Popular Problems
by Leonard Cohen
  • Record Label: Columbia
  • Release Date: Sep 23, 2014
User Score
7.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 39 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 32 out of 39
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 39
  3. Negative: 3 out of 39
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  1. alecvl08
    Dec 16, 2014
    5
    This album is similar to Cohen's previous, Old Ideas, but he added some instrumental quality and subtracted slightly on the lyrical side. Unfortunately, lyrics are about all Cohen can do, and without them, he falls flat. Some of the instrumentals on here have SYNTHESIZER HORNS. WHY. GET REAL ONES!!! DO YOU KNOW HOW EASY IT WOULD BE TO GET A REAL HORN SECTION. Seriously. That's like myThis album is similar to Cohen's previous, Old Ideas, but he added some instrumental quality and subtracted slightly on the lyrical side. Unfortunately, lyrics are about all Cohen can do, and without them, he falls flat. Some of the instrumentals on here have SYNTHESIZER HORNS. WHY. GET REAL ONES!!! DO YOU KNOW HOW EASY IT WOULD BE TO GET A REAL HORN SECTION. Seriously. That's like my biggest annoyance in music. Anyway, there are a few tracks that stand out, but others but others are straight boring. I do like the sense of finality this album gives, not saying this will be Cohen's final album, but, it feels like I'm finishing something huge as the album closes. Overall, it's meh, and the lyrics are still good enough, as Cohen still can write some good lyrical points to make you think.… Expand

Awards & Rankings

21
#21 Best Album of 2014

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
86

Universal acclaim - based on 26 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 25 out of 26
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 26
  3. Negative: 0 out of 26
  1. Classic Rock Magazine
    Dec 17, 2014
    80
    The result is an autumnal masterpiece to rank alongside anything by Bob Dylan or Johnny Cash. [Nov 2014, p.92]
  2. Magnet
    Nov 12, 2014
    90
    The music, co-created with producer Patrick Leonard, is sparse but energetically diverse, with dips into Memphis soul, country, cabaret and jazzy funk. [No. 115, p.58]
  3. Mojo
    Nov 5, 2014
    80
    Leonard's half-spoken, slow, dark blues growl is powerful. [Nov 2014, p.86]
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