Rufus Wainwright - Release The Stars (CD 2007)

key tracks..
going to a town
between my legs
do i dissapoint you
tiergarten

having only first heard of rufus a few years ago from his appearance on jools holland with burt bacharach i have no idea about his previous albums. but as soon as i heard the first single from this album i knew that i needed to hear more...

'do i dissapoint you' opens the album and my answer is no...this fantastic album does not dissapoint. its a great track to kick things off, while 'going to a town' ups the anti, and really makes you think. the sweeping melody and heartfelt lyrics make this standout track get under your skin. 'between my legs' is another great track both musically and lyrically.

the album features an array of instruments, and the production from pet shop boy neil tennant is fantastic. but the strength of mr wainwrights songs come from his voice. the boy can really sing, and although i know nothing about him or his life, you just know that he means every word he is singing...

"Do I disappoint you in just being human?" asks Rufus Wainwright on the opening track to Release The Stars, his languid follow-up to the acclaimed "Want" double set. Well, Roofer old chum, "Want" was always going to be a tough act to follow, perhaps you're trying to pre-empt our natural reaction. The sweeping orchestral arrangements are there, but surprisingly given Neil Tennant's involvement as executive producer, the beats are missing. There is no "Pretty Things", no "Art Teacher", although "Tulsa" makes an effort; "Between My Legs" stands out (fnaar, fnaar) as Rufus drawls in his lowest register over swaggering guitar (study the spoken section, and win the opportunity to perform it live on stage this autumn!) The introductory single "Going To America" is Rufus' apology for his homeland's behaviour on the world stage, for a global audience; "Rules & Regulations" lumbers along with insufficient style for a Wainwright single. "Sanssouci" is pleasant enough, but a waste of the talent of Joan Wasser on backing vocals. Elsewhere the songs are just, well, too Quiet. Martha is here too, of course.

Oh dear! I'm not really shouting from the rooftops. Rufus comes over better live, for example his Glastonbury 2007 appearance, in what appeared to be pink pyjamas until the close-up revealed a white-and-red striped flannel suit. "Release The Stars" will please anyone who appreciates intricate lyrics, jazzy brass in their orchestrated rock, or wants to see Rufus modelling lederhosen in the sleeve notes. He's a star, but his previous release was better.

I first heard on Rufus Wainwright on BBc radio 2 on Ken Bruce show and instantly wanted to know more, looked him up on the net and found out his latest cd so hey presto went on eBay and got a copy, I just love it I play it in the car and also around the house I have also put it on my mp3 take my word for it you will love it...........Has a great voice and can put a good song together some with orchastral background some very simply done with him and piano, highly recomended......

I love this CD - bright, refreshingly different. Bought after hearing 1 track on Jonathan Ross's show.
My children hate it however!

i love this CD, particularly the first track (do i dissapoint you), and i am very sad that i am never in the country whilst he is touring. i bought the CD as i have all his other CDs and he is my favourite singer, although he is not to everyone's taste (my mum hates his music). If you like Jeff Buckley or Damien Rice I think you will like him.

Excellent 2007 Cd Production Well up there! With the help of Neil Tennant of the pet shop boys.
My favorite is track 3 Going to a Town Check Out the Video Just liking the slow sounds but very touching AMERICA.
Always a fav is Track 6 Rules and Regulations followed by Track 7 Not ready to LOVE. Nice twinkling of the Ivorys on track 9/10 TULSA and Leaving for Paris No2 Track 11 Sanssouci Just sit back and relax also look out for the secert Track 13. Thats all folks>>

The CD was sent very quickly, very well packaged and the postage and packing charges were also reasonable, a very good seller with a very good product.

I am a huge Rufus wainwright and i was really looking forward to this album. Some people have said that his music is starting to become to overly produced, however even if this is the case, i dont believe it necesarily be a bad thing. The fact is Rufus is capable of creating a magnus opus, with all the orchestration and epic song structures that go with it.
The place where this album suffers, is that the songs quiet simply dont live up to all the orchestration and sense of grandness which they are given and therefore feels unecesarily over the top. Saying that, there are a couple of songs on the album that do mangae to pull that off, but this cd is very difficult to listen to all the way through as it lacks the hooks and lyrics of previous works of his. A shame considering what he is capable of.

Im trying to dedicate myself to listening to this so that one day I can love it as much as I love previous albumns by Rufus, up to now though the only track that stands out as classic Rufus is 'going to America' but stick with it if you have it and buy it if you dont, I have faith, this chap does not disapoint.