 ist :)
Beautiful as some of Leonard Cohen’s best - and like Bowie’s Blackstar, it is a wonderful gift of a goodbye by one of the demigod artists of the 20th Century. It’s a little less dark than Bowie’s epitaph and the soaring lyrics and smooth husky baritone of Cohen allows the world the grieve a little better for the loss.
favourite song: treaty least favourite: no least favourite song. this album is absolutely fantastic easy 5/5.
si leonardo te quiero oscuroooo
So powerful! What a denouement to his musical career. So very missed.
i feel like this album goes back to his start, slow poetic somber songs i love it
Incredible voice and incredible record to go with it. Quite short but memorable! Loved it. 5/5
Leonard Cohen – You Want it Darker Last album written before Leonard Cohen’s death two months later. - You Want it Darker – That bass beat is so smoooooth! Yes! Dark voice is cool vibe. The “Hineni” in the chorus is a Hebrew phrase meaning “Here I am”, used by Abraham, Moses, and Isaiah among others when God calls them. The whole song seems to be Cohen trying to come to terms with his imminent death and God. Cohen is Jewish and often uses Christian imagery. This combines both. It’s really good. - Treaty – Sadder track about how the narrator is angry and tired and just wishes to end conflicts. The raw vocals mostly work, and he does get a bit more melodic at times. It’s unclear if he’s singing to a woman or God or something else entirely. - On the Level – Guitar has some prominence in this one, while still being background. Backing vocals in the chorus are an interesting effect, but not my favorite. Does give this one some variety. Seems to be about leaving a lover who was both a “devil” and an “angel”. Also speaks about his time in a Buddhist monastery in the 90s. Another good track, but not one I think I’d go back and revisit much. - Leaving the Table – Even more prominence to the guitar in the intro. Like most of the songs, it seems to deal with letting love go, reconciliation, and end to struggles. I like the brass in the background. Ok, this one is amazing. The emotion in the music hits harder than basically any of the others. This one leaves the religious imagery and is completely raw autobiography. It might be my favorite track so far. - If I Didn’t Have Your Love – A reflection on past love. It’s a sweet love song, and a good song overall, but it’s less to my taste than many of the songs on this album. These kinds of personal love songs don’t resonate with me since it’s out of my experience. - Traveling Light – A Greek flavored track that’s a goodbye to Marianne Ihlen, a partner, lover, and muse of his who died a few months before he did. It’s another amazing one. - It Seemed the Better Way – Even more stripped back track, going to humming vocals, sparse bass and shaker keeping the time. Deals with his relationship with Zen Master Roshi whom he spent years with in a monastery. He felt the teachings rang true, but later stories came out about Roshi sexually abusing female students. Also may be a rejection, or an acceptance, or a resignation to Christianity. It’s unclear. It’s high quality, but not to my taste. - Steer Your Way – Not my favorite, but a very well written track. The violins are good. - String Reprise / Treaty – Closing track to the album. An instrumental, followed by a reprise of Treaty to close out the album and close out Cohen’s life. Wow. The songwriting on this is freaking amazing. Very interesting and personal themes explored as well. The instruments are tasteful and sound amazing throughout, achieving a wide variety of different tones. In context with Cohen confronting his own imminent death (and reflecting on his life) it becomes even more poignant. Even the songs that I personally dislike are still extremely well-written. What an amazing album. This is exactly the kind of thing I wanted to find when I started this project. Top Tracks - You Want it Darker – Lead track coming to terms with God and death. Smooooth bass. - Treaty – Good summation of the themes of reconciliation/surrender of the whole album. - Leaving the Table – Most raw track on the album. - Traveling Light – Love the Greek instrumentation. A beautiful farewell to a past love and friend.
Melodias e melancolias envolventes para um lirismo arrebatador.
I'm a sucker for smokey singing voices.
I'm a sucker for smokey singing voices.
What a beautiful album. A masterpiece for him to end his legendary career. His poetry here allowed him to look back on his mortality and the string reprise was the official goodbye. Very dark and sad, but beautiful in its essence, as he did say bye a month after its release.
Magical
Notes from the front from a Sole Survivor. Somber, gripping and unexpectedly poetic. Required.
Leonard Cohen is perfect. This album might be his best.
p943. 2016. 5 stars Gravel voiced old man ruminates on death and produces final work of power and beauty. Lyrically, still light years ahead of the competition, and this time we've got decent tunes and quality production to match the words. Not a weak track on it. I am guessing this will resonate more with an older audience.
Another easy 5, long time fan. Such an incredible album, like a self written eulogy. Absolutely amazing. You Want it Darker is superd, Travelling Light, and Treaty are also sublime.