Chris Jones & The Best Albums of 2010...So Far
The Best Albums of 2010...So Far: Jim and Greg name their mid-year favorites. They also talk to theater critic Chris Jones about Broadway's rock 'n' roll influences.
Chris Jones
In anticipation of this weekend's Tony Awards, Jim and Greg invite Chicago Tribune theater critic Chris Jones to join them on the show. Jones has been watching the trend of intersecting rock and theater for years, and this year it seems to have come to an apex. All four of the nominees for Best Musical have rock roots: American Idiot, which features music by Green Day, Million Dollar Quartet, which is inspired by the famed recording session featuring Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins, Fela!, which is based on the music of African musician Fela Kuti, and Memphis, which tells the story of a rock DJ in Memphis in the 1950s. As Chris Jones explains, much of this trend is the result of economic interests–a new generation of theatergoers raised on rock and roll are now willing to pay big bucks for Broadway shows. He also credits shows like Spring Awakening for helping to bend the old musical rules. To Jim and Greg's surprise, Chris enthusiastically recommends American Idiot and doesn't think the band's fans will be put off.
Best Albums of 2010...So Far
As the year hits its midway mark, Jim and Greg take stock of their favorite record releases and name the mid-year best.
Jim
- LCD Soundsystem, This Is Happening
- Gorillaz, Plastic Beach
- Broken Bells, S/T
- Yeasayer, Odd Blood
Greg
- V.V. Brown, Traveling Like the Light
- Dessa, A Badly Broken Code
- The Besnard Lakes, The Besnard Lakes Are the Roaring Night
- Janelle Monáe, The ArchAndroid
Featured Songs
- The Drifters, "On Broadway," Under the Boardwalk, Dara, 1964
- Original Broadway Cast, "Don't Do Sadness," Spring Awakening [Original Cast Recording], Decca, 2006
- Original Broadway Cast, "American Idiot," American Idiot [Original Broadway Cast], Reprise, 2010
- Original Broadway Cast, "Wake Me Up When September Ends," American Idiot [Original Broadway Cast], Reprise, 2010
- Donnie Kehr, Christian Hoff, Anthony Barrile, "Pinball Wizard," The Who's Tommy: Original Cast Recording, RCA Victor, 1993
- Original Broadway Cast, "Sherry," Jersey Boys [Original Broadway Cast Recording], Rhino, 2005
- Original Cast, "Water No Get Enemy," Fela! Original Cast Recording, Knitting Factory, 2010
- Original Cast, "Great Balls of Fire," The Million Dollar Quartet Original Cast Recording, Caroline, 2010
- Original Broadway Cast, "Seasons of Love," Rent [Original Broadway Cast Recording], Dreamworks, 1996
- Bob Dylan, "The Times They Are A-Changin'," The Times They Are A-Changin', Columbia, 1964
- Original Broadway Cast, "Can't Take My Eyes Off of You," Jersey Boys [Original Broadway Cast Recording], Rhino, 2005
- Grateful Dead, "Operator," American Beauty, Warner Bros, 1970
- Neil Young, "We R In Control," Trans, Geffen, 1983
- Bettye LaVette, "Wish You Were Here," Interpretations: The British Rock Songbook, Anti, 2010
- Phish, "Free," Billy Breathes, Elektra, 1996
- LCD Soundsystem, "One Touch," This Is Happening, Virgin, 2010
- LCD Soundsystem, "You Wanted A Hit," This Is Happening, Virgin, 2010
- VV Brown, "Crying Blood," Traveling Like the Light, Island Records, 2009
- Gorillaz, "Some Kind of Nature," Plastic Beach, EMI Records, 2010
- Dessa, "Dixon's Girl," A Badly Broken Code, Doomtree Records, 2010
- Flying Lotus, "And The World Laughs With You," Cosmogramma, Warp, 2010
- Broken Bells, "Your Head Is On Fire," Broken Bells, Columbia, 2010
- The Besnard Lakes, "Glass Printer," The Besnard Lakes Are the Roaring Night, Jagjaguwar, 2010
- Yeasayer, "O.N.E.," Odd Blood, Secretly Canadian, 2010
- Janelle Monáe, "Come Alive (The War of the Roses)," The ArchAndroid, Big Beat, 2010
- Grateful Dead, "Operator," American Beauty, Warner Bros., 1970
- Neil Young, "We R In Control," Trans, Geffen, 1982
- Bettye LaVette, "Wish You Were Here," Interpretations: The British Rock Songbook, ANTI-, 2010
- Phish, "Free," Hampton Comes Alive, Elektra, 1999
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