• 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. PeteM
    May 14, 2007
    4
    Over-the-top arrangements suck the life out of the melodies. Maybe it will grow but I'm disappointed.
  2. SYanoff
    Oct 4, 2007
    6
    It's no Poses (his previous album, which is just excellent). There's a couple of skip-able songs on here, some go on too long, and nothing that grabs you the way Cigarettes and Chocolate Milk or Tower of Learning do. Rufus shines on the politically-charged spots (Going to a Town) and risque (Between My Legs).
  3. madsl
    May 15, 2007
    4
    wainwright has one of the most annoying vocals in all of music. it is a cringeworthy experience having to sit through a whole hour of his operatic vocal tics devoid of any sense of the art of phrasing...
  4. WillyS
    Jun 4, 2007
    5
    The record is a meandering mess. Outside of "Going to a Town" there are no specifically memorable moments. Each time I listen to it, I finish with no memory of hooks, progressions or melodies that hold any significant water. Layering new orchestra over ideas from Want One and Two does not equal new material. Rufus's massive talent is sidelined by his penchant for flash and flamboyance.
  5. RalphS
    May 14, 2007
    6
    The album lacks good compositions and hooks and ends up beeing superficial. It's boring and nothing compared to Want 1 + 2. Actually think this is the worst album from Rufus. (But still better than the rest out there)
  6. ArmenS
    May 14, 2007
    6
    This album starts out OK the first three tracks are great, then comes the excessive "stuff". From over-the-top lyrics to over-the-top production. On the backside of the CD Rufus mentions that this album is dedicated to his mother: "who still whispers he is great in his ear"... well then, that pretty much sums this one up. Although this is classic Wainwright with some great songs, in the This album starts out OK the first three tracks are great, then comes the excessive "stuff". From over-the-top lyrics to over-the-top production. On the backside of the CD Rufus mentions that this album is dedicated to his mother: "who still whispers he is great in his ear"... well then, that pretty much sums this one up. Although this is classic Wainwright with some great songs, in the end it esentially the same thing he has been doing forever. Perhpas it's time that he "grow up" and make music which explores a bit more rather than the same old thing that mommy likes... Expand
  7. lauriem
    Jun 9, 2007
    5
    HIs voice is way too beautiful and his lyrics way too catchy for me to have given this a lower score, but I was waaaay underwhelmed by this. Everyone else's comments apply. It's overblown, overproduced, and over the top, even for Rufus. I should've seen it coming when that little insert about the 'world's greatest entertainer' and the Liza Minnelli covers HIs voice is way too beautiful and his lyrics way too catchy for me to have given this a lower score, but I was waaaay underwhelmed by this. Everyone else's comments apply. It's overblown, overproduced, and over the top, even for Rufus. I should've seen it coming when that little insert about the 'world's greatest entertainer' and the Liza Minnelli covers came fluttering out of the jewel case. Expand
  8. RobbieC
    Jul 22, 2007
    5
    Pretty much disappointing. There are definitely stand out tracks, Going To A Town is pretty awesome. But the album as a whole lacks cohesion and is much less compelling than Want Two, which was slightly less compelling than Want One. Overall, this is his worst album.
  9. matta.
    Aug 9, 2007
    6
    the results are very mixed. Slightly better than Want Two (which is his worst easily), a little bit below Want One, and not even close to the revelations that his debut and Poses were. Those albums still sound great several years later and they give me hope that maybe Rufus can get his shit together again someday (hopefully soon) and put out a complete album again.
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".