I walk through my town singing

Three cheers to victory, three cheers to fighting back.

October 14, 2020

Hello again! Today we have volume 7 of the Crit List, which features all new songs for you to fall in love with and one old banger. Below you’ll find a link to the List and a few words about a few topics: songs, records, mental health, and voting.

Introducing Crit List 7:

Words about songs

Saosin - “Seven Years”This absolute bomb of a jam is on here because it popped into my head while thinking about this being the seventh installment of the Crit List and it’s a great first track on any playlist. Saosin was never better than they were on this EP with Anthony Green.

Kississippi - “Around Your Room”Zoe rules, and this song (co-written with Sarah Tudzin of Illuminati Hotties) might be her best track ever. If Taylor Swift had released this song - and it sounds like she could have - this would be a #1 hit around the world.

I Am the Avalanche - “Better Days”Ho hum, just another great Avalanche tune. It’s kind of all they do. Maybe one of these days I’ll share the story about the great day last summer when I saw Vinnie in a friend’s friend’s backyard.

Gladie - “Thank You Card.”Great tune from an EP that features two originals and a Weakerthans cover.

Meet Me @ the Altar - “Garden”This band just signed to FBR. Women of color writing catchy, positive pop-punk? I’m in. I liked this statement from the band:

“Garden” is about being there for the people in your life who need you the most. We wanted to write a super energetic song that was really positive, because a lot of pop-punk isn’t positive. It’s about white dudes, crying over their girlfriends. (x)

Berwanger - “Change the Season”Josh Berwanger (The Anniversary) with a timely song about the current state of the world. We must be right, we can’t be wrong / there’s blood in the streets again, it’s the same ol’ song / we can love and laugh understand life’s meaning / change a heart, we can change the season / take the streets and use your mind / burn it down, rebuild it right.

Words about records

Both of these bands have been featured on previous Crit Lists, but both records are great and deserve a full play. Touché has been doing it for awhile, and Attic Salt is newer and doesn’t have the same name recognition. If you’re in the mood for bouncy pop-punk, put on Attic Salt. Ready for something a little harder, Touché is the call.

Words about mental health

World Mental Health Day was Saturday. On Sunday, while driving up to Chesterfield, NH to hike in the woods, I drove by this sign on the side of the road. I turned around and got a photo with it, because a year ago I absolutely did not agree with that statement and it feels great to say that now I do. This year has been very hard for many reasons but the work I’ve done on myself has been very rewarding, and the world IS a better place with me, and with you. I’m no expert but if you’re ever feeling like you need someone to talk to, please reach out. I can’t promise great advice, but I’ll listen.

Funny sports-ish highlight of the week:

Words about voting

We all know it’s important to vote the dumbest president ever out of office, but I hope you’re also thinking about all the other races and questions you can vote on. They all matter. This tool is a really great way to see what your options are and get some more information.

If you like the List or a song on the List, let me know! I’d love to hear from you.

“Here’s to the righteous ones. Three cheers to fighting back.”

Crit

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