Leonard Cohen I'm Your Man 180g Import LP

"As any fan can tell you, Leonard Cohen is one of the most gifted lyricists in the world of modern music. Hailing from Montreal, Cohen was an acclaimed poet and novelist long before he started recording his songs professionally in his mid-30s. In fact, his immortal 'Suzanne' is just as likely to be found in poetry classrooms as it is in record shops.

"I'm Your Man is one of the highlights in his remarkably long career. The album features more modern instrumentation than his usually sparse efforts, including synths and drum machines. For the most part, this approach successfully propels his music into the future ('First We Take Manhattan'), though a couple of tracks have dated over time (see 'Jazz Police').

"Still, like almost all of Cohen's albums, this one contains some true masterpieces. The woozy, shuffling title track 'I'm Your Man' is a declaration of undying devotion featuring tongue-in-cheek lines ('If you want a doctor/I'll examine every inch of you'). The whole album has a streak of sly humor running through it, hinted at by the album cover photograph of Cohen in shades posing with a banana peel.

"'Everybody Knows' is a droll and cynical farewell to the sexual revolution in light of the dangers of AIDS. 'There's gonna be a meter on your bed that will disclose/What everybody knows.' The easygoing steel guitar groove of 'I Can't Forget' elevates Cohen's stunning lyrics: 'The summer's almost gone/The winter's tuning up.' And Jennifer Warnes' velvety smooth 'doo dum dum' backing chorus is a charming highlight of the superb closer 'Tower Of Song.'" -Rob Morton, 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die