5. Leonard Cohen, 'Old Ideas'

Over the years it's sometimes felt like Leonard Cohen was toying with us, coming up with new and exotic ways to woo lit majors. Old Ideas, the 78-year-old's 12th studio album, eschews many of those wry touches for something far more introspective. It's not quite a musical epitaph in the way Johnny Cash's last couple albums were, but Cohen is clearly contemplating his own mortality. However, like most good art, these songs leave you with more questions than answers. -- Aaron Brophy