LEONARD COHEN
Ten New Songs (Columbia)
Reviewed by John Sekerka

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It's just a matter of submission really. Every new Leonard Cohen record is greeted with a mix of head scratching and apathy, then months later, is heralded as a work of genius. This collection is no different: a brooding, relaxing and lazy sound canvas, Cohen garbling and grunting sentimental prose, angelic voices cooing in the background, a couple of gems destined to be much covered standards and City TV themes ("In My Secret Life," "Here It Is"). A one listen throw-away, but a reward for those with patience. Every decade Canada's spiritual guru of black and blue cool comes down off the mountain (literally this time) to grace us with his gift, and it is our patriotic duty to obey. Get over the painfully rudimentary cover art (another puzzling Cohen trademark), set the player to repeat, and submit.

© 2001 - John Sekerka