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Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed albums.

Poses
by Rufus Wainwright


9.2

based on 17 reviews
Read critic reviews
How did we calculate this?

based on 35 votes
Read user comments
Rate this album

Official Artist Site

The follow-up to his 1998 self-titled debut (which gained the Canadian singer-songwriter "Best New Artist" honors from Rolling Stone), 'Poses' contains 12 new tracks from sessions with five different producers. He also has songs on the soundtracks for "Shrek" and "Moulin Rouge."

LABEL:	DreamWorks
RELEASE DATE:	05 June 2001
DISCS:	1 disc
GENRE(S):	Alternative, Rock

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

100

Entertainment Weekly

With Broadway-worthy new standards, and a strong supporting cast, Wainwright delivers a flawless, flip-flopless performance. [8 June 2001, p.76]

Spin Cycle

Part torch song, part Broadway, part cabaret, "Poses" is as theatrical as its animated creator is in performance.

Pitchfork

An epic album that speaks with grand gestures and a refined eloquence rare in young songwriters.

Launch.com

With an elastic talent--lyrically witty, vocally gifted, compositionally unusual--and a vague hyperactivity that keeps all the beach balls in the air simultaneously, Wainwright likes nothing more than trying on playful exteriors to match his churning insides.

Q Magazine

It's full of clever rhymes and couplets, overflowing with wit and evocative charm, all set to the kind of arrangements that Harry Nilsson always dreamed of. [Aug 2001, p.142]

Dot Music

'Poses', his second terrific album, is a collection of 12 songs in search of a musical; arch tales that mingle snapshots of boho life with arch allusions to courtly love.

Alternative Press

Although ever so slightly more modern in feel than his critically adored 1998 self-titled debut, Poses is still built upon Wainwright's mastery of highly composed, early-20th-century popular-song styles. [July 2001, p.86]

Magnet

While there's certainly nothing on Poses so riveting as to signify a rock revolution, there's something to be said for the virtue of a simple crooner operating at the top of his game. [#51, p.122]

The Onion (A.V. Club)

As before, absolute consistency eludes Wainwright. Some mid-album selections suffer in comparison to standouts like the title track and the future sing-along "One Man Guy." But, also as before, his unique gifts make it difficult to mind.

CDNow

Indulging in various vices, imagining exotic locales, and pining after the bad boy, he is now more worldly and wise; it makes for a more textured -- if not as immediately winning -- album.

Sonicnet

Overall, Poses is more daring (and, at times, more mellow) than its predecessor, mostly because Wainwright has densely packed images and sounds in a way that is less immediately catchy and more complex.

HOB.com

It's impressive enough that Wainwright doesn't have the whole orchestra playing at once. But his well thought out arrangements are only the finishing touches on songs that would have held up even if he was given little more than a guitar and a pocket tape recorder to work with.

New Musical Express

Like the works of other great swooners from Cole Porter to The Divine Comedy, 'Poses' is held together by its maker's maniacal attention to detail and conceptual strength.

Rolling Stone

Despite Poses' multiple producers, there are more clean, clever ideas of arrangement here than on Wainwright's cluttered debut.

Mojo

On first listen Poses feels diffuse and unfocused. [Jul 2001, p.108]

Spin

Wainwright never runs short on clever conceit. [Jul 2001, p.130]

Blender

His ornate, piano-driven arrangements cite a wide variety of musical sources, from indie pop to Gershwin to trip-hop and back again. [Jun/Jul 2001, p.116]

The average user rating for this album is 9.2 (out of 10) based on 35 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Discombobulator gave it an8:
I never grow bored of listening to the tunes on this album. that speaks volumes to anyone that knows how anal I am about music.

Philippe D gave it an8:
Amazing album. The song Poses has been my favorite song for years now. Very personal and never boring. Good job Rufus.

Stina W gave it a10:
This album is absolutely the best album I've EVER listened to! Poses and Shadows are two masterpieces, can't get enough. But that doesn't mean I don't like the other songs, because I really do! Rufus sings so smoothly and he's got my heart!

Peter B gave it a10:
A masterpeace no doubt about it. Every single song on this album is wonderful in its own way! Stand outs: Cigarettes & Chocolate MIlk, Poses, California, Grey Gardens, Rebel Prince, One Man Guy but every song here is good. Rufus is amazing!

Nathalie E gave it a10:
This was my first Rufus Wainwright album, and it has changed my life. His music fills me, inspires me, and I listen to him every day. The songs have many layers, and I continue to discover more each time I listen.

jyo_tirmaya d gave it a9:
This album is a rock gem. The lyrics are so intense and the music is so good... trust me... you will LOVE this CD!!! Read no other reviews, just go get it.

Fiona gave it a10:
If he weren't gay, I would definitely bear his children. No really, I would.

Poses by Rufus Wainwright

Poses
by Rufus Wainwright