Dee Does Broadway＜限定盤/Red & Black Swirl Vinyl＞

Given his penchant for on-stage theatrics as the frontman of the gender-bending glam metal outfit Twisted Sister, Dee Does Broadway, an album of metal covers of Broadway staples, feels like an oddly natural move for Dee Snider. Though the album might seem like a conceptual mess at a glance, the worlds of show tunes and '80s pop metal have a surprising amount in common, with both genres being the kind of place where a certain amount of flair, bombast, and swagger is not only encouraged, but necessary. Taking on tracks like "Cabaret," "The Ballad of Sweeney Todd," and "I Get a Kick Out of You," the album adds a snarl to these classic Broadway staples as Snider deftly maneuvers his way through the new, more aggressive arrangements. What really makes the album successful, though, is that the singer not only adds his own spin to the songs, he keeps the spirit of the original intact. Even after the distorted guitars kick in on "Mack the Knife," the song still has a recognizable swing to it that keeps you from ever making it too far out into unfamiliar waters. With a great track list, some great guest spots (with Cyndi Lauper and Bebe Neuwirth standing out), and a solid performance from Snider, Dee Does Broadway proves to be an album that, while a little odd, is ultimately a fun listen that shows the sort of creative strangeness that can happen when an artist doesn't take himself too seriously and is willing to take a risk on a fun, weird project. ~ Gregory Heaney