Take All My Loves: Nine Shakespeare Sonnets
by Rufus Wainwright
Metascore
72

Generally favorable reviews - based on 13 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 13
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 13
  3. Negative: 0 out of 13
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  1. Magnet
    Jun 1, 2016
    80
    Whether in the flesh or behind-the-scenes, each work is all Wainwright. [No. 131, p.61]
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  2. Uncut
    Apr 27, 2016
    80
    What sounds showy on paper is, in reality, a respectful, atmospheric tribute to the Bard. [Jun 2016, p.82]
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  3. The Independent (UK)
    Apr 21, 2016
    80
    All in all, a difficult task accomplished with no shortfall of style and invention.
  5. AllMusic
    Apr 20, 2016
    80
    Take All My Loves: 9 Shakespeare Sonnets reaffirms that the songwriter/composer is an arranger at home in many styles, with the ability to make this kind of sprawling, genre-surfing project unfold with elegance.
  6. Exclaim
    Apr 20, 2016
    80
    This recording is a great addition to his musical catalogue, and a fine way to fall in love with Shakespeare all over again, to boot.
  7. Consequence
    Apr 20, 2016
    75
    It’s hard to imagine how someone whose last album was an opera could out-do themselves, but Rufus Wainwright has achieved just that with Take All My Loves: 9 Shakespeare Sonnets, to be released via Deutsche Gramophon on April 22, 400 years after William Shakespeare’s death.
  8. PopMatters
    May 23, 2016
    70
    Wainwright keeps things varied enough to be interesting but concise enough to avoid boredom or overload.
  9. Drowned In Sound
    May 3, 2016
    70
    The mix of genres and presentation doesn’t always segue as well as they might, and strangely given that mix, it could do with being a little more radical at times. That said there’s plenty to enjoy and it’s often fun to hear these iconic works in unfamiliar fashion.

User Reviews

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User Score
6.4

Generally favorable reviews- based on 5 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 5
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 5
  3. Negative: 1 out of 5
  1. justathoughtabl
    May 29, 2016
    9
    I love this album. Rufus has created beautiful melodies to put to Shakespeare's words, and the styles range from rock to all-out classical. ToI love this album. Rufus has created beautiful melodies to put to Shakespeare's words, and the styles range from rock to all-out classical. To like this album, you have to love everything that Rufus is...ambitious, curious, well-rounded. He is a lover of the high arts-- opera, literature, visual art--and always has been. He will never be limited to pop albums (great as they are) because his mind is too broad, and I admire that he constantly pushes the envelope and takes risks. We're lucky to have an artist who has the talent to match his courageous ambition.… Full Review »
  2. jyo_tirmaya
    May 22, 2016
    5
    I love Rufus' voice and style, but this album is like having to do homework in high school. I wish he would go back to his "Poses" andI love Rufus' voice and style, but this album is like having to do homework in high school. I wish he would go back to his "Poses" and "Release the Stars" vibe... This is too artsy-fartsy.… Full Review »
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