Old Ideas
by Leonard Cohen
  • Record Label: Columbia
  • Release Date: Jan 31, 2012
User Score
8.1

Universal acclaim- based on 28 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 25 out of 28
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 28
  3. Negative: 2 out of 28
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  1. alecvl08
    Dec 14, 2014
    6
    Unlike most other Cohen albums, this one has some personality. The lyrics are thoughtful and meaningful, and the instrumentation is the best I've ever heard on a Cohen record. However, the production quality is abysmal, and there are a few tracks that slip back into the style of Dear Heather, which was terrible. On tracks like The Darkness, the groove is interesting and the organ solo isUnlike most other Cohen albums, this one has some personality. The lyrics are thoughtful and meaningful, and the instrumentation is the best I've ever heard on a Cohen record. However, the production quality is abysmal, and there are a few tracks that slip back into the style of Dear Heather, which was terrible. On tracks like The Darkness, the groove is interesting and the organ solo is great. Cohen has some awesome moments on this LP, but he fails to keep the momentum for the entire album.… Expand

Awards & Rankings

29
#29 Best Album of 2012

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
85

Universal acclaim - based on 32 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 30 out of 32
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 32
  3. Negative: 0 out of 32
  1. Under The Radar
    Mar 21, 2012
    80
    Old Ideas goes beyond serving as a solid-bookend, revealing the singer/songwriter's gifts to be entirely undiminished. [Mar 2012, p.83]
  2. Mojo
    Feb 27, 2012
    80
    Old Ideas remain a quietly surprising album, full of grace, full of sadness, but also, most importantly, full of life. [Mar 2012, p.90]
  3. Austin Chronicle
    Feb 23, 2012
    78
    All told, Old Ideas might be Cohen's strongest effort since taking Manhattan.
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