Leonard Cohen - Songs of Love and Hate
List Price:
Our Price: $10.99
You Save: $0.99 (8%)
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
Buy Used: from $6.88 (click here)
Category: Music CD
See more new music releases
Buy this Music CD at online store in your country
Canadian Music Store
Canadian Music Store
Music CD Cover
Artist: Leonard CohenEdition: Music CD
Format: Extra tracks, Original recording remastered
CD Release Date: 2007-04-24
Music Label: Sony Legacy
Soundtracks:
- Avalanche
- Last Year's Man
- Dress Rehearsal Rag
- Diamonds in the Mine
- Love Calls You by Your Name
- Famous Blue Raincoat
- Sing Another Song, Boys
- Joan of Arc
- Dress Rehearsal Rag [Early Version][#][*]
Free Music Notes for Songs of Love and Hate
Free Music Review: No hate, only love for this album
Hit: 5 Stars
All of Leonard Cohen's early albums are truly masterpieces unto themselves, and a few of his later releases are also contenders. I would unabashedly endorse "Songs of Leonard Cohen", "Songs from a Room", "New Skin for the Old Ceremony", and this album, quite possibly the finest of them all. Each of these albums features a perfect combination of rich and poetic lyrics, understated and masterful musical accompaniment, and excellent production values (now highlighted by an excellent remastering).
"Songs of Love and Hate" is definitely the darkest of the aforementioned albums, which means it is not to be played casually, and that one must be in the right mood to give it their whole-hearted attention. When these circumstances arise, this album can be totally devastating and have a hold on the listener like few others ever do.
The lyrics continue to reveal new levels of depth and detail with each listening, proving that there was good reason for Cohen to be a successful poet/author prior to his music career. One would be hard pressed to find such literate and affecting lyrics elsewhere within the lexicon of "popular music".
As mentioned before, the accompanying music ebbs and flows in all the right places: It is at times stark and spare, but also adds flourishes and character to the lyrics at all the right times. There is also a unique stylistic variety to the music, from the chamber strings of "Avalanche", to the reggae feel of "Diamonds in the Mine", to the Cabaret torch song style of "Sing Another Song Boys". Special mention must be made of female background singers: Cohen is not the most accomplished technical singer, but conveys his lyrics and the mood behind them very well. The background singers provide an exquisite contrast to his rough around the edges voice, with their almost angelic qualities.
The album works very well as a cohesive whole, which builds in intensity and attains a totally sublime feeling by the end. That said, personal favourite songs are "Love Calls You by Your Name", "Sing Another Song Boys", "Diamonds in the Mine", and "Joan of Arc".
A last word about this newly remastered/expanded version. The remastering does bring Cohen's voice to the front of the mix a little more, almost as if he's whispering in your ear on the quieter cuts. That said, many of the subtle nuances of the instrumental parts are now clearer as well. In all, the remastering definitely improves upon the original cd version, and the bonus track is a very interesting and much less sparse version of "Dress Rehearsal Rag" performed quite heavily with a full band.
This is a dark and somewhat depressing album, make no mistake. That said, it is also one of Cohen's strongest and most emotionally affecting albums. If you're interested in something by Cohen which is slightly less depressing, I would highly recommend his debut "Songs of Leonard Cohen". Even if you go that route though, you'll probably come back to this album once your interest is piqued. Highly recommended to the emotionally stable who need a little darkness once in a while.
Folk Music CDs
Music Genres
Top music charts in the best of the rest; also-rans part 2, #140-180
Oasis - Definitely MaybeRelease date: 2005-05-17; Music CD
Best price: $2.64
Price in other shops:
Blur - ParklifeRelease date: 1994-06-14; Published: 1994; Music CD
Best price: $6.00
Price in other shops:
Beck - OdelayRelease date: 1996-06-18; Music CD
Best price: $5.00
Price in other shops:
Ryan Adams - HeartbreakerRelease date: 2000-09-05; Music CD
Best price: $11.51
Price in other shops:
The Strokes - Is This It?Release date: 2001-09-03; Published: 2001; Music CD
Best price: $7.50
Price in other shops:
The White Stripes, White Stripes - ElephantRelease date: 2003-04-01; Music CD
Best price: $11.46
Price in other shops:
Leonard Cohen - Songs of Love and HateRelease date: 2007-04-24; Music CD
Best price: $6.97
Price in other shops:
Belle & Sebastian - If You're Feeling SinisterRelease date: 1999-06-23; Music CD
Best price: $7.97
Price in other shops:
The La's - The La'sRelease date: 2001-02-05; Music CD
Best price: $8.68
Price in other shops:
Minutemen - Double Nickels on the DimeRelease date: 1990-10-25; Music CD
Best price: $12.23
Price in other shops:
Top Rated Albums
Leonard Cohen - Death of a Ladies' ManRelease date: 1990-10-25; Music CD
Best price: $6.49
Price in other shops:
Leonard Cohen - Various PositionsRelease date: 1995-02-07; Music CD
Best price: $12.98
Leonard Cohen I'm Your ManRelease date: 2006-11-14; DVD
Best price: $8.25
Price in other shops:
Leonard Cohen - New Skin for the Old CeremonyRelease date: 1995-02-07; Music CD
Best price: $15.00
Leonard Cohen - Recent SongsRelease date: 1990-10-25; Music CD
Best price: $6.59
Price in other shops:
Leonard Cohen - Ten New SongsRelease date: 2001-10-09; Music CD
Best price: $6.68
Price in other shops:
Leonard Cohen - The FutureRelease date: 1992-11-24; Music CD
Best price: $9.56
Price in other shops:
Leonard Cohen - Essential Leonard CohenRelease date: 2002-10-22; Music CD
Best price: $12.20
Price in other shops:
Leonard Cohen - Songs of Leonard CohenRelease date: 2007-04-24; Music CD
Best price: $6.97
Price in other shops:
Leonard Cohen - Songs from a RoomRelease date: 2007-04-24; Music CD
Best price: $7.79
Price in other shops: