> Generally the songs are totally inappropriate to the (shallow) stories his musicals tell.

You know, I find I actually don't mind this too much. "Herod's Song" in Jesus Christ Superstar is the most extreme example I can think of off the top of my head. Although conversely, and strangely, I didn't care much for the West Side Story recording I found at the library because it seemed a little too bouncy as a whole.

While appropriateness is certainly a concern, it's also the case that variety in style helps to keep the show from blending together, which is something that really needs to be considered in a sung-through musical. "Herod's Song" doesn't ruin JCS for me, but rather, the rest of the show saves it for me.


> I think the reason "Cats" is his most popular musical is because it doesn't *try* to tell a story, so there's nothing inconsistent music can screw up.

I'm not sure, but I though that Phantom was his most successful work, at least from a commercial point of view. Also, I can't stand Cats, because it's incohesive.


> Even if one is to look strictly at his songs in isolation, rather than the context of a broader work, and they look like safe, unambitious formula.

This is where some of the difference lies. I don't look at his songs in isolation. As a composer, I look at the pieces, the series of themes and styles, as a whole score. There is not one particular "stand-alone" song in Phantom that I find great or memorable. My favorite number in Phantom is the finale, because of how it takes all those motifs that it has built up and weaves them into a fluid finish.


> I'm not arguing that Andrew Lloyd Webber isn't sometimes fun. But he's like candy. Tastes sweet at the time, but it's useless for sustenance, and you might have a tummy ache afterward.

I have to admit that my knowledge of musicals is more tipped towards the European side of things than I would like. I've been looking for recommendations of solid musicals on the classic side of things to get into. I'd appreciate any recommendations.

--Henry