Rock of Ages (2012 soundtrack) explained

Rock of Ages: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
Type:Soundtrack
Artist:Various artists
Cover:Rock of Ages (2012 soundtrack).jpg
Recorded:20112012
Genre:Classic rock, Soundtrack
Length:59:27
Label:WaterTower Music
Producer:Adam Anders
Peer Astrom
Adam Shankman
Matt Sullivan[1]

Rock of Ages (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) is the soundtrack to the 2012 film Rock of Ages based on the rock jukebox Broadway musical of the same name. The soundtrack is a collection of music from 1980s rock artists including Def Leppard, Journey, Scorpions, Poison, Foreigner, Guns N' Roses, Pat Benatar, Joan Jett, Bon Jovi, Twisted Sister, Whitesnake, REO Speedwagon, and others. The songs were performed in the film, by Julianne Hough, Diego Boneta, Russell Brand, Alec Baldwin, Paul Giamatti, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Malin Åkerman, Mary J. Blige, Bryan Cranston and Tom Cruise.[2] [3] The soundtrack was released by WaterTower Music on June 5, 2012 and was commercially successful, becoming the second-best selling soundtrack of the year, behind (2012). It was further nominated for the Best Compilation Soundtrack for Visual Media at the 55th Annual Grammy Awards.[4]

Background

On April 30, 2012, WaterTower Music, the in-house label of the film's presenter, Warner Bros. Pictures had unveiled the song list of over 20 tracks featured in the album, set for June 5, release.[5] [6] The cover art of the album was released through Entertainment Weekly, which featured the cast in its entirety.[7] The soundtrack was made free for streaming at AOL as a part of listening party.[8]

Reception

Jody Rosen of Rolling Stone rated the album 3 out of 5 and said "The film version of the musical is mild kitsch-karaoke fun; the real takeaway is how great the 1980s originals were."[9] Shaun Munro of WhatCulture wrote "Rock of Ages wont be regarded alongside the great musical soundtracks, but just like the film, it knows exactly what it is and entertains accordingly. Singing voices are surprisingly consistent, pushing the stronger ones to the forefront, and keeping the lesser ones "that's you, Giamatti" well back in the wings. Does it give you a reason to put away those old albums? Absolutely not. But for fans, it might be a nice little indulgence."[10]

Arlene R. Weiss of Guitar International wrote "Rock Of Ages is a warmhearted send up of, and ultimately, affectionate homage to, the music and popular culture of the ’80s told with wit, style, and much joy. It’s wonderfully over the top and overflowing with sparkling musical numbers, eye and ear candy, camp, and lots of cheese. Moreover, just as Stacee, Drew, and Sherrie take the stage and regale us along with their glittering, show stopping rendition of Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin’”, Rock Of Ages is a heartfelt, sentimental salute to the joyous wonder, pursuit, and realization, of our rock and roll dreams."[11] Stephen Thomas Erlewine of AllMusic wrote "the original soundtrack to Rock of Ages can’t help but feel like a faded photocopy, but somebody has taken great care to dress those smeared, blurry images in glitter and highlights, the sparkle deriving from a star-studded cast fronted by Tom Cruise."[12]

Commercial performance

By the week of June 23, 2012, the album debuted at number 15 on Billboard 200[13] and peaked at the fifth position on that chart in its third week.[14] [15] It also topped the Top Soundtracks chart at its debut and stayed for six consecutive weeks until The Dark Knight Rises soundtrack topped on its debut on August 4, 2012, pushing Rock of Ages to the fifth position.[16] It debuted at number 6 on Top Rock Albums,[17] and peaked to number 2 on the week of July 14, 2012.[18] It further peaked at the Canadian Albums Chart to number 8. It sold 267,000 copies in the United States and became the second best-selling soundtrack album of the year.[19] As of May 2013, the album sold over 320,000 copies.[20] The release of the soundtrack propelled the digital downloads of "Juke Box Hero", a 1981 single by Foreigner, up to 400%, outperforming The Rolling Stones, Eagles, Def Leppard and Fleetwood Mac.[21] Other songs such as "I Want to Know What Love Is" and "Waiting for a Girl Like You" had also seen significant increase in the downloads.

Film music not included in the album

Source:[22]

Chart performance

Weekly charts

Chart (2012)Peak
position
Canadian Albums (Billboard)[23] 8
UK Compilation Albums (OCC)[24] 7
UK Album Downloads (OCC)[25] 3
UK Soundtrack Albums (OCC)[26] 1
US Billboard 200[27] 5
US Top Rock Albums (Billboard)2
US Top Current Album Sales (Billboard)[28] 7
US Top Soundtracks (Billboard)[29] 1

Year-end charts

Credits

Album credits
Performer credits

Source: AllMusic.[32]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Rock of Ages [Original Motion Picture Soundtrack] - Original Soundtrack - Credits - AllMusic]. AllMusic. April 17, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20170831093936/http://www.allmusic.com/album/rock-of-ages-original-motion-picture-soundtrack-mw0002345769/credits. August 31, 2017. live.
  2. Web site: Jagernauth . Kevin . 2012-05-01 . Tom Cruise Sings Guns 'N Roses & Def Leppard On 'Rock Of Ages' Soundtrack . 2023-04-28 . IndieWire . en.
  3. Web site: Halperin . Shirley . 2012-05-09 . 'Rock Of Ages' Executive Music Producer Rates Tom Cruise's Vocal Skills, Oscar Potential (Q&A) . 2023-04-28 . The Hollywood Reporter . en-US.
  4. Web site: Brooks . Brian . December 6, 2012 . 'The Hunger Games' And 'The Muppets' Top Grammy Awards Movie Nominees . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20121207230448/http://movieline.com/2012/12/06/grammy-nominations-movies/ . December 7, 2012 . December 6, 2012 . . PMC.
  5. Web site: 2012-05-02 . 'Rock of Ages' soundtrack list unveiled . 2023-04-28 . Digital Spy . en-GB.
  6. Web site: T. H. R. Staff . 2012-05-01 . Tom Cruise Covers Guns N' Roses, Russell Brand Sings Jefferson Starship on 'Rock of Ages' Soundtrack . 2023-04-28 . The Hollywood Reporter . en-US.
  7. Web site: Kyle . April 30 . erson Updated . EDT . 2012 at 01:53 PM . 'Rock of Ages' soundtrack art and track listing revealed - EXCLUSIVE . 2023-04-28 . EW.com . en.
  8. Web site: Rock of Ages: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120609043313/http://music.aol.com/new-releases-full-cds/#/2 . 2012-06-09 . 2023-04-28 . AOL.
  9. Rosen . Jody . 2012-06-05 . Rock of Ages: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack . 2023-04-28 . Rolling Stone . en-US.
  10. Web site: Munro . Shaun . 2012-06-10 . Rock of Ages OST Soundtrack Review . 2023-04-28 . WhatCulture.com . en.
  11. Web site: Rock Of Ages – Film Review and Original Motion Picture Soundtrack Review . 2023-04-28 . Guitar International Magazine.
  12. Web site: Thomas Erlewine . Stephen . Review: Rock of Ages [Original Motion Picture Soundtrack] ]. 2023-04-28 . . Rovi Corporation.
  13. Caulfield . Keith . June 14, 2012 . Chart Moves: Hall & Oates' Highest Charting Album Since 1988 On Billboard 200, 'Rock of Ages' Soundtrack Debuts . live . Billboard . https://web.archive.org/web/20121022114811/http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/industry/retail/chart-moves-hall-oates-highest-charting-1007336952.story . October 22, 2012 . October 24, 2012.
  14. News: Grein . Paul . June 27, 2012 . Week Ending June 24, 2012. Albums: Thanks & Move Over . Chart Watch . Yahoo Music . live . October 24, 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120630144151/http://music.yahoo.com/blogs/chart-watch/week-ending-june-24-2012-albums-thanks-move-145419770.html . June 30, 2012.
  15. Caulfield . Keith . 2012-06-27 . Official: Justin Bieber's 'Believe' Is Year's Biggest Debut, Bows at No. 1 . Billboard . Prometheus Global Media . 2012-06-27.
  16. August 4, 2012 . Soundtracks: Week of August 4, 2012 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20211120152052/https://www.billboard.com/charts/soundtracks/2012-08-04/ . November 20, 2021 . April 28, 2023 . Billboard.
  17. June 23, 2012 . Rock Albums: Week of June 23, 2012 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20150204072340/https://www.billboard.com/charts/rock-albums/2012-06-23 . February 4, 2015 . April 28, 2023 . Billboard.
  18. July 14, 2012 . Rock Albums: Week of July 14, 2012 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20211121230537/https://www.billboard.com/charts/rock-albums/2012-07-14/ . November 21, 2021 . April 23, 2023 . Billboard.
  19. News: Grein . Paul . January 3, 2013 . Chart Watch Extra: Top Albums of 2012 . Chart Watch . Yahoo Music . live . January 5, 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130201214117/http://music.yahoo.com/blogs/chart-watch/chart-watch-extra-top-albums-2012-160100135.html . February 1, 2013.
  20. News: Mansfield . Brian . 2013-05-08 . 'Idol' sales: Jessica Sanchez, David Cook, more . USA Today . Idol Chatter . live . May 8, 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130515164559/http://www.usatoday.com/story/idolchatter/2013/05/08/american-idol-sales-jessica-sanchez-david-cook/2145081/ . May 15, 2013.
  21. Rothman . Lily . 2012-08-23 . Foreigner's Mick Jones on the Band's Next Soundtrack Appearance . en-US . Time . 2023-04-28 . 0040-781X . Digital downloads of one song on the Rock of Ages song list (Jukebox Hero) were up 400% in June, compared to the month before..
  22. Web site: Staff . ScreenCrush. Poll: What's the Best Song On the 'Rock of Ages' Soundtrack? . 2023-04-28 . ScreenCrush . en.
  23. July 14, 2012 . Canadian Albums: Week of July 14, 2012 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20151213173115/https://www.billboard.com/charts/canadian-albums/2012-07-14 . December 13, 2015 . April 28, 2023 . Billboard.
  24. June 24, 2012 . Official Compilation Albums Chart Top 100 - 24 to 30 June . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20171109013302/https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/official-compilations-chart/20120624/7503/ . November 9, 2017 . April 28, 2023 . Billboard.
  25. June 24, 2012 . Official Album Downloads Chart Top 100 - 24 to 30 June . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20160527103637/https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/albums-downloads-chart/20120624/7003/ . May 27, 2016 . April 28, 2023 . Billboard.
  26. Web site: June 24, 2012 . Official Soundtrack Albums Chart Top 50 - 24 to 30 June . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20221114172026/https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/soundtrack-albums-chart/20120624/140/ . November 14, 2022 . April 28, 2023 . Official Charts Company.
  27. July 7, 2012 . Billboard 200: Week of July 7, 2012 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20151021080738/https://www.billboard.com/charts/billboard-200/2012-07-07/ . October 21, 2015 . April 28, 2023 . Billboard.
  28. July 7, 2012 . Current Album Sales: Week of July 7, 2012 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220411161715/https://www.billboard.com/charts/current-albums/2012-07-07/ . April 11, 2022 . April 28, 2023 . Billboard.
  29. June 23, 2012 . Soundtracks: Week of June 23, 2012 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20160827175329/https://www.billboard.com/charts/soundtracks/2012-06-23/ . August 27, 2016 . April 28, 2023 . Billboard.
  30. Soundtracks – Year-End 2012 . April 28, 2023 . Billboard.
  31. Soundtracks – Year-End 2013 . April 28, 2023 . Billboard.
  32. Web site: Credits Rock of Ages [Original Motion Picture Soundtrack] ]. 2023-04-28 . . Rovi Corporation.

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