http://javacrossknitmusic.com/musings.phpA javacrossknitmusic feed containing the most recent music and music-related film reviews as well as more general observations on popular culture and the media.en-usFri, 03 Jun 2011 05:56:58 GMTCopyright 2011, Travis A. Jacksonhttp://javacrossknitmusic.com/post/201007/http://javacrossknitmusic.com/post/201007/Mon, 8 Nov 2010 18:51:31 GMTThe Quietus has recently been posting idiosyncratic, retrospective looks at albums 25-, 30- and 35 years after their initial releases. More than a trip down memory lane, these essays are attempts to recover something of the pop musical past. Even when they miss their marks, they’re still worth reading.]]>http://javacrossknitmusic.com/view/201007/http://javacrossknitmusic.com/post/201006/http://javacrossknitmusic.com/post/201006/Thu, 15 Jul 2010 20:29:34 GMThttp://javacrossknitmusic.com/view/201006/http://javacrossknitmusic.com/post/201005/http://javacrossknitmusic.com/post/201005/Wed, 12 May 2010 02:35:53 GMThttp://javacrossknitmusic.com/view/201005/http://javacrossknitmusic.com/post/201004/http://javacrossknitmusic.com/post/201004/Thu, 6 May 2010 03:48:08 GMThttp://javacrossknitmusic.com/view/201004/http://javacrossknitmusic.com/post/201003/http://javacrossknitmusic.com/post/201003/Thu, 8 Apr 2010 20:54:28 GMThttp://javacrossknitmusic.com/view/201003/http://javacrossknitmusic.com/post/201002/http://javacrossknitmusic.com/post/201002/Thu, 18 Mar 2010 07:31:23 GMThttp://javacrossknitmusic.com/view/201002/http://javacrossknitmusic.com/post/201001/http://javacrossknitmusic.com/post/201001/Tue, 9 Mar 2010 21:07:29 GMThttp://javacrossknitmusic.com/view/201001/http://javacrossknitmusic.com/post/200907/http://javacrossknitmusic.com/post/200907/Fri, 26 Jun 2009 04:11:03 GMTPurple Rain commemorative post, there was no way I could have known how the day would end: with the sudden and shocking death of Michael Jackson. Several hours after the fact, here’s the post where I start by musing on the purported rivalry between Jackson and Prince, but then move into an exploration of why Off the Wall is perhaps the most shining example of what Jackson could do, especially given the right collaborators. Read on for more…]]>http://javacrossknitmusic.com/view/200907/http://javacrossknitmusic.com/post/200906/http://javacrossknitmusic.com/post/200906/Thu, 25 Jun 2009 05:19:29 GMTPurple Rain. Hailed as a briiliant masterstroke in 1984, the album hasn’t aged so well. In this post, timed to coincide with the 25th anniversary of the LP release, I present my personal history with Prince’s music leading up and following the album under review and offer some reasons why—despite its historic significance and moments of brilliance—the collection isn’t his best or most inventive work.]]>http://javacrossknitmusic.com/view/200906/http://javacrossknitmusic.com/post/200905/http://javacrossknitmusic.com/post/200905/Tue, 24 Feb 2009 05:25:50 GMThttp://javacrossknitmusic.com/view/200905/http://javacrossknitmusic.com/post/200904/http://javacrossknitmusic.com/post/200904/Thu, 12 Feb 2009 06:55:07 GMTTry Whistling This. Like many of the other artists who will be featured here, he is a songwriter’s songwriter, someone who well understands his craft and, perhaps, its position in a long tradition of great pop songcraft. Click through to read and hear why I, along with many others, think so…]]>http://javacrossknitmusic.com/view/200904/http://javacrossknitmusic.com/post/200903/http://javacrossknitmusic.com/post/200903/Sat, 7 Feb 2009 02:26:57 GMThttp://javacrossknitmusic.com/view/200903/http://javacrossknitmusic.com/post/200902/http://javacrossknitmusic.com/post/200902/Sat, 31 Jan 2009 20:45:02 GMThttp://javacrossknitmusic.com/view/200902/http://javacrossknitmusic.com/post/200901/http://javacrossknitmusic.com/post/200901/Mon, 19 Jan 2009 05:18:18 GMThttp://javacrossknitmusic.com/view/200901/http://javacrossknitmusic.com/post/200811/http://javacrossknitmusic.com/post/200811/Wed, 29 Oct 2008 02:13:21 GMThttp://javacrossknitmusic.com/view/200811/http://javacrossknitmusic.com/post/200810/http://javacrossknitmusic.com/post/200810/Mon, 20 Oct 2008 01:19:00 GMThttp://javacrossknitmusic.com/view/200810/http://javacrossknitmusic.com/post/200809/http://javacrossknitmusic.com/post/200809/Mon, 29 Sep 2008 01:06:28 GMThttp://javacrossknitmusic.com/view/200809/http://javacrossknitmusic.com/post/200808/http://javacrossknitmusic.com/post/200808/Thu, 18 Sep 2008 22:04:48 GMTHere It What Is, I can finally say that I’ve seen a film that gets it right … beautifully, brilliantly right. Use the link to get the rest of the story…]]>http://javacrossknitmusic.com/view/200808/http://javacrossknitmusic.com/post/200807/http://javacrossknitmusic.com/post/200807/Sun, 14 Sep 2008 01:14:21 GMTThe Orchard, finally hits the sweet spot. She’s using the same strategy she always has, working with a huge stable of collaborators and hands-on producers. Read on to learn why things are different this time…]]>http://javacrossknitmusic.com/view/200807/http://javacrossknitmusic.com/post/200806/http://javacrossknitmusic.com/post/200806/Thu, 4 Sep 2008 03:54:11 GMThttp://javacrossknitmusic.com/view/200806/