reflection on moribund themes that momentarily leaves the oboes and strings at the door for a direct heart-to-heart with the listener." The music video for "Across the Universe", originally used to promote I Am Sam, was directed by Len Wiseman and released through V2 Records. The Lennon–McCartney track appeared on the soundtrack to the film, but was re-recorded to become a bonus track for the reissue of Poses. Critical reception Overall, reception of the album was positive. Allmusic's Zac Johnson called the album "spectacular", "brimming over with Wainwright's trademark popera and young romantic wishes." He further described Poses as "beautifully discordant and sonically chilling", but an album that "often hints at warm grins with mischievous winks." In his review for Pitchfork, Joe Tangari characterized Poses as an "epic album that speaks with grand gestures and a refined eloquence rare in young songwriters." In addition, Tangari complimented Wainwright's ability to express himself and suggested that his voice had improved, becoming less of an acquired taste. Blenders Lisa Gidley asserted the album cemented Wainwright as the "most sardonic iconoclast", and that well-worn topics from obsession to culture shock are "skewered in fresh ways." Raidió Teilifís Éireann contributor Tom Grealis stated Poses is "infused with a rare charm and wit, magnified by Wainwright's sharp lyrical touch and vocal melodies", and that "Papa must be proud." Some were more critical of the album. Referring to the numerous producers and guest artists who collaborated with Wainwright on the album, Johnson stated the album's "'group' feel suffers only slightly from being less intimate" than Wainwright's debut album. The Guardians John Aizlewood praised Poses for being brighter and more focused than Rufus Wainwright, but described the title track as dreary and "Shadows" as "schmaltzy". Sal Cinquemani of Slant described Wainwright as "gloriously pompous", partly due to the "pretentious" French verses and the "blaring" French horns sprinkled throughout the album. Following is a table of 2001 "end of year" list placements by various publications: {|class="wikitable sortable" |- ! Publication ! Country ! Accolade ! Rank |- | Aftonbladet| Sweden | Top 100 Albums of 2001 | align="center"|97 |- | NME| UK | Albums of the Year 2001 | align="center"|8 |- | Q| UK | Qs Best Albums of 2001 | align="center"|37 |- | VH1 | U.S. | Best of the Year | align="center"|10 |- | Washington City Paper | U.S. | Top 20 of 2001 | align="center"|13 |}