Hot Video Alert: Rufus Wainwright - Out of the Game

Rufus Wainwright unveiled the video for his new 70s-inspired single, "Out of the Game" on April 3rd and I've been obsessing over it ever since.  While my love and adoration for Rufus Wainwright just can't be denied, my love affair with English actress Helena Bonham Carter is like no other.  Whether you know her from the Harry Potter films (where she played the deliciously evil Bellatrix Lestrange), Fight Club, The King's Speech or one of her countless other perfectly-played roles, Helena Bonham Carter is a genius in every sense of the word. Truly. So when I saw that she was starring in the new Rufus Wainwright video, my excitement just couldn't be contained.  Check out the BRILLIANT Philip Andelman-directed clip starring Helena Bonham Carter below.

Photo Credit: Barry J. Holmes

Filmed in London in early March, "Out of the Game" features Bonham Carter as a naughty librarian of sorts. While her character starts out a bit up tight, it isn't long before she's driven to lust after the multiple personalities of Mr. Wainwright, her friend in real life.  Wainwright appears in the video playing three kooky characters including a classy man in a fedora, a drunken hot mess of a woman and a "drugged out Sonic Youth-obsessed dope fiend" {SOURCE}. Bonham Carter lip syncs the whole song, while Wainwright's characters provide the background vocals.  While I'm sure that there has to be some kind of meaning behind the video, I can't for the life of me figure out what it is.  That being said, it's a blast and a lot of fun to watch.  Seeing an actress as high caliber as Helena Bonham Carter appear in lighter fare like this music video is a genuine treat.

Photo Credit: Barry J. Holmes

"Out of the Game" is the first single (and title track) taken from Wainwright's forthcoming seventh studio album which is due out April 23rd in the UK and May 1st in the U.S. via Polydor/Decca Records.  The entire album was produced by Mark Ronson (Lily Allen, Amy Winehouse) and promises to be the most commercial album of Wainwright's career thus far.  Now I'm not saying this like it's a bad thing. Mark Ronson knows how to make a hit record, and while I don't think Wainwright's been desperately searching for a mainstream pop 40 hit single all his life -- rather choosing to focus on the over-the-top artistry of his music --  adding Mark Ronson to the mix surely won't hurt his chances of striking a perfect balance between individuality and commercialism.  For more information about the forthcoming album, check out my post last month where I mention some of the influences and go into greater detail.

Download "Out of the Game" on U.S. iTunes HERE and in the UK HERE and check out the video below.  You can also pre-order the album on iTunes if you so desire. (U.S./UK)  To see Rufus on tour this Spring/Summer, check for a list of tour dates HERE.

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