Grand - in every sense of the word (Want One - Rufus Wainwright)

Member Name: Midrange

Product:	Want One - Rufus Wainwright
Date:	10/09/08 (26 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Illustrious, over blown, pop rock with style, great songwriting and meaningful lyrics

Disadvantages: Rufus's breathing can be irritating to listen to

"Want One" is the first half of American singer-songwriter Rufus Wainwright's "Want" album. From start to finish, this album dazzles and delights. It is, at times, monstrously extravangant (check out the fully orchestrated rock-opera-style "14th Street"), marvellously adventurous (see "I Don't Know What It Is" - tales of life, travel, parents, heaven and hell) and heart-achingly beautiful (try "Dinner
at Eight")

Indeed, "Dinner at Eight" was described by the League of Gentlemen's Reece Shearsmith as one of the finest songs he had ever heard. It tells of Rufus's relationship with his father, also a master musician and formidable talent. Other highlights on the album (and there are many!) include the fantastic opener "Oh What a World" (cleverly borrowing from the classic "Bolero" classical melody), the epic "Go, Or Go Ahead" and the lovely (almost sickly sweet - or am I missing some hidden message?) "Natasha".

If you enjoy intelligent, well travelled and interesting songs - check out Want One. If you like it, you're in for a treat with Want Two - which is a slightly more mature work. Want One has a distinct "pop" feel to it - it's accessible, it's fun and it's grand. Don't ever let it be said that Rufus (or indeed any of the Wainwright's) don't know how to put on a performance.

Things to watch out for might be:
* Rufus's constant use of the "pain breath" - that is, when he inhales air, he sucks it in between his teeth. For some reason, the recording engineers (or perhaps Rufus himself) have captured each and every breath. It *can* be irritating. Now that I've pointed it out, you probably will notice it every time!

...I've been sitting thinking for a while - and that's the only negative point I can come up with. This really is a grand album - in every sense of the word.

Summary: Excellent first half of the "Want" set - good "pop" feel, with deep sentimental moments