Reviews (page 6 of 7)
Meh
Very over dramatic in places. A lot of good songs too though. 3/5
Want One is the third studio album by Rufus Wainwright, originally released in 2003. First off, I actually like Rufus Wainwright's voice. I think he would've fit in really well with the 70s singer-songwriter scene with the likes of Jackson Browne. Alas, he fell into the 2000s indie scene which I think drew this album back. It's filled with grandiose production moments that sometimes fit and sometimes don't. I think the record could've gained a lot from more stripped-down production and maybe some Americana/folk elements sprinkled in. It's still an ok record with good songwriting. Just a little over the top. The album cover is pretty cool tho.
Best Song: Beautiful Child. I really liked how big everything in this song was: the vocals, the arrangement. Worst Song: Pretty Things. His nasal delivery really became grating by this track. The audio mixing also felt off, as I could constantly hear him swallowing and preparing to deliver a line. Overall: Such an odd vocalist. Sometimes he sounds like he's channeling Radiohead or Muse with these big, alt-rock tracks, but other times he's a sad Billy Corgan whining his way through songs, nasal cavity first.
rufus is nice
Seriously! A second one...ugh. Just not an interesting listen at all. 1.5/5
He wants one and gets two. best: "Movies of Myself", "14th Street" and "Beautiful Child"
Now THIS is Baroque Pop. Not usually my favorite genre, but I think Wainwright has the musical abilities to actually make it sound great. This album was a very good showcase of his singing and song writing capabilities, and was solid from start to finish.
Interesting sounds.
Overproduced and over the top. Not really for me.
Something about his voice annoys me. It is piercing in a way that make me irrationally angry.
Goed gemaakt, goed gezongen, maar de nummers doen me niet zoveel. Behoorlijk over-the-top.
Pretty songs but not the most interesting for me. Cool one for a nice sunny day I guess
I enjoyed this. There would have been a period of my life where I would have thought this was the greatest thing ever created. JLS have formed since then, so it’s all changed. A little bit samey but that’s not much of an issue when you like it, I suppose. 3.9
This style of music gets tiring, but at least this album is more positive than most
It was ok
6/10. Really liked the first song but got a bit dull from there.
Just about my first DNF. His voice, somewhere between Tom Waits and John Grant, rubs me up the wrong way. And this goes on and on and on. Sorry Rufus, sure you're a great guy and all.
I don't think I am of a high enough social class to truly appreciate what Rufus is doing here.
I really appreciate the pretentiousness of Rufus Wainwright for some reason. He’s in a world of his own. That being said, this didn’t have the same impact on me as Want Two had; it’s still good, but I never felt as involved.
I have flirted with various Rufus tracks in the past but have never listened to an album all the way through. After track 1, Oh What A World I thought it was going to be a bit of a slog as I didn’t really enjoy it. After that though the album just got better and on the whole really enjoyed it. Stand out tracks for me were I Don’t Know What it is, Natasha and 11:11. Good album will definitely listen again.
Interesting.... starts off slow but kind picks up. Got a little bit of Radiohead going on. A little Ben Folds. Pretty listentoable.
The vibe is promising, but the only song that stands out for me is Go or Go Ahead, which seems to have a Thom Yorke vocal edge. It smooth and very easy to approach, but gets a little boring.
The singer and music were pretty good but I got tired of it by the end. Might be worth another try though.
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.
Pleasant.
i've tried listening to this one a few times but i always bounce off it. maybe i might return to it and it's nothing i hate, just not catching my ear
Sonically gorgeous. He is absolutely brilliant musically. But as a collection of songs, it's pretty self-indulgent. It also tends to feel a bit unedited lyrically and melodically, as though he's so eager to get to the studio to arrange and produce that he rushes the song-writing.
Really quite enjoyed this tbh. Gave me Sufjan vibes. Track 1 was the stand out
John Grant did it better
I liked this album a lot. Very similar to what I usually go for
Very enjoyable to have in the background — I don’t mean that as a dig. I thoroughly enjoyed it playing while I worked. I’ve always appreciated his laid-back delivery — like Thom Yorke if he did ballads — and the arrangements were good elevated pop.
"Want One" is the third studio album by Canadian-American singer-songwriter Rufus Wainwright. Pop, baroque pop and rock. Yes, they all work. This album is the first of what was intended to be a double album. The critical reaction was positive and the album won the award for Outstanding Music Artist at the 15th GLAAD Music Awards and was nominated for the 2004 Shortlist Music Prize. Commercially, the album reached #60 on the US charts. The first song and second single "Oh What a World" opens with a choir of harmonies. A tuba and Wainwright's vocals come in. The song builds as the harmonies come back as well as a full orchestra. He's observing the world around him. The first single "I Don't Know What It Is" is another song that builds from piano, strings and a clickety beat to a full orchestra. It reminded me of paisley pop and was a song Wainwright wrote after attending a Strokes concert and about searching but not knowing what you're searching for. "Go or Go Ahead" begins slow with strings and soft vocals and explodes into a rockin' song. This sounded a lot like Radiohead. There's a lot of mythological references as Wainwright faces drug addiction and the person he's become. It's my favorite song on the album. "Vibrate" is a simple song. Strings, piano and a flute as Wainwright is falling for his drug dealer and will leave the phone on vibrate for him. The album ends with a more melancholy ballad in "Dinner at Eight." Piano and string accompaniment to a song where he describes inter-familial fighting. A very sad and personal way to close it out. This album has well constructed songs. There's a variety of approaches/genres including pop, baroque pop, rock, ballads and even over-the-top musical-esque songs. The songs can be simple or more intricate. The lead vocals are loud and clear. The production is very good especially the choral and vocal arrangements. I liked this album a lot more than the companion "Want Two" which I felt went too "all over the place." This album does too but I found it to work better. It's worth listening to especially the singles and others mentioned.
Shockingly fresh and vibrant.
Interesting and lush in the beginning - whiny towards the end. Good songs, not a great record.
Rufus W is one of the treasures discovered during the 1001. Their first album (which was the follow up to this one) really struck a chord with me. My objective side said this was far from perfect and kinda odd but my subjective opinion is that it is a piece of perfection. Have a listen, it's really good.
Wow, I really loved this - what a great voice and interesting compositional style. Lots of fantastic new songs to explore and I will check out more of Rufus' stuff.
An easy listening album
Meh
Was so good really enjoyed 8/10
Eclectic and good
Recording is good. The album starts quite strong but if fades into it's blown up production and grandiloquent angle. too long too.
Rufus is the king of “roughly four cool songs on a mediocre hour-long album.”
Every song sounded exactly the same. Not a fan.
Hm. It is alright. Didn't know Rufus Wainwright and thought throughout the entire album that it sounded exactly like anything by Ron Sexsmith.
Part of me didn't want to like this. I had a little word with that part and in the end allowed myself to enjoy this for what it was.
The voice was too distracting off-putting for me to care about the instrumentation. I did not care for this, though I recognize that it may appeal to others.
If singing bland sappy songs makes this guy happy, good for him, but did the editors really need to pick him instead of idk something that doesn't put you to sleep or, god forbid, from someplace other than UK or US. I know the editors are geographically challenged but perhaps they should have considered listening to more music outside the UK/US before making this list. Very, very generous 2.
It’s ok
A guy I liked made me a mix cd with a bunch of songs from this album in my early twenties. I loved it. Such a lullaby
Yeah really love this one - first two tracks are bout perfect.
Adult contemporary Thom Yorke.
Whatevers
Rufus Wainwright. An artist I've seen passing by quite some time but never took the time for. Well, seems like I was wrong. Absolutely loved this and this is going on my regular listens for sure. I checked his latest album as well but that was not nearly as captivating as this.
twas a good listen. sounded like thom yorke on 1.25 speed, although the music didn’t necessarily sound like radiohead.
I was just bored.
Funnily enough I heard this for the first time last week. Want Two came up on this list and I didn’t love it but enjoyed it enough to want to check out more of Wainwright’s work, so naturally went straight to part one. Everything came together a bit better on this one in my opinion, and some of the songs were absolutely huge. Go or Go Ahead is the standout here, and it sounds like the perfect blend of The Bends/Ok Computer era Radiohead and Origin of Symmetry era Muse - with the spacey guitars, gorgeous verses that sprawl and build to massive choruses, and the swells and stabs of choral backing vocals - and I’ve practically had that track on repeat ever since
Rufus Wainwright makes gorgeous music. I’m not afraid to say it!
3.56 rym no assolutamente no
Yeah I dunno man, like, I didn't hate this at all, but I retained nothing from it beyond "man, this Canadian sure does sound sad"
Beautiful compositions
It's very pretty album. Just not something I would normally return to.
Opulent, maximalist and massively overdone (in one view) but also all-in and absolutely gorgeous. If one likes an artist with a vision and the guts to explore it all the way to the end and lay it out all there in pursuit of executing it, this is youre record. Because of the layers, one must be patient to appreciate the actual subtleties. Want Two is every bit as good, but different. There are a half-dozen top-rate songs – Movies of Myself," "Go or Go Ahead," “Vibrate," "14th Street," “Natasha," “Harvester of Hearts," “Want” 11:11” and “Dinner at 8." Just extraordinary. The vocals might strain a bit after a time, but the range of emotions well expressed lyrically is singularly impressive. Damn near a 5, really.
лучше чем все что было до этого в предложениях, приятных голос, можно расслабиться
I got Elbow vibes listening to this, it’s not bad
I like it. definitely on the weirder end of pop of the time, but what it tries mostly works. I don't know if I was supposed to listen to Two too, but I did. I think I like it a bit more, but both of them lean too heavily on that period of media (90's to mid 00's) where a normal, stable life is somehow the most dehumanizing thing in the world.
It’s giving theatre kid Not rlly my thing but
I wouldn't usually listen to this, was a bit samey towards the end but it certainly wasn't bad! 2.5/5 (the extra half a star is for the album cover, i love a medieval moment)
Sleepy vocals and very boisterous backing music. Not my jam.
Quite pompous and orchestral but also charming and very beautiful at times. Too long. Stand-out: I Don't Know What It Is, Beautiful Child
Snooze
Really enjoyed this, some of the best male singing I've heard in a good while. Kind of like Thom Yorke singing cabaret. Great melodies too! I've listened to his debut a couple of times, but nothing really stuck. This is much more consistent, so I'll definitely check out Want Two.
Can't get over how his voice sounds like a more stable Thom Yorke
Can’t dance to this
Dull and monotonous. Not for me thanks
I found very little of this album interesting. Nothing really to say beyond that.
This was a cool album to listen to. Unremarkable except for a few tracks but it wasn’t a chore to listen to.
Better than I expected it to be. But what it made me realize is that sturgill Simpson is not and should be on this list.
I'm at a loss here. It's not bad music. Not unpleasant. Really listenable. But nothing is sticking. Nothing here that makes me want to add anything to a playlist for later. I will forget that I've listened to this album the moment it stops playing. That's a problem, right?
Not for me at all. It felt too polished, too sentimental without substance, and too samey. I don't think it's bad, as such, and I'm sure that some people will find a lot to like. It's just not for me.
He sings so wonderfully, he’s got a great talent, but god dammit just pick up the pace. The lazy schtick is completely overdone.
two stars
abi ben cok begendim cidden tekrar kesin dinlicem en sevdigim sarkı go or go ahead
Due to the nature of the generator, I had first listened to Want Two nearly three years ago. Although these are clearly two albums that are meant to be companion pieces, I have been forced to assess them separately due to circumstance. There is no doubt in my mind that Wainwright is a songwriting savant. Songs like 14th Street, Go or Go Ahead, and I Don't Know What It Is will feel larger than life thanks in part to a large accompaniment from over 20 credited musicians. Even in it's lonesome and soft moments, Wainwright commands a song like he's always been destined to play it. Want One is worth every second of your time, though Want Two may be a different story...
Sort of poppy chanson. Lots of big notes - it belongs in musical theatre. I don't enjoy this sort of music at all.
Urgh I thought Rufus Wainwright did the song at the end of each Gavin & Stacey episode and this would therefore be good but apparently it’s some guy call Stephen Fretwell?!
Can't remember what I thought of Want Two because I didn't write anything. But I think this was good. His voice sometimes gets a bit annoying. But I don't mind.
Ganske chill, nice å gjøre skole til
I like the sounds. Never heard it before.
jahas, ruufuksel prequel albumi, edeltäjä siihen albumiin jota jouduttiin kuuntelemaan 200 päivää sitten.. tämä kauniimpi!!! kultakurkku wooouoouuouu hoooooooou pitkiä vokaaleja pitää yllä!!!! soothing.. tämä henkilö ei koskaan miettisi liikaa itsestään ei koskaan!!! sellaista musiikkia että tulee mieleen että ei koskaan miettisi liikaa itsestään henkilö!!! uskomaton alku.. valtava soundi.. hämärä temaattinen, eikä tarvitse nielaista sylkeä... ei vaahtoa suu kuin vesikauhuinen koira konsanaan ei vaahtoa... käytöstavat selvästi opetettu, ei ruoka suussa lauleta... go or go ahead
Ruim não é, mas também não é bom. É como se fosse um Radiohead, só o ThomYorke, porém sem a "mágica"...algumas músicas, mais animadas, parecem músicas de musical da broadway, e agradam. Mas não é nada de mais. Não estaria na minha lista nunca.
Apparently I've already reviewed Want Two, but I have absolutely no recollection of it, which says a lot in itself. I also rated it 2 stars. Sure, this album is ambitious. But it is not good or interesting.
Gaydiohead
Beautiful album. First time hearing him.
Blandy blandington
Must listen? More like might listen if that’s all there is. Not especially great. Not especially awful. Not my cup of tea. But nothing special either. Why is this here?
Unique Rêveries. like listening to someone's beautiful secret. Rich full colourful art rock that's gently theatrical and cinematic but also too personal for those descriptors . An assemblage that at times reaches intensity thats almost excessive but makes you want to hang on and let it expand your capabilities ... It may span too varied a range to truly hang together as an album, as it feels more like a compilation of rapidly evolving styles, but maybe that is Rufus, nothing is the same as the last and there isn't a particular style, just a voice and talent doing the work and sharing the lyrics.... or maybe these are just emotions and not enduring moods that he wishes to share: like pages from a poetry book.... Because then... he drops in a slow ballad stripped down and pours the shining gleaming weight of his story into your upturned palms. More intimate and personal than anything I've heard in a long time. And so lyrical and beautiful. He has a voice. I think it's unique in warmth and that singular reediness, a soaring Karen Carpenter in a male voice. Oh how O hope he holds this together and evolves and performs like. Happy to reminded of this artist.
I’m a fan. There’s something lazy about his singing style, but I’ve always loved his voice. I’ve hammered this cd all weekend & it sounds better each listen. His songwriting on this is terrific. The opening two tracks (both single releases) are outstanding. Whereas the great 60’s rockers might have channelled Chuck Berry or Muddy Waters, or even Elvis, I love the fact that he often references broadway or classical music here. The use of Ravel’s Bolero on Oh What A World is inspired. Rufus is a great student of popular music, as you’d expect from his pedigree. There’s a horn break in Harvester Of Hearts that is pure Bacharach. I really like the longest song on the album - Go Or Go Ahead; and Natasha is beautiful. And to end with what Bowie called the best father/son song he knew (sorry Cat Stevens) - the great Dinner At Eight - what a lyric. Love the record.
I have previously reviewed 'Want Two', the sequel to this album, and quite liked it. And I can admire Rufus Wainwrights (over-? melo-?) dramatic voice, the wonderful orchestrations, but today I am just not in the mood for his louche charms. 2.5 stars.
This is average I think
It's a very musical album, full of songs that sound like they were written by professionals (think tin pan alley) rather than being self written by a pop artist, with a full orchestral score to match. You might say this is pop meets Broadway. It makes for a pleasant listening experience, I quite enjoyed hearing this on the train coming home from work with my tired eyes closed. Another reviewer mentioned a similarity to Nilsson, and musically speaking, I would agree.
Boring mate shzz
An album of two halves. I liked this from the outset but the end of the second half I found the invariant whining nature of the vocals overshadowed the great music and killed the enjoyment.
Fine. Pleasant. Funny.
Yet another ex-1001 album!™ http://1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie.wikidot.com/album-artists-a-z-ex We got Want Two come up on the 1001 list a while back. I recall being pleasantly surprised by it (after I'd wrongly assumed it'd be awful). I wonder if I should have listened to this one first? As it sounds like more of the same. Nothing bad, I liked most of this album, but I see why it's now an ex-1001.
Nothing special. Kinda weird ngl
Is this a second one? Ah come on Probably better than the other
I don't even know what to say. A boy in his room of his parents house playing with his Casio keyboard...
no denying his great voice, this album has some good songs but most of it seems to wander and not have focus. I like the more upbeat pop songs.
Was a bit miffed when I seen a Rufus Wainright album on the list this morning, but after listening to it I was pleasantly surprised again. This wasn’t what I was expecting, reminded me a bit of a laidback Radiohead album. I enjoyed it, maybe not enough to come Back to but one I’m glad I listened to today.
It’s a tad long, but this really stood out to me as a great example of the cool albums you can find in a list like this.
I enjoyed parts of it.
I’m not a huge fan of the Indigo Girls either.
Sounds a bit like radiohead to me, only not as good.
Always sounds the same
The most beautiful drunk singing I've heard in a while. This is really awful. He's a great singer in theory so I assumed that I wouldn't hate it, but he just drones on and on and his vibrato started to make me feel seasick. He has arranged the orchestration of each song as if he is Beethoven himself, but none of the songs stand up to it. They're extremely repetitive, not very creative, the phrases are long and boring, and I can't understand a damn word he's singing anyway. This album is pompous and was torture to listen to.
(From entry on Want Two, a month ago) “I understand this is the one that Dimery kept in later editions (Want One is cut), but if the other is anything like this one I’m looking forward to it.” 😤 I expect greatness (Listening to “Beautiful Child”) this sounds like a finale, where do you even go from here Okay, now that I’ve heard it in full, I might like this even more than Want Two. More of the delicate emotions, crafty song structures and thrilling instrumentation- even throwing in Ravel’s Bolero on the opening track. Maybe a couple tracks too long, but otherwise a delight. HL: “Oh What a World”, “I Don’t Know What It Is”, “Go or Go Ahead”, “Vibrate”, “Beautiful Child”, “Dinner at Eight” May 18, 2024
a really cool orchestral and jazzy style singer songwriter album. I really enjoy his voice and am surprised that it seems his covers seem to be more popular than his original material. Very emotional and varied in instrumentation and the vocals tend to soar above. Really many of the songs make me feel like flying.
One of my faves. Perfect baroque pop.
Порой это звучит ну прямо как The Bends или OK Computer. Только почему-то не захватывает в той же степени. Наверное это пока наиболее вызывающий вопросы альбом в списке, с которым я сталкивался. Это не плохая музыка, но выдающаяся на ключевые 1001 альбомов в истории - это слишком. Ни в плане музыки, ни в плане цифр (на спотифае, например). Лучшая песня - Oh What A World.
Didn't like this, too earnest
Not exactly the most exciting music ever, but also not bad. It's the kind of thing you could just keep on in the background because it's quite chill. However, I would not go out of my way to listen to it.
I put this on while I was cooking so I didn’t pay close attention to the lyrics and musically it was kind of dull for me.
Lush and overwrought, but finely drawn for all that. Rufus would have been a great cabaret performer.
This was an ok album. It sounded a bit like Thom Yorke without the benefits of the members of Radiohead. Nice listen, but I probably won't put it on again. 3/5.
I spent most of the time trying to decide if this was two or three stars…..then I realised it was 58mins long - decision made!!
As for “Want One” – wow, that was incredibly lame… Not a fan of his voice, nor his lyrics – and then there’s the incessant whiney-ness throughout the album – what a recipe for success!!! Perhaps this should have been a Broadway soundtrack, and not sure why it was as popular as it was, but so far – just about every album from the 2000’s on this list has sucked ass…
I probably won't be returning to this, never heard of him before but nice to know now
A good listen. But I won't come back to it.
Perhaps a bit saccharine but a thoroughly enjoyable and engaging album with well crafted and creative songs. A surprise for me.
When an album makes you research more and more of the artist, that tells you something about the performer. It took me a few tracks, but I realized Wainwright sounded a lot like Thom Yorke. It doesn't really hit you until you hear "Go and Go Ahead," which was probably my favorite tracks off of this album. Definitely can see Radiohead doing this one, making a bit more in their style. But Wainwright's album does go off into different genres, which I appreciated, even when some of them didn't hit as much for me. ("Vibrate," for example.). Still, this was really enjoyable once I got into it after a few tracks, and I am definitely going to listen to more of his stuff, which says a lot. Top tracks: "Go and Go Ahead," "Dinner at Eight," "Oh What A World"
I am officially a Rufus Wainwright fan. It only took the first two songs on this album (its 2 singles apparently) to get there. Well, that and having enjoyed his follow up Want Two. Oh What a World displays his beautiful vocals and lyrics, and his Tom Waits penchant for unusual but appealing baroque or avant garde sounds. His vocals and the musical stylings on I Don't Know What it Is remind me of two of my lesser known favorite rock singers & bands - Kelly Jones of the Stereophonics and Bernard Fanning of Powderfinger. Wainwright has such a knack for creating these songs where you don't know whether you should feel happy or sad. The music itself is big and uplifting, but the lyrics are either emotionally vague or despondent. Some examples aside from the first two songs are Vicious World, Movies of Myself, and 14th Street. At other times he goes a little more despairing in tone, but it's soaring and beautiful - examples are Pretty Things, Vibrate, Want, and Dinner at Eight. I'm not going to claim it's a perfect album, but it was quite good. And this guy is awesome.
Clever songwriting and excellent studio craft, although after a while it starts to drag on. That said I enjoyed listening and would definitely listen again. Favorite tracks: Oh What a World (whimsical track that gets stuck in my head), I Don't Know What It Is, Movies of Myself, Go or Go Ahead (definitely my favorite song on the album - love the hit at about 2:30), 14th Street.
A first time listen. This is certainly good music, but I don't like it as much as I could. It's all not far from what I usually can and do enjoy, but it's not *there*. It's, like, above. But only in quantity: there's an aesthetic of excess in this dense theatrical baroque poprock, that I just do not connect with. "Just one more layer, bro, one more choir and strings, that'll fix it" and then it becomes quite possible that the core behind all of this is merely pleasant while being actually quite boring.
Oh What a World has lived rent free in my head for 15 years, absolutely iconic
Such a weird but beautiful album. It almost feels like a movie score full of sad and melancholy songs.
Really interesting. Some nice things going on in here.
A better, gayer, more theatrical Radiohead. Still not my vibe, but a million times more tolerable.
Songs to throw yourself off a bridge by. But in a kinda happy way.
Very solid writing and arrangements. Good stuff. Just not my favorite overall. 3.5/5
Soothing
I've never heard any of Rufus' material, and this wasn't love at first listen, but really grew on me after a couple. Very interesting and diverse album. His voice unfortunately reminds me a bit of Travis (not a huge fan), and the songs often lack memorable melodies or hooks, but they're quirky and intriguing. 'Go of go ahead' is the obvious single, and I was surprised I didn't know it at all, but it's a great pop song. Give that one a listen, at least!
I've had about enough of his shit. Hallelujah this and Hallelujah that. I get the feeling that he actually believes he's Judy Garland. Who knows. Perhaps he is.
Nope, it's just a bit dull/depressing
Not a record for me, but he’s clearly quite talented and knows how to arrange a god darn song
This feels like an offshoot of a style I really enjoy, but something about it just feels off. I don't know if it's the whimsey, the fantasy vibes, or the broadness of it all. 2/5
Amazing listen. Vocals, melody, lyrics. Emotional waves and one great song follows another.
Rufus Wainright again?? I don’t understand. It was alright but surely we could have some variety
This one definitely has its moments, but it drags a lot too. Some killer but too much filler. Oh what a world was an amazing opening track.
This guy knows Shrek
Good music. His voice trys on my patience.
Like Thom Yorke without any of the interesting musical stuff alongside.
That was an okay album, not too bad, and you can see how the author aged over the years in the Spotify profile picture things.
chill, good vibes, good beats, laid back voice
Meh. I really liked the first song, but then some of that creativity and sampling disappeared and I heard a lot of sameness. There is a lot of talent there but not for me.
Meh. 2/5
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 never been a fan of Rufus, I recognize he's clearly a talented songwriter and the songs are unique and different, but I never endeared myself with his sleepy whiny vocal style and many of his songs to me come across as overly dramatic cabaret/musical theatre production numbers. I should like him, at least for his genes and nationality, as I'm a fan of both of the McGarrigle sisters (his mom and aunt), his dad, Loudon and sister, Martha and he's Canadian. So much of it is so "over-the-top", which is fine and that's part of what sets him apart from most pop stars and the musical style does suit his voice, instrumentation and personal fashion.
I think this album deserves the prize (1 extra star, that's what I have to give them) for the most misleading cover from the 1001 list. It's a flowery album, good to listen to, but nothing so much special.
No es mi estilo pero reconozco el mérito
The singer sounded a lot of Julian Casablancas and the music was moody all the way through.
Didnt know what to expect but really enjoyed this album. Definitely would listen again.
Enjoyed the album. Liked the way he had a full band behind him. But it didn’t make me want to listen to it twice.
Surprised to like it, but that was at 2am so I may be misguided and delusional…
I tried liking this. I feel asleep on 2 separate attempts. I think that defines a 2.
This guys always been a bit of a closed book to me but this is quite endearingly theatrical. It's sounds almost 70s at times- certainly quite retro in a nice way. Shades of Harry Nilsson, Billy Joel and even Randy Newman dare I say? Pleasant songs, well put together and presented.
Want One is the third album by the Canadian-American singer-songwriter Rufus Wainwright. It's the first part of an intended double album, with the second part Want Two being released the following year. The pop/rock album was released to overly positive reviews and is an award winner. It's a beautifully poetic album with a balance of orchestral and rock moments. Some songs are less textured and simpler, but that doesn't take away from the overall charm on the album. If you like a pop singer-songwriter flavor, then this album will not disappoint.
Why do multiple Wainwright albums warrant being on this list
Teddy and Linda Thompson lending guest vocals and the medieval cover make it look like this is going to be folk. It isn't. I'm not quite sure what it is. But it's not folk. From a vocals perspective, heavy reliance on long held notes with seemingly poorly controlled vibrato is very reminiscent of Thom Yorke. Movies of Myself could be a B-side to Street Spirit. Even some of the chord changes are the same. It has similar desperation in the vocals, but the drums and instrumentation paint a driving, positive picture. Intriguing.
Very pleasant. Like Ben folds or Billy Joel but with a bigger sound
Oh What a World is very slow but swells to a crescendo. Curious to see where we go from here. Next track is more upbeat. Everything is very theatrical, this could be in a musical. Go Or Go Ahead is also pretty good. There's something too... overproduced (?) about this preventing me from connecting with it. Or maybe it's his singing. And Vibrate's "my phone's on vibrate for you" lyric is cringe worthy. By the second half I'm just looking to see when this is going to end.
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.
Absolutely lovely. Only knew hallelujah before this but man’s got some bangers
It wasn't 'pull my ears off' bad, but it wasn't something that ever really grabbed my attention. Quite morose really, like an angsty teen trying to be deep. Maybe I'm missing the point, but I'm not ever going to listen to it again and I'm not going to search out any more of his music.
OK stuff, but ....
hadn't heard this before. Well written songs that are personal and stark at times. Full and lush production. Would like to hear this on vinyl.
I don't know if it is just fatigue after 500+ albums, but I don't have time for this uninspired bullshit. What does this album offer that sets it with the 1,001+ you need to hear? It's like a bad one-man play mixed with early 2000 alternative. Sorry if I am being too harsh, Rufus.
I remember disliking Want Two when I got it a while ago, but this seemed a bit better. He still sounds like a combination of Thom Yorke and Beck to me, but it wasn’t as whiny as Want Two.
Okay, not really my thing, but nice.
I thought I’d heard a Rufus Wainwright album before today, but looking at his discography I don’t see anything that looks familiar. I’m not sure if I’m mixing him up with somebody else or if I’ve had some kind of cerebral incident. Regardless, I’ll be listening to this one today and giving some thoughts! Songs I already knew: none Favourites: I Don’t Know What It Is The best descriptor I can give for this music is “warm”. The music feels cosy, the vocals are unbelievably smooth, and I found myself sinking into my chair while listening. There is something lovely abut singer-songwriter music. Perhaps it is because their vision is undiluted and so presents a more interesting experience. Sometimes, I can find that this makes for something annoying rather than pleasant, but this is certainly not one of those times.
I think there is some talent here and the sounds aren’t bad I suppose, but halfway through I got bored and turned it off. Meh
Sweet, lovely Rufus, always committed, often interesting, sometimes unfocused. Lots to like here, not consistently, but enough there to interest the listener.
3.9 - I suppose most chamber pop is bound to be a little hammy and over-the-top, and this record is no exception. But, Wainwright sings in a clear, mopey tenor, a somewhat brighter version of Thom Yorke. And songs like "Vibrate" are quite lush.
Noch nie was vorher von gehört. Nette Elemente von Rock, Pop und Oper.
Lot's of drama music and singing here. It's pretty good!
Rufus was sad and so was this album. Might be great for a break up but I’m trying to get laid tonight
Apple Music calls this rock. I wouldn’t call this album rock but it’s pleasant. Upbeat in places. Melancholy in others. Nothing really stood out and gripped me but I didn’t dislike any portion. A good lighthearted listen.
Delicate and brash, pulling from a wide array of genres. Lyrically playful and vocally enticing, the songs ebb and flow throughout. A beautiful album
The piano makes it a little jazzy, but the drums seem to pull the music in the opposite direction. The vocalist sounds completely disinterested and kinda drones on. It's like he heard that it's popular to speak lyrics as opposed to singing them, but he couldn't figure out how not to sing so he's kinda Bono-ing it. I liked Movies of Myself significantly more than the rest of the album. I think the piano rubbed me the wrong way.
What a pretty voice. Tremendous control over his instrument.
Ok
Better than I expected. Was some solid background music at work
it's melodic
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.
Not my vibe
Enjoyed this, more so than the other Rufus Wainwright record on the list so far. It’s more eclectic, more interesting for me, and from memory less theatrical. Not that this doesnt have an element of that, its just not as much in your face. The first half was definitely stronger than the second half, and definitely agree with the Sufjan comparisons in places. One track had a touch of Thom Yorke about it, cant remember the name but it was a belter. Will definitely be back.
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
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.
I enjoyed this album but by the end I had, had enough. Although I think I'll revisit it because it might grow on me. Highlights: Oh What A World 14th Street Beautiful Child
I did enjoy this, mostly. More than the previous album of his we've had I think. It does get a bit much in parts though and I do feel like it's a bit pretentious. Think a whole album is a bit much but the odd track I could manage. It still reminds me of Radiohead I think my favourite was "go or go ahead" 3.5
I liked this album better than Want Two! Beautiful Child was one of my favourite songs. I admit the album wore on me by about halfway through. There's not enough variation in style to keep my attention for almost a full hour. I think a 40-minute runtime would have bumped this up to a 4, as is it's a 3.5 for me.
Beautifully performed, produced and orchestrated bunch of nothings. It's got a great sound and not a single song.
Wish bubble, boring stuff this, really didn’t enjoy
Started with so much promise, then started to drone. 2 stars.
57/100
Not my cup of tea. Too whiny & too instrumentally unremarkable. I don't WANT ONE, and esp. not TWO.
58 minutes is too long for an album, especially one this boring. If there were any interesting moments in any of these songs, I would say he should have just included those and made the album a good 34 minutes long rather than an interminable 58 minutes long. But there are no interesting moments. This is just softer, more orchestral Radiohead, and Radiohead sucks. Sorry, I have to stop writing because this album is playing in the background and I have gotten very sleepy. . . zzzzzzz.
the first two tracks were really strong, but the rest couldn't quite capture that energy. he has such a beautiful voice and such poetic lyrics that i do want to give some credit to that, but it's very Starbucks Music in bush administration vibes. still, a 3.5 rounded to a 4 for me overall. it really is such a nice voice.
this was okay. it basically just serves to answer the question "what if radiohead was really boring?" rufus has a nice voice (that reminds me of thom yorke, but i may be alone in this) and the songs are pleasant enough, but pretty inoffensive and samey. this definitely feels like the kind of indie singer-songwriter sound that ended up being pervasive in the 00s but it's not really my thing. favorites: oh what a world, i don't know what it is, go or go ahead
The lush arrangements certainly heighten the emotional drawer. Could it be more powerful pared down just vocal an light instrumentation. The presentation is on the cusp of holding one's attention and being soppy. A strong set of songs.
Nice album and a great voice. Album at times reminded me of both Neil Young and Radiohead.
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.
His voice is pleasant enough, but if you told me this was just an unauthorized compilation of Radiohead outtakes I’d believe you.
The music just didn't pull me in. I struggle to appreciate albums full of ballads. I did think the lyrics were good on a few tracks, but not enough to keep me interested in a a second listen. 2/5
I did not enjoy this. I don’t even know what genre to classify this as, but whatever it is, it is not for me. Dreary. He’s a talented singer, just not a fan of what he sings. 2 for me
Pretty pop. Lush production. Pretty forgettable overall. 5/10 aggressively mediocre
Very similar to Want Two which I've already heard through this list. They definitely feel like two parts of a single album to me.
Surprisingly good. Didn't expect to listen to such a beautiful album.
Today's album is like indie pop or operatic pop, similar to Michael Buble, Nick Drake, or Jeff Buckley. Not terrible, but you really have to be in the right frame of mind to enjoy it. Not a type of music that I would really gravitate to personally. But I get that the dude is talented, so I can understand him being included on this list. Interesting side note for all Canadian's who were around in the 80's: Rufus' mother, Kate McGarrigle, was a member of the duo Kate & Anna McGarrigle with her sister. They famously sang the song Log Driver's Waltz, which was written by Wade Hemsworth, and featured on Canadian TV sets across the country through the 80's and 90's. His mother is actually featured on this album in the song 14th Street where she provides a banjo solo. Favourite songs: Go or Go Ahead, 14th Street, Harvester of Hearts, Oh What a World, Movies of Myself Least favourite songs: Pretty Things, Vicious World, Vibrate 3/5
First song is great, will listen again. By song 4, his voice is really starting to grind on me. Just finished. If he had a better voice this could be a great album. Still solid but the droning got old quick.
don't think this one stood the test of time
I had slightly more patience for this than other theatery chamber pop (probably because it wasn’t British this time), but not much. Buddy knows what he’s doing, he’s just not doing it for me.
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.
I was familiar with this album back in the day. It was good to return to this! The two opening numbers are exquisite, and the rest of the album is pretty darn good as well.
Agony
I haven't actually made it all the way through this album yet, despite starting it about 5 times. The opening track hooks me in and I want to keep teasing it apart, so I start back at track 1 after every interruption. I'm enjoying Rufus's voice, and the contrasts between vocal and instrumentation on various tracks. Some of the harmonies are wonderfully unexpected. An album to return to, and an artist to explore.
The album is ok but I'm definitely not the target audience for this one. It's not bad but it's not extremely good either. I think it's very bland, nothing really stands out. Could play in a shopping mall or grocery store as background music and it would fit just perfectly.
Sounds like a musical, without the musical. Seems like Wainwright couldn't make up his mind, if he wanted to write pop or something more like chansons, so he created this weird mixture. An on top is his voice, which sounds in low registers like his face was numb while singing. It's not particularly bad, but quite over the top.
really enjoyed the opener "Oh what a world" when it slowed down became really dirgey, nice lyrics but a bit up it's own arse.
Oh What A World I don't know what it is Vicious World Big drama, ali nježne i zanimljive stvari.
It is very hard to listen to the vocals which get on my nerves (just like Radiohead vocals but there is a compensation through the song material). Want Two had a 5* song.
I liked this a lot more than Want Two.
While 'Two' got its wanted number of stars, 'One' has actually better songs and receives one more. The vocals are problematic on both.
- Not that familiar with Wainwright, but I can see the appeal. - The instrumental backing is the most impressive part here--saw one critic call it luscious and I can see why. Bombastic, fun, and rich. - Wainwright's voice does not quite live up to his ambitions and many of the songs were a bit "same-ish", but fun all the same.
I haven't listened to this in years, I had forgotten how good it is.
Soms best mooi, maar soms word je ook echt wel moe van zijn stem. Dus houden we hem lekker gemiddeld.
I wasn't in the right mind to appreciate this album. I don't know if I ever will. Sumptuous sounds, lush vocals, interesting depth to hear a layered set of music but somehow, it didn't gell. On my Maybe Later list. So, not 1 star, but not three either.
Had it all kept the energy of the opener, weird ass not quite fugue, round, march (I don't actually remember music terms) would have been a 5 easy. After catchy chamber pop that earns the name, not like the shadow puppets earlier, with some pseudo thom yorke caterwauling from our foppish boy.
Boring
Couldn't make it very far into this one. I have been trying really hard to get through all these album-of-the-day's, as a means to expanding my tastes and building some new synaptic pathways. This melodic self-absorbtion had me reaching for the off button. It kind of ruined music for me for a few hours, and I had to listen to nothing for a while. The first few tracks reminded me of something like a 70's soap opera theme if written by a lovesick 14 year old girl. Not that there's anything wrong with that. Speak your truth buddy, those who need to hear it will love it I'm sure. The instrumentation and arrangements were really good. In fact I'm sure it's all really good, it just wasn't written for me. I had a dream last night where I was a tourist in a foreign land, the preferred mode of travel was via suitcases, which floated and propelled you through the waterways. That was way more fun.
lot of radiohead vibes, bit slow for my liking but musically it was decent
Slow and boring
Well produced, but not really my thing.
On this one I had no idea what to expect, but I was pleasantly surprised. He has a beautiful voice and together with an orchestra sound it all comes together. The album starts off very strong, but the second part ain’t that bad also. I absolutely enjoyed it and I will try more of Rufus Wainwright. Favourite songs: - Oh what a world - I don’t know what it is - Go or go ahead
I remember when this came out. I bought it. It’s a bit pretentious.
Good
J'adore Rufus et il me semble que c'est réciproque si j'en crois les nombreux likes et emojis flamme qu'il a posés sur mes stories.
Pleurnichades qui passent pour du grand art après la fraude Miles Davis, que l'on va d'ailleurs de nouveau devoir se coltiner...
Loved everything about it except the lyrics, vocals, and accompanying music.
Tolerable in small does ... Rufus has one of the most unique voices, it's simultaneously dreamy and annoying ... it's beautiful, but the droning holds "mwaaaahh, mwaa, mwa mwaaaaaa" can get sleepy and tiresome after a few songs. Regardlesss, this album made me get through some of the work I'd been procrastinating on for a long time and since it was so successful the first time thru, I listened to it again.
I only wanted one, but we got two. Rufus Wainwright bores me too much to be on the list twice.
He writes some pretty songs but his singing voice sometimes makes me want to punch him in the face
Baroque pop. Now I get it. This guys vocals are a perfect match for the orchestral instruments.
Yeah just can’t get into this at all. Not sure what the appeal is
Idk what it is but I just couldn’t get into this one. He has a fine voice and the songs were cool but I just couldn’t hold onto any of the music for whatever reason.
My man Rufus has some pipes. Album was great, definitely need to listen to more.
This is a weird Radiohead album. Despite the vocal similarities between Thom Yorke and Rufus Wainwright, this album is pretty solid. The lurching, emotive ballads aren’t my thing, but what’s here is well done.
there’s definitely some amazing moments in here (rufus for sure knows how to write a big finish to a song) but moments of it feel… incomplete. it leaves me wishing it was simultaneously pared down and weirder. i wonder if this suffers from being part 1 of a two-album set. still solid though. very high 3, almost almost a 4.
Never heard this guy before. Very Thom York-esque. The vibe is hard to pin down, containing subtle hints of fantasy, medieval-ness, dramatic opera, and piano/music hall, all wrapped into a neat genreless package. All of the tracks sound great and are genuinely fun to listen to, with the exception of Vibrate (something about the lyrics just don't translate the way I imagine Wainwright wanted them to). The album cover is very odd, with an unattractive colour palette and - looking at the knight's attire - allusion to just one of the many genres included in the tracklist. Weird. 4/5
1/5 boring
A pleasant surprise. Have never really listened to Rufus Wainwright but I enjoyed it. The vocals are almost Thom Yorke-esque at times. Some of the slower ballads dragged on a bit but all in all an above average album. 7.25/10 (3.625/5)
Me ha gustado bastante...se parecían a panic at the disco
An opulent and mesmerizing album.
NPC music - first track and some others vaguely remind me of Black Country new road. 1.5
Nice enough, lots of energy comes out the speakers.
I have to admit that I never heard anything from this artist that I really liked, so I’ve avoided his stuff. Three songs in and I have been converted. He sounds so good here. Really balanced vocals, very pretty music. Pop adjacent, but good quality. Good production overall. Some of the singing is similar to Thom Yorke, but not quite as good IMHO. But still very good. Ok 14th Street is more like what had turned me off to him. Too whiny and uncontrolled, too much all around. Skip over the next two, as well. Gets good again at Beautiful Child. He has such a distinct voice, and he sounds wonderful when he controls it. Sometimes he leans nasally and it almost feels lazy. But when he projects from the throat, he sounds great.
It's different, and different is good. Makes me want to dress up in a clown/sailor hybrid costume and walk around doing jazz hands at people. So if you happen to be in my vicinity at the time, don't me alarmed, I'm just lettin' loose, listenin' to some Rufus. 3 jazz hands out of 5 🤗🤗🤗
Kind of like a knock off Jeff Buckley. Which honestly is a compliment; Jeff is great. 14th Street is great.
I kinda dig it 😭 not as bad as the reviews say it is!!
Bland for me
Pretty polished effort here, nothing to dislike, but nothing made me jump with joy either. Would listen again
Una de las mejores voces de cantautor moderno
Very talented singer/songwriter. I enjoyed his vocals. Having said that, it’s not my style of music. I’m glad I listened to it once.
I know he is a talented musician but this was.. ehh.. too long. Also the album cover is god awful.
Some good songs in this album, but otherwise it's all kind of the same.
The name sounded familiar but that was because I know his father, Louden Wainwright of "Dead Skunk" fame. Best songs: Oh What a World, I Don't Know What it is, Want
Felt like mediocre christmas album
Oh good, so Want One was in the book at one point. I am very clear that they kept the wrong one in, Want Two is not a patch on this. Incoming message from the Big Giant Head - "this is The best album ever made containing a reference to Third Rock from the Sun." Not a big Rufus fan tbh, but I was introduced to this album a few years back and for me it's a masterpiece. Very much enjoyed the performance he did of this with BBC Phil a couple of months ago also. I see a review call him Rufus 'Hallelujah' Wainwright which I thought odd as there's at least 3 other artists I think of for that song before him, not sure I've heard his version much at all. This record appeals to the side of me that loves the Divine Comedy - indeed the central chord progression in Go or Go Ahead massively reminds me of the Certainty of Chance. But wider than that the general vibe and sweeping instrumentation really scratches something for me. Gloriously overblown from the off, occasionally evoking a stage musical, and delivered beautifully. Most obviously with the bolero of Oh What a World. The voice described as Broadway meets Thom Yorke pretty much nails it. Also a rare example of a really long album which I wouldn't drop a song from. Honestly it's the only record he's done which I like, but I bloody love it. Favourites, Beautiful Child, Go or Go Ahead, 14th Street.
What is this LP trying to be? It’s pleasantly experimental at first, winding its way through a tasteful swath of orchestra-bolstered singer-songwriter fare that yields some pretty good results. As a natural consequence of its length, however, Wainwright’s journey inevitably loops back over well-tread material one too many times for the album as a whole to end on a happy note. Could’ve been a 3-4 star contender at 40 minutes, but the persistent (and shockingly consistent for the genre) songwriter bloat just leaves a dull, uninspired taste in my mouth.
Rufus Wainwright is clearly a talented songwriter, and tends to be somewhat of a chameleon troubadour, aping different styles as he sees fit. I particularly like the Radiohead, OK Computer era “Go or Go Ahead”. It is a solid listen, if overlong.
One trick pony
This pony has zero tricks.
Fake ass Jason mraz
There’s something to appreciate if you look hard enough.
Me gustó, no me parece para un 4 pero no le puedo poner el 3 que le puse a varios álbumes sin chiste.
У этого чела 1000 подписчиков на яндекс музыке (что между прочим крайне мало!) Что это значит? Не знаю. В принципе альбом приятный, очень музыкальный, лирический. Такое ощущение, что он пишет песни "для кино". Что-то что можно вставить в монтаж где шрек лежит в кровати ночью и смотрит на потолок, думая о фионе, которую наряжают в фату и сватают за принца. В целом, звёзд с неба не хватает, но слушается очень адекватно. Три звезды.
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.
Great!! Really enjoyed it.
Chato
Rufus McGarrigle Wainwright. Got a good voice, sounds kind of like Thom Yorke. Not bad, but a lot of the same. Won't listen again. That being said, not bad.
Pretty good! Movies of Myself is a great song. Some it kinda took me to snooze town.
Brutal
Pretty solid album.
Good
Interesting voice. 5/5: Oh What a World, I Don't Know What It Is, Want. 4/5: Vicious World, Pretty Things, Go or Go Ahead, Vibrate, 14th Street, Natasha, Harvester of Hearts, Beautiful Girl, 11:11 Rating: 4/5
I am in shock that there’s a vocalist that exists who sounds like thom yorke and Julian casablancas simultaneously. I loved this guys voice and the music was pretty good overall but I didn’t connect with it like I would a five star album. If it sounded like a mix of Radiohead and the strokes instead of Elliott smith type 00s alt rock I’d probs consider it the greatest piece of entertainment media of all time tbh. Favs were oh what a world, I don’t know what it is, and 14th street.
what a bore. I'm sure there is genius in here somewhere, but most of the time i just can not even figure out what he is thinking about. I get zero emotional resonance. Mostly I feel like Rufus thinks he's so much cooler than the rest of us cause he lives in NYC. (or something... how do you like them apples?) The melodies and themes mostly sound the same.
simply lovely. i love this style of music.