'Music From Spider-Man Turn Off The Dark,' Out Now on Interscope Records

After being plagued by countless rewrites, behind-the-scenes reshufflings, actor injuries and a shit-ton of controversy, the new musical SPIDER-MAN Turn Off The Dark FINALLY opened at Broadway's Foxwoods Theatre on June 14th. While the reviews have been mixed, the powers that be are already trying to make up some of the debt incurred in bringing this ginormous soon-to-be flop to life.  First stop?  The obligatory soundtrack album, of course.

Music From SPIDER-MAN Turn Off The Dark was released June 14th (the same date as it's Broadway premiere) on Interscope Records, including 14 new songs co-written by Bono and The Edge and produced by massive ROCK producer Steve Lillywhite (U2, Dave Matthews Band).  Songs are performed by the shows talented cast, including Reeve Carney (Peter Parker/Spider-Man), Jennifer Damiano (Mary Jane), T.V. Carpio (Arachne), Patrick Page (Green Goblin) as well as Bono and The Edge - both of whom make appearances on the album.  The album is accompanied brilliantly by the production's twenty-member orchestra.

The soundtrack album's first single, "Rise Above 1" available now on iTunes, is a surprisingly solid rock song.  While I'm not imagining this winning a TONY or a GRAMMY, it's perfectly pleasant.  I think I was expecting it to sound totally Broadway and it doesn't at all.  "Rise Above 1" is very radio friendly.  While it might be too rock for the 'Top 40' format, I can totally see rock radio embracing this song.  The single was produced by Alex Da Kid (Nicki Minaj, Eminem, Rihanna) and features Spidey himself,  lead actor, Reeve Carney backed by Bono and The Edge.

Part of the reason why I think "Rise Above 1" sounds so commercial is because of it's vocalist.  28-year singer/songwriter and actor is less familiar with Broadway than he is with rock music...in fact, Carney has a rock band called...erm...Carney.  The band, which features Carney on lead vocals and guitar also features Zane Carney on guitar, Jon Epcar on drums and Aiden Moore on bass.  Interestingly enough, Reeve's band mates all play in the orchestra for the show.  Nice to see such supportive friends!  Check out this live performance of the song  from this year's American Idol Season 10 finale, courtesy of VEVO and listen to the soundtrack single version below.

Not too bad, right?  The song entered the Billboard Hot 100 at #74, peaking at #54 on the Digital Singles Chart and #25 on the Rock Digital Songs Chart.  Not too shabby, although the "featuring Bono" likely deserves much of the credit.  In the meantime, check out this live performance from the TONY AWARDS, featuring Spidey and Mary Jane singing a ballad from the soundtrack.  Download "Rise Above 1" on iTunes HERE.  You can also buy the album on iTunes HERE or on Amazon HERE.  Now below the cut you can check out more info on SPIDER-MAN Turn Off The Dark, per the press release, as well as the soundtrack tracklisting.  If anyone has seen the show, feel free to comment with your thoughts.  I'm kind of left wanting more from what I've heard (and read) so far but I can be persuaded.

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Ones to Watch in 2011: Jake Troth

Jake Troth is a talented singer/songwriter that you all should be aware of.  His "soulful and pop infused arrangements" have already earned him comparisons to a bevvy of my favorite artists, including Amy Winehouse, Broken Bells and Coldplay.  After hearing his latest single, "Material Things," I might have to add Swedish electro-pop singer Lykke Li to the mix.  Troth took the time to explain about the meaning behind "Material Things:"

"Material Things' is a love song. It's about the love of the world i grew up watching on television in the 80's. The ridiculously expensive and lavish lives of those people I always wanted to be. The songs short length is derived from the short attention span of pop culture, and it's melodies are as intoxicating as any cocktail. Beneath the patent leather and rhinestones though, there is an honest confession of what it means to be truly overtaken by this beautifully destructive disease: materialism."

In addition to singing and songwriting, Jake Troth also produces his own tunes. I like nothing more in an an artist than passion, drive and the ability to wear many hats. Jake Troth does it all. Performing in various bands throughout high school, Troth sorted out his likes and dislikes, experimenting with rock and metal before ultimately settling on folk and pop music. Post graduation, Troth set his sights on San Francisco. While in San Fran, Troth immersed himself in a community of artists, fully realizing that making music was his destiny. Upon accepting a scholarship to the Savannah College of Art and Design, Jake studied hard by day, playing bars and clubs by night.

Turns out that college was the jackpot for this talented songwriter, coming out with a bucket load of original material. Having too many songs to even know what to do with, Jake started giving away his music. Not only was "Material Things" one of the first tracks given away, but it attracted the attention of cable music channel VH1 who asked Troth to use the track in the show The X Life. Since VH1 emailed, it's been a whirlwind for Troth, who's songs have since appeared on The Jersey Shore, Cuffed, and When I Was Seventeen, among others.  Pretty awesome for a relative unknown.  I'm surprised I haven't heard of him until now but I'm super glad that I did.

Jake Troth's album, Just Let Go, is available to download on iTunes HERE.  You can also snag "Material Things" HERE and watch the video below.  Look out for a new EP, Friends, due out this summer, not to mention more new music coming in the Fall.  Jake Troth is one of my 'Ones to Watch in 2011' and deservedly so.

Check out Jake Troth on the web:

Official Site//MySpace//Facebook//Twitter//YouTube