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Product Description
Amazon.co.uk
Poses, Rufus Wainwright's second album, is a modest work in comparison with his self-titled 1998 debut. For all its baroque qualities, particularly Van Dyke Parks' arrangements that made Pet Sounds sound like a tossed-off exercise, his first album was an instant favourite for those attuned to its uniquely knowing romanticism. Poses seems to present a Wainwright less interested in showing off. Along with that self-effacement, unfortunately, comes an occasionally dulled sense of melody, with the ironic result that the new disc's stripped-down approach isn't likely to add many new fans to the club. The magic isn't gone, but it is attenuated; Propellerheads' Alex Gifford's meld of strings and beat-boxing on the one track he produced, "Shadows," ends up more of a diversion than a fully engaging trek off Wainwright's previous path. Poses is a not-bad album with some nice touches (a cover of dad Loudon III's "One Man Guy", the mocking of his own decadence on "California"), but its competence hardly reflects Rufus Wainwright's full measure of style and substance. --Rickey Wright
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful
By Eric Neil
Format:Audio CD
Rufus is too young to be so precociously talented, but there you have it. This album oozes a maturity, guile and wit that you might expect from such veterans as Walter Becker and Donald Fagen of Steely Dan. The opening track 'cigarettes and chocolate milk' with it's almost 'thrown together in ten minutes' feel, evokes a world weariness in the mould of Leonard Cohen or Randy Newman, while 'shadows' demonstrates a slick sophistication, reminding me very much of KD Laing's 'Ingenuie'. But before you think I see Wainwright as some sort of pastiche composite of other artists, let me assure you this is one of the best albums I have heard in 2002. Hauntingly familiar but refreshingly original this album surfs a variety of moods from dark and slinky to light and poppy with engaging and intelligent lyrics all the way through. I hope it reaches a sizeable audience.
16 of 17 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
This was an album which I picked up after reading an exellent review in People magazine. I had absolutely no idea what the music was like or wheather it would appeal to me in any way. I have not heard anything from his first album, but let me tell you, I will. This record is absolutely unique. It hits emotional depths in the most unexpected places. I give it a 4 star rating, instead of a 5, because, I believe it drops in quality about halfway through and leads to what is basically an anti-climax. However, I love that it ends with a reprise of "Cigarettes and Chocolaite Milk", one of the strongest singles. Other favourites of mine include the eerily haunting "Shadows", the catchy, ironic, self-mocking"California" and one of the best songs of all time, the absolute masterpiece"Poses". I urge everyone to have this CD. It is a shame that it is going by unnoticed. Rufus deserves more than that.
9 of 10 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Having heard Want One and Want Two first I was reluctant to listen to Rufus Wainwrights earlier work in the fear that it would taint my view that Rufus is definitely a special musician.
Poses is with no exception an outstanding album and each song possesses the distinct perfection of every track that I have heard.
If you have enjoyed any of Rufus' music you will undoubtedly enjoy Poses, listen out for 'Cigarettes and Chocolate Milk' and 'California'.
Poses is with no exception an outstanding album and each song possesses the distinct perfection of every track that I have heard.
If you have enjoyed any of Rufus' music you will undoubtedly enjoy Poses, listen out for 'Cigarettes and Chocolate Milk' and 'California'.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Original, intelligent and beautiful
The music on this CD has everything I rate most highly in modern popular ballads - originality, freedom from the love-song-cliches of the charts, lyrics both quirky and serious and... Read more
Published 4 months ago by Trevor Simpson
1.0 out of 5 stars
An utter dirge, for the most part...
Having never heard of Rufus, I bought this on the basis of an overheard conversation during a visit to the theatre (the people behind me, who seemed quite sensible, were raving... Read more
Published on 3 Oct 2009 by Wordson Canvas
5.0 out of 5 stars
Want one? I got them all!
Sorry Rickey. Wright you ain't!
This is one fine album, and though I like Wainwright's first it's not as good as this one. Read more
This is one fine album, and though I like Wainwright's first it's not as good as this one. Read more
Published on 26 Jan 2009 by soreleftfoot
5.0 out of 5 stars
A must have
I simply adore this Album. It was the first of his albums i purchased, because of such good reviews in music magazines, and it really doesn't disapoint. One of my favorite albums! Read more
Published on 25 Nov 2007 by R. Findlay
5.0 out of 5 stars
A revelation!
I am ashamed to say i knew nothing of Rufus until the closing credits of a certain episode of Queer As Folk (U.S.) and was reduced to tears by Poses! Read more
Published on 5 April 2006 by Aaron
3.0 out of 5 stars
If you want to try something new!
What an unusual album - and all the more refreshing and interesting for it. It's hard to compare it to anything else currently doing the rounds and put me more in mind of... Read more
Published on 22 Mar 2006 by Julia Martin
5.0 out of 5 stars
Arguably the most beautiful male voice of our generation
I really can't praise Rufus Wainwright enough. His voice is unique and beautiful. Descriptions like "eerily haunting" and "soulful" come to mind, though frankly some of his... Read more
Published on 16 Mar 2006 by G. A. Astley
5.0 out of 5 stars
Simply Stunning!
I remember buying Q magazine a few years ago and noticing that 'Poses' was in the top 50 for that year! Read more
Published on 14 Jan 2006 by Mr. T. Barron
5.0 out of 5 stars
Brilliant
This album is one you have to listen to more than once, the first time you think ive made a mistake getting this, but after that it's brilliant one your'll listen to over... Read more
Published on 17 Dec 2005
5.0 out of 5 stars
First Full Flowering Of Genius
The tame reaction of the official Amazon reviewer is indeed odd, as this is one of the greatest 20 albums in the history of recorded popular music. Read more
Published on 14 Jun 2005 by Alice Cribbins
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