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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