Forty-four years ago, Leonard Cohen released his first full-length studio album, Songs of Leonard Cohen, and just about a month ago, the man put out his twelfth and highest charting album, Old Ideas. He was 33 years-old when he did this, and I hadn’t even reached the point of being a twinkle in my father’s eye. Retroactively, each of the first 11 albums have found their way into my various multimedia devices and have been thoroughly enjoyed, to varying degrees.
But back to Old Ideas, Cohen’s first release in eight years and a marked surprise to discover at the, ahem, “music store.” A quick “purchase,” and the album was quickly playing through my Creative Aurvana Live! headphones – before it was quickly stopped. I turned it off because Cohen’s voice is … is something that should be enjoyed with equipment that accentuates the silky, smooth and dark drawl – equal parts sexy and creepy. So in go the V-Moda M-80s.
It’s sexy because of the silky and smoothness, and creepy because, well, he’s very old and at one point talks about some pretty graphic stuff: “I’m naked and I’m filthy and there’s sweat upon my brow, and both of us are guilty anyhow.” I say “talks” literally, as Cohen has always walked that line of singing/talking, but it works with the songwriting, better than anybody else who can claim to practice the same vocal style. Don’t even argue. Shutup.
Anyway – after listening to this album off and on for a couple weeks now, and while currently on vacation, I thought it pertinent to make you all aware that yes, Cohen is still around and yes, he’s still wonderful. Give the album a listen and hope that it’s not his last. The track below, Darkness, is a wonderful jazz-inspired song that is both happy and overwhelmingly depressing – portraying a very self-aware Cohen near the end of his life. It’s good stuff.
