the beautiful people vol 1 - Rufus Wainwright

This year has brought me three artists and albums that were as unexpected as thrilling and fulfilling.

Rufus Wainwright is not a new name for me, but this year has confirmed him to me as a great artist and me as a big fan. Want Two is a brilliant album with songs that make Rufus as one of the most brilliant singer-songwriters of his generation. It's one of those albums that gives me goose bumps everytime I listen to it. From the opening operetta-like "agnus dei", to the brilliant pop of "the one i love"; from the beautiful "the art teacher" he always mocks live, to the touching "memphis skyline" dedicated to Jeff Buckley. Also the latin-sounding "old whore's diet" with guest star Antony.

And then, of course, the amazing experience of seeing Rufus and his band playing live will be stuck in my memory for a few years, hopefully until I see him live next time. It seems that every song this man writes is a beautifully built composition and a hit.

He is funny as he is camp, and I can only imagine him doing a show with Kiki & Herb.

Rufus is the big queen of pop, not Madonna. (Forgive me Mother for I have sinned)