with horrifc singers. First a little background. I LOVE Sweeney Todd, maybe crossing the line into obsession. That being said, this soundtrack is dreadful!
Johnny Depp is terribly nasally, not at all the powerful voice that is required for Sweeney.
Helena Bonham Carter is very breathy, though not an altogether horrible singer. Her take on "By the Sea" is the one enjoyable song on this soundtrack.
Alan Rickman, *sigh*, Alan Rickman. Horrendous as the judge, just wrong for the role. You can just TELL he can't sing, you know?
Jamie Campbell Bower sounds so sickly, it almost hurts to hear his rendition of the beautiful song "Johanna." {And he looks VERY feminine in the movie...hmmm...}
Laura Michelle Kelly is actually pretty good, though that is to be expected sing she has had prior singing experience.
Ed Sanders is OK, definitely nothing special. His "Not While I'm Around" is a little boring, but he's what, under 14? {WHY? He's supposed to be like 17!}
Sacha Baren Cohen's not that bad, but then again his song is so over the top everyone's version of this song sounds pretty much the same.
Jayne Wisener is the only singer on this soundtrack that I can honestly call good. She's a very good singer that I hope has some performances in some big theatres.......{One thing, though, which has nothing to do with how she sings. Why does Johanna have a slight Irish accent if she's been in London for her whole life?}
Also, I just want to say that none of these people are bad actors. Just bad singers!
All of this album is not appalling, though. I love the "Opening Title" and the orchestra is just amazing. The music itself is rich with breath-taking melodies. {Oh, the joys of Sondheim! x]...}
Thanks for reading the review from the biggest theatre geek ever.