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The Redemption of Elton John's 'Blue Moves'

Once reviled as bloated and pretentious, Elton John's 1976 album Blue Moves, is one of his masterpieces, argues author Matthew Restall in the latest installment of the 33 1/3 series.

                                      
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PopMatters is moving to WordPress. We will publish a few essays daily while we develop the new site. We hope the beta will be up sometime late next week.

Once reviled as bloated and pretentious, Elton John's 1976 album Blue Moves, is one of his masterpieces, argues author Matthew Restall in the latest installment of the 33 1/3 series.

This new book featuring concert photos taken by fans is a stylish, interesting, and absorbing, yet somewhat incomplete look at the history of popular music.

Elton John’s upbeat new album Wonderful Crazy Night brings a much-needed injection of good cheer and sunny optimism.

In addition to his myriad accomplishments as an artist, Elton John has long maintained a reputation as a tastemaker.

The beloved McSweeney's is stripped of its Internet cloak and laid before us on the bare, naked pages of print.

We bet that the 132nd most acclaimed album of all time will shoot down your plane, and it’ll take a couple vodka and limes to set you on your feet again. Counterbalance hunts the horny-backed toad with Sir Elton’s 1973 blockbuster.

See all the night’s performances in order from best to worst.

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Dear Tom Cruise: We know you are hurting from the failure of Rock of Ages. However, if you learn the lessons from the best rock-themed movies, you can still make a rock film for the ages.

Taking a look at the Paul McCartney songs that have changed music history.

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Despite too many duets and a lack of variation, Aretha's voice still shines on her '80s hits.

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Arguably the biggest sporting event of the year (sorry, Olympics!), the Super Bowl telecast is usually the highest-rated program of the year. Did this year’s show live up to the hype?

Columbia reissues the album that launched Billy Joel's career into the stratosphere 38 years ago, along with an intimate live radio set that fills in some of the blanks.

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Though we instantly identify him with such hits as “Help!”, “I Am the Walrus”, “Imagine”, “Instant Karma! (We All Shine On)”, and more, let’s look at seven of his lesser-known songs.

Chapman released this record in 1970. It's been out of print on vinyl for years. It's never been issued on CD in the States. Oh, and it's also one of the best psych-folk records recorded. Ever.

Continuing out look at the year’s most notable television events, here’s what happened in April 2010.

This is a look at likely contenders for the Song of the Year, which is a composer/songwriter’s award.

The kind of show you wished MTV would make.

A decade after landing on our shores, this gem still hasn't gotten its due.

Spectacle: Elvis Costello With... - 9pm EST/PST - Sundance Channel

The man who calls himself Thomas Crown steps into the spotlight for an above-average pop album that could have been so much more.

Without a doubt, Elton John is a rocket man who is still in ship shape.

In seeking to replicate the effect of their classic 1975 album Captain Fantastic & the Brown Dirt Cowboy, John and Taupin have only succeeded in shining a spotlight on their own inadequacies.

The obstacles Elton John and Bernie Taupin faced on the road to fame are recorded here.

This all might be formulaic schlock, but it's expertly played and produced schlock by a master of the form, and he should be awarded some points for that.