Let’s face it: There’s a lot of bad music out there. But The A.V. Club is not content to judge a book by its cover. Which is why we’re willing to give anything a try, no matter what our instincts might tell us.
Who is this: Twisted Sister frontman Dee Snider has managed to stay somewhat culturally relevant even as ’80s hair metal fades further and further in the rearview mirror. He appears on just about every “celebrity”-themed reality show, hosts a hard-rock radio show, and still pops up every now and then on talk shows to rant raspily and show off his long, curly blond locks.
What inspired us to play this once: The press release boasts, “DEE SNIDER GIVES HIS REGARDS TO BROADWAY…AND KICKS ITS ASS!” We’re sold.
Our opinion after one listen: Broadway songs are bombastic by nature, so Snider’s over-the-top delivery isn’t entirely unwelcome. But putting him with guest stars like Clay Aiken, Bebe Neuwirth, and Patti LuPone makes it painfully clear that Snider’s voice is incredibly pinched and limited. While some tracks, like “Cabaret,” aren’t all that bad, Snider’s take on Phantom Of The Opera’s “Music Of The Night” reminds us why we haven’t listened to showtunes—or Twisted Sister—since middle school.
Saving grace: If nothing else, Dee Does Broadway is kind of fun. Snider’s song choices are upbeat and epic, evoking all the bright lights of Broadway while skipping over all the needless plot of the actual musicals.
Will we play it twice? Probably not. We’re not big on showtunes these days, let alone showtunes sung by the “We’re Not Gonna Take It” guy.