The fragmentary post preceding this one was sparked in part by something I forgot to include in it: Tom Ewing's wonderful column this month, about pop and "the test of time." It's one of the best things he's written, and the type of bold think pieces that I'm seeing (and want to write) more often, the most notable example being Carl Wilson's great 33 1/3 book (though I'm still galled that the 33 folks didn't bother asking if I was interested in participating in the recent Powell's blog roundelay, nor responding when I asked about it).