Soundtracks Reviews
Soundtrack Review: ‘Spring Awakening (2006 Original Broadway Cast)’
By Jeff Swindoll Jan 4, 2007, 15:30 GMT
The CD has some wonderful songs, including (my favorites) “The Bitch of Living,” “My Junk,” “Totally F*cked,” and “Song of the Purple Summer.”
Spring Awakening takes its inspiration from one of literature’s most controversial masterpieces – Frank Wedekind’s 1891 play was so daring in its depiction of teenage self-discovery, it was banned from the stage and not performed in its complete form in English for nearly 100 years.
It’s Germany, 1891, a world where the grown-ups hold all the cards. The beautiful young Wendla explores the mysteries of her body, and wonders aloud where babies come from, till Mama tells her to shut it, and put on a proper dress.
Elsewhere, the brilliant and fearless young Melchior interrupts a mind-numbing Latin drill to defend his buddy Moritz – a boy so traumatized by puberty he can’t concentrate on anything. Not that the Headmaster cares. He strikes them both and tells them to turn in their lesson. One afternoon – in a private place in the woods – Melchior and Wendla meet by accident, and soon find within themselves a desire unlike anything they’ve ever felt.
I suppose that most people would’ve not gone to an 1891 play for inspiration for a Broadway musical, but not Steven Sater and Duncan Sheik. It seems to pay off for them since USA Today named Spring Awakening as one of the best musicals of 2006 (along with Grey Gardens).
The CD has some wonderful songs, including (my favorites) “The Bitch of Living,” “My Junk,” “Totally F*cked,” and “Song of the Purple Summer.” Though be warned, there are some explicit lyrics and themes since the musical deals with the sexual awakening of some German teens. In other words, don’t listen with the kids in the car.
Spring Awakening sounds like an interesting concept and has some good music in it, check the album out if you can’t get to Broadway to see it.
‘Spring Awakening’ is now available at Amazon. Visit the soundtrack database for more information.
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DavidJan 6th, 2007 - 23:39:14
The sound track to Spring Awakening, an offbeat groundbreaking play, is addicting and stands well on its own. In other words, you do not have to see the play to like the music a lot, but it certainly helps.
The songs vary from beautiful ballads that are wonderfully poetic without being prissy to rock stompin' adrenelin boosters that keep you hitting the replay button (e.g. songs number 4, 9, 12 and 15). The writers weave dialog from the play within the songs brilliantly, unlike anything heard before on Broadway. Also unique is the juxtaposition of modern rock with a story line that takes place in a late 19th century German prep school setting. This strongly drives home the message that certain emotions, drives and problems transcend generations, nations, and eras.
The play and the album touch on a wide array of adolescent/early adulthood themes, yet despite the range of disparity, it holds together and flows well, along with the range of emotions evoked. I saw the play first (twice) before buying the CD. I was astounded at how spectacular the play came off, and I cannot wait to see it again. In the meantime, I have the CD.
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