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.

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Chris Jones

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

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