Leonard Cohen Was There Then

I wrote this October 26th, just two weeks ago, about Leonard Cohen’s new album, released that day:

“You Want It Darker – Leonard Cohen – If Cohen, a great poet’s poet, had won the nobel prize for literature, you’d have heard no complaints from me. He is also, along with Zimmy himself, the exception that proves the rule as to finite songwriting gifts. His last FOUR albums (yes, the live one as well), including this wintery work of dark beauty, have been masterful. Leonard has claimed to be ready for death, in song here, and interview, but for all his quiet I’ve turned my back on the devil Gospel endings, he sounds a way off – ALBUM OF THE WEEK – A -”

This is the way to end a career, not a death album but a great album culminating years of great albums: a final sprint to the finish line.