Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
the pinnacle is reached, 30 Jun 2007
rufus has exceeded his own expectations on this 5th long player. after his more outre sister's intimate torch songs and the blissed concoctions from joan wasser, it was difficult to know what to expect, given his recent judy garland tribute.
more show tunes? even bigger choruses? more introspection? the overall feel is a lttle more mainstream in places ( the arrangements by neil tennant, particularly on 'rules and regulations' - his most direct 'pop' song since 'one i love' from want two), but loses none of his grandiloquent gestures, as typified on most of want one and parts of two.
he has seized the nettle and drawn himself further up the ladder marked 'drama' and fired off star-shaped rockets into the stratosphere. 'do i disappoint you' and ' between my legs' are the 2 standout tracks. the former is lushly orchestrated and resplendent, billowing into excess with crescendo after crescendo - lovelorn still.. the latter is cheeky from the off, cheerful, then the coda kicks in and the spine starts to shiver, quiver, not wanting the joy to end.
there is contemplation, as on all his work, but it is placed more in the foreground than before. 'going to a town' is a personal, political stab at the bush administration with touching, sometimes bittersweet lyrics - it feels like a genuine protest song...
'leaving for paris' and ' not ready for love' are the weakest offerings, although the segue into ' slideshow' is immaculate. these two work better live.
by the end, you feel that rufus is more content with his lot. the rumour is he is off for a sabbatical to complete a nascent opera. now that will be something to behold.
this is a work of ART and will leave you wanting more. not perfect but near enough. he is still one of the most fascinating and original composers of the last 10 years. long may he reign,the crown prince of palatial pop !!
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11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
STILL RIGHT ON TRACK., 18 Jun 2007
Well,this album has been eagerly awaited for by lots of people and it certainly was going to be a hard act to follow after the WANT project. Cards are laid on the table from the first track Do I dissapoint you, with the trademark lush orchestration and killer vocals. There are twists and turns all through the album with the vocals pushed to the front of the mix on most tracks. With Richard Thompson on guitar for a couple of tracks there is a feel of grit which gives the album an extra dimension and there are things here for everyone. You are certainly rewarded with repeated listenings. So I have to say, Rufus has pulled another one out of the hat and confirms his standing as one of the most talented singer songwriters of our generation and therefore the album is a must buy.
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Four Star Release!, 23 Sep 2007
This has probably been my most eagerly awaited album this year so far (with the possible exception of Arcade Fire) and anyone who owns Poses, Want One and Want Two will know why. Rufus is a genuine artist who oozes talent from every pore, whose music eminates melancholy wit, flamboyant modesty and tentative confidence. However, listening to a new release for the first time by an artist you love is always a nervous experience - will it live up to expectations or will it change your perception of them?
Well, it's my great pleasure to reassure any current Rufus Wainwright fan that they definitely won't be disappointed by this album and that there are 12 gems to discover and, if you're anything like me, probably eventually adore on Rufus' gorgeous fifth album Release The Stars. Like a cross between Poses and Want One, there is little here which moves away from the typical Rufus fan's comfort zone, but it's steeped with originality, with beautiful melodies and lyrics to fall in and out of love to.
This isn't an instantly gratifying listen, although the first listen isn't without pleasure, but instead slowly burns itself into your soul - songs get stronger with each playback and, simply put, there isn't a bad song on this album. Hell, there isn't even an average song on Release The Stars and I suppose the only reason that anyone could find fault with this recording (apart from very patriotic Americans listening to Going To A Town) is if they were expecting something truly different from Rufus. I, however, am exceptionally happy with a continuation of his very successful and individual brand of hopelessly romantic music.
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