Classic Albums - Songs of Love And Hate.
Leonard Cohen has written some cracking songs over the forty-three years that he has been in the music business. There are probably at least three of his albums that could be described as ‘classics’ but, for me, his greatest work has to be; ‘Songs of Love and Hate’.
A lot of people think of Cohen’s music as being depressing and I suppose that some of it is. Unfortunately, I have probably chosen the gloomiest album from his whole career… Saying this, Cohen’s type of gloom always involves some sort of humour. It may be cynical of self-depreciating, but it is always present.
The overall feel of ‘Songs of Love and Hate’ is apparent right from the start. As Cohen snarls and growls his way through ‘Avalanche’ you can tell exactly what direction this album is going to take. It is going to be a long and rocky road through dark places in the human soul. By the time he gets to ‘Dress Rehearsal Rag’ it isn’t really possible to get any bleaker. This track is full of ‘jokes’ about going through a practice run for the act of suicide. Standing in front of a mirror with shaving foam all over his face, Cohen sings;
‘Now, Santa Claus comes forward; that’s a razor in his mitt,
He puts on his dark glasses and he shows you where to hit.’
Cheery stuff, huh? But we have all had ‘psycho-dramas’ about different things; and they do not all make happy bedtime reading, do they? Above all else, Leonard Cohen is sincere. You can tell that he is singing about real feelings, desires, hopes, dreams and fears in his songs. This sincerity gives his music a great depth that is lacking from the work of many other artists.
‘Songs of Love and Hate’ may not be the sort of album that you would put on at any old time, but when you do listen to it you’ll give it your full attention.
So, as you all know, it is my birthday tomorrow and in case you are wondering what to buy me (that means you Lesley) I have had my eye on that dvd set for Columbo, just in case you couldn’t think of anything…