With one major and one minor exception, the new cast gives an outstanding vocal interpretation of the score. The major exception is Lea DeLaria in the dual role of Eddie/Dr. Scott. She may have the beef, but she's no Meatloaf. I found her vocal style to be extremely annoying on HOT PATOOIE and her Dr. Scott persona carries camp to new amateurish extremes. The minor exception is Tom Hewitt as Frank `N' Furter. He probably gives an outstanding performance on stage, but as recorded his interpretation suffers from the influences of 27 years of Tim Curry's characterization. As I noted at the start, I'm caught in a Rocky Horror Time Warp, and the new recording does not live of to my memories of the original. Director, Christopher Ashley, states in the liner notes that it was impossible to capture "the audience dynamics" of the live performance. Which is correct since in order to do that, he would have had to record the show in a life performance. Besides, the original recording survived without "audience dynamics" - the HAIR recording survived without "audience dynamics" - hundreds of successful original cast recordings survived without "audience dynamics." As the director says in the liner notes, "It is a rock album!" Just not a good one in my opinion


Cleaned Up For The Disc, But Still Bursting With Fun   May 16, 2001
 5 out of 5 found this review helpful

It is next to impossible to hate "The Rocky Horror Show", especially when it is performed by such an amazing and charismatic ensamble cast as this. The 2000 revival of Richard O'Brien's tale of sexual discovery and moral deconstruction was indeed a breath of fresh air in Times Square, however the actual performance isn't represented on this disc. When sitting in Circle in The Square, you'll hear a much more hardcore rock sound, which has been softened on the disc, most notably on Science Fiction Double Feature, which is still perfectly fine seeing as nothing is lost.

Alice Ripley and Jerrod Emick are too enjoyable as the square Brad and Janet. Both have clean and pleasant voices that are vets of a whole slew of musical, which perfectly contrast with the wild and rockin voices of the other players. Though Joan Jett is not on the CD, she still brought a rock'n'roll essence to Columbia that Kristen Lee Kelly doesn't lose on the album. Raul Esparza is the definition of incredible as Riff-Raff. It's a shame that the recording was released two days after he left the cast (best of luck to him in tick tick... BOOM though). Though Lea DeLaria is often frowned upon, she really kicks as Eddie/Dr. Scott. Both characters are played for the laughs, as they should be. Sebastian LeClause is vocally a great Rocky, but his being shorter than Frank made it a tad awkward, but that affects nothing. Speaking of Frank, has there ever been a greater than Tom Hewitt. He perhaps even bests Tim Curry, if that's possible. His crazy and absolutely perfect voice etch Sweet Transvestite and I'm Going Home, et cetera into your ears — from where they'll never escape. Of course, the real treat is Daphne Rubin-Vega as Magenta. After her hiatus after RENT and her botched CD deal ... she's back in the habit, and she's perfect. The only draw back is that she has to share Science Fiction Double Feature with Columbia, but it's a small price to pay for her incredible talent.

Overall, this is possibly the best Rocky Horror album out there, even besting the Roxy cast, which so many hold near and dear. Buy this and you won't be sorry, and you'll be able to do the Time Warp over and over again.


Horrible!   June 4, 2005
 5 out of 5 found this review helpful

While filled with talented performers, this cd sucks.

Rocky is a campy, 1970's B-Movie, that's what makes it enjoyable. Even as a stage show it's a hokey, rock-and-roll extravaganza.

This cd tries to turn Rocky into Thoroughly Modern Millie, and it just doesn't work. The corny sci-fi sound and less than amazing vocals are just what make Rocky..Rocky. This cast has so much less enthusiasm and energy than the original Roxy cast.

And lastly, Tim Curry is Frank. His rendition is too ingrained in my head for me to accept the twangy annoyance that is the Frank on this album. Ripley is a little too legit for Janet, and the female Eddie weirds me out.

Buy the Roxy cast. It's so superior it's almost laughable.


Rocky! Rocky! Rah! Rah! Rah!   May 16, 2001
 3 out of 4 found this review helpful

What can be said? This is the quentisential Rocky Horror Sountrack. Tom Hewitt can give Tim Curry a run for his money as Frank 'N' Furter. He plays the role with such demonic glee that he deserves to win the Tony for Best Actor in a Musical. The new arrangements are rockin' and rollin'. There are only two problems I have with this CD. #1- The absence of Joan Jett as Columbia (one of the main reasons I bought it) and #2- the new arrangement of "Once In A While." The completely changed the order of the verses and didn't include all of them. But they mixed it with a reprise of "I Can Make You A Man," so that was okay. Plus there are a few "songs" that are new. Like the Overture and "Spaceship" which is actually the final scene with Magenta and Riff Raff. Daphne Ruben-Vega as Magenta has just the right amount of gravel in her voice to pull off the part. And Raul Esparaza gives Riff Raff and almost Joplinesque flavor. Overall, this CD is one of the best "Rocky" CDs in production. You gotsta buy it.