Amy spanger louder than words lyrics

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.
Larson wrote the music, book and lyrics. The work is largely autobiographical, and asks many typical "coming of age" type questions. But when his stage persona notes that his generation has never faced a depression, never had a war, little did he know how the events of 11 September would change that forever - truly this generation's wake-up call. Coincidental that this CD was released the same day.
One of the most amazing things about the show is how much music three singers and a stage band of four players can make. The sheer volume of sound; the diversty of styles; the range of emotions makes you think there are three times the number of musicians. Yet incredibly, its just three terriibly talented performers and four amazingly talented musicians.
My favourite singer is Amy Spanger, who can also be heard
on the 1999 revival recording of "Kiss Me Kate". Her solo number "Come to Your Senses" is phenominal, starting out quiet and reflextive, and growing in strength to the song's clarion last notes. She partners Raul Esparanza brilliantly in the song "Therapy" - perhaps the very best single number in the show, combining both music and lyrics masterfully. Most critics have almost universally praised Raul Esparza in the autobiographical role of Jonathan. His strong voice runs through a variety of styles, from the high-energy "30/90" to the more contemplative "Why", which deals with a theme common to Larson's work - the terrible loss his generation has suffered to AIDS. Another song you'll listen to over and over is the show's finale, "Louder than Words." Listen to the words; listen to the music; listen to the singing. This is great theatre. Sure its an early work. 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. Even after seeing Rent five times, I am always amazed at how Jonathan Larson managed to kepp the energy level of that show at such a high pitch for three hours. But seeing Tick Tick Boom, and seeing how just three performers and four musicians manage to create a show such such amazing energy and spirit, you realize that is Larson's trademark.
But what should also strike us all is a terrible sense of loss.
Listening to Tick Tick Boom and Rent, you quickly realize what a major talent Jonathan Larson was. And just as he says in the show, walking through Times Square one day and noting that all the shows come from London or Disney, we realize that Larson was a major talent that could energize the American musical, and sadly, was taken from us almost before he started. But he left behind Rent, and now we also have Tick Tick Boom to revel in. If you can get to New York ... see it. But in either case, buy the CD.

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."
Tick, Tick... Boom is almost strangely autobiographical. It tells the story of a man named Jonathan who is fearing facing his 30th birthday, feeling almost as if his life nearly over. Fans of RENT know that Jonathan Larson, did in fact die a few years later. Although I have never had the pleasure of seeing the musical it self (it ended before I had the chance to buy tickets. Darn it) I can enjoy the music all I want until the day that the musical gods decide to release it again. By then I'll probably be reaching the age of 30 myself, so it will be fitting. Also if you aren't sure if you want to buy this CD yourself, because you never saw Tick, Tick... Boom, there's an extra track sung by Jonathan Larson himself. It's called "Boho Days" and it never fails to make me laugh. I don't think Jonathan ever intended for it to be put on a CD but I'm glad it's here! I hope you enjoy the CD as much as I did.

...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.
I first found out about this musical when I saw a commercial for it coming to my city on tour. The commercial said that it was by Jonathan Larson. Jonathan Larson?? But he's dead! Well, he wrote it before he wrote RENT. It was originally a one man show... he performed it alone. After he died, different versions of this musical (originally titled 30/90) were put together to make this three person show.
This autobiographical musical is amazing. Just listening to the soundtrack, I get goosebumps and am floored that this wonderful music was Jonathan's EARLY stuff. Some of the songs you can tell that later on Jonathan might have gone back and tweaked a bit to make better. Even so... it's amazing.
In the song "No More", there are obvious similarities to the title song in RENT. They sing about the horrible apartment and living conditions.
The songs "Real Life", "30/90", and "Johnny Can't Decide" are probably 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. It's a fun song to listen to.
The other songs in this show are wonderful and you will be moved from laughing at some of the lyrics to being moved greatly. This musical is full of ups and downs and you will not be dissappointed with this.
It's great to listen to and watch this show and see how Jonathan's writing grew with time. If he had lived, who knows what other wonderful masterpieces he could have come up with?

...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";
the Bubblegum Rock ode to "Sugar"; the beautiful ballad "See Her Smile"; the thought-provoking "Come To Your Senses" (from Superbia); the gently flowing "Why" telling the story of Larson's childhood; and the masterpiece "Louder Than Words"

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?
Why does it take catastrophe to start a revolution?
If we're so free, tell me why?
Someone tell me why
So many people bleed?" - Louder Than Words

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!
I'm really disappointed that this doesn't get the recognition it deserves and that a very small number of people were actually lucky enough to see 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.
If you are a "Rent" fan, you'll find a lot to like. As a matter of fact, the songs "30/90", "No More" and "Boho Days" sound like they were written for "Rent". However, there is much more to discover on this CD than that. Jonathan Larson definitely died before his time, he was definitely the next heir apparent to Stephen Sondheim, who's work he modifies in a song called "Sunday" on this soundtrack.
My favorite three tracks are the 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 even more after you've heard it 30 times than the first time.
As for the cast, Jerry Dixon is terrific, although he doesn't have too much to do. He is a terrific actor, which comes across on the disc. Amy Spanger is a little shrill vocally for my tastes. When she is called upon to do different characters, she always sounds the same. But as with Mr. Dixon, there's not too much material for her, and her version of "Come To Your Senses" is delicious. The backbone of the show is Raul Esparaza, who recently played "Riff Raff" in "The Rocky Horror Show", and here is in such great vocal shape that I can't imagine any actor former or future embodying the role of "Jonathan" as well as he does. He has the bulk of the music on the CD, and his voice is throaty, his lyric interpretation fascinating, and he makes the whole recording a worthwhile buy. The sexiness of "Green Green Dress" contrasted with the haunting prescience of "Louder Than Words" is stunning. Trust me, buy this CD for Raul. He will be a big, big star on Broadway and it's a gift to have this recording.
Enjoy!

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