Verified Purchase A Vocally Dazzling Esparza Rides High on an Exuberant Pre-"Rent" Larson Score ...duets nicely with Esparza on the touching "Johnny Can't Decide", the rocking "Green Green Dress", and the comical self-help wordplay of "Therapy". Her shining solo moment comes with the knockout ballad, "Come to Your Senses".Read more Perhaps it's a coincidence that the immensely talented Raúl Esparza plays a character dreading his 30th birthday in this 2001 recording of the hit off-Broadway show by the late Jonathan Larson, while five years later, he would play the elliptical Bobby dreading his 35th birthday in the enthralling 2006 Broadway revival of Stephen Sondheim and George Furth's Company. In both performances, Esparza shows a true affinity for capturing the angst of men undergoing transitional points in their lives which render them emotionally paralyzed. At first glance, Sondheim and Larson would not seem like kindred spirits, but both share a gift for sophisticated lyrics in an unmistakable musical style defined by their oeuvres. Larson even pays tribute to Sondheim in the story's climax and with the sardonic, work-is-hell "Sunday", a take-off of the song with the same name in Sunday in the Park with George. However, it is the familiar Larson sound of Rent that is heard most in this score - driving, rock-out rhythms with unavoidable pop hooks and yearning, piano-driven ballads. Even the opener, "30/90", is a virtual sound-alike of the bigger show's title tune. If the songs are not quite as polished or even memorable as those in Rent, they feel more personal because the autobiographical story is far more intimate in scale. Set in 1990 in the same SoHo neighborhood as Rent, it's a simple three-character piece about Jon, an aspiring composer who considers giving up his dreams on the verge of his 30th birthday. With charismatic fire, Esparza is equally adept using his beautifully expressive voice in a rock milieu as in a Sondheim character study. He brings energetic brio to finger-snapping rockers like the Twinkie-induced "Sugar" and especially shines on the ballads, "See Her Smile" and the revelatory "Why". With a slightly pinched voice that reminds me a bit of the Bangles' Susanna Hoffs, Amy Spanger as girlfriend Susan duets nicely with Esparza on the touching "Johnny Can't Decide", the rocking "Green Green Dress", and the comical self-help wordplay of "Therapy". Her shining solo moment comes with the knockout ballad, "Come to Your Senses". As Jon's embattled pal Michael, Jerry Dixon provides powerful vocals, bringing particular warmth to "Real Life" and grit to the fed-up rave "No More". The trio closes the show powerfully with the anthem-like "Louder Than Words". The overall score is a bit derivative and a tad too earnest, but the youthful zest of the cast and Larson's pop craftsmanship more than compensate. Two bonus tracks are offered at the end - an instrumental replay of the opener, "30/90 Playout" and a rare recording of Larson singing "Boho Days" a capella with propulsive hand claps. A Wake-Up Call for Theatre Goers ... ...Some of he lyrics are contrived - I could have done without the song "Green Green Dress" - but what a small price to pay for a work with so much energy. And that's what will remind you of Rent - the energy level of this show.Read more Most people will first see this play, or listen to the CD, because its Jonathan Larson' work just prior to Rent. But after one listen, they will quickly realize that Tick Tick Boom stands on its own as
an awesome work of musical theatre. Its a musical with a message - one that became all the more meaningful after this week's tragic events. Another great musical from Jonathan Larson ...proves to be a hit. Some of my favorite songs have to be the purely sexy, "Green Green Dress," the more rockish (and not to mention funny) "No More," the roller coaster "Therapy," the short and sweet "Sugar," the power ballad "Come to your...Read more Fans of Broadway know about Jonathan Larson, the creator of the smash hit RENT, which currently has a huge following. But only true RENTheads know about another earlier musical created by Jonathan Larson, a semi-autobiographical musical with a 3 person cast called Tick, Tick... Boom. Tick, Tick, Boom... proves to be nearly as good as RENT, with the same style of mixing more modern music with Broadway, but with a much different twist. While RENT focused more on alt.
rock (guitars, and such) Tick, Tick... Boom has more piano parts. From the first soft ticks in the beginning of "30/90," one of my favorite songs on the disc, to the piano playing out the happy birthday song in the climatic "Louder than words," Tick, Tick... Boom proves to be a hit. Some of my favorite songs have to be the purely sexy, "Green Green Dress," the more rockish (and not to mention funny) "No More," the roller coaster "Therapy," the short and sweet "Sugar,"
the power ballad "Come to your senses" and the finale "Louder than words." ...the best songs in this show. They are complex and moving. The song "Green Green Dress" is a song that many people criticise because of it's awkward lyrics. Lyrics were not Jonathan's strongpoint, but I still like this song.Read more OK, WOW. ...voices. All the songs in the show are great, but highlights for me are Green Green Dress, No More, the hilarious and fun to sing Therapy, and the powerful Louder than Words. Also, and I'm glad this is on the disc, but a major highlight is...Read more I think I could cry, because living as far away from New York City as possible is bad for me. I never got the chance to see the probable wonder that was Tick Tick Boom onstage. Being a fan of Jonathan Larson's Rent, I came across Tick Tick Boom. I read that it had similarities to Rent, but was it's own show. And how right it was. Tick Tick Boom has the same spirit and vibe that Rent has, but their two entirely different shows. The three member cast (Jerry Dixon, Amy Spanger, & Raul Esparza) all are gifted with beautiful voices. All the songs in the show are great, but highlights for me are Green Green Dress, No More, the hilarious and fun to sing Therapy, and the powerful Louder than Words. Also, and I'm glad this is on the disc, but a major highlight is Jonathan Larson himself singing Boho Days. Tick Tick Boom showcases Jonathan Larson's talent and love for music, and I will always be a fan. Fantastic Music, but i wouldnt want to see it live ...and over and still am not sick of it. other favorite tracks include: 30/90 Green Green Dress No More Sugar Come To Your Senses (originally from Superbia) Louder Than Words and i also enjoy the rest of the songs as well.Read more I was soo soo very pleased with the music from "Tick...Tick..BOOM!". Rock Operas are my favorite type of musical theatre, and i must say this is one of the best. The storyline, however, although dealing with bohemian problems like AIDS, rehersals, love, didnt meet the power of the music. It was taken from Johnathans original one-man show and made into a three-man show. This was the only way possible to make this conversion, but still it was a dull storyline only going over the time period of one day in the day in the life of Johnathan Larson. Yes, it was an important day, his thirtieth birthday and his friend annoucing that he is HIV positive, but none of this happens until the end. The show lacks obsession, and in order to make a good musical storyline there has to be an obsession. Luckily, the weak storyline is backed with fantastic music, perhaps even better than Rent. 30/90 is my all time favorite song EVER i have listened to it over and over and still am not sick of it. other favorite tracks include: 30/90 Green Green Dress No More Sugar Come To Your Senses (originally from Superbia) Louder Than Words and i also enjoy the rest of the songs as well. ...in songs such as: The neurotic, ticking "30/90"; the sexy rock & roll of "Green Green Dress"; the Sondeimian "Sunday"; the Rock Lobster-eque "No More" (with amusing operatic moments and a reference to the Jeffersons theme song); the witty, almost...Read more I saw this show about 3 years ago when it was on tour (starring Joey McIntyre as Jonathan) and I was blown away and immediately purchased the album. It is an amazing show that is loved by people of all ages - I know people of all ages, from high school freshmen up, who enjoy the music from this show. The songs hit touch perfectly upon a range of emotions. From the mellow, contemplative "Johnny Can't Decide" to the neurotic "30/90" to the powerhouse "Louder Than Words", this show is a roller coaster of emotions, in songs such as: The neurotic, ticking "30/90"; the sexy rock & roll of "Green Green Dress"; the Sondeimian "Sunday"; the Rock Lobster-eque "No More" (with amusing operatic moments and a reference to the Jeffersons theme song); the witty, almost bluegrassy "Therapy"; the softer "Real Life"; And considering that the album was released September 11, 2001, the lyrics take on a deeper meaning. "Why do we follow leaders who never lead? Considering this was written more than 10 years before it was released, the lyrics have a timeless quality that can apply to so many situations. And anyone who sees the show or hears the music will relate in some way to it. Please buy this CD - it is one of the best (if not the best) musicals ever written (and I'm not just one of those RENT-obsessed fans whose musical theatre knowledge is limited to the most contemporary) And if you ever have the opportunity to see it, TAKE IT! And if you don't believe what I've said here, please find the lyrics and read them - understand the poetry and the brilliance - then listen to the amazing melodies and I promise you'll be blown away. The perfect transport music ...first three, "30/90", which describes life at a turning point, "Green Green Dress", which is the sexiest song I've ever heard in a musical, and "Johnny Can't Decide", which is so hauntingly beautiful it makes you cry...Read more I have been listening to "Tick, Tick... Boom!" for three weeks every day on the subway (in Los Angeles) now and feel fully apt to comment on its quality for a prospective buyer. Uplifting and energetic songs you'll sing along to ...and Raul Esparza. My favourites that never seem to get old are: Why, 30/90, Come to your senses, Louder than words, Green Green Dress, and Johnny Can't Decide. I can't seem to tire of this recording.Read more The actors on this recording have such unique, interesting, and listenable voices, especially Amy Spanger and Raul Esparza. My favourites that never seem to get old are: Why, 30/90, Come to your senses, Louder than words, Green Green Dress, and Johnny Can't Decide. I can't seem to tire of this recording. Read other reviews that mention |