Songs from a Room [EXTRA TRACKS] [ORIGINAL RECORDING REMASTERED]

Leonard Cohen

Product Details

• Audio CD (April 24, 2007)
• Original Release Date: March 27, 2007
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Extra tracks, Original recording remastered
• Label: Sony Legacy
• ASIN: B000NOKA1C
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #5,098 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars His best, beautifully repackaged, May 13, 2007

By	David A. Bede (Singapore) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

What a delightfully dark album! But if you know any Leonard Cohen songs, you already knew that, right? Wrong. This is dark even by his standards, a remarkable look at Vietnam and the 1960s generation gap from the enigmatic Canadian. Cohen being Cohen, of course, that can't be seen on the surface, which is what keeps the brilliant album brilliant instead of relentlessly depressing. The production style is extremely austere, apparently in reaction to what Cohen considered the excessive instrumental flourishes of his first album; whether intentional or not, this fits the lyrical atmosphere perfectly and adds to it.

While there is nothing overtly topical about the then-current issues at hand, youth alienation and war are addressed metaphorically throughout the set. "Story of Isaac," "A Bunch of Lonesome Heroes" and "The Old Revolution" are best seen through this lens. The album's token cover, "The Partisan," is a more transparent take on the horrors of war, and it fits well between the others. Perhaps most macabre is "Seems So Long Ago, Nancy," a chilling tale of a long-ago love affair that came to a tragic ending (and, characteristically, he remembers the year and what she was wearing!) This one hasn't turned up on any greatest-hits album that I know of, as good a reason as any to buy Songs From A Room. Amusingly, the album ends on an almost-cheerful note with "Tonight Will Be Fine" - perhaps even Leonard Cohen has his limits.

The booklet-style package features lyric sheets, a new appreciation by Anthony DeCurtis, and a sprinkling of pictures and interesting period memorabilia. Also new to this version are previously unreleased early versions of "Bird on a Wire" and "You Know Who I Am". I think they feel tacked on after the intensity of the original album, but they're interesting to hear on their own.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Improved Sound, April 25, 2007

By	whatevas "geeeze" (tijuana) - See all my reviews

A much louder audio signal than the earlier CD. Still a good amount of hiss, but that's actually a good sign, as it means they havn't sucked the life out of it with lame noise reduction technology. Besides the louder audio signal, the most obvious improvement upon one listen are the high string parts on bird on a wire. Even more beautiful than before.

Definately worth purchasing even if you own the previous release. Great packaging as well. CD case is shaped like a small book, with a spine and bound pages within. Neat.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Classic Album with deserved Remastering, April 24, 2007

By	Zak (USA) - See all my reviews

I was so excited to learn months ago that Leonard Cohen, the master of poetry in popular music, was having his first three albums rereleased and remastered. Songs from a Room is an acknowledged folk classic and the sound on this album is incredible.

If you are a longtime Cohen fan, then buy this album for the updated sound.

If you are a newcomer who is even slightly interested in Leonard Cohen, then buy this album. You will not be disappointed.