LEONARD COHEN

Songs of Love and Hate

2007-06-11

A Colombia digital mastered re-release of the 1971 album serves as a didactic epitome for Leonard Cohen. The album opens with the chilling ‘Avalanche’ (no pun intended). And includes other Cohen classics such as ‘Dress Rehearsal Rag,’ ‘Diamonds in the Mine’ (my personal favorite), and an ode to Cohen’s recurrent archetype ‘Joan of Arc.’ Also included is a previously unreleased cut of ‘Dress Rehearsal Rag.’ An enduring performance of Cohen’s bravura, existing in the ephemeral, and produced by Nashville great Bob Johnston. – Derrick Mund