JPMS 23:2

[justindburton]

I opened my mailbox late last week and found Lou Reed staring at me from the cover of the latest Journal of Popular Music Studies. The issue is, editors Karen Tongson and Gustavus Stadler tell us in the opening note, "a reboot of sorts, not only because of our new cover and redesign, but also in that it establishes many of the 'plots' or broad intellectual concerns that we hope will guide the journal through the coming years."

This forum seems like the perfect place to talk about JPMS, and this issue promises to be full of provocative commentary, perhaps nowhere moreso than in the "Amplifier" section in the middle of the journal. "Amplifier" is a series of short essays by the editorial board (plus Joanna Demers) that offers an overview of where popular music studies is and where we might go with it next. Beyond that, the journal includes Maureen Mohan's article on "the liberated black femininity of Betty Davis" and Mark Duffet's essay on the embodiment of Susan Boyle and Elvis Presley. In addition to the usual book reviews, the issue also features the journal's first recording reviews.

In other words, there's lots to talk about here, and I think it would probably be easiest in multiple threads. So, as you work your way through the journal and find something you'd like to discuss, let's start threads with the article's title followed by the issue number. For instance: "On Meaninglessnes, JPMS 23:2." This should help keep things nicely organized and easy to follow. We can use this thread to talk about the overall issue and the journal's reboot. Any thoughts about ethos or design can go here. I'll start a thread on one of the essays and let the rest come in the next several days (or weeks).

[Mashadi]

I am ALL over Maureen Mahon's piece! I'm doing work on black women electric guitarists in blues, rock, and gospel. This journal issue came right on time for me as I was writing my dissertation prospectus in preparation to defend it!