Chicago Sun-Times review

[jarkko]

Another from Marie.

Chicago Sun-Times

November 7, 2004

http://www.suntimes.com/output/rock/sho ... ins07.html
LEONARD COHEN, "DEAR HEATHER" (COLUMBIA) ** 1/2

The woofer-whacking baritone from north of the border is back as legendary songwriter Leonard Cohen returns to record-store shelves. The voice, never a thing of beauty but always serviceable and imbued with the portent of at least a minor deity, remains authoritative if pretty well threadbare at this point.

But that's not the main issue here. Instead, it's the songwriting. In his finest moments, Cohen has put his foghorn in the service of melodic, often unforgettable material, from "The Sisters of Mercy" to "Hallelujah" to "Bird on a Wire" to the more recent "Democracy." But here, though he remains smart and -- egad! -- sensual, the material, save a live cover of "Tennessee Waltz," just doesn't stick. "On That Day," "Dear Heather" and "Villanelle for Our Times," among others, demand our attention. Problem is, they just don't stick to the ribs.

Jeff Wisser