• Record Label: Geffen
  • Release Date: May 15, 2007
User Score
8.3

Universal acclaim- based on 76 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 61 out of 76
  2. Negative: 3 out of 76

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  1. elizag
    May 17, 2007
    2
    big fan of the first four cds; he laid an egg with this one. 2 stars for a few moments with potential--going to a town has a decent hook, but is too strident, sanssouci is melodic but trite, tulsa has some amusing cheekiness to it. been a fan since poses, hoping rufus can finally produce a breakout album and get the widespread acclaim he deserves. this is not that album, tho--too bad.
  2. ChristopherD
    May 19, 2007
    2
    Oh Rufus, what became of you? Remember when song craft trumped bombast? When the lyrics actually mattered? What a horribly disappointing mess from such a talented man.
  3. JimP
    May 25, 2007
    2
    I'm a big fan of Rufus' work to this point, but I just can't get into this album. Way too heavily produced. As for songcraft, these would have been on the cutting room floor if they were laid down during the Want or Poses sessions.
Metascore
72

Generally favorable reviews - based on 33 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 23 out of 33
  2. Negative: 0 out of 33
  1. It's an ornate, dizzying affair, where all his interests and talents collide in one brazen gesture. It's impressive in scope, but where does that leave the listener? Possibly with a headache.
  2. Such frequent attempts to elevate the banal into the meaningful ultimately keep Release the Stars from achieving any significant momentum and only add weight to the notion that Wainwright's shaky aim-- rather than his lack of talent-- might be his biggest downfall.
  3. This is so rich, so intelligent, so feeling, that most of us will throw our hands limply in the air and join voices with mum Kate McGarrigle who, according to the dedication on the back, "still whispers in my ear that I'm great".