Rufus Wainwright - Want One
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Free Music Notes for Want One
Free Music Review: Right of Passage
Hit: 5 Stars
When Stravinsky premiered a new piece of music in 1913, critics and the general public were all over themselves with disgust at the perceived bombast. That was the original performance of Le Sacre du Printemps (the Right Of Spring), now considered to be one of the greatest pieces of music ever written.
A friend asked why I love Rufus Wainwright's "Want (One)" so much and I couldn't give an answer. They asked what kind of music it is, and I still had no answer. I said "It's all kinds of music at the same time". I guess that should be expected when the producer is the legendary Marius DeVries (Bjork, Massive Attack, Annie Lennox, Madonna).
You will not believe the things that are done with sounds on this cd. Some folks gawk at it being "too overproduced", but there is so many good songs with absolutely stunning arrangements you may not believe your ears. I heard some of the widest dynamic ranges on record.
Rufus's voice is it's own glorius instrument, which he uses to it's fullest potential here on every song. It may be an acquired taste, but it's definitely worth acquiring. His talented piano playing is, as always, wise beyond his years. Even the lyrics, which for so many seem hard to audibly decipher, are as stirring and courageous as ever. I see them as more self revealing than self indulgent. I hope you will too.
No matter how strong, Rufus takes me down with one little song.
To the folks who think this is a musical "quagmire" or "Miss Wainwright's" "Fairy Floss", I say Yeah, sure!
And Mozart's Symphonies have too many notes!
Free Music Review: Best of 2003: A revival and a step ahead at the same time
Hit: 5 Stars
A brilliant combination of classic Beatles/Beach Boys (Pet Sounds, mostly)/Elton John sounds blends with a Jeff Buckley-esque/Thom Yorke-like voice in a joyful way in Rufus Wainwright's latest production, one where his lyrical genius was combined with Marius deVries's talents producing (having previously worked with the likes of Björk, Massive Attack, Madonna and David Bowie), yielding an instant classic. From the instant the opening "Oh, What A World" kicks in you know you're in front of a work of art, one that elevates you and tickles your very soul with its beauty! And the album goes on with one brilliant and beautiful track after another. My favorites (tough call, I have to say), beside the opener, were "Go Or Go Ahead" and of the deepest songs in the album, "Dinner At Eight".
You see... my first experience with Rufus' music was not the best one. After his self-titled debut album, he was on tour and he opened for Tori Amos at a concert I attended in 2000. What it was? I don't know, but I just hated every minute of his show: didn't like it a bit, so this album was more than a pleasant surprise! Like a pie in the face, and a very delicious one, it was...
The fact that Wainwright mentions on his web site that the follow-up to this project, "Want Two will have some of the more daunting tracks, the operatic, weird stuff, some heavy numbers that relate to [his] classical sensibilities..." makes me just fantasize about it, considering 'Want One' is in itself alread a very daunting project! We can only sit back and delight ourselves with '... One' in the meantime.
Free Music Review: A Poet for the Twenty-first Century
Hit: 5 Stars
Rufus Wainwright's music is NOT accessible. I say this first because if you want pop candy to listen to mindlessly while you're working out, check out Mandy Moore or Britney Spears. Wainwright's music is like a fine old brandy--some people may not enjoy it, but true connisseurs know its worth.
This album is the composer's most brilliant of his three. Of his albums, Poses is the easiest to like. This one is the hardest, but most worth the effort. His lyrics are pure poetry, simply because of their simplicity and, for cynics, their triteness. His lush orchestration is genius--but better than that are his words. For example, some reviewers dislike "Vibrate" but its understated beauty and simple lyrics are what make it so gorgeous. Wainwright communicates hopeless longing and unrequited love without ever saying the words! Its Carmen-like pizzicato and lulling melody add to the meaning of the words. Oy vey. This song in itself is worth buying the cd.
That said, every song on this record is a gem worth unearthing. Track 1 is optimistic, show-tuney wonder. It's musical prozac. Track 5 should be played along with track 7--"Pretty things--so what if I like pretty things?" Simple, almost trite lyrics, but when you listen to them, they touch a chord in you that you weren't sure even existed. Track 9 is a love song to the mysterious Natasha, but even it is not cliched. "Do you know how scary this is for you and is for me?"
Buy this cd. Listen to it more than once. It may take awhile, but if you can be touched by music, this cd will move you.
Free Music Review: Wizard
Hit: 5 Stars
Rufus Wainwright's "Walk One" follows on the heels of the exquisite "Poses" and is another excellent milestone for this young artist. Slammed by some professional reviewers for a looser, more experimental feel, Rufus produces a sound complex with various levels in lush arrangements filled with classical and pop influences. My favorite track is "Go Or Go Ahead" with its wall of glorious background vocals and quirky lyrics that question love, "So I will opt for the big white limo, vanity fairgrounds and rebel angels." On the web site commentary Rufus confesses that the song was written while under the influence of a bad drug experience, advises the audience not to try it and cites Debussy for the closing vocals. Levon Helm from The Band contributes drums with Jenni Muldaur and sister Martha on background vocals on the Tin Pan Alley influenced "14th Street," "Why'd you have to break all my heart; couldn't you have saved a minor part?" The opener "Oh What A World" is addictive while on the title track Rufus confesses, "I don't want to be John Lennon or Leonard Cohen; I just want to be my Dad with a slight sprinkling of my mother." Rufus' work is made distinctive because of a voice like velvet, the complexity of his lyrics and melodies, and his use of the studio as another instrument. Not since the Beatles used the studio almost as another band member has anyone so effectively made use of the technology to transform his vision into sound. "Walk One" is entrancing. Enjoy!Free Music Review: An acquired taste-- and one worth acquiring
Hit: 5 Stars
It took me a while to get on board with Rufus. I first heard him at a concert in NYC-- I was on a date with a girl who's obsessed with him. My first impression was that his voice sounded a little nasally and whiny and that he was extremely flamboyant.
When I got home, though, I couldn't get "Vibrate" out of my head (not the best song on the album, but certainly a catchy one). I decided to order Want One mostly as a souvenir of my date, but also because something about these songs stuck with me.
When the CD came, I liked it, and Rufus's sound, more and more with each listen. Every song is beautifully crafted, with distinctive and beautiful melodies, and rich orchestration. I even came to appreciate and enjoy his voice, the way one might grow to love coffee or the opera.
Now that I have all of his CDs, this is probably still my favorite, although I think the others would take a little less getting used to.
Want One opens with an amazing song, "Oh What a World," which just layers on level after level of sound onto a baseline played, I think, by a tuba (or something synthesized to sound like one). The whole thing has a hypnotic effect.
Other particularly beautiful songs are "Natasha," "Pretty Things," and "I Don't Know What It Is."
I'm sure there's a certain type of person who really loves this kind of music, but I didn't think I was one of them until I really absorbed it. If your first impression of this CD is mixed or worse, give it a second and third chance. It's worth the effort.