BuzzFeed's first listen to the new HEDWIG recording

[Alix]

^^ Agree about the distinction between Hedwig and Tommy--I really like that on this new album. Also LOVE Lena's voice throughout; particularly on "The Long Grift." If I hadn't already seen NPH do the show and were judging his performance based on the cast recording, I think I'd worry that he was too polished, too...Broadway. I don't think his voice is really ideal for Hedwig but I still think he's great in the role--his performance just doesn't translate completely to the album. The recording itself sounds fantastic, though, as does the band. I'm still obsessed with this revised version of "Sugar Daddy."

[Jane2]

I have to agree. NPH's voice is far too soft and delicate for these songs. And he wasn't able to hit some of the important notes, so they have been changed to suit his voice. Disappointing. I won't buy this recording.

[FindingNamo]

I am listening to the Love Theme on endless repeat.

[themysteriousgrowl]

These are very interesting critiques to read because they reflect a lot of what I felt when I saw the show live.

[Jane2]

When I saw the show live I didn't notice this much of a discrepancy. Maybe he sounded more raw in person because of all the moving around he had to do and was a bit out of breath. On the recording, he seems to be carefully enunciating all the syllables which is hardly ever heard on rock music. oh well.

BTW, the band is great on this production!

[Kad]

NPH definitely compensates for his lack of vocal ability in his performance - movement, delivery, charisma, etc. When it's just his vocals, it's zooming in on one aspect at the expense of the others.

[neonlightsxo]

While I love this new recording, I have to wonder if they should have done a live album.

[Alix]

Exactly, Kad. I still really enjoy this album, I'm just glad I saw it live before I heard the recording. If I hadn't seen it yet, I think this would make me less excited, unfortunately.

[Jane2]

kad, he does compensate on stage- good point. I don't enjoy him on the recording at all.

[Kad]

I think NPH makes clearer and more specific acting choices on the album than JCM does on the OOBC- but, overall, the OOBC is a better album.

[Jane2]

I'm not only comparing NPH TO JCM (lol, all these initials), I'm comparing him to all the other Hedwigs (except one),They all sounded better than NPH, I think.

[CATSNYrevival]

I also think this might have come off better if they had recorded a live performance as if they were recording Hedwig's one night only concert and released it that way, but what's done is done.

[Mr. Nowack]

I am not very familiar with HEDWIG at all, but for what it's worth I was blown away by the energy on the Tony performance of "Sugar Daddy," but when I listened to the cut on the album it lost a lot of its impact.

[GlindatheGood22]

Neil's voice sounds really thin on the recording. I don't remember thinking that was the case when I saw the show.

[oncemorewithfeeling2]

I have to agree with those who said this would have benefitted from a live recording. While I'm enjoying the recording, it seems to lack some balance--Lena Hall and the band sound outstanding, but NPH comes off having a very thin voice and sounds over-produced. It didn't seem that way in person.

The buzzfeed article has Stephen Trask commenting that we could get a live recording if the success of the show continues. I hope so. This production was so enjoyable. It's a good album, but it doesn't capture everything.

[Testing1232]

Liking it, but sounds so much different live!!!

[Jane2]

I recommend buying the off broadway recording. It's so much better.

[Testing1232]

Without a doubt!!!

[darquegk]

I think it's worth considering that each Hedwig production takes place in the present day, with a present-day band interpreting modern music through a Seventies glam lens, and vice versa.

The original Off-Broadway has a decidedly alt-rock sensibility of its time. Violent Femmes, The Pixies, etc. The film version has a harder, louder guitar-centric sound with less focus on the keyboard, of a piece with Foo Fighters, Green Day and the rock sound of the period. This version has a distinct 2010s alt-rock feel to it.

[TheatreFan4]

I get a lack of emotion on all the songs from NPH on the recording. He comes off more as just a guy singing some songs, not a character living the songs.

[Broadway Bob*]

I find the OOBC, the Soundtrack, and this new recording to ALL be quite lackluster when compared to the feeling from seeing the show live (or watching the movie even, since the songs are different performances from film to soundtrack). But NOTHING is worse than the UK tour recording with a Hedwig sung by a tone-deaf Frank-N-Furter wanna-be! OY!

Add my name to the list who wishes they would have recorded this live. It's a MUCH different energy. Still hoping for a Blu-ray release of this with NPH!

[Jordan Catalano]

Blah. He sounds way too "musical theater" on this recording. I can't imagine I'll listen to it again.

For me, the film soundtrack is the best recording of the music so far.

[Brick]

"The original Off-Broadway has a decidedly alt-rock sensibility of its time. Violent Femmes, The Pixies, etc. The film version has a harder, louder guitar-centric sound with less focus on the keyboard, of a piece with Foo Fighters, Green Day and the rock sound of the period. This version has a distinct 2010s alt-rock feel to it."

Thank you for this. I'd noticed distinctions in the OOBCR and the Soundtrack, but couldn't put my finger on what in the arrangement and mixing was so different. And that's it. I agree, too, with your assessment of the newest recording.

[darquegk]

I have to agree with Jordan- I find the film recording superior to the OOBC- I enjoy the contrast between JCM's glam rock vocals as Hedwig and Trask's late nineties indie vocals (very, very Ben Folds) as Tommy. Plus, despite being a keyboard player myself, I think the added guitars carry the music better than the prominent electric piano does on the OOBC.