Articles written by authors, guests and the 33 1/3 team.
Tapestry is an icon of the Album Era, that relatively brief but eventful period between the mid-1960s and the mid-1970s when long-playing records dominated the industry, deeply informing our relationship to popular music. Insofar as it indexes Carole King’s graduation from pop singles to rock albums, Tapestry chronicles the inception of the album as a […]
Of Time and the Record Read More »
The moment you’ve all been waiting for is finally here: the open call for 33 1/3 proposals has officially started, so start writing! Updated proposal guidelines can be found here. The deadline is May 17th, 2021 at 11:59 PM EST. We can’t wait to read what everyone comes up with!
OPEN CALL FOR PROPOSALS 2021 Read More »
CLINT BROWNLEE ON HOW MUSIC HISTORY REPEATS ITSELF Pearl Jam’s latest record is a cohesive statement on much that is sideways in America and the world, albeit intermittently veiled and unapologetically direct. The cover art may encourage your eyes to linger in awe—is that what I think it is?—but the imagery is not just intriguing,
Climate Unchanged: Parallels Between Vs. and Gigaton Read More »
If you’re with me here, there’s a good chance you’ve been with Pearl Jam since the beginning—and you may have already asked yourself, “If this guy was interested in a tough period for the band, did he forget about Vitalogy?” It’s a fair question. The general consensus is that PJ’s third record represents equal parts soaring creative victory and spectacular implosion. The band members themselves tend to agree when they reflect on Vitalogy, as does producer Brendan O’Brien. In 2001, he said, the album was “a little strained.” Then he elaborated: “I’m being polite—there was some imploding going on.”
Vs. versus Vitalogy Read More »
If you’re of a certain age and musical bent, the midnight record release party likely holds a special, nostalgic place in your heart. Because they’re where you scored some of the albums that shaped your youth and young adulthood. Because high school and college were decades ago, and the good stuff from that long and challenging era now shines brighter than the mistakes and regrets. Because, perhaps, you’re not sure if you’ve attended a release party since the turn of the millennium.
My Midnight Vs. Purchase in the Rearview Mirror Read More »
Vs. roils with fury—and at times, gently steams over the trappings of fame, human faults, and societal injustice. Tapestry is both an anthemic embodiment of second-wave feminism and an apotheosis of the Laurel Canyon singer-songwriter sound and scene. To coincide with our latest releases, authors Clint Brownlee and Loren Glass continue to explore these two albums, expanding upon their work right here on the blog.
New 33 1/3’s + upcoming author takeover! Read More »
On International Women’s Day, and for the entirety of Women’s History month, the Bloomsbury Academic podcast revisits episodes that focus on experiences and portrayals of women. Listen in as Carol J. Adams, Rafia Zakaria, and Jenn Pelly apply a feminist lens – as well as their own lived experiences – to women (and womanhood) in
Celebrating International Women’s Day Read More »
In honor of Black History Month, we’re celebrating some of the most important musicians in Black history and culture. From classics like Marvin Gaye and Aretha Franklin to modern icons like Kanye and Janelle Monáe, our newest playlist has a little something for everyone. We’re featuring some of our favorite 33 1/3 artists alongside some
Celebrating Black History Month with 33 1/3 Read More »
Need a soundtrack to make your holiday a little merrier? Check out our newest 33 1/3 playlist! Featuring some of our favorite 33 1/3 artists and highlighting some of the most recent additions to the series, these songs will provide the perfect background to all your tree-decorating, cookie-baking, and present-opening festivities. Listen now on Spotify
Happy Holidays from 33 1/3! Read More »
Eric Wolfson on his favorite Elvis albums Elvis has always had a precarious place in the rock and roll canon. Despite his massive influence, Elvis is usually left off those “Greatest Albums” lists, dismissed as a relic from the supposedly trivial era before the Beatles arrived. (Never mind that the Beatles would have never existed
From Elvis in His Canon Read More »
