User Score
Universal acclaim- based on 76 Ratings
User score distribution:
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Positive: 61 out of 76
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Mixed: 12 out of 76
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Negative: 3 out of 76
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Apr 7, 2012Altogether it's a good & enjoyable effort -- and a welcome end to the Want One's & Two's! As Rufus sings "I'm tired of writing elegies to boredom!"
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AdamWNov 17, 2007Exce[tional - a real grower of an album - sounded like a bit of an albatross on first play but now I just can't get enough of it. The grandiose "Slideshow" and the exuberant "Do I Disappoint You" are standout tracks, but the tender and vulnerable "Not Ready To Love" is also exceptional. Production-wise, a shower of an album. Musically, a definite grower. Give it a chance.
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SYanoffOct 4, 2007It'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).
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matta.Aug 9, 2007the 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.
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JimK.Aug 7, 2007very good album, touching and emotional.
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JasonV.Aug 3, 2007
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NickEJul 23, 2007
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RobbieCJul 22, 2007Pretty 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.
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SteveSJul 10, 2007This is one of Wainwright's best works yet, with a wide variety of styles, instrumentation, and topics. The catchy melodies hook listeners early on, & the complex arrangements keep them coming back.
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NatashaHJun 22, 2007Inspired and inspiring. Everything he does is very special
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PhilippeD.Jun 22, 2007Been a Rufus fan for some time now. He is an amazing artist. Release The Stars is not his best work but still pretty good. Listen to # 2,8,9,10,11 and 12. I've been waiting a while for new stuff from Rufus and I must say that I am very happy with his lastest work. Good job Rufus.
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SteveW.Jun 20, 2007
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PeterBJun 16, 2007I don't get why so many of the critics dislike this album. I contains nothing but amazing songs! Highlights are first-single, "Going To A Town", the beautiful "Tiergarten" and the hilarious "Between My Legs".
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JoeGJun 14, 2007
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melindakJun 11, 2007Rufus is back with maybe one of the greatest albums he ever did. The more i listen it the more i adore it!
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lauriemJun 9, 2007
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FrankieCJun 8, 2007He finally manages with this album to perfectly illustrate the paradox embodied in his music right from the start : to make the listener reach the purest and the rawest feelings with the most luxurious and intricate music that pop can offer.
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MaxCJun 7, 2007
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StaciaMJun 7, 2007Finally, something to stand up to his debut album.
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ericdJun 6, 2007
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MargaretSJun 5, 2007We have just seen him at the Old Vic-he is just fantastically talented. The depth of his music, the intracacies of the melodies and rythms just knock you back. His voice soars,his musicality sills the theatre- and this album.
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NatalieHJun 4, 2007Rufus Wainwright is by far the most incredible musician that has EVER graced this earth. He's phenomenal!
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WillySJun 4, 2007The 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.
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EdwardRMay 30, 2007As a long-time Rufus fan, this is by far his best CD to date. All 12 tracks are stunning, it has a cohesive whole, and the melodies and hooks are impossible to get out of your head. A fantastic release.
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FaridTMay 25, 2007Amazing, mind blowing...just listen to it!!!
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JimPMay 25, 2007I'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.
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MattD.May 22, 2007The production is just too much after a while, but his mind is very active, leading to quite a few thrilling moments.
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joser.rMay 22, 2007It´s very absurd the ratings in your web....This records belongs to more than 80 category. You posh people of the press !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It our new Mozart but you don´t notice. So keep listening Panda Bear and go insane men!!!!
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LisaLMay 21, 2007He is a genius, plain and simple. Those happen to be two words I would never use to describe his music. It is rich and layered and I hear something new everytime I listen. Love it!
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OliverMay 20, 2007Er, don't you think you should update the reviews for this album. Where are the glowing reviews from Uncut, Mojo, Q magazine and most UK publications?? This is a great idea for a website but it's biased towards the US reviews.
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ChristopherDMay 19, 2007Oh 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.
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rufusi.May 17, 2007beauteous, glorious, delicious. He doesn't do it for his mother's approval, when he gets that, it's because he's gifting her. He's brilliant!
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anonMay 17, 2007Gorgeous-big-gentle-mature-vulnerable-able-anyone who states he cannot phrase properly cannot hear well-simple as that!
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mikes.May 17, 2007his best since poses, a critically underrated album. Amg was way off on their review. This is his rufus at his best.
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elizagMay 17, 2007big 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.
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amberMay 16, 2007Less is more as they say but in this instance Rufus has opted for MORE, its just too much for me I'm afraid. His songs are individually beautiful and touching, but as an album, its just too much to take in. I
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HelenBMay 16, 2007An amazing artistic album. Something that would make any money-making artist (britney etc) feel bad on selling out just for people's money. Rufus never ever disappoints :]
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CarrieMay 15, 2007He just keep getting better.
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EileenziMay 15, 2007Rufus does it again! I can listen to "Going to a Town" an "Do I Disapoint" over and over again! Rufus is way ahead of the rest of the world! Rufus, you are GREAT! and I am shouting it!!!!
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ElizabethAMay 15, 2007Simply amazing. Rufus has definitely done it again.
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pimpapMay 15, 2007A MASTERPIECE! An emotional rollercoaster that shatters you, makes you happy, sad, in love and in doubt.
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JoAnneYMay 15, 2007Rufus never disappoints! I heard all of these songs live last month and I'm so glad the CD is finally here!
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[Anonymous]May 15, 2007Gorgeous, huge, and absolutely wonderful. Best ever from Rufus.
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madslMay 15, 2007wainwright 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...
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DavidDMay 15, 2007What a ride! This will definately carry me through the summer (and fall and winter)
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PaulCMay 15, 2007
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JakeLMay 14, 2007A masterwork. Soaring vocals, incredible arrangements, beautiful song after beautiful song. Best album of the decade.
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ArmenSMay 14, 2007
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OpharelleJMay 14, 2007One of the greatest albums I never listened to in all my life. Mr. Wainwright is unique. Both his music and lyrics are very brilliant. What worderful moments I'll have for years and years with this album.
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ChrisS.May 14, 2007it's amazing how allmusic has really not understood rufus' music ever. i think this is a great great album
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JonnymMay 14, 2007Ranges from the sublime to the innocuous..which brings me to TJWells comment...LCDSoundsystem is the best album of the year so far, just ahead of Modest Mouse.
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RalphSMay 14, 2007The 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)
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MichelleMay 14, 2007Amazing!
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GioSCerboMay 14, 2007Rufus proves once again, his musical genius! Fabulous album! BUY IT! DOWNLOAD IT! NOW!
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CoreyMay 14, 2007The only reason I give this a 9 is because it just doesn't match the Want albums which are amazing. Still this is a terrific set of songs from a musical prodigy. Some people just don't "get" Rufus. It is so rare to find an artist that produces such intelligent, thought provoking and goosebump inducing music with such consistancy. Wonderful album.
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PeteMMay 14, 2007Over-the-top arrangements suck the life out of the melodies. Maybe it will grow but I'm disappointed.
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TJWellsMay 8, 2007I STRONGLY recommend everyone checks this out. I haven't listened to it enough to decide if it's better than LCD Soundsystem (my favorite album of the year), but it is definitely in the top two. Haunting, beautiful, melodic, and catchy all at the same time...this man is a genius.
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wanderMay 3, 2007best album from rufus - great job
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Awards & Rankings
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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.
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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.
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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".