Poses

Poses

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com's Best of 2001
The scrutiny of success that came early on--being named Best New Artist by Rolling Stone in 1998, the year of his debut album, for example--would have smothered many another emerging talent. But it failed to stopper the singular, unclassifiable, ranging gift of singer/songwriter Rufus Wainwright. His sophomore album, Poses, advances beyond the earlier, cabaret-inspired effort with a suite of songs marvelously varied in arrangement and texture but linked by Wainwright's characteristic theatrical panache. "Cigarettes and Chocolate Milk" catalogs excess with playful self-censure, but Wainwright's whimsical ironies often take a bruising, poignant turn, whether in the pseudo-upbeat "California" or, most movingly, on the title track. The dying fall of Wainwright's lusher melodies--echoes of "Across the Universe" as well as ultrachic Beatles tunes such as "Michelle"--meshes remarkably with the poetic substance here as he explores a landscape of wistful self-knowledge caught between longing and decadence. Yet even through all the layers of picturesque, postmod observation, Wainwright conveys a sense-filtered experience that gives urgency to his hauntingly mumbled opacities. With Poses, the young artist proves his authenticity. --Thomas May

Tracks:

Cigarettes And Chocolate Milk
Greek Song
Poses
Shadows
California
The Tower Of Learning
Grey Gardens
Rebel Prince
The Consort
One Man Guy
Evil Angel
In A Graveyard
Cigarettes And Chocolate Milk (reprise)
Across The Universe [Bonus Track]

Amazon.com's Best of 2001

The scrutiny of success that came early on--being named Best New Artist by Rolling Stone in 1998, the year of his debut album, for example--would have smothered many another emerging talent. But it failed to stopper the singular, unclassifiable, ranging gift of singer/songwriter Rufus Wainwright. His sophomore album, Poses, advances beyond the earlier, cabaret-inspired effort with a suite of songs marvelously varied in arrangement and texture but linked by Wainwright's characteristic theatrical panache. "Cigarettes and Chocolate Milk" catalogs excess with playful self-censure, but Wainwright's whimsical ironies often take a bruising, poignant turn, whether in the pseudo-upbeat "California" or, most movingly, on the title track. The dying fall of Wainwright's lusher melodies--echoes of "Across the Universe" as well as ultrachic Beatles tunes such as "Michelle"--meshes remarkably with the poetic substance here as he explores a landscape of wistful self-knowledge caught between longing and decadence. Yet even through all the layers of picturesque, postmod observation, Wainwright conveys a sense-filtered experience that gives urgency to his hauntingly mumbled opacities. With Poses, the young artist proves his authenticity. --Thomas May

Customer Reviews:

Rufus Best pop cd .......2007-07-04

Wow! What a rich experience. Rufus Wainwright's voice is amazing. He has a classical voice but in this popular medium he makes his vocals very accessible. He clearly benefitted from being raised by his musical McGarrigle mother The McGarrigle Hour and also from his talented singer songwriter Wainwright father Strange Weirdos: Music from and Inspired by the Film Knocked Up.

This is the best cd to start with if you are introducing yourself to Rufus Wainwright's music. Each song has a distinctly different feel to it and uses different musical talents. Although I think of "Poses" as his best cd, the song "Going to a Town" on his new cd "Release the Stars" is one of the best songs of 2007, reflecting on the impressions one gets lately from spending time in America and anywhere else in the world.

operatic pop folkie.......2007-01-05

Rufus is just brilliant. This is when he was still trying to appeal to a straight audience, I imagine, but the songs are beautiful and just different from everyone else who's out there....I recommmend hight to anyone who wants to hear a singer.

In Which Rufus Argues with Himself.......2006-06-30

Rufus's second album really is what the title claims: an album of poses--that is, facades--where the appearance of the wizard and the man behind the curtain are not at all the same.

A prime example is "Greek Song," nominally a plea for the Mediterranean object of desire to forget everything and sink into some kind of bronzed, sportscar-riding fantasy land. "All the pearls of China fade astride a Volta." Why then, with this plea to the Greek god of eros, does the music come from China (by employing a kind of pseudo-Asian pentatonicism, complete with what surely is an erhu-influenced violin solo)? In other words, why does the music illustrate the very thing the Mediterranean object of desire is being asked to forget? The "pose" of the words and the language of the music are working against each other.

Then we have the absolutely intriguing "Grey Gardens." I am not the only reviewer who has been fascinated by the bizarre mixture of references in the lyrics. Just in case, the song opens with a sample of "Little Edie" Bouvier commenting on the difficulty of separating past and present, taken from the 1975 documentary "Grey Gardens;" the name Tadzio, heard throughout the song, seems to refer to the boy with whom the character Aschenbach is infatuated in Thomas Mann's novella "Death in Venice." (See also Visconti's film (1971) & Benjamin Britten's powerful opera (1973), both of the same title.) Whatever these elements might mean to Rufus personally, for the listener the obvious idea linking "Grey Gardens" and "Death in Venice" is that very often a powerful divide exists between what society demands and what one's personal desires urge. Aschenbach and the Bouviers are lost to society, having chosen to follow (or having fallen victim to) their own desire; nevertheless, Rufus's lyrics make a plea to Tadzio to get him through this crisis, presumably to return to society. This is curious. Here again, the lyricist is praying to a Mediterranean god of eros. But how can you ask the object of desire to rid you of your desire for him? You can't, quite simply! And that's the point: it's all a pose in that the lyricist doesn't really want to be rid of the crisis at all. Analytically, I think Rufus has used the classic Schubertian technique of modal mixture (major/minor third scale degree) to embody the conflict between society and desire, but even at the end of the song, where one might expect the music to 'solve' the problem, the mixture is still present: the music doesn't want to shake free of the crisis, despite all the clamor from the lyrics.

A final quick example can be found in "One Man Guy" (Nick Hornby speaks a little about this in his "31 Songs" (1993)), a song by Rufus's father, Loudon. Despite the fact that the lyrics are about a man who is fundamentally a creature of solitude, when the first proper chorus starts, Rufus is joined by a vocal ensemble. How can you sing "One Man Guy" in chorus? It's a pose. Yet again, the music and the lyrics are at odds.

Splendid.......2006-06-13

1. Cigarettes and Chocolate Milk 9/10 - very clever lyrics
2. Greek Song - 7/10 - didn't like this one much
3. Poses 10/10 - one of the most sincere songs I've ever heard
4. Shadows - 8/10 - this one took a while for me to stomach
5. California - 7/10 -I never quite got what all the hype was about
6. The Tower of Learning - 3/10 - should have omitted this one from the album
7. Grey Gardens - 10/10 -found the 'Tadzio' reference both strange and enchanting
8. Rebel Prince - 10/10 - Hit the replay button a million times on this one
9. The Consort - 11/10 - the kind of song that makes adult men cry
10. One Man Guy - 7/10 - obviously just a 'filler' song
11. Evil Angel - 10/10 - this one made me think of the 'dark' ages and gargoyles and vampires, yet it's such a morbidly serene song.
12. In a Graveyard - 10/10 - touching and sad
13. Cigarettes and Choclate Milk - 9.5/10 - nicely done, upbeat version of the original song

I must admit this album took a whole year to grow on me. Beside Poses and Cigarettes and chocolate milk, I didn't listen to the other songs for months because I couldn't stand them...now you can't get me to stop listening to this album. Went to one of his concerts a few months ago and he is entertaining and human. What a great performer!

The CD That Brought Me To Rufus.......2006-03-20

I am a VERY LATE arriving Rufus Wainwright fan. I didn't get into Rufus until last year (2005). I heard of Rufus and saw some of his music videos before. I thought they were alright, but not very exciting. (I also thought he was pretty cute.) Then I borrowed "Poses" from the public library last year and now I'm hooked! My favorite songs are "Greek Song" and the title track. I also love the Francais on "Rebel Prince." I now have three of his albums (I'm missing Want One).

Average customer rating:

"Made me a man but who cares what that is?"
a brilliant artist
Great., listen to it!
An excellent musical work
CHOPS of Steel

Poses
Rufus Wainwright
Manufacturer: Dreamworks
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Similar Items:

Want One
Rufus Wainwright
Want Two (CD/DVD combo)
Release the Stars
Want

ASIN: B00005IBGQ
Release Date: 2001-06-05

Tracks:

Cigarettes And Chocolate Milk
Greek Song
Poses
Shadows
California
The Tower Of Learning
Grey Gardens
Rebel Prince
The Consort
One Man Guy
Evil Angel
In A Graveyard
Cigarettes And Chocolate Milk (reprise)

Amazon.com's Best of 2001

Customer Reviews:

"Made me a man but who cares what that is?".......2007-04-26

"Grey Gardens" , "Cigarettes And Chocolate Milk" , "Poses" , "Across The Universe" , "Greek Song" and "California" are my favourite songs on the disc. The title song alone makes this cd a stellar accomplishment. Rufus Wainwright has a brilliant sense of melody on Poses. I'm not sure if his other records are half as good as this particular cd. Cigarettes and Chocolate Milk never grows old and sounds refreshing every listen. There are times I want to sing it but Wainwright's flawless voice makes me not want to even try. It has been 8 months since I've been listening to Poses and although there's nothing uplifting about it, I keep coming back to it. "Grey Gardens" is confusing because I keep forgetting what it is about. A poem, maybe. Nonetheless, a very captivating and differently sung tune. "California" as the name suggests is fun. "Greek Song" is the kind of song one gives to his potential girlfriend or girlfriend if they have one. Greek Song is stunning, crisp and consitent much like the album is. The Beatles' Cover of Across The Universe supersedes Fiona Apple's. I love how brash and unapologetic it is. It's amazing that its been six years since this cd came out. If you want to try something else, something more varied lyrics, imagination and melody - I suggest you give the record, "Wincing The Night Away" by The Shins a try. I doubt Rufus Wainwright has a better record than Poses but do check out the track called "What a world" cause it's brutally mesmerizing.

a brilliant artist.......2006-11-01

the first time i heard rufus wainwright was on the " i am sam " movie. i bought the soundtrack just because i absolutely loved his version of "across the universe". i ordered his other cds to see if i liked the rest of his work.

i completely fell in love him and i've been playing all of his cds. nonstop. if you don't like it the first time, give it another shot. it's an acquired taste. i love his quirky lyrics, breathtaking voice, and beautiful arrangements. i really can't say enough how highly i think of his work and how much i've enjoyed listening to his music. if there's better music out there... i have yet to find it. he's one of the freshest and most brilliant people out there.

Great., listen to it!.......2006-06-01

this is very great and satisfying music. If you don't like it at the beginning then wait and try again later. you will like it one day. Listen to this disc from the beginning till the end. al songs are great. each song is special. but be patient i think.
i liked it very fast but thats me. listen it with a good stereo and some good headphones with some red wine. its a treat.

success!
greetings from the netherlands. Erik

An excellent musical work.......2005-09-13

Lyrical and tasteful. In the album Poses, Rufus Wainwright maximizes his talent for composing memorable pieces. He achieves a wonderful balance between the baroque and simplistic in songs such as "Cigarettes and Chocolate Milk," while going for unabashed self-reflection in the folksy "One Man Guy" (a cover of his father, Loudon Wainwright's, song). Wainwright also typifies the hopeless romantic, exceling in "Greek Song," "Tower of Learning," and "Grey Gardens" with the right touch of unrequitedness. A definite achievement.

CHOPS of Steel.......2005-07-05

Rufus has again influenced me and my music immensely with this album. His vocal range is second to none and writing style in a class by itself. I consider Rufus to be the David Lynch of Modern Pop/Rock music........he's truly an unpredictable original.

Viseth

Average customer rating:

Aardvark Poses
Michael Leonhart
Manufacturer: Sunny Side
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Bebop General | Bebop | Jazz | Styles | Music

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ASIN: B00002833B
Release Date: 1995-12-12

Tracks:

Sunyata
Armonicos
M-C-G
Dear Bourg
Simon Says
Sketches of Aix
Posscia
Mirio
Naashar
Shamed
Belle Jeza

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Yoga with Shira: A Gentle Yoga Session
Shira T. Gura
Manufacturer: Shira T. Gura
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | New Age | Styles | Music

Relaxation | New Age | Styles | Music

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ASIN: B00005UE9I
Release Date: 2001-12-05

Tracks:

Warm-Ups
Standing Poses
Floor Poses
Breathing Practice and Meditation
Spinal Twist and Deep Relaxation

Album Description

This Yoga CD includes an original score of soothing music accompanied by detailed, step-by-step instructions of gentle Yoga poses and breathing techniques. The CD is aimed to help you achieve deep relaxation and relief of stress, regardless of experience. Give yourself the gift and travel on your own personal journey towards tranquil serenity for the mind, body, and soul.

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Poses

ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000EOUS8G
Release Date: 2006-03-28

Average customer rating:

Unafraid

Manufacturer: Shaken Leaf Production
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000B8YD1S
Release Date: 2003-05-13

Product Description

10 TRACKS: TAKE THE TIME, INNOCENCE, WALKING ON A MINE, NOT YET BEGUN, SHINE YOUR LIGHT, UNAFRAID, I BELIEVE, FATHER TIME, HEAVEN AIN'T SO FAR AWAY, THE UNVEILING (YOU GAVE IT YOUR BEST).