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Reflections on Rufus Wainwright
Jun. 1st, 2007 08:46 pmRufus and Martha Wainwright playing "April Fools"
I think I love "April Fools" as much today as I did the first time I heard it.
That was, of course, at my Grandmother's house at around late 1998 - early 1999. I had seen his GAP commercial and, for some reason, I knew who he was [though I can't think of any domestic media within my (at the time) region of the country who would have been into what he was selling]. Anyway, my brother and me loved to go to my Grandmother's place. She was really into letting us do whatever we wanted. We would buy cheap blackberry wine and play cards and watch her satellite TV connection. Late at night, after she had gone to bed, we would watch MTV2 and MuchMusic because they would play videos from artists we had never heard of. Needless to say, radio in Southeast Georgia was (and still is to a certain extent) really dismal and we were both desperate for interesting artists.
And, out of nowhere (or perhaps MuchMusic), came Rufus and "April Fools". And I was happy. That's the only way to describe it. When I bought the record, I was visibly happy. Seriously, the clerk was looking at me like I was crazy. Even today, I can listen to tracks off that first album and feel excited about what's to come.
And he's never let me down.
I've noticed the critics will often chide him for writing about things that are too personal or too off the top of his head. I read these things and scratch my head over them. Rufus isn't afraid to speak his mind or be exactly who he is. Why is this something to deride? After the debut, I've reacted best to Want One, which is perhaps his most personal album. I didn't hear myself but, through the trepidation and the worry, I heard someone who was like me. I remembered that I wan't the only one worried about their relations to family and friends and the world. I, always anxious and alone, felt better.
I think, in the end, people react best to honesty. Why, then, should he hide his best trait?
I think I love "April Fools" as much today as I did the first time I heard it.
That was, of course, at my Grandmother's house at around late 1998 - early 1999. I had seen his GAP commercial and, for some reason, I knew who he was [though I can't think of any domestic media within my (at the time) region of the country who would have been into what he was selling]. Anyway, my brother and me loved to go to my Grandmother's place. She was really into letting us do whatever we wanted. We would buy cheap blackberry wine and play cards and watch her satellite TV connection. Late at night, after she had gone to bed, we would watch MTV2 and MuchMusic because they would play videos from artists we had never heard of. Needless to say, radio in Southeast Georgia was (and still is to a certain extent) really dismal and we were both desperate for interesting artists.
And, out of nowhere (or perhaps MuchMusic), came Rufus and "April Fools". And I was happy. That's the only way to describe it. When I bought the record, I was visibly happy. Seriously, the clerk was looking at me like I was crazy. Even today, I can listen to tracks off that first album and feel excited about what's to come.
And he's never let me down.
I've noticed the critics will often chide him for writing about things that are too personal or too off the top of his head. I read these things and scratch my head over them. Rufus isn't afraid to speak his mind or be exactly who he is. Why is this something to deride? After the debut, I've reacted best to Want One, which is perhaps his most personal album. I didn't hear myself but, through the trepidation and the worry, I heard someone who was like me. I remembered that I wan't the only one worried about their relations to family and friends and the world. I, always anxious and alone, felt better.
I think, in the end, people react best to honesty. Why, then, should he hide his best trait?
