How does it compare to the artist's other releases
Not applicable
Value for Money
Advantages:
An excellent album, the muse is back !
Disadvantages:
A great poet . . . it's a shame that the lryics couldn't be printed in the sleeve .
Recommend to potential buyers:
yes
Full review
I approached this album with caution, having not liked 'The Future', Cohen's previous effort. However I needn't have, what I found with Ten New Songs was a deep and delicate ode to love.
From the excellent (EXCELLENT!) 'In My Secret Life' onwards, the album omits a dark, relaxing, almost meditative sound that is perfect for that late-at-night sleepless hour. Cohen's voice sounds better than ever, a prophet-like sound from below, whispering the sins and pleasures of sexuality, love, loss and longing.
Whilst a lot of praise is (rightly) associated with Cohen's early work ('Suzanne', 'Bird on a Wire' 'The Partisan') it is best to seperate Ten New Songs from his back catalogue. It is so different, so modern and yet manages to sound almost biblical lyrically.
'Alexandra Leaving' is a good example of the excellent harmonising that Cohen and (Sharon) Robinson bring to the album, the little musical backdrop is filled out by the haunting sound of their dueting. Whereas Jennifer Warnes in earlier work (and, to some extent Robinson) relieved the possible monotony of Cohen's voice with subtle and softening backing vocals, here Robinson and Cohen's voice become one.
Would i reccomend it? Yes definitely. For fans of Cohen it's a must, and for those who never found his work desirable, give it a try...I think you'll love it.
Thanks, Mark.
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How does it rate alongside the competition
Not applicable
Cover / Inlay Design and Content
Satisfactory
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Cohen was mostly in a Zen monastery, obsessively rewriting and polishing the oblique, lapidary lyrics for this austere collection. Ten New Songs is arguably Sharo...
Ten New Songs -
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Cohen was mostly in a Zen monastery, obsessively rewriting and polishing the oblique, lapidary lyrics for this austere collection.Ten New Songsis arguably Sharon Ro...
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