Poses
(DreamWorks)
Any kid of American folk legend Loudon Wainwright III is always going to be both entertaining and a little messed up. Cigarettes And Chocolate Milk kicks off this album as a bouncy, radio-friendly ode to favourite addictions, until the music curves into sinister, shadowy minor chords as Rufus admits he can't resist temptations which are 'a little bit stranger, a little bit harder, a little more deadly'.
His old man certainly wasn't averse to hedonistic pursuits either (or recording great songs, for that matter) and both revel in tales of sexual pursuits countered with relationship turmoil. The difference is Rufus has pitched his tent in a different camp, so to speak, but he celebrates his sexuality with similar gusto, such as in Rebel Prince and his cheeky cover of his father's classic One Man Guy, giving it a wry contextual twist.
While young Rufus obviously has a few Jackson Browne albums in his collection, he is also a product of his generation. There's plenty of grandiose orchestral sweeps reminiscent of kd lang, along with hip-hop-lite percussion (seemingly inevitable nowadays for young singer-songwriters).
Add some spicy ethnic (Greek Song), funky (Shadows) and calypso (California) influences, and if it all seems a bit much at first, rest assured, this album should be filed under 'grower'.