Want One

Sounds like the marketing department opted to keep me out of the target audience for this one.

I wasn't sure what to expect from a Rufus "the Hallelujah guy" Wainwright, but this definitely exceeded my expectations. It has many sounds to be later found in later alt / indie music of the next few years. Specifically reminiscent of artists like Andrew Bird and Sufjan Stevens. Really excellent songwriting with a lot of eccentric charm throughout the different styles. Heartfelt and theatrical, bits of whimsy intercede with deep emotion. Put it on early thinking it'd be casual but it really gripped me while listening

what a great album of awful songs!

So emotional that I get the feeling That this is Music for People with no feeling, for those who do not listen to music but get these 1 or 2 recommendations per year they completely dig. CD rack holds 27 albums.

It's like your favourite Disney song but worse!

Thom York sings Broadway songs. Nothing stands out as bad, but nothing stands out in a good way either.

I listened for a few tracks, lost interest, shut it off and didn’t feel bad about it, because this album has been removed from the book.

This is magnificent. It's a soundtrack for a beautiful life, any life, in all it's pain, joy, heartache, and optimism. The whole album is full, front-to- back, with wonderful arrangements and rich instrumentation on songs that all sound like the perfect end credit track for a truly stunning movie experience. It's contemplative and sometimes sad yet often triumphant. I've never heard this before, but I'll be back often.

A great flowering of talent here, it seems. Rich and lush and layered and interesting – "breathtaking, eccentric opulence" is about right. A criticism might be that it all runs together a bit, in tempo and mood and excess layering, but how enjoyable and engaging it all is along the way and the combo of ambition/vision and fearless execution/willingness to go for it on every cut seems borderline genius. It’s a steady flow from strength to strength, with every cut registering – “Oh What a World” is a strong opener and great mood-setter, “Vicious World” and “Movies of Myself” keep things moving in rich cinematic fashion, And then what a sequence from the power of intense “Go or Go Ahead” to the yearning “Vibrate” to the rollicking “14th Street” to the legit-lovely “Natasha” to the wry “Harvester of Hearts” – RW leaves nothing on the table (hard to believe another record is coming). “Want” is beautiful, too, with the strong “11:11” and the riveting (if maybe overwrought) “Dinner at 8” make for an extraordinary (and fitting) close. Maybe it’s a little weak vocally, with a one-note style that throws up the same modulations and tics at every song. And it’s not hard to see how the overall feel might be overly dramatic for some tastes (not to mention excessively multi-tracked and overly instrumented/orchestrated). But the payoff is there, song after song after song. One expects to build a long-term relationship with this record (and its twin, which is nearly – but not quite – as excellent) as they have already repaid multiple listenings and definitively give off the air of a masterpiece.

Exceptional. I loved every song on this. Jericho was a personal favorite.

Not bad at all. Never listened to him before. A little much in parts. Kind of Nilsson in parts. A little like Thom Yorke but more theatrical. Go or Go Ahead is great! Sounds a bit like a Radiohead song. Overall pretty good! At least a 3.5. Cover is weird though.

powerful. transportive. emotional. beautiful.

Something disgustingly beautiful about the way he sings and the way these songs are orchestrated. I can appreciate it but it's not something I will likely choose to listen to. One of my favorite parts was the very end of "Harvester of Hearts" when he says "that's all you're getting tonight" then laughs that goofy strange laugh. It felt like a glimpse behind a lush facade to something that is hiding behind meticulously crafted prose and arrangement - something that I'm more interested in seeing that what's being shown.

This is quite syrupy and unpleasant, some tunes buried within the grandiosity but his voice does not sit well in my ears. Too long and too self-absorbed, but tolerable in brief snippets

Cover? Bad. No Shrek version of Hallelujah. That’s strike 2 Mr. Wainwright. If that is your real name. I think the title of “Mr. Wainwright” is probably taken by an off-duty oil man who drank the most Jell-O shots at some fly by night bar in the titular northern Alberta town. Stiff competition Rufus. Oh what a world. He omits the “wonderful.” Already a slap in the face of Louis Armstrong. Bold. I respect it. Also, it just dawned on me that ol’ Rufus is Canadian. Huge miss on my end. This music is actually pretty cool. Lush and grandiose. Like it’s bellowing through an empty church. Good atmosphere, but the vocals are not my favourite. That normally doesn’t play out well for the review. Noooooo. No. Nope. In the wise words of that one weird Italian (?) guy from that one “I Think You Should Leave” sketch; “Stinky.” Good lord. Boring and yet somehow also truly terrible. Only a vicious world could produce something this abhorrent. Alright. We’ve truly decided the direction we’re going into I suppose. The melodies continue to disappoint and the vocals continue to stay at the same annoying tone. Things are not going well for the Canadian here. Is it too late to disqualify him for being born in the USA?? I even checked Wikipedia. We all know about divorced dad rock, but have you heard of divorced mom rock? Rufus was making brave new strides in this still burgeoning genre. This was bloated and smelled like wine. I felt empty listening to it. Go or Go Ahead is a brief respite. A little bit more of the emotion I’m looking for. A better melody for starters. Some energy for finishers. It’s, by no means “good,” and it sounds a little bit like Coldplay not looking for radio play, but it provides more than the preceding march through songwriting purgatory. 8 more songs hey? What’s the opposite of Christmas miracle? A Yuletide tragedy? Maybe I’ll trademark that. Nobody beat me to it. Vibrate sounds like the rest of the songs so far. This is an adult Harry Potter enthusiast’s favourite song. Something so very millennial about it. Maybe I need to speak to a doctor. This is the most depressing album I’ve heard in months. Oh good. The same vocal tone again. Should’ve left this stupid vibrato on 14th street pal. Yes, I could’ve made that “joke” on the song “Vibrate,” but I was essentially catatonic listening to this fucking disaster. This song is like a pharmaceutically pacified psych ward patient attempting to sing in a hallmark commercial. Poor Natasha. Nobody deserves this kind of treatment. Bad song. Messy horns. And you guessed it, the same vocal tone. Back to the well. It sounds like he fell down a well and if that would end this, I’d be in favour. My hand would be stuck up in an affirmative vote. 11:11. Make a wish everybody. Shhh don’t tell me or it won’t come true. My wish won’t come true anyway, as I will be listening to the rest of this song and album. I guess the cat is out of the bag. I’m sure it wishes it could go back in the bag. I know I do. Fuck. Another wish down the tubes. How is this not the same song? Please end please end please end please and please end please end please end oh god it’s swelling. Good lord this was atrocious. There’s nothing to even grab onto and make fun of. It’s just the same boring song on repeat. Each track sucks the colour out of the room reaching through the listening device. Vitality vampirism aside, the lyrics didn't speak to me and any cool sounds that occurred on the first song were ultimately betrayed in favour of the true intentions of the artist. Apparently those intentions were to exhaust the listener via a barrage of unlistenable songs with a monotone vocal that began to resemble drone music. If nothing else, bad albums are exciting creative outlets for me. “Want One” couldn’t even produce a canvas, let alone the paints in order to produce something of value from this steaming pile of low-budget Coldplay. 0-0.5 HIGHLIGHTS: Oh What a World.

extremely fortunate to roll this now since want two, one of my best new discoveries of the project, has been in my rotation recently. that record deffo feels a bit more out-there and sonically cryptic, where this hits u a bit more between the eyes...not a bad thing at all since, among the melody-writers id never even heard of before this project, rufus wainwright might be my very favorite. painfully beautiful, soul-rich, with that lavish yet intimate chamber pop sound thats been enchanting me on want two but a wee bit more cohesive and approachable. these two records are operating on levels of touch starvation even I almost cant relate to. almost!

An immediate classic when it dropped. Still one of his best.

Beautiful album. First time hearing him.

One of my faves. Perfect baroque pop.

Amazing listen. Vocals, melody, lyrics. Emotional waves and one great song follows another.

I discovered Rufus through Elton John, who recommended him in an interview in his beginnings. I loved him in many of his songs! Thanks, Reg!

I've enjoyed Rufus from afar for years, but have never listened to a full album. Marvellous, heartfelt, theatrical, passionate, and vintage are all words that come to mind, and it all comes together in such a uniquely rich and unique way. Love it.

Adored everything about this. It made me very emotional. The variety and layers to this really got me. I'm going to want to dedicate time to dig deeper into this.

My grocery store needs new music. I will suggest this.

Soothing

Delicate and brash, pulling from a wide array of genres. Lyrically playful and vocally enticing, the songs ebb and flow throughout. A beautiful album

I love the lyrics, the music, the voice. One I want to keep listening to. Wonderful!

Oh yeah, I know Rufus Wainwright. Wait, looking at the cover, maybe I don't. Oh yeah, I am familiar with this sound. Wait, maybe I don't know what I am talking about at all. Whatever, it was pretty amazing!

Oh, I'm so glad this one's on the list. I became a fan of this album after hearing Beautiful Child in a movie. That's still a favorite, along with What a World and 11:11. I like Wainwright's whole deal.

His voice on this album reminds of something between Robbie Williams and Thom Yorke. First song of the album is very original. And I like it mainly beacuse of it.

Pulled out the oil like diddy and jerked my shit to each song

For want two I said I enjoyed it but wouldn't go back (and I haven't) but I'll definitely go back to this. It was still a singer songwriter version of Thom Yorke in parts but also reminded me of Jeff Buckley and Beirut. The classical influences were a bit too thick in parts, preferred it when it was a bit more indie. Otherwise a really good album. 4.5

Well, it all sounds gorgeous. The arrangements swoop and soar, and young Wainwright understands the dynamics of an epic pop song like few others. I’m not sure that he’s got much to say and I’m not sure I care, because Want One is an album to lose yourself in, and his voice and words just add to the splendour. Highlights are plentiful, but really it’s a luxurious bathtime soak of an album, with never-ending hot water and a whole bottle of Radox chucked in – the blue one. You gotta get out at some point, but not yet. 8/10

Men reading fashion magazines - Straight men! Oh, what a world. Little did 2004 know, the world would become even wilder and more outrageous in the years to come.

A record must have a killer edge to cut through the kind of ballsache of a day I’ve just had on one broken-up playthrough. This has heft behind the sparkle and I must return to it. Consider this 4/5 a placeholder.

Happier than Radiohead, but less interesting 3/5

The ultimate hipster album.

There are moments when it feels like the song is on the verge of going somewhere unexpected or exciting, but then pulls back and stays the course, leaving me feeling disappointed. It stays predictably on pace and never bends to be different; like the complacency of settling for what you know. His voice comes across like a bland Thom Yorke impression. Good to put on in you’re about to take a nap maybe. Sorry Rufus, but when it comes to a chance to hear to this album again, I do not want one.

rufuuuuus im so drunk @rufusssss

Creative, bringing you theatrical energy of Meat Loaf and Jim Steinman, somehow, with Julian Casablancas-like vocals - both sounding emotional, and delivered with almost lack of care, but in the opposite direction. Then, the energy it brings avoid being epic like that of Meat Loaf. But still grand, very much emotional. My worry is that with next listens I'd find the album samey, too-similar, but that remains to be seen. It lands into the type of music I like, and I think it's somewhere between 4 and 5.

Was so good really enjoyed 8/10

Beautiful compositions

I like the guy - similar vein to Sufjan Stevens although more emotive and theatrical. Loads of references to other songs throughout. Other than Poses, not listened to one of his albums all the way through. A bit samey but I think this is partially due to how he sings - the orchestration and songwriting are fantastic. On the fence between a 4 and 5. Feeling kind.

young Rufus really sounds like Julian Casablancas if he had a good voice.

Brilliant

Enjoyed that, will dip again

Instrumentally it reminds me a bit of one of my favorite albums ever - Illinois by Sufjan Stevens. Both are filled with rich, layered baroque instrumentation that sounds effortlessly lush and masterfully composed. Rufus is not as good a vocalist and storyteller as Sufjan, but then again not many are. Still a very enjoyable album. Go or Go Ahead is heart wrenching, such a powerful ballad.

Idk if this is a hot take but I actually love Rufus Wainwright

Great album. He's talented

There’s a lot going on here. Some of which I love, some not so much. I really enjoyed Wainwright’s embrace of polyphony (something that is not found enough in popular music), especially when introducing Gershwinesque chords, like in “Oh What A World.” But as much as I enjoyed the lushness of some tracks, my favorite part was the sparse intro to “Go or Go Ahead,” and I really would’ve preferred listening to an album with that treatment. In line with this maximalism, the record is a bit longer than I would have liked. I think it could’ve ended with “14th Street” and been all the better for it. I’ve said this about Arcade Fire as well, but there’s just too many finales to the album. It’s a difficult one to rate because it’s like a great meal with some unnecessary sides…but I’ll give it 3.5 stars rounded up.

Sometimes an album is inextricably tied to a very specific time in your life. For me, Rufus Wainwright's Want One came during a particularly tumultuous and developmental time for me personally. And, like many of these moments, it was connected to a girl... we'll call her Julia. Julia and I met while studying abroad. She had suffered a tragic loss of her boyfriend in a car accident about a year prior, and I had just ended (in hindsight, it was a break) a long-term serious relationship. It was lightning in a bottle, and it was never bound to work even if we had spent years together, but Julia making the decision to head home just a few weeks into our program, cemented the temporality of our romance. But for those few short weeks, we laughed, we cried, we stayed up all night talking in each other's arms, and we shared music. Julia had great taste, a lot of her favorite artists like Ben Folds (her biggest obsession) and The Beatles, overlapped between us. But Rufus Wainwright I had never heard before. I think outside of this moment, I might not have had as much an appreciation for this album, but given the circumstances and the connection to her, it will forever mean something to me. In fact, even though I am the reason we didn't work out (she waited for me back home in the States), I can't listen to this without feeling some type of loss and melancholy...but to be fair, Rufus can probably bring that out in anyone. For the longest time I felt I had fumbled something special seeing as how I ultimately choose my off-again, on-again manipulative ex over Julia to continue a relationship that crashed and burned in glorious fashion about a year later. But, it was probably all for the best because that led me down a much better path in life that resulted in the wife, family, and even career I have today. So, no, I don't pine for Julia, but goodness I cannot listen to this without thinking of her both with fondness and regret and for this reason, I haven't heard this album in probably 20 years. It pokes and prods at a scar that healed but is still sensitive. So why tell all of this in an anonymous Internet blog reviewing the album? Well, partly it's because it's impossible to separate the emotion from the review, at least when my intent here is to be personal and subjective, not calculated and objective. My feelings are intertwined with how I feel about an album. But I also share this because love, loss, heartbreak, loneliness, and finding oneself are all themes Rufus touches on in his music. And he does so with such emotional depth both to his lyrics and in his delivery. I get verklempt listening to this not just because of nostalgia and the memories that surface (old men do this, you know?) but because he himself evokes that with his music. Is it a perfect album? No, far from it. Are my memories associated with this album and the time when this was part of the soundtrack of my life clouding my judgment of it? Absolutely. But give it a listen, and if you aren't a 20-year-old on your own for the first time in your life, trying to figure it all out while you get your heart broken, fall in and out of love, get drunk and homesick, and come out on the other side battered, bruised and lost but ultimately a better person then maybe try to imagine what that might be like and listen to this album from the perspective of someone who was able to deeply connect with Rufus, if only for a fleeting moment in time.

I enjoyed this one 4/5

Love. This man's an incredible talent. Love his voice, love his range, love his songwriting. And he does a lot of things. I'm not into all of it, but the bits I do like are fantastic.

A pleasant surprise. Will listen again

Beautiful piano songs.

If Radiohead teamed up with Neil Hannon. I'm up for it.

A voice of silk, and the music is well composed.

Ah, the other Rufus Wainwright album. I reviewed Want Two earlier this year, and didn’t care for it very much. I enjoyed the vocals, but I found the album to be pretty boring overall. I don’t have high hopes for this one, but I’m willing to give it a fair shot. Let’s jump in! Well, this isn’t the first time I’ve been pleasantly surprised by an album, and I hope it won’t be the last. I thought this album was really good. As with Want Two, I really enjoyed the vocals on this album, but Want One also had some really rich arrangements and beautiful melodies that were a joy to listen to. Additionally, there was a good mix of songs on here, with quite a few lively and up-tempo songs to keep things varied. I really enjoyed how “Oh What A World” started off with some humming, but it threw me for a loop when the tuba started playing. However, as the song went on, it really grew on me. I thought the next song, “I Don’t Know What It Is” was really good too, and the string arrangements were particularly great. The album kept on rolling along with beautiful songs; “Movies of Myself” was really fun to bop along too, and I loved the backing vocals. I really enjoyed how “Go Or Go Ahead” started off slowly, and then built in intensity; the second half of the song was fantastic, making the whole song worth its long runtime. “14th Street” had some great horn playing, and the backing vocals were some of the best on the entire album. “Beautiful Child” had my favorite vocals on the entire album, and this song really reminded me of Doves’ The Last Broadcast, which I absolutely love. This was a really good album, and it completely shifted the opinion I built of Rufus Wainwright after listening to Want Two. Some of the slower songs on this album were a bit boring and just blended into the background, but this was still a beautiful album, full of great singing and rich arrangements.

Nice

An undeniably gifted singer and songwriter, Wainwright's never been afraid to revel in excess, and that trait tends to dominate here, for better and for worse.

Feels like a lavish throwback to the classic singer‑songwriter era—equal parts Harry Nilsson’s theatrical whimsy and Billy Joel’s piano‑driven melodrama. At times you could almost believe either of those two had wandered into the studio and taken over. That’s both the album’s charm and its ceiling. It’s undeniably gorgeous, but it leans so heavily on those vintage influences that it never quite escapes their shadow. Wainwright’s voice and arrangements are unmistakable, but the material itself doesn’t feel especially original. It’s a fine listen—rich, dramatic, and expertly crafted—but it rarely surprises.

Rufus has an interesting voice, and it is enjoyable to listen to, but not particularly noteworthy.

This seems like something I would’ve gotten lost in if I’d heard it when it first came out. But as a grizzled old man…. it’s good. Lob 15 minutes off this runtime and you’ve got a HIT!!!

If you crossed The Bends with Andrew Lloyd Weber.

No. 226/1001 What A World 3/5 I Don't Know What It Is 3/5 Vicious World 3/5 Movies Of Myself 3/5 Pretty Things 3/5 Go or Go Ahead 3/5 Vibrate 2/5 14th Street 3/5 Natasha 3/5 Harvester of Hearts 3/5 Beautiful Child 3/5 Want 3/5 11:11 3/5 Dinner At Eight 3/5 Average: 2,93 Just an average album. Nothing I didn't like, but also nothing that really excited me.

Huh. I really liked the beginning of this record a lot. But Rufus’s voice started to wear on me and it’s surprisingly hard to decipher the lyrics (which I assume are pretty good given the Wainwright name). Might take a few more listens to understand what the fuss is about. Nicely made, very high quality production and musicianship is on point. Might grow on me.

Fuck this was a drain to listen to. Normally I don't give a 1 out but this deserves it.

Want None

no thank you

10 WTF! 20 Skip 30 End (A review for spectrum owners)

I loathed this. Wanted it to be done as soon as it started. I hate everything about Rufus, the smug sounding prick. God I am furious with this.

For all the bombast that Wainwright included, I found this album remarkably boring. There were a few grabbing moments in songs, but I found myself consistently losing interest. Wholly uninteresting

Sounds like musical theatre kid music. I can’t think of one scenario where I’d want to listen to this. While not technically bad, it’s somehow bombastic and boring at the same time. It feels like “pick me” music.

I did not go into this with high hopes, considering I rated Want Two a 1/5 - an album so forgettable I had to go back and review what the fuck even was the significance of it. Similarly, I'm struggling to see the significance of this record as well. The first couple of tracks seemed to change my mind, that I could indeed enjoy a Rufus Wainwright album. Once I got to "Pretty Things" (which took me 3 seperate attempts at listening to this album) I was pretty much done. Somehow the cunts whiney voice got even WHINIER. Genuinely I couldn't tell you what a single word of Pretty Things even meant, he sounds almost drunk the way he slurs his words when he's trying to be emotional. It's horrific. The rest of the album stays relatively upbeat, with Vibrate and 14th Street keeping me from killing myself. 14th Street was actually a pretty good song. Anyways, I think if I managed to get through this in one setting (and it wasn't an hour fucking long of the same shit as Want Two), I would have probably given this a 2 - but since I genuinely took 4-5 attempts of having to take constant breaks from this thing (and still couldn't finish the last 2 songs) because of how annoying it got, I'm putting this down to a 1. Enjoy your new spot in my Worst Artists column, Rufus.

There is nothing wrong with wanting to be special just like there is nothing wrong with wanting to be cute, unique or cool for that matter. Rufus Wainwright wants to be all three and the kitchen sink in some trendy bar in Soho that reminds you the returning world traveler of that spot in Berlin back at the turn of the century. You know the one. He wants it bad. For the first 15 minutes or so he has enough bells and whistles in his cannon that you do in fact start thinking that you are listening to something special or at the very least to an album by someone who knows his shit. You're not and he doesn't. What you are actually hearing is an album by someone who is so hellbent on appearing precious that he borrows from endless genres that he heard in his room at The Chelsea Hotel on endless albums that he borrowed from his father to hopefully get inspiration during his six-month meth bender. When you realize this, you will feel like an ass for being artistically fleeced so easily by yet another pretender with delusions of splendor. Don't feel too bad if there is anything masterful about Want One it's Wainwright's ability to keep the listener so drowned and spent with so much kitsch that one can't help but think that one is hearing greatness when in fact what you are hearing is an hour of schmaltzy pretentious misfires. This album of 14 dreary songs each one more desperate & less amusing than the last will leave you with a deep need to go home a need so strong that you start packing & when as you finally hear the click of the suitcase closing you realize that you are at home and that your whole fucking life (all of it) has been a long drunk piss of lies.

At start it was so Radiohead, i thought i'd fall asleep. But the second part is so damn beautiful, it was all worth the wait

O melhor Musical BOM da disney que você irá ouvir hoje. Me lembrou muito aquele filme: Tick Tick Boom, porém menos de performance, e totalmente teatral, no sentido de música. Sentimentais, ocasionalmente com sua cota de orquestra. Todas as músicas são bastante cinematográficas, no sentido de se encaixarem em qualquer filme. Gostei. HIGHLIGHTS: GO OR GO AHEAD, Oh what a world, Movies of myself, 14th street, Harvester of Hearts, Beautiful Child 9/10

Не знаю почему здесь все навоняли, я забалдела очень сильно

Another guy I'd never heard of (I like some of his dad's stuff), and really loved. Very easy listening, but I'm of that age, I guess.

I love you, Rufus Wainwright.

Absolutely stunning theatrical pop. Love the vocals, the music, the builds. Great album cover. What's not to like?

9/10

Few artists have grown in me like Rufus. His melodies have a half-baked taste and invite you join him in sorrow. Love his theatrics and poetry. He’s there for me, between Father John Misty and Sufjan

Symphonic

One of the soundtracks of my youth in the 70’s. Brings back great memories!

Fabulous, transcendent, over the top... Of course I've heard of Rufus, maybe even heard some of his music but never really paid attention. Starting from this, he's incredible. Is it sometimes too much sugar and syrup? Maybe, but in small doses it's perfect. Beautiful, beautiful music. Looking forward to exploring his work.

Seen him preform much of this album live in Coventry Cathedral...Beautiful album by far his best....

this is exactly my cup of tea. so cute, so medieval knight saving me.

I like dis

I love you Rufus Wainwright. I just wish you enunciated.

this was beautiful through and through sorry, his voice is so good and its a really nice and intimate singer songwriter record

First time listening to this artist. Giving me a Billy Joel vibe. Music arrangement is spectacular. Need to listen a few more times.

Amazing. Not what I usually listen to, but really gray

I’m such a slut for Rufus’ voice. Plus the musicianship and music writing age top notch. One of my favourites in this project for sure. 5/5

Beautiful and thoughtful, Want Two is better.

Det här var rikigt bra!

perfect. I could listen to this all day on repeat.

J'ai trop aimé, les instrus et les rythmes sont super cool, dynamique et émouvant, la voix un peu un mix de Radiohead et U2, les instrus variées m'ont fait penser à Scissor Sisters parfois, un peu Elton John d'autres, franchement super découverte je l'ai écouté 2 fois de suite. Chansons pref : I don't know what It Is, Dinner at eight, mais en vrai j'ai tout aimé

J'ai vraiment adoré, hyper musical, plein de changements de rythmes et d'instruments, une très bonne découverte. J'avais déjà entendu parler de lui mais je crois pas avoir déjà écouté. 5/5

I thought this album looked familiar but I'd gotten Want Two already and the covers are similar. This is a really solid album. I'm just ok on the vocals but the songwriting and execution is top notch.