This is the CD that I always Rufus Wainwright to make someday. For the first time, he has found the exact right setting for his unusual voice. It is a voice that can cut through almost anything and when presented unadorned by only a simple arrangement, it can be jarring and even unpleasant sounding. But here the lush and sumptious arrangements that other critics seem to be complaining about give his penetrating vibrato a suitable bed to lie down in. And the arrangements are sensational, both instrumentally and vocally. And the lyrics are extremely emotional and revealing. This is not the story of a simple man being revealed, but rather the laying bare of a difficult time in the life of a most intriguing soul. This is not easy stuff for the weak of heart. This is almost painfully real and very, very moving. Dinner at Eight and Go and Go Ahead are the highlights for me. Two classic songs that could and should be sung by lots of other artists. Rufus is a rare and special talent, but admittedly a bit of an acquired taste, especially regarding his voice which some very close and very musical friends of mine just do not enjoy. But I think they would find that on Want One he has finally taken advantage of it. This music will last forever. A masterpiece!!!… Expand

This is a great record by an incredibly talented artist. The reviews by All Music Guide, Blender, and Stylus Magazine blow my mind, and in my perspective have no validity whatsoever, because I've never heard of them! Who the heck are these people?

this is a wonderful tjingg to do during the day..., Listen this cd.. The sophisticates ans textures of his sound ma ke me feel really well. here, we can clebrate a vision and a talent of a bisg ARTIST. I recommand his cd for everybody who want to discover a new world full of sophisness and love ....

The cunning sample of Ravel's Bolero in the opening track is worth the "10" alone!

There are moments of brilliance and moments of mediocrity on this album. Unfortunately the mediocre tunes trumpet their own brilliance, while the brilliant ones are self-effacing by comparison. The orchestral arrangements are gloppy and tawdry, and are applied luxuriantly, like stage makeup, where they are most sorely needed. Unadorned gems like "Vibrate" and "Natasha" compare extremely well.

To say this album is melodramatic is overstating a bit. This album is so overly campy it hurts. What sucks is that the tracks that are good, are really good. It's the filler material that drags the good stuff down. The melange of musical genres hurts the flow of the album more than it helps. By the time you get to "Dinner at Eight" you are so sick of his blame against his dad you write off the whole album. I totally recommend listening to this album but ignoring the lyrical content. It just sounds like "Daddie Dearest" to me. … Expand

bravo another glorious achivement! Rufus is byfar a true musician and lyricist. Can't wait for Want Two

A little bit of a letdown after the absolute perfection of Poses. But still a ton of great music. Gets a little too cute with the lyrics on a couple songs and that detracts from his great voice. A little overdone in spots as well. But overall a worthy buy for a Rufus fan.

Rufus Wainwright takes each album to new, untouched territory. When you think he has hit his peak, he comes out with a new album as if to declare "I'm not done yet, honey". Fantastic is the only word to describe the sheer magnificence of this album. A lesser artist would have made these words seem over the top and overly dramatic (assuming a lesser artist could write lyrics as thought provoking as these) but Rufus sings with such an honest quality in his voice you can't help but believe what he says, and hope he eventually finds the one he wants.… Expand

Everything and the kitchen sink criticisms valid, but there is some stirring melody and sentiment here (to wit, Go or Go Ahead).

Marvellous!

I just purchased this CD and listened to it, and while I admit that it doesn't have the immediate feeling of greatness of his past two albums, I still find it to be greatly worthwhile, and certainly head and shoulders above the majority of music that is being created today.

So sad this record was so far underpar with his first 2. Though I just bought it today I listened to it twice at work ( w/ two diff. pairs of headphones) and once at home tonight. It's very monotonous and has little of the unique energy that I find on both "Poses" and Rufus' first CD. Sounds like someone's been medicated, but by a real doctor this time. It's flat and unimaginative, e.g., he mentions "Trains" in 3 different songs. It's overproduced, in a bad Phil Spector "Wall of Sound" way, with it's chorales and loud, fancy orchestration (tubas farting about). And sleepy. It's very sleepy. The songs sort of wash into the next one, and you have to check the CD players' digital display, lest you think "hey, didn't I already hear this song?". With his first two, I was hooked as the record unfolded, song by song, with my first listening. There's no question of the beauty and completeness of those two. They, in my opinion, are both perfect recordings. I do not know of many recordings l feel that way about. However, "Want One" I find to be a task to listen to. Given, I'm someone who knows what he likes musically quickly. "Want One" doesn't sound like anyone but Rufus (except maybe a couple of moments of Queen and The Beach Boys -Van Dyke Parks influence)? as usual which is why I love his other CD's. I know of no one who sounds like him. I compare my experience w/ "Poses" and my inability to go more than a few days from hearing it to what I felt with "Pet Sounds" (obviously, not a direct comparison; they both just have so much to hear and learn from, and more is revealed each time you listen). I want to like this CD, I really do! I want to add this one on my shelf for the perfect 'Holy Trinity' of Rufus, But as it stands, I'll probably sell it soon after a few more tries.… Expand

This album is nothing short of spectacular!

Rufus' best in my opinion. Beyond opinion, this album is well-written by Rufus, well-produced by Marius deVries and is all-around brilliant.

Just bought this yesterday (20 bucks is CRAZY!!!) But this album is really amazing. Track 6 (Go or go ahead) is a masterpiece. Track 13 (11:11) is a more subtle, but truly impressive work. Many other great tracks! I love this album.

fabulous

And just when I thought his chords were atrophied, he begins to use the upper register again. My quibbles are few, and I will only list one in this venue: The song order is off from a musical standpoint. I refer particularly to the placement of '11:11'. Granted, its thematic placement is appropriate, toyingly (and melodramatically ... and likely unintentionally) invoking perhaps the most famous treaty of the previous century (Rufus' inner turmoil and carnage must really have been hell ... 'gay hell', I suppose). Still, it is a poor companion piece to the touching 'Dinner at 8'. The vibes just don't jibe. Still, this is a very good album, the best the music business has to offer. Want One has been criticized for its general outsized-ness, of production, of orchestration, of flamboyant personal investment. My feeling is that these critics remain unwilling to come to grips with the emotional and artistic freight of Rufus himself. That aside, though, this album deserves praise from even the most critical of reviewers, if only for its uncannily timely nod to the recently deceased John Ritter in 'I Don't Know What It Is' ("So I open the door,/ Take a step that is new").… Expand

I really, really, really loved this CD when I first got it. It was a my introduction to Rufus, and I swear from the first song I was hooked. I later bought his other two CDs and found they were just a fabulous :D . I think all the critism of Want One is justified, and I agree that his earlier has more "energy". However, this Cd is still loads better than some of the other options out there in music land. Keep on belting it out Rufus :D!!!… Expand

I consider Want One to be a work of genius. Although I'm not a big fan of the Marius de Vries style, the lush production on many tracks does justice to the many inspired musical ideas. In summary, a highly engaging and stimulating listen, although possibly a little too sophisticated for many.

Grandiose, tragic, dramatic, beautiful, and HONEST. A wonderful achievement.

In my opinion this album is near perfect manifestation of it's potential.

The critics who say this album isn't up to snuff genuinely say so because they listen to justin timberlake and since rufus isn't justing timberlake, they give him low marks. Rufus is something more - he is musically lucious and his extravagence is used to match his lyrics, not overtake them. The songs here are heart-wrenching. Very little fault to be found here. There is a reason Rufus is awesome....this is it. … Expand

there is something wrong with the world, when rufus wainwright isn't getting 100 100's for this one. i honestly cannot stop hearing, inside my head, every song on 'want one' at the same time...i freakin' love it! i love it! i love it! i love it! i love it! i love it! i love it! i love it! i love it! i love it! if you don't love it, too, it's not your fault...there's something wrong the world. … Expand

I agree with many critics' opinions that the songs on Want One can seem a bit overproduced. One of Rufus' great gifts is for unpredictable arrangements, but occasionally Marius DeVries covers his songs with what sounds like a layer of airplane noise, leaving his already complicated sound a bit muddy. However, what works here, works beautifully! It's a testament to the talent of Rufus. It can be a difficult, demanding album at times, but it's well worth it. Definatley one of the year's best.… Expand

how sad. rufus is still by all counts an amazing musician, but "contemporary leanings" or not, these songs just pale in comparison to his earlier work. i agree with other negative reivews: the accompaniment is way WAY too thick, annoyingly so most of the time. it's a breath of fresh air whenever he tones it down to just his voice and simple piano accompaniment... this is where rufus has always and will always shine... (cf. "dinner at eight," the closer track of the album - mesmerizing and poignant). i have been waiting for and wanting this album for over a year and half now, and what do i want now? i want rufus to go back to what works, and stop hiding average to poor melodies behind a dissonant orchestra.… Expand

A true orignal, and I believe this is the strongest CD from him so far. In this day and age of so much god awful crap out there, it is always welcome to have Rufus crooning and swooning through a collection of obscenly lush and beautiful songs. I wish there were more of this type of unashamedly gorgeous music for me to consume. MMMMM