Writer Takes A Shot At Perry

[Laydee]

New Music Tuesday: 'Rock of Ages' revives big hair and bigger guitar solos

Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainmen ... z0PZspPdl7


Time may not heal all wounds, but it at least it can take the sting out of most.

Proof lies in the cast album of "Rock of Ages," a semi-snarky look back at the crime-against-humanity that was hair-metal.

Set on the Sunset Strip in the ‘80s, "Rock of Ages," brings us back to what the play’s narrator calls "a sexier time," though many of us remember it in a less erotic light. It all depends on your tolerance for spandex, hair spray, and rouge.

On the other hand, listening to songs originally cut by the way lame likes of Bon Jovi, Extreme, and Poison, does reveal a covert catchiness to many of their pieces—aided in no small part by their divorce from their original perpetrators.

"Rock musicals" usually make everything they touch sound starchy, given the fussy enunciations of Broadway actors. But these songs actually benefit from the arch re-dos. How wonderful to hear anyone but the squealing Jon Bon Jovi or the keening Steve Perry sing their goofiest hits.

More, since these particular pieces never had any credibility to begin with, there’s nothing sacred in them to protect. They can only gain from a context that treats them with the raised eyebrows and sardonic winks they’ve long deserved.

On an academic level, the contrast between the original recordings and the covers offers an ideal object lesson in the difference between kitsch and camp. The former (embodied by the original recordings) flummoxes into stupidity. The latter (exemplified by the show’s re-dos) sails into stupidity by choice.

In terms of what songs the creators chose, nearly all may date from the ‘80s, but most come by way of leftover ‘70s corporate-rock huns rather than textbook hair-metal bands. Compositions by the alarming likes of Styx, Foreigner, and Journey dominate. From those acts, "Ages" drew as many wimpy power ballads as air-guitar-loving rockers.

As it turns out, the true drawback to "Ages" has nothing to do with music at all. Dialogue from the script keeps interrupting the songs, ruining any sense of flow and baffling anyone who hasn’t seen the show. It can be as annoying as a DJ who won’t stop talking over the song.

Then again, the notion that we’d want to hear these particular songs again at all comes as something of a surprise. Even the most unforgiving critics will have to admit—if through gnashed teeth—that Whitesnake’s "Here I Go Again," or Night Ranger’s "Sister Christian" boast tunes you can hum. As for the show’s big finale—Journey’s "Don’t Stop Believing"—while "Ages" may not have the best re-think on it (the TV show "Glee" does), the song itself has a chorus soaring enough to make everyone want to sing along.

Just don’t tell anyone I did.

jfarber@nydailynews.com





FYI....Keening means "A mournful, wailing sound" I looked it up!

[*Laura]

Not surprised. Other dumb "critics" said that SP sounded like a "battered seal". Their opinions are just as consistent as a 100 year old turd under the Sahara sun.

Who's Jim Farber again?

Exactly.

[portland]

Not surprised. Other dumb "critics" said that SP sounded like a "battered seal". Their opinions are just as consistent as a 100 year old turd under the Sahara sun.

Who's Jim Farber again?

Exactly.

Agreed!!!

[Marabelle]

Some things I don't need to know about. If someone takes the time and energy to write something negative about him I don't think it needs to be repeated here. It just seems we have such a negative energy at the moment on this board with all the KN and PV threads going on (again, maybe it's me) I'd rather look at pics and remember final great performances and happier times than this dredge.

[Jubilee]

Uh...okay ladies, perhaps it's time to un-clench a little. I've read, re-read, and read this article again. There was no "shot" at Perry. What, because he referred to Perry's voice as "keening"? Is that untrue? We all know good and well the melancholy in Perry's voice has been mentioned on more than one occasion right here on MR. So again, I ask, what is the big deal?? Failure to fawn does not = taking a shot.

Additionally, to the extent that this article even really has anything to do with Perry, this is exactly the place for it. This is, after all, the Perry FORUM on MelodicRock.com, not a Perry fan site dedicated to vintage Perry photographs and non-stop gushing.

[artist4perry]

Critics are artists who couldn't make it, so they think this makes them experts to criticize others. Their oppinions suck for the most part. Think about it, when was the last time anyone ever bought an album because some schmuck like this said it was good?

Looser to the highest degree. I will not loose any sleep over his lack of endorsements.

[jrnyman28]

Critics are artists who couldn't make it, so they think this makes them experts to criticize others. Their oppinions suck for the most part. Think about it, when was the last time anyone ever bought an album because some schmuck like this said it was good?

Looser to the highest degree. I will not loose any sleep over his lack of endorsements.

Until they say something nice about him....

[artist4perry]

Critics are artists who couldn't make it, so they think this makes them experts to criticize others. Their oppinions suck for the most part. Think about it, when was the last time anyone ever bought an album because some schmuck like this said it was good?

Looser to the highest degree. I will not loose any sleep over his lack of endorsements.

Until they say something nice about him....

I don't expect anyone to fawn over him, but give credit where credit is due, and if you criticize make it legitimate. Critics put more of their oppinions than pure facts. This writer does not care for Perry's style of singing. He made that quite clear in his wording.
or the keening Steve Perry sing their goofiest hits. His wording...........verbatum. Now let's analyze it shall we? Keening..............not a positive term. The definition as follows:
keen 2 (kn)
n.
A loud, wailing lament for the dead.
intr.v. keened, keen·ing, keens
To wail in lamentation, especially for the dead. See Synonyms at cry.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[From Irish Gaelic caoineadh, from caoninim, I lament, from Old Irish caínim, coínim, perhaps of Brittonic origin.]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

keener n.
Wailing lament of the dead..............then says he's singing his goofiest hits. So why pray tell would you, I would guess a Journey fan , maybe I am wrong who knows, would find this description accurate and fair. Perry's voice is far from a lament of the dead, and the Journey hits past and present are far from "goofy". Sounds like a personal oppinion of style than a fair assessment of talent or ability to sing.

When we criticize art, a fair assessment of any art is not based on my "oppinion". I have legitimate guidelines to follow. We have to stick to facts not oppinions. I don't care much personally for some artist, but does my not caring for their style take away the fact that they may be considered high art? No. I don't care much for Jackson Pollack. But he is considered one of the most influential modern artists of our time. My oppinion, is about as valuable as the steaming dog pile in my neighbors back yard.