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Product Description
Review
Never judge an album by its cover. On the outside at least, everything seems to suggest that this is the Rufus Wainwright we’ve come to know: the strutting peacock in his manor, a pink-jacketed hedonist with cane in hand, blithely inspecting his fingernails. But the truth is elsewhere. Out of the Game, created with go-to producer Mark Ronson, largely dispenses with the lush orchestral backings and sumptuous surrounds of much of his previous work. Instead it’s a record driven by soul grooves, classic American R&B and, more overtly, 70s pop.
There’s certainly much less of the symphonic bombast that occasionally hampered 2007’s Release the Stars. And while it’s much fuller than his last album, 2010’s All Days Are Nights, Out of the Game is very much a master class in restraint. Rather than straining for the big choruses, here Wainwright intones over smooth backings, horns and the gospel harmonies of Brooklyn soul-stirrers The Dap-Kings.
Barbara, a tribute to his publicist and manager, carries the languid feel of Californian MOR, while Jericho is a gorgeous funk ballad, all spongy bass and warm brass. Rashida features a little sax, squally guitar and the kind of piano line served up by Mike Garson on Aladdin Sane, the end result a weightless mix of Bowie and Queen.
Aside from Ronson, Wainwright’s also joined by, amongst others, his sister Martha, Sean Lennon, Wilco guitarist Nels Cline and Yeah Yeah Yeahs’ Nick Zinner. It all makes for some intriguing tangents. Respectable Dive, for instance, finds him settling into a slow country shuffle, some twangy guitar kicking up the dust. Bitter Tears somehow manages to transpose classical chamber music onto nimble 70s disco, the whole thing sounding like an Elizabethan shindig under a giant glitterball.
There’s rumination aplenty too. The baleful acoustic rhythm of Sometimes You Need finds Wainwright in reflective mode, singing of making it through the dark and finding succour in the company of a stranger. Candles is seven-plus minutes of piano-led balladry with hushed chorals and a smattering of accordion that serves as a requiem for his late mother, Kate McGarrigle. Much like Out of the Game as a whole, it’s very special indeed.
--Rob Hughes
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CD Description
Out of the Game is Rufus Wainwright's seventh studio album, and was produced by Mark Ronson. Musicians on the album include the Dap Kings, who Ronson used for the groundbreaking Amy Winehouse Back To Black album and his own Record Collection; Wilco's Nels Cline; Nick Zinner of Yeah Yeah Yeahs; Andrew Wyatt from Miike Snow; Sean Lennon and Martha Wainwright. the album features the single "Out of the Game".
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
15 of 16 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Yup he's back. And still singing all about him.
There's something so self obessedly wonderful about Rufus. All the songs revolve around him, or his family, or his friends. So really it's same old Rufus.
But damn the songs are very good. Echoes of everything here: His past albums, especially Release the Stars and Songs for Lulu (on Montauk) - but also touches of Queen, Beatles, a general 70's pop vibe, all topped off with swirling strings.
There's some great electric guitar here and there. A bit of country - most notable on the title track.
Great phrasing, catchy riffs and tunes. All these tracks would work wonderfully just with solo piano but it's the full band here which really makes things happen. All great throughout - there's almost everything here, including bagpipes! Really I'm not kidding.
Sister Martha (that's his sister not the religious kind) provides her gorgeous vocals on a couple of tracks, along with other family members.
This is very very good. Bravo Rufus - keep it up!
There's something so self obessedly wonderful about Rufus. All the songs revolve around him, or his family, or his friends. So really it's same old Rufus.
But damn the songs are very good. Echoes of everything here: His past albums, especially Release the Stars and Songs for Lulu (on Montauk) - but also touches of Queen, Beatles, a general 70's pop vibe, all topped off with swirling strings.
There's some great electric guitar here and there. A bit of country - most notable on the title track.
Great phrasing, catchy riffs and tunes. All these tracks would work wonderfully just with solo piano but it's the full band here which really makes things happen. All great throughout - there's almost everything here, including bagpipes! Really I'm not kidding.
Sister Martha (that's his sister not the religious kind) provides her gorgeous vocals on a couple of tracks, along with other family members.
This is very very good. Bravo Rufus - keep it up!
12 of 13 people found the following review helpful
By S. R. Basso
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
Rufus Wainwright delivers his most consistent and restrained lp since Poses but with stylistic echoes of all his work sprinkled throughout. Mark Ronson produces with a great ear for 70's soft-rock, 80's electro-pop and Wainwright's more complex usual sound. Seriously good pop music from an artist who deserves the wider audience this will hopefully bring.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
My first taste of Rufus.....can't believe what i've been missing all these years !
26 May 2012
By Mr. R. Haden
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
I had never heard a Rufus Wainwright album, till this latest release. I've enjoyed this so much, i had to check out his back catalogue.
Purchased " Want One " ( one of the best albums i've ever heard ) " Out Of The Game " is very much in the same style.
This guy doesn't get the recognition he deserves, in terms of commercial success. Without doubt, one of the greatest artists of the 21st century.
Ordered the rest of his albums...can't wait for them to arrive !
Purchased " Want One " ( one of the best albums i've ever heard ) " Out Of The Game " is very much in the same style.
This guy doesn't get the recognition he deserves, in terms of commercial success. Without doubt, one of the greatest artists of the 21st century.
Ordered the rest of his albums...can't wait for them to arrive !
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Good CD
First CD I've ever purchased by Rufus Wainwright but I wasn't dissapointed. Nice to listen to someone with something to say !
Published 6 days ago by J DUFFIELD
5.0 out of 5 stars
Rufus becomes commercial
I love this album!! I've heard Rufus a few times on tv and found him a bit of an acquired taste! But I persevered and thought I'd have a go with his latest offering and I love it! Read more
Published 14 days ago by Woof
5.0 out of 5 stars
Out of the Game
I love this CD. R W is his usual quirky self and well worth the money. Would recommend to friends and family
Published 16 days ago by Beanpole88
2.0 out of 5 stars
Present for a Rufus fan
I gave this to my Dad yesterday and he's not too impressed with it. He is a fan but finds it quiet boring, Only one listen tho so might grow on him.
Published 1 month ago by Sarah
5.0 out of 5 stars
Out of the game by Rufus Wainwright
A gorgeous collection of beautifully written songs which seem to come from the heart. Rufus Wrainwright improves with every album and this one is sublime. Read more
Published 2 months ago by kathkins b
5.0 out of 5 stars
Yes.......
What can I say - of course I love this product. It's Rufus Wainwright!
I like buying my music from Amazon - makes things very easy.
I like buying my music from Amazon - makes things very easy.
Published 2 months ago by RaRa
2.0 out of 5 stars
Step in the wrong direction
Wainwright's an experimental artist, and that's a quality I usually admire but here it hasn't quite paid off. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Monster Zero
5.0 out of 5 stars
Rufus
Great Track, thats why I downloaded it, Sounds Great on my MP3 player, Very quick Download. Would Recommend to anybody
Published 4 months ago by Bernard Mayers
5.0 out of 5 stars
Love, love, love it *****
Bought this album for two people as a Christmas present - both of them were well impressed. Great album, highly recommend it
Published 4 months ago by Ruth McCormick
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent album from Rufus Wainwright
Exactly what I needed, great storytelling and melodies! it's been the only cd playing at my house since I received it.
Published 4 months ago by Leena Helin
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