I'm very excited about this record, which is coming out tomorrow. Rufus has been one of the only things to happen in original music in the last 5 or 6 years that's caught my attention. I think his stuff is just gorgeous. Can't wait to get this! (AND the new Elvis Costello record!)

So has anyone heard any tracks off of it yet? I don't really listen to the radio or download from the internet or anything, so I'm typically pretty clueless about records until I buy them. I'm curious to see if he's made any big changes in his sound.

Triple F- I don't have any info on this disc, but I might consider picking up. What tunes (besides "Halelluhah") would you recommend? Its the only song off of his first three albums that I've heard.

Tommy -

His two previous albums are both greath through and through! His voice may be something of an acquired taste (and to my dismay, it seemed as though he softened the nasal edge a bit on his second album) but I really do like it, and I think he writes marvelous songs.

I love both albums from the first to last track, but my personal favorites include:

From his self titled first album:
"In My Arms" - has a great harmony part by his sister.
"April Fools" - this was the first single, I believe, and it's a very catchy pop blast.
"Sally Ann" - just a lazy, lovely song.

From "Poses"-
"Grey Gardens" is my favorite track
I also really love the title track. It's a bit slow and somber, but it has a very sweet melody.
He also does a killer version of his dad's "One Man Guy".

As you pointed out, his cover of Cohen's "Hallelujah" is good, although I believe it's only available on the Shrek soundtrack. He also has a track on the Moulin Rouge soundtrack, and recorded a version of "Across the Universe" which appeared as a bonus track on some version of "Poses", and somewhere else, although I'm not certain where. On a film soundtrack, I'd assume.

I'd also add 'Beauty Mark" and "Matinee Idol"

"Across The Universe" is on the soundtrack for "I Am Sam", a pretty good soundtrack for such an awful movie.

I'll probably pick this one up tomorrow after work. I'll have to see how much money I've got first. If I can only get one new album tomorrow, it's gotta be the new Elvis Costello.

jim

Yep, I feel the same way. I actually saved some cash because I knew both were coming today. I also need to pick up the new Bowie record. This is pretty odd for me, I almost never buy new records. It's exciting to be looking forward to a new release for a change. I think the last new album I bought was the last Radiohead record.

Same here. I still haven't picked up the latest Radiohead. The last thing I picked up was the new Clem Snide.

So today was a very big music day for me. The new Elvis, the new Rufus Wainwright, and "A Mighty Wind" on DVD. I'm sure that I'm going to spend the next week or so obsessing over "North", but I'll have to take a break from it to give "Want One" a few spins.

jim

Yeah, big day for me as well. Went ahead and picked up "North" LE, "Want One", and Bowie's "Reality" LE. Not bad prices at bb. 14.99, 13.99 and 15.99 respectively.

So far I've made one complete trip through "North", and I really like it. At first I thought it was going to be an entire album of melancholy jazz-vocal dirges...not that I'd mind...but I was pleasantly surprised by the emotional cycle that the album travels through. A very personal and touching album.

After finishing that I started on "Want One". Only three songs into it, but I'm happy so far. The first two tracks are solid and the third track is GORGEOUS. Can't wait to listen to the rest of it.

(I only get a chance to listen to cd's in the car, so it's slow going through the new stuff)