Amazon Rock of AgesWhen I first heard of this Broadway show, I had very little interest in the concept; not because of the idea, but I felt it was done all wrong. How could you build a show with the Sunset Strip as the central setting, yet leave out Mötley Crüe and Guns n’ Roses? Van Halen and Ratt? The exclusions go on and on. Further more, given the title, where is the Def Leppard? Then again, Leppard has no business on the Strip, but either does Constantine Mouralis. The logic, or lack thereof,  just made no sense to me.

To be honest, it still doesn’t make sense to me, but you know what? I’ll take it. I’ll take any bit of rock that I can get from Broadway because aside from Spamalot and Tommy (and Rent…shhh, keep that one on the DL), Broadway shows are lame and unmanly.

What will you find on the Rock of Ages soundtrack? Two Twisted Sister tributes—sick! A slice of Joan Jett—one, Jett rules; two, need something for a female lead to sing on Broadway. And of course Journey to close the show—can’t get much more predictable than that.

Is this worth owning? If you are a female, love 80’s rock, and showtunes—yes—the cast sounds great and provides their own twists that are pleasant to the ear. Otherwise, I would skip the soundtrack, maybe buy a couple tickets to the show if you live in the NYC region and treat your lady to a nice date night.

2.5 StarsAgain, I must stress that I do applaud Broadway for incorporating some big 80’s rock, however, with a little care this could have been done much better –Meds

Track Listing:

  1. “Just Like Paradise/Nothin’ But a Good Time”
  2. “Sister Christian”
  3. “We Built This City/Too Much Time on my Hands”
  4. “I Wanna Rock”
  5. We”re Not Gonna Take It”
  6. “Heaven/More Than Words/To Be With You”
  7. “Waiting For A Girl Like You”
  8. “Wanted Dead Or Alive”
  9. “I Want To Know What Love Is”
  10. “Cum On Feel The Noize/We’re Not Gonna Take It”
  11. “Harden My Heart/Shadows Of The Night”
  12. “Here I Go Again”
  13. “The Final Countdown”
  14. “Anyway You Want It/I Wanna Rock”
  15. “High Enough”
  16. “I Hate Myself For Loving You/Heat Of The Moment”
  17. “Hit Me With Your Best Shot”
  18. “Can’t Fight This Feeling”
  19. “Every Rose Has Its Thorn”
  20. “Oh Sherrie”
  21. “The Search Is Over”
  22. “Don’t Stop Believin'”

GOR Recommendation: Twisted Sister – Stay Hungry 25th Anniversary Edition

Errata: Rock of Ages is officially Broadway now since moving location to Brooks Atkinson Theatre on West 46th, a venue with over 500 seats.

3 thoughts on “Review: Various Artists – Rock of Ages: Original Broadway Cast Recording [2009]

  1. ROA is actually considered officially Broadway now. It made the jump after only a few months of being in the New World Stages which is “Off Broadway.” Now at the Brooks Atkinson/Broadway. I wasn’t too pleased with some of the song selections either…I love Foreigner but not in the ’80s sunset strip context. ???

  2. not only is Rock of Ages on Broadway playing to a nearly sold out theater of over 1000 seats. It was also nominated for 5 Tonys which included a tony nomination for Best Musical and a Tony nomination for Best Lead Actor role for its Star Constantine Maroulis.
    This show has also been endorsed by people and bands like. Twisted Sister, Night Ranger, Styx, REO Speed Wagon, Poison, Toby Macguire, Hugh Jackman, to name a few. So this show has alot of celebrity backing.

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