Released 10 years ago
Take All My Loves: 9 Shakespeare Sonnets
Rufus Wainwright · 2016
54 min · 16 tracks · indie pop
A lush, theatrical blend of classical instrumentation and contemporary pop sensibilities envelops Shakespeare's timeless verses.
Top tracks — play these first
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Take All My Loves (Sonnet 40) — This track captures the emotional core of the album through its haunting melody and poignant lyrics that reflect themes of love and loss inherent in Shakespeare's work.
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A Woman’s Face (Sonnet 20) — Wainwright's interpretation here showcases his vocal prowess and emotional depth, transforming a complex sonnet into an intimate musical experience.
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When in Disgrace With Fortune and Men’s Eyes (Sonnet 29) — This track powerfully conveys the feelings of despair and longing articulated in the sonnet, enhanced by Wainwright's dramatic delivery.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
This album blends classical and pop effectively but may not hold up as well on repeated listens due to its specific thematic focus.
What we noticed
- Each sonnet is presented in a distinct musical style, with varying tempos and arrangements that reflect the emotional content of the text.
- Several tracks incorporate spoken word elements, blending recitation with sung passages to enhance the theatricality of Shakespeare's verses.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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5/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- wave-like emotional ebb and flow
- thoughtful reflections on love
- lush melodies for quiet moments
- dynamic exploration of timeless themes
Maybe skip if you
- prefer straightforward structures
- seek high-energy party tracks
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Experimental — This album blends classical and pop, marking a departure from Wainwright's established style.
- Career context
- By the time of its release in 2016, Rufus Wainwright had established himself as a distinctive voice in indie pop, having released several acclaimed albums since his debut in 1998. 'Take All My Loves: 9 Shakespeare Sonnets' marks a unique artistic pivot for Wainwright as it showcases his deep engagement with classical literature, specifically adapting Shakespeare's sonnets into song format, diverging from his previous focus on original songwriting.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Ben Folds· Sufjan Stevens· Regina Spektor
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Sonnet 43 1:14
- 2 When Most I Wink (Sonnet 43) 4:56
- 3 Take All My Loves (Sonnet 40) 6:26
- 4 Sonnet 20 0:52
- 5 A Woman’s Face (Sonnet 20) 3:49
- 6 For Shame (Sonnet 10) 3:12
- 7 Sonnet 10 0:58
- 8 Unperfect Actor (Sonnet 23) 5:45
- 9 Sonnet 29 1:02
- 10 When in Disgrace With Fortune and Men’s Eyes (Sonnet 29) 3:09
- 11 Sonnet 129 1:04
- 12 Th’Expense of Spirit in a Waste of Shame (Sonnet 129) 2:48
- 13 All dessen müd (Sonnet 66) 8:23
- 14 A Woman’s Face - Reprise (Sonnet 20) 3:10
- 15 Sonnet 87 1:17
- 16 Farewell (Sonnet 87) 6:30
What to play next
Unfollow the Rules
2020
Continues the lush orchestration with a modern twist, expanding on themes of introspection.
Prima Donna
2015
Sets the stage with a theatrical approach, blending classical and contemporary styles.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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