Rock of Ages: A New Favorite Musical
When One 2 One Network asked if I’d like to review the soundtrack of a new musical, Rock of Ages, I gave a very dramatic yes. I love musicals. I love singing. And I love to learn about new musicals. As Rock of Ages was billed to us in the initial contact as a musical “perfect for all of you ladies who are stirred by American Idol, a good 80’s mix tape, the nostalgia of Aqua-Net, and the adrenaline of Broadway musicals.” That’s me in a sentence.
When the soundtrack arrived, I hadn’t yet researched the musical. Turning the case over to look at the song list, I began to dance in my seat. Some of these songs remain on my all time rockin-out-tunes list. Have a look:
Just Like Paradise / Nothin’ But A Good Time
Sister Christian
We Built This City / Too Much Time On My Hands
I Wanna Rock
We’re Not Gonna Take It
Heaven/More Than Words / To Be With You
Waiting For A Girl Like You
Wanted Dead Or Alive
I Want To Know What Love Is
Cum On Feel The Noize / We’re Not Gonna Take It (Reprise)
Harden My Heart / Shadows Of The Night
Here I Go Again
The Final Countdown
Any Way You Want It / I Wanna Rock (Reprise)
High Enough
I Hate Myself For Loving You / Heat Of The Moment
Hit Me With Your Best Shot
Can’t Fight This Feeling
Every Rose Has Its Thorn
Oh Sherrie
The Search Is Over
Don’t Stop Believin
I popped in the soundtrack while I hit up the website to learn a little more information. Basically, the synopsis from the site reads: small town girl meets big-city rocker and they fall in love to awesome 80’s music. I didn’t have to read any more though. I became an instant fan as I listened to the soundtrack. Why?
Not only did I already know the words to the songs but they were written for me! Female parts where I always thought there should be female parts. I mean, don’t you think the song “More Than Words” was actually meant to be sung by a female? Someone finally gets it! Someone finally gets me!
In the end, my favorite song on the soundtrack (which is also my favorite 80’s power ballad) was “High Enough.” While beautiful in its original form, the male-female duet on the soundtrack took me… well, high enough. I may have injured a vocal chord while belting it out one day to pick up the boys from visiting my parents.
Which brings me to the only downfall of this soundtrack: it’s not kid-friendly. I can’t/don’t listen to this music when my sons are awake or when we’re all in the vehicle together. Why? While the songs themselves have some sexual undertones, the dialogue that is interspersed between and in the middle of various songs isn’t always appropriate for little ears. I really have no desire for BigBrother to repeat some of those words or ask me what herpes is. That said, I laughed at the humor, even if I won’t repeat some of the words myself. I like a musical with edge. It’s just not for my kids. Big deal. It’s for me!
If you’re interested in learning more about the musical or the soundtrack, you could watch the video on the making of the soundtrack. If you’re already sold by the idea of four part harmony and stellar duets on your favorite 80’s tunes, you could just buy one now. Or…
You could win a copy here!
To win a free copy, leave a comment here telling me your favorite song on the track listing. If you don’t know any of those songs, you may be too young to participate. Just sayin’. One winner will be chosen at random on August 18, 2009 sometime after the noon hour. The winner will receive an email from me asking for shipping information. Winner has two days to respond or another random number will be chosen.
I’m hoping to someday catch this musical. Live. I even think FireDad would enjoy this particular show. It appeals to the rocker in all of us. And, come on, don’t you want to just belt out some of these songs upon reading their names? Sing with me.
_
[I received a complimentary copy of the soundtrack in return for my honest review.]
Tags: Giveaway, musicals, Rock of Ages
I must say that I love every song on the list! Every Rose Has it’s Thorn has to be my top pick (today) as I just saw Poison sing it on stage in June. Ahhhh. Reminds me of being sixteen, when all I needed was a radio and a Dr. Pepper. I still need the Dr. Pepper….
Please pick me oh random machine!
I can only pick one? Hmm… I’ll say Wanted Dead or Alive.
I had the chance to see this in New York, but we saw Chicago instead. I was disappointed in Chicago, so now I’m really wishing we saw this one.
Hey, I know all of these and I’m ‘only’ 23! I think whether or not you know them just depends whether you have good taste in music or not (if you know them= you do!). My favorite is Wanted, Dead or Alive.
I really hope I win this because I’m broke and can’t get my brother a very good present for his birthday on the 19th, but I know he’d LOVE this soundtrack (he loves all of these songs, probably even more so than I do. His favorite would probably be Don’t stop believing).
Wow, hard to pick just one. I love so many of the songs!! I guess I will go with Hit Me With Your Best Shot.