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Title:
Various Positions
Description:
2011 Reissue. This is one of Cohen’s most underrated albums. What makes it so controversial and difficult to judge is that it’s the first album featuring Cohen going all in with the 80s synth sound, and the first to feature his deep booming voice that inexplicably dropped a minor third. It’s difficult to judge the album on its own merits because of how shocking it is to hear Leonard Cohen singing like that and sounding like that. But this album is one of his masterpieces, and while it might not be on par with his early folk albums in either music or lyrics, it stands as probably his last truly great album.
Most critics regard “I’m Your Man” as Cohen’s 80s magnum opus, but if there ever could be an album where overwrought synth production got in the way of good music, it’s that one. Various Positions is something of a crossover between new and old for Cohen, somewhat reminiscent of Van Morrison’s Into The Music in the way it blends the sounds of different genres. The highlights are “Dance Me To The End of Love”, a haunting waltz written subtly about the Holocaust; “Coming Back To You”, a gorgeous country-inspired love song with some of Cohen’s best lyrics; and of course, “Hallelujah”, perhaps the greatest song ever written. But there’s more worth mentioning: “The Law” has an atmosphere reminiscent of “The Partisan”; “Night Comes On” sounds like a song from his first album except with chords played on a Casio keyboard rather than a Spanish guitar; “If It Be Your Will” sounds like the old Leonard, guitar and all.
Most critics regard “I’m Your Man” as Cohen’s 80s magnum opus, but if there ever could be an album where overwrought synth production got in the way of good music, it’s that one. Various Positions is something of a crossover between new and old for Cohen, somewhat reminiscent of Van Morrison’s Into The Music in the way it blends the sounds of different genres. The highlights are “Dance Me To The End of Love”, a haunting waltz written subtly about the Holocaust; “Coming Back To You”, a gorgeous country-inspired love song with some of Cohen’s best lyrics; and of course, “Hallelujah”, perhaps the greatest song ever written. But there’s more worth mentioning: “The Law” has an atmosphere reminiscent of “The Partisan”; “Night Comes On” sounds like a song from his first album except with chords played on a Casio keyboard rather than a Spanish guitar; “If It Be Your Will” sounds like the old Leonard, guitar and all.
Band or Artist:
Cohen, Leonard
Release Year:
1984
Barcode:
074649072827
Format:
CD
Genre:
Rock
Pop
Folk
Folk Rock
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Producer:
John Lissauer
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AllMusic Rating:
3
Recording Location:
Quadrasonic Sound, New York
Quality:
N/A
Date Added:
2018-06-28 16:52:04
Automatic Estimated Value:
~$22.74
Automatic Estimated Date:
2025-11-01
Date Added:
2018-06-28 16:52:04
