Bøger i Profiles in Popular Music serien

The first book in English to explore Brazilian choro.

Since the 1960s, British progressive rock band Jethro Tull has pushed the technical and compositional boundaries of rock music by infusing its musical output with traditions drawn from classical, folk, jazz, and world music. The release of Thick as a Brick (1972) and A Passion Play (1973) won the group legions of new followers and topped the Billboard charts in the United States, among the most unusual albums ever to do so. Tim Smolko explores the large-scale form, expansive instrumentation, and complex arrangements that characterize these two albums, each composed of one continuous song. Featuring insights from Ian Anderson and in-depth musical analysis, Smolko discusses the band's influence on popular culture and why many consider Thick as a Brick and A Passion Play to be two of the greatest concept albums in rock history.

A megamusical is an epic, dramatic show featuring recurring melodies in a sung-through score; impressive sets; and grand ideas. This is a study of some of the popular megamusicals. It discusses the history of the megamusical, examining both its internal, performative qualities and its external, market reception to reveal why it is so popular.

Explores the allure of Cash's contradictory persona

Canadian progressive rock band Rush was the voice of the suburban middle class. This book assesses the band's impact on popular music and its legacy for legions of fans. It explores the ways in which Rush's critique of suburban life - and its strategies for escape - reflected middle-class aspirations and anxieties.

The Five Percent Nation is a controversial organization and a substantial cultural force. This offshoot of the Nation of Islam has employed commercial rap, or "God Hop," to teach its beliefs, comment on relevant issues, and recruit new members. This work establishes the theological and historical underpinnings of Five Percenter Rap.

Searching for the disappearing subject in Kid A and Amnesiac

Jocelyn R. Neal is Associate Professor in the Department of Music at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She lives in Durham, North Carolina.