Leonard Cohen - Old Ideas Album Review

Even if Leonard Cohen is 77 and has a musical background of 44 years, his new album, "Old Ideas" is definitely not old. The singer, famous for his deep and dark voice, gave this album an unique touch leaving his fans completely dazzled as they hear a new Leonard Cohen singing ten beautiful songs. The surprise itself is not bad but a bit disappointing for those who got used to Cohen's top-heavy voice.

Nevertheless, the artist is definitely embracing his age and the liberty his status and age give him so he mocks the idealised serenity with reminders of his very human fears and weaknesses. It's all about his struggles with his muse, love, lust, life, loss, failure, redemption and inescapable foreclosure. The album, which was released in January this year,sounds different than all the synthesizers and other electronic sounds he produced in the last few years. Besides, many critics are comparing the theme and style of this album to Bob Dylan's 1997 renaissance album, "Time Out of Mind" mentioning though that the Canadian singer is unmistakeably unique.

Leonard Cohen - Old Ideas Track Listing

1. "Going Home" (Cohen, Patrick Leonard) - 3:51
2. "Amen" - 7:36
3. "Show Me the Place" (Cohen, P. Leonard) - 4:09
4. "Darkness" - 4:30
5. "Anyhow" (Cohen, P. Leonard) - 3:09
6. "Crazy to Love You" (Cohen, Anjani Thomas) - 3:06
7. "Come Healing" (Cohen, P. Leonard) - 2:53
8. "Banjo" - 3:23
9. "Lullaby" - 4:46
10. "Different Sides" - 4:06

Album Information

Released 31 January 2012
Recorded January-August 2011
Genre Folk
Length 41:44
Label Columbia
Producer Ed Sanders