Rufus Wainwright - Poses [Bonus Track]

The scrutiny of success that came early on--being named Best New Artist by Rolling Stone in 1998, the year of his debut album, for example--would have smothered many another emerging talent. But it failed to stopper the singular, unclassifiable, ranging gift of singer/songwriter Rufus Wainwright. His sophomore album, Poses, advances beyond the earlier, cabaret-inspired effort with a suite of songs marvelously varied in arrangement and texture but linked by Wainwright's characteristic theatrical panache. "Cigarettes and Chocolate Milk" catalogs excess with playful self-censure, but Wainwright's whimsical ironies often take a bruising, poignant turn, whether in the pseudo-upbeat "California" or, most movingly, on the title track. The dying fall of Wainwright's lusher melodies--echoes of "Across the Universe" as well as ultrachic Beatles tunes such as "Michelle"--meshes remarkably with the poetic substance here as he explores a landscape of wistful self-knowledge caught between longing and decadence. Yet even through all the layers of picturesque, postmod observation, Wainwright conveys a sense-filtered experience that gives urgency to his hauntingly mumbled opacities. With Poses, the young artist proves his authenticity. --Thomas May Amazon.com\'s Best of 2001

Poses

Rufus has done it again. This is one damn good cd. Poses and Across the Universe are the best of the show, but the rest are wonderful too. Good Work Rufus , keep it up..... May 6, 2008

Poses by a 'One Man' Prodigy.

"Cause I'm a one man guy in the morning
Same in the afternoon
One man guy when the sun goes down
I whistle me a one man tune
One man guy a one man guy
Only kind of guy to be."
--"One Man Guy"

Rufus Wainwright is a musical prodigy. He is proficient on both piano and guitar, and his melancholic and melodic songs are a poetic reflection of his brilliant mind. His parents are folk singers Loudon Wainwright III and Kate McGarrigle, and his sister is Martha Wainwright. He wrote most of the songs for Poses while living in the NYC's Chelsea Hotel, reportedly addicted to crystal meth. (Elton John persuaded him to check into rehab.) Although this album received critical acclaim, commercially it was not as successful. In my opinion, this album is Wainwright's finest hour of music to date, and "Cigarettes And Chocolate Milk" and "One Man Guy" are reason enough to invest in this highly-recommended album. Complete tracks include:

1. Cigarettes And Chocolate Milk 4:44
2. Greek Song 3:56
3. Poses 5:02
4. Shadows 5:35
5. California 3:23
6. The Tower of Learning 4:47
7. Grey Gardens 3:08
8. Rebel Prince 3:44
9. The Consort 4:25
10. One Man Guy 3:31
11. Evil Angel 4:43
12. In A Graveyard 2:22
13. Cigarettes And Chocolate Milk 4:00
14. Across The Universe 4:10

G. Merritt
April 28, 2008

To me, the best of Rufus

I love Rufus Wainwright, and to me this represents some of his best work. I also like his current (2007) album, but if I could own only one, this would be it. Like another reviewer (and probably many) said, it is true and wonderful poetry at work in song. Highly recommended! October 24, 2007

Poses is poetry for the heart.

Having recently discovered the wondrously talented Rufus Wainwright
through the track Cigarettes and chocolate milk, I knew I had to hear more,hence the purchase of the magic which is Poses. Each track is
totally different, no odious repetitions, each so gloriously melodic,
whether it be up tempo or a ballad, at the very heart of each track
lies a beautiful orchestration. The voice can soar to such heartbreaking
heights, you feel he belongs in another time and place, a modern day
travelling minstrel bringing his tales and music to the masses. BRILLIANT
August 14, 2007

Rufus Best pop cd

Wow! What a rich experience. Rufus Wainwright's voice is amazing. He has a classical voice but in this popular medium he makes his vocals very accessible. He clearly benefitted from being raised by his musical McGarrigle mother The McGarrigle Hour and also from his talented singer songwriter Wainwright father Strange Weirdos: Music from and Inspired by the Film Knocked Up.

This is the best cd to start with if you are introducing yourself to Rufus Wainwright's music. Each song has a distinctly different feel to it and uses different musical talents. Although I think of "Poses" as his best cd, the song "Going to a Town" on his new cd "Release the Stars" is one of the best songs of 2007, reflecting on the impressions one gets lately from spending time in America and anywhere else in the world. July 4, 2007

More reviews at Amazon.com ...