Rufus is an amazing singer. He has a few songs on this cd that I really appreciate listening to. It is a very mellow and relaxing type of music that is nice for casual enjoyment. I highly recommend this music to anyone.

Another great Rufus album. Vocally stunning with some nice songwriting. I don't care for a couple of the tunes that are a bit over the top with loud orchestral productions and belted out vocals all mishmashed together but several of the songs like catchy Sansousci, cutting Going To A Town and introspective Leaving For Paris are true gems. A must have for any Rufus fan.

I like Rufus Wainwright. His ambition is something to admire, certainly, and his musical skills are imposing, to say the least. The orchestrations throughout this album are very well done, and I like how it sounds. But I can't say the same for the songs themselves. The muscles and the flesh are impressive, but the skeletons are beyond lacking.

There is a brilliant four-song EP in here. Opener "Do I Disappoint You?," follow up "Going to a Town," mid-album "rocker" (It's Rufus, the song only rocks so much) "Between My Legs," and the closing title track, are astounding pieces of work, worth hearing. But the rest of the songs are disappointing. They're all limp. The melodies are accomplished, but the way Rufus slurs through each and every one, and that they are all sung at that same, languid pace, keeps them from being involving. But those four songs are beyond belief.

I have been a fan of Rufus Wainwright since his self-titled first release in 1998. There is a richness and a depth to the music on "Release the Stars" that is quite rare in popular music today. There are songs that are deeply profound, like "Going To A Town" and others that are lighthearted and amusing, like "Tulsa." There are several layers to each song, and one is not only captivated by the intricacies of the musical arrangements, but by the mysteries contained within the lyrics. Listening to this CD is like a journey through an amusement park with each song being a new and different ride. "Sanssouci" transports the listener not only to an exotic place and time but to a mindset as well. "Between My Legs," despite its evocative title, is musically adventurous and lyrically complex and poetic. Every time I listen to this CD, I come away with a different song running through my head.
With each CD that Rufus released I remember thinking, "It will be hard for him to top this one," yet he always does. Rufus Wainwright is an extraordinarily talented performer, songwriter, and producer. "Release The Stars" is proof of that. It will be hard for him (or anyone) to top this one.

it was not love at first sight with "Release the Stars" for me. Even though I loved "Slideshow" I was expecting another "Want One", to be honest. Like another buyer wrote, it is not easy to overcome one's masterpiece and, in my humble opinion, he reached his with Want One. Don't take me wrong: the man is a genious. He's currently writing an Opera and he is definitely going towards attaining music perfection. Every song of his is a masterpiece on its own. "Release The Stars" is excellent but after giving it dozens of listens, I think it falls short against Rufus' previous works.
Beautiful Child or Poses moved me to tears the first time I heard them, their musicality is unbelievable.
So, if you are just getting into his work, wondering which album to buy first, you should not start from here. Please go to Poses [Bonus Track] or Want One first.