ROCK OF AGES - Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (2012)

Granted the soundtrack for this Adam Skankman directed musical film is more “Glee” than anything else, it is still a joy ride down the nostalgic yesteryears. More importantly, can Tom Cruise sing? Hell yes, he can – if every song credited to Mr. Cruise was really recorded by the Hollywood superstar himself in the studio. Somehow, a mental image of the charismatic star shaking a head of long unkempt hair while screaming into the microphone surfaces.

Kicking off the fun album is “ParadiseCity”, the first track which will have you believing that anyone is cut out to be a performer these days. Following the four minute track is the medley “Sister Christian”/ “Just Like Paradise”/ “Nothing But A Good Time” featuring the cast from the movie. Most surprising isn’t Julianne Hough, Diego Boneta or Russell Brand, but a very coarse voiced Alec Baldwin, who personifies what a real man should sound like. They return on the medley of “Juke Box Hero”/ “I Love Rock ‘n’ Roll”, which only leaves listeners wanting more..

What we get next is Catherine Zeta Jones belting out “Hit Me with Your Best Shot”. Given the Oscar winner’s familiarity in 2002’s Chicago(yes, we can’t forget how the star, who was pregnant then, gyrated and sang in a manner that will put some professional performers to shame), this should be a breeze to her.

The duller moments of the soundtrack come from the lovey dovey tunes like “Waiting for a Girl Like You”, “More Than Words”/ “Heaven” and “Harden My Heart”. What we want are wacky songs like Mr. Cruise telling you to “Pour Some Sugar on Me”, or Brand and Baldwinserenading to “Can’t Fight This Feeling”. Even Brand and Zeta Jones battling out in “We Built This City”/ “We’re Not Gonna Take It” is a hilarious mash up.

When the soundtrack ends with the grand finale of “Don’t Stop Believin’”, you know this bubblegum pop collection of songs is a guilty pleasure more than anything else. 

ALBUM RATING:

Recommended Track: (19) "We Built This City"/ "We're Not Gonna Take It"

Review by John Li