I've never really been a fan of musicals. I think it's that I find the song writing in them, generally, to be too fanciful. But as much as I dislike musicals, I really, really dislike rock musicals. For the longest time, however, I couldn't work out why. Then I saw Hedwig and the Angry Inch, and I worked out what the problem was - rock musicals take the structure of the normal musical song and just add studio-session guitars to them. It doesn't sound like rock, it sounds like a Broadway producer's approximation of rock. Hedwig and the Angry Inch, however, is a musical that truly rocks.
Beginning its life as an off-Broadway musical in 1998, Hedwig and the Angry Inch was adapted into a critically acclaimed film in 2001. It tells the story of Hedwig, formerly Hansel, an East German post-op transsexual with dreams of rock'n'roll glory, who at every turn is met only with disappointment and dissolution. Simultaneously hilarious and heartbreaking, Hedwig and the Angry Inch is a rock musical that perfectly blends story with character and some truly kick-arse tunes.
One such tune is Midnight Radio. Perhaps the most moving song in the entire show, Midnight Radio stands as a testament of Hedwig's life, her aspirations, inspirations and her place in the world. It's a song that begins with defeat and loneliness but gradually builds itself up; reaching a crescendo that could rouse even the stoniest of hearts.
The musical's overall focus on glam rock is perfectly exemplified in this song, borrowing so strongly as it does from Bowie, while citing all the pioneering female artists who have served as inspiration to Hedwig; the power behind it all leaves you forgetting that Hedwig is not an actual person, but rather an invention of some very brilliant minds.
On a personal level, Midnight Radio is a song I often find myself humming – if not outright singing – to myself. It manages to do what so few rock musical songs do, which is to catch the raw power and pain that makes up true rock music – music that is imbued with soul and a sense of its own history. It evokes such incredible emotion that it almost instantly becomes a favourite song to listen to. It's something that, if you listen to it at just the right time, can completely take your breath away, and transport you to another place entirely. If that's not good rock music, I don't know what is.
If Grease drives you up the wall, if you can't handle doing the Time Warp again, and if you're looking to avoid paying the Rent, I highly recommend you put on some make-up, turn on the tape deck, pull the wig down off the shelf, and spend some time with Hedwig and the Angry Inch.
Politics
Factzone: The truth about Kim Jong Il
Kim Jong Il, the leader of the free world, has decided to move on to more fertile grounds, leaving with us just the memories of 8-color rainbows, singing Korean women and couple of nuclear weapons. But who was this man whose next ambition would have been to get the next Nobel Peace prize? Here are just a few facts you should know about.
more
Top 5 Conspiracy Theories Related to John F. Kennedy's Assassination
26.Aug 2011
Since just after the assassination of John F. Kennedy, conspiracy theories abou...read
ISRAEL KEEPING GHADDAFI AFLOAT
10.Mar 2011
...read
Glen Beck Is NOT the Anti-Christ!
10.Mar 2011
Hurtful and fiery rhetoric is now media’s default setting! This slippery and m...read
Recipe for A REVOLUTION! (10 easy steps - try not to get burned!)
28.Feb 2011
Rebellion is cooking in the air. People are mad as hell, and not going to take...read
Opinion
World governments charged with criminal negligence (in response to Megaupload case)
EARTH (thecheers.org) - Federal authorities of the universe have charged the governments of all the countries in the world as well as the operators actually in power in these countries with operating a criminal enterprise, the Galaxy warriors announced Today.
more
The Great OSCARS 2011 – or so it would seem
5.Mar 2011
So, how exciting......a morning off, the Academy Awards. I wish I could say the...read
Top 7 Expensive Bordellos. Prostitution: Shakedown, Tier Down, and Priced Out
31.Jan 2011
According to a report of the Washington DC-based US Department of State, The Ph...read
The Great Secret and Reason for the JFK Assassination
11.Oct 2010
The great question is why the great secret? On June 4 1963, President Kennedy s...read
Don't Do it! The 3 Worst Times to Get Tattoos
4.Oct 2010
As a general rule, tattoos gotten after 2 am are a bad idea. But in a bigger pi...read
|
Travel
Travel Warning 13 September 2010 - DO NOT TRAVEL TO IRAN
13.Sep 2010
TRAVELWISE has been watching the situation in Iran for some months in relation ...read
more
TRAVELWISE TRAVEL ADVISORY 5th June 2010. DO NOT TRAVEL TO ISRAEL.
5.Jun 2010
Given the recent incident whereby the Israeli intelligence agency, Mossad, used...read
TRAVELWISE. 16 APRIL 2010. EUROPEAN TRAVEL ALTERNATIVES
16.Apr 2010
Travelwise issues the following advice in relation to cancelled flights to, fro...read
TRAVELWISE 6 APRIL 2010. AUSTRALIAN AIR TRAVEL. THE BEST WAYS TO TRAVEL BY AIR IN AUSTRALIA.
5.Apr 2010
Regular readers might have seen and read the various advisory and no-fly notice...read
TRAVELWISE 2 APRIL 2010. QANTAS.
2.Apr 2010
Some concerns have been raised in relation to some of the maintenance practices...read
No Payoff From the Playoffs
$16.50 will Get Anyone in the Hall Mr McGwire
Stupid Athlete Tricks
Think Big! Think the World's Largest International Trade Show
Top 9 cool laptop accessories for laptop geeks
Twittering: I'm not that interesting
Cheers
|
