Leonard Cohen, Songs from a Room (side A)

1969's Songs from a Room is Cohen's second album, and it begins with the classic "Bird on the Wire".  The accompanying arrangements, which often feature strings but can also stretch all the way to synthesizers, are incredibly well recorded and bring the album grace and beauty.  They often feel a bit too straightforward for Cohen's songs, and especially for his dead-pan delivery.  His vocals also sound somewhat too thin and present, which does not flatter them when juxtaposed against the lush string recordings.  Cohen's songwriting is of course strong and tasteful, and his literate lyrics have not grown as menacing as they would on later albums.  The cover design nicely references the tradition of including the songwriter's picture, while de-emphasizing it through a small, mostly black image.