Is Death of a Ladies' Man a good place to start with Leonard Cohen?

Yes, Death of a Ladies' Man is recommended as a starting point for new Leonard Cohen listeners. A haunting blend of romantic longing and gritty realism, underscored by lush production and Cohen's signature baritone. Released in 1977, Death of a Ladies' Man marked Leonard Cohen's first collaboration with producer Phil Spector, diverging from his earlier, more intimate sound. At this point in his career, Cohen was transitioning from a celebrated folk artist into a more experimental phase, following the commercial success of his previous album, New Songs.

Who is Death of a Ladies' Man for?

Death of a Ladies' Man works well if you're into steady pacing with gradual build, sardonic reflections on love and haunting orchestration and vocals.

How many songs are on Death of a Ladies' Man?

Death of a Ladies' Man has 8 tracks, running approximately 42 minutes.

Released 49 years ago this November

Death of a Ladies' Man

Leonard Cohen · 1977

42 min · 8 tracks · blues

A haunting blend of romantic longing and gritty realism, underscored by lush production and Cohen's signature baritone.

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Top tracks — play these first

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True Love Leaves No Traces Start here — This track opens the album with an introspective reflection on love and loss, setting the tone for the complex emotions woven throughout the record.
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I Left a Woman Waiting — The song captures Cohen's trademark lyrical prowess, examining themes of regret and longing through vivid imagery and poignant storytelling.
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Death of a Ladies’ Man — The title track encapsulates the album's themes of masculinity and vulnerability, juxtaposing lavish production with raw confessions that challenge traditional gender roles.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

51 /100

Foothills

Higher than 34% of albums we've rated

The album's lush production and contrasting vocal styles create a unique listening experience, though it may not fully resonate over time.

What we noticed

The album features lush orchestral arrangements that contrast with Cohen's sparse lyrical delivery, creating a tension between the music and vocals.
Several tracks incorporate abrupt tempo changes, such as 'Iodine,' which shifts from a slow ballad to a more upbeat rhythm midway through.
Cohen's vocal style is consistently deep and resonant, often layered with backing harmonies that enhance the emotional weight of the lyrics.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 6/10
Durability 25% of the score: 5/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 6/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

steady pacing with gradual build
sardonic reflections on love
haunting orchestration and vocals
introspective listening in solitude

Maybe skip if you

prefer instant gratification tracks
seek upbeat, energetic vibes

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Experimental — This album marked a departure from Cohen's earlier, more intimate sound.
Themes: fleeting romance· masculinity and vulnerability· sardonic love songs
Career context: Released in 1977, Death of a Ladies' Man marked Leonard Cohen's first collaboration with producer Phil Spector, diverging from his earlier, more intimate sound. At this point in his career, Cohen was transitioning from a celebrated folk artist into a more experimental phase, following the commercial success of his previous album, New Songs.
Stylistic neighbors: Nick Cave· Bob Dylan· Tom Waits