Vibrate: The Best of Rufus Wainwright
Rufus Wainwright · 2014
77 min · 18 tracks · indie pop
A sweeping collection of emotive ballads and vibrant pop that showcases Wainwright's unique artistry and lyrical depth.
Top tracks — play these first
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Going to a Town — This track opens the collection with a powerful assertion of personal freedom and disillusionment, setting the tone for the album's emotional landscape.
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Hallelujah — Wainwright's rendition of this iconic song showcases his vocal prowess and emotional depth, elevating it beyond its original context while paying homage to Leonard Cohen.
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Cigarettes and Chocolate Milk — This track combines whimsical lyrics and lush instrumentation, perfectly encapsulating Wainwright's blend of humor and introspection that defines much of his work.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
A well-curated collection that highlights Wainwright's strengths but lacks a cohesive narrative arc.
What we noticed
- Several tracks include orchestral arrangements, adding depth and richness to the sound, particularly in songs like 'Hallelujah' and 'Grey Gardens'.
- The sequencing alternates between slower and faster tempos, creating a dynamic flow that maintains listener interest throughout its 18 tracks.
- 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
- dynamic peaks and valleys
- introspective moments of reflection
- for evening unwinding
- lush soundscapes to explore
- cathartic vocal performances
Maybe skip if you
- prefer instant gratification
- dislike emotional depth
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Starting Point — A compilation that showcases Wainwright's broad appeal and highlights his key works.
- Themes
- personal freedom· disillusioned love· whimsical nostalgia
- Career context
- By 2014, Rufus Wainwright was a well-established artist with a diverse catalog, having released several acclaimed albums since his self-titled debut in 1998. 'Vibrate: The Best of Rufus Wainwright' serves as a retrospective that encapsulates his evolution and the breadth of his songwriting capabilities. This compilation followed his work on 'Out of the Game' (2012), reflecting on over a decade of significant contributions to indie pop and contemporary music.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Ben Folds· Sufjan Stevens· Regina Spektor
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Going to a Town 4:07
- 2 Out of the Game 4:06
- 3 Me and Liza 3:21
- 4 Hallelujah 4:12
- 5 Oh What a World 4:25
- 6 April Fools 5:03
- 7 Poses 5:01
- 8 Cigarettes and Chocolate Milk 4:42
- 9 Vibrate 2:45
- 10 The One You Love 3:45
- 11 I Don’t Know What It Is 4:53
- 12 The Art Teacher 3:53
- 13 Go or Go Ahead 6:40
- 14 Dinner at Eight 4:34
- 15 Foolish Love 5:46
- 16 Sometimes You Need 3:23
- 17 Grey Gardens 3:06
- 18 Tiergarten 3:27
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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