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Rufus Wainwright - Poses
By Craig Pinhey
Release Date: February 12, 2002
I had the good fortune of seeing Rufus Wainwright live in Toronto and also on the Conan
O'Brien show in New York. But what really turned me onto his music was his
live at the Rehearsal Hall show on Bravo. The mix of songs and interview
really showed what a captivating individual this talented singer-songwriter
is. If I was gay.
This new record starts from where his debut left off, but heads into
uncharted territory, wisely. Another record of pseudo-cabaret (albeit
inspired) would have annoyed me. "Cigarettes and Chocolate Milk", with its
underlying dark implications, is as good a first track as I have ever heard
on a record. His immediate reference to the inherent dangers of his
sexuality is both refreshing and moving.
The style of songs moves around on the record, incorporating a kind of
hip-hop rhythm on "Shadows"; showing pure pop sound on "California"; going
hymnal on "Tower of Knowledge"; and displaying popular-folk on "One Man
Guy", written by his Dad, Loudon Wainwright. This title, when sung by Rufus,
takes on a whole new meaning, and it is the most emotional song on the
record. The lyrics on "California" are hilarious, dealing at one point with
his infatuation with Bea Arthur. Wow.
Perhaps though, the record is best explained by "Poses", which states what
this record is--a number of poses--different song styles showing that
Rufus is as unpredictable as he is talented, and may even be an actor. I
believe he could easily have written a full record of "Cigarettes"-type
ballads, but, as I said,
it would be annoying in excess. Finishing the record by reprising it,
though, didn't bother me a bit.
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