At first glance Rufus Wainwright looks like just another miserable pop performer, a cross between Thom Yorke and Stuart Staples. A closer listen, however, reveals that this North American singer-songwriter has both a wry sense of humour and a taste for the theatrical. His new album is a collection of polished, stylish songs that offer an engagingly jaundiced view of life, while the presence of violins, cellos and French horns adds depth to Wainwright's haunting melodies. Perfect for those who like their music with plenty of gravitas.
