Recently Omar lent me Rufus Wainright's album Release the Stars, which I've listened to with the best of my ability to give something I don't think I like right off the bat a chance. (Omar, please don't throw any tomatoes at me.) While there are moments in it when I do enjoy the music, overall I find Wainright's voice and musical style to be dischordant. I think that results from the combination of his nasal voice, love of wavering it from here to there, and use of music that seems at times orchestral and at others like the soundtrack to a musical. (Note that I'm not a huge fan of musicals other than Grease.) He also has a depressing tone to his voice, and his attempts to hop between moody and peppy music mystify me. There are artists out there who can suddenly sing pop songs without any objection from me -- Wilco's "Heavy Metal Drummer" and REM's "At My Most Beautiful" being two of my favorite examples -- but it doesn't work for me when Rufus tries it. Needless to say, his music is not my cup of tea.
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2 comments:
wow you're hard on rufus! i'm going to egg your house :)
given how easily you're swayed by a rugged jaw and a handsome smile, have you seen any of his videos?
going to a town
:P
now you lend me some music!
btw i love his range, in fact it's one of the reasons i love listening to his stuff -- i think he does a lot of different styles quite well.
oh btw i've been listening to the new kanye single and it's not much to write home about but do you know what song/instrumental/previous work he's leveraging in the background at times 0:30-0:40? it recurs too. i know it's something from the 70s or 80s but can't put my finger on it!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yxGAxj2dw3Y
No idea what he's sampling in that bit of the track - not familiar to me. But I will indeed write some music recommendations - just as soon as I finish off another grad school app!
As for my easily swayedness, AHEM. I don't just go for good looks! (Though I can't argue with the rugged part. And I did almost end my post with giving him credit for at least being hot. :) )
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