Leonard Cohen

Leonard Cohen's second album starts with "Bird on the Wire," probably his most famous (and most covered) song before "Hallelujah" took off decades later. Other fine numbers, such as "You Know Who I Am" and "A Bunch of Lonesome Heroes," have been overlooked. If you doubt that Cohen's performance skills match his songwriting genius, just listen to his powerful cover of "The Partisan." The only real complaint about the set is the wild overuse of the Jew's harp (which sounds like a twanging rubber band). Everyone other than Gold prospectors or street performers needs to treat that instrument carefully.

Well, it looks like Loneard Cohen's second try won't have them dancing in the streets
either. It doesn't take a great deal of listening to realize that Cohen can't sing, period. And
yet, the record grows on you, and if you give it a chance, it has something to offer. But
you can hardly be blamed if you aren't willing to take the time. The first thing that has to be
with-stood is his voice. It's monotonous in a literal sense of the word. He seems t... More >