Customer Reviews

Shock Treatment: The Original Sound Track

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Due to the sheer nature of -why- this album exists it will always be rated against the soundtrack to the Rocky Horror Picture Show. However, it is nearly impossible to separate Rocky the Score from Rocky the Phenomenon. If an attempt is made to independently view the scores to both, Shock Treatment comes ahead as the more fully realized and compelling work.

First off, this album has a number of real gems that transcend just the film. "Bitchin' In the Kitchen," for instance, comes across as an early-Tubes song, replete with the lost-in-suburbia feel of that band's first album. Backed up with a light and percolating arrangement, this song comes across as a creepy assessment of suburban life--perhaps the point of the film.

This is followed with the excellent "In My Own Way." Jessica Harper's voice is excellent on this track, the muted production maintaining the plastic-y feel of the movie to good effect.

One of the highlights of the album is "Farley's Song." Surprisingly powerful, Cliff de Young's vocals are both menacing and slick at the same time. The chorus uses what was happening in the punk movement at the same time as using slick production to subtly reveal the menace of powerful corporate types.

The other track of note is "Lullaby," a surprisingly sweet, yet still twisted tune. Personally, I play this song on the banjo all the time--it works great in that context. Basically, I love this song.

A few tracks don't quite work ("Me of Me", "Looking for Trade"), but some of the other songs are ebullient while still backed up with the seedy feel of the best on this album ("Little Black Dress", "Duel Duet").

So, this album deserves more attention than it has gotten--the songs are, for the most part, terrific. Additionally, they successfully did what a lot of artists at the time were trying to do (e.g., Steely Dan, Devo); Recontextualizing known music forms to illustrate a sinister world. Heck, if you like the way the song Blue Velvet was used in Lynch's film of the same name, you may love this soundtrack.

Sure maybe it's not "Les Miserables," or even "The Music Man," for that matter. But nevertheless "Shock Treatment" Is one of the few musical gems that you either love or hate. This review is coming from someone who loves it. Upon my times performing "The Rocky Horror Picture Show" at The Carefree Theater The stories that in which were told about "Shock Treatment" were almost legendary. How the fans either loved it or hated it. And isn't that the cryings of a true work of art when something isn't loved by everyone. Well "Shock Treatment" is a fine example of that.

Let's just get one thing straight. Shock treatment is the equal NOT the sequel. It's basically "The Continuing Adventures of Brad and Janet" The story is invariably over-the-top. The story of seduction, revenge, jealousy, and mental hygiene.When you look deep down there's alot to this story. with this CD Richard O'Brien's tunes in this musical are truly masterful cause he obviously made them deliberately hokey. Beginning with the silly wholesomeness of "Denton U.S.A.," the delightful bigotry of "Thank God I'm a Man," and even an interesting confrontation number which has both of Cliff DeYoung's characters facing off against each other in "Duel, Duet."

Basically if the people could look at "Shock Treatment" from a more artistic point of view, then they would be able to see the beauty of it that I myself see.

The first time I heard this album, I thought I would forever confine it to my "Never Listen To Again" pile, but after a few close listenings it really grew on me. Though not as raw as Rocky Horror, this album is definately worth listening to more than once. In my opinion, Jessica Harper gives Janet the ability to express herself through the music, something Susan Surandon couldn't quite do. Personally I prefer Barry Bostwick over Cliff DeYoung, but he was by no means a bad "second choice." There are several songs that stand out from both Rocky Horror and Shock Treatment put together. "Looking for Trade" sounds almost like a jazz/rock hybrid and with Harper's voice it succeeds superbly. "Bitchin' in the Kitchen" is a catchy twist on the typical break-up song. I love that this has an overture, which is something that Rocky Horror was missing. "Lullaby" sounds just like the title says it should. The mixture and contrast of the vocals and musical styles make it quite interesting to listen to. DeYoung's Broadway-style tenor is an enjoyable contrast to Harper's soulful alto. Richard O'Brien is great as usual, and Nell Campbell sounds like she always does. Patricia Quinn is essentially a vocal chameleon, which is shown by here singing on this album compared to the RHPS soundtrack and the RHS London Cast recording. Basically she sounds different on every single one. Overall, this album is catchy, fueled with 80's rock blended with just about every other genre you can think of. The singing is good, the music is good and it is not as disappointing as many claim it is. I gave it a high rating, but not the highest, only RHPS and RHS have gotten that so far.

When the critcs and "suppposed" die hard Rocky fans finished mauling SHOCK TREATMENT,it was predicted that the film and it's soundtrack would crawl away to die.Well,I'm happy to say that it has stayed the course and has gained an equal cult following as it's big brother(sister?).For uniniated the film is the continuing adventures of Brad and Janet in a television studio land(DENTON-THE HOME OF HAPPINESS).A lot of pot shots are taken at:soap operas,mental health,rock videos,Good Morning America programmes,suburban life and fashion.The originator of these barbed stings,Richard O'Brien,shows us plenty of examples of what made Rocky Horror so good.THANK GOD I"M A MAN,LITTLE BLACK DRESS,SHOCK TREATMENT,DENTON U.S.A and CARTE BLANCHE show a sharp lyrical wit that is sorely lacking in today's musical industry.If it's straight out rock you want,check out ME OF ME,BREAKING OUT,LOOKING FOR TRADE,and DUEL DUET.Jessica Harper proves her dominance over Susan Sarandon on such tracks as:ME OF ME,LOOKING FOR TRADE,IN MY OWN WAY and BITCHIN' IN THE KITCHEN.Cliff De Young is a nice surprise vocally as Brad.So,give this album(and the film)a second look before confining it to oblivion.Long live Richard O'Brien!

The movie was just so cool and the songs so campy and singable. I just had to own this CD. As I write this review, I have the CD playing. It is pure and simple awesomeness. If you liked the movie, pick this up. If you want to hear plain and simple good songs, pick this up. What else can be said about Jessie Harper? She is a beautiful singer. And for that, it is worth buying this CD.

What could be said about any sequel to Rocky Horror, including the yet to be completed new sequel, other than they can never live up to the original. Yet this cd contains songs that are superb, namely Little Black Dres and Anyhow anyhow. Yet some are dire beyond belief, In my own way and Duel duet are very poor. How these tie together beggars belief yet this CD is a must for any RHS fan. I love it

I've seen this film and heard the music, being in a Rocky cast makes that a given. Although I like the Shock Treatment music, I would not say that it is better than Rocky--Rocky is like a rock opera and the music fits that genre. The music on ST is not meant to be taken as a serious work, but it is still great-therein lies the genius of Richard O'Brien. He can take ridiculous subject matter and make us all like it.

go ahead, time warp til the cows come home, i don't mind. go ahead, touch-a touch-a touch-a touch me til the bartender makes last call, i don't mind. go ahead hot patootie, make me a man, i don't mind. i still be wearing my little black dress til the lights go down. attention postmaster: please forward my mail to denton, u.s.a., effective tuesday, in care of little nell...in the back row. night night, it's time for bye byes...

This musical was panned by critics and left for dead. This CD and the copies of the movie still in print are all that are left of a musical that should have been given more credit. ST is wonderful contrast to it's predecessor the tunes are delightfully catchy and wonderfully written by Richard O'Brien. I think someoneshould doa play version of this musical and have it on as a double feature with the original Rocky Horror play

The album is full of lively, intense music and stands independently of its "equal," "Rocky Horror." The songs are intelligently written and fit the mood of the movie quite well. It's a fun listen, even if you don't care for "cult classics." The satire in the lyrics is keen as well. The lyrics, as well as the movie, were 20 years ahead of their time, depicting quite admirably a future in which everyone has a show and in which those not on television less than nothing.