After repeated listenings to the self-titled debut, I’ve concluded that, based on the song Beauty Mark, there is not enough Timpani in popular music today.
Well, I really didn’t think it possible for me to like another offering as well as Poses but, by God, I do.
The songs April Fools and Imaginary Love are amazing. There is not a clunker on either of the discs.
Personally, my favorite track is Barcelona.
You can download the video for Across the Universe at his website, rufuswainwright.com.
So, you ready for some more music recommendations? 
Yeah, actually. Got any? I’m in a CD shopping kinda mood.
(tiny little hijack) Is Loudon Wainwright’s music good? I read some of his lyrics, and they’re quite hilarious.
I’m kind of iffy on Loudon’s music; I find it too simplistic and self-consciously folksy. Funny stuff, sometimes poignant, but I generally can’t listen to his albums more than once or twice.
So, on to the recommendations.
While he doesn’t have Rufus’ voice, quite, Josh Rouse does have a brilliant and original approach to songwriting, and a style that, while referencing country music’s straightforward emotion, incorporates subtlety and a profound sense of longing. I recommend starting with his first album, Dressed Up Like Nebraska, which can actually be found in cutout bins fairly frequently. The song The White Trash Period of My Life has actually been featured on Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
Clem Snide uses a county foundation to create the sort of music that reminds me of a line in a Dylan song: “the country music station plays soft, but there’s nothing, really nothing to turn off”. It’s country music from a dream, heartbreaking, mournful, joyous, strange, beautiful, and lush. A good place to start, for me, was their second album, Your Favorite Music.
Lastly, for now at least, there’s Wheat. The band I’d most love to see live. The music is quietly magnificent, with soaring, simple, powerful lead guitar, straightforward but deep production, and a great sense of melody. Add in vocals and lyrics that show genuine emotion, and you’ve got, in my opinion, the best band working in America today. And of course, their third album is being held up in contract negotiations. Argh. But either of their first two, Medeiros or Hope and Adams, is probably enough to get you hooked.
The links I’ve provided go to UBL, and from there you can get to the artists’ individual web pages, as well as samples and more background information.
And that’s the word from your friendly neighborhood music recommendation specialist. Tune in next week, when I’ll be finding out if I like the first album by Vermont as much as I liked Calling Albany.
Another feather in the boa for Rufus. His song Poses was played during the closing credits of Queer as Folk tonight.
Oh, MrVisible, I haven’t had a chance to get ahold of any of your other recommendations, but I’m still swooning over Rufus.