Last week, Leonard Cohen's released his Complete Albums Collection, and already it's become incomplete: The poet/rocker revealed today that he has a new album called Old Ideas coming out in 2012. The collection of ten previously unpublished tracks is Cohen's first studio album since 2004's Dear Heather, which everyone just assumed would be the Rock and Roll Hall of Famer's final studio album. "I've played it for a few people, and they seem to like it," Cohen said. That sounds enthusiastic! If Cohen's buds like it, the disc must really be good.
Cohen told journalists in Spain -- where he was receiving the country's "top award for authors who do not write in Spanish" -- that "god willing," he'd also tour in support of Old Ideas, Reuters reports. There had been rumors about a new Lenny album ever since it was discovered that two female singers -- Jennifer Warnes, his longtime collaborator, and Anjani, who appeared on Dear Heather -- were assisting the Canadian crooner in the studio. Anjani's Facebook page has been especially forthcoming with the details, including the revelation that one track is called "Home of the Brave." Another song called "Darkness" that Cohen debuted during his world tour is also expected to make the cut.
Why did it take so long for Cohen to record another album? For starters, he was content ending on Dear Heather, but his retirement was ruined when his former manager stole all his money. Also, it takes Cohen a long, long time to craft his songs. "You know, when you're writing, you're always an absolute beginner," Cohen said. "Each time you take up your guitar or sit by a blank page, you start from scratch. It's a struggle."
In other Leonard news, here's a new Sony commercial that features Cohen reciting his own poetry. It might be tough for him to write songs, but he had no problem drawing up beautiful prose to help sell 3D televisions:
[Photo: Graham Denholm/Getty Images]