Rufus Wainwright "Want" 2003-2004(orig) 2006(comp)***

"Want" is a compilation that reunites two halves. "Want One" (2003) and "Want Two" (2004) were borne of the same sessions and represent slightly different aspects of Wainwright's vision of a super-music encompassing pop, folk, opera, show-tunes and cabaret. Both albums are, incidentally, essential listening according to my book "1001 albums you must hear before you die". They may be overtly ambitious but Wainwright is the only one who could pull it off. He certainly has an exceptional voice, like a classically trained Jeff Buckley. Of course vocal acrobatics and intricate arrangements are nothing without the right tunes or words and Rufus' main subject matter is Rufus, "Vibrate", for example, is about an afternoon at his house, setting the phone on vibrate and dancing to the music of Britney Spears. Some are more daring e.g. "Gay Messiah" from "Want 2" is about the Messiah being reborn as a 70's porn star, baptizing his followers in semen. The singer is present -of course- playing "Rufus The Baptist". How Shocking! And the album started so religiously with the beautiful Latin hymn "Agnus Dei"! "Want One"'s opening track "Oh What A World" is another eccentric song (starts like a Broadway number and transforms to Ravel's "Bolero") but it works for me. The closer "Dinner at Eight" on the other hand, although also heavily orchestrated, is vocally more restrained and reminds me of Radiohead. Totally different but also good. The second album's highlight is another straight pop song, "The One You Love". Closer "Old Whore's Diet" features Antony (from Antony & The Johnsons) while other illustrious guests are his mother and aunt Kate & Anne McGarrigle, sister Martha Wainwright, Joan Wasser, The Band's Levon Helm on drums and producer Marius DeVries (Bjork, U2) on various duties. The compilation includes 2 bonus tracks, one of which is a cover of father-in-law's "Chelsea Hotel No.2" (Because being super-gay apparently doesn't get in the way of marrying Leonard Cohen's daughter). Interesting album, but tiresome when listened to in one sitting like I just did. Someone should tell Rufus that sometimes less is more...

**** for Oh What a World, I Don't Know What It Is. Dinner at Eight, The One You Love

*** for Go or Go Ahead, Vicious World, Movies of Myself. Pretty Things, Vibrate, Harvester of Hearts, Want, Agnus Dei, Peach Trees, Little Sister, The Art Teacher, Hometown Waltz, This Love Affair, Old Whore's Diet, Chelsea Hotel No. 2, In with the Ladies

** for14th Street, Natasha, Beautiful Child, 11:11, Gay Messiah, Memphis Skyline, Waiting for a Dream, Crumb by Crumb