Rufus Wainwright - Poses

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Free Music Notes for Poses

Free Music Review: brighter and brighter
Hit: 5 Stars

The opening track of Poses, "Cigarettes and Chocolate Milk", is a perfectly fitting segue, and one that would have fit snugly into his stunning debut. Humourous and self-deprecating, the lyrics document the singer's penchant for all things harmful, lumping fattening foods and love into the same picnic basket. Just try to get this song out of your head. As melodically rich as the food he laments, this and the other twelve tracks on the album deftly stir intelligent, well-crafted, pop-savvy melodies into a tantalizing melange, topped off by the author's superb lyrics.

His tendency for the grandiose is constantly tempered by an obvious and beautifully implemented appreciation for classic pop, and the ghost of the Beatles rears it's gorgeous head more than a few times, though none more clearly than on the captivating "Grey Gardens". Like "April Fools" on the debut album, the Fabs themselves would have been hardpressed to keep from liking this one.

Though it reflects and embraces much of its spirit, the album is huge in its sweep and reaches far beyond Sixties pop. Indeed, there was a clear intention of stepping in to the new millenium, bringing along more upbeat and (dare I say) danceable tunes. Wainwright has made no secret of the fact that he would like to step out of the coffee house circuit. He just wants to hear his songs played on the radio, folks. And there are a couple of attempts here to achieve this end, most of them quite successful. If there is one mistep on the album it is the "remix" of "Cigarettes and Chocolate Milk" that closes the disc. Silly and unnecessary, it tries just a little too hard to be hip.

Taken in its entirety, though, the album is one of the year's definite best, and will likely stand the test of time as an enduring work. If Wainwright continues to grow and excel in his songwriting, we may truly be witnesses to the birth of one of the greats.

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