David Cantwell
@cantkill.bsky.social
Music critic. Husband. Dog Lover. Author of “The Running Kind: Listening to Merle Haggard.” Cofounder No Fences Review. Midwesterner
Reposted by David Cantwell
for this week’s My Time Back i wrote about Raymond Carver’s short story collection Cathedral. it’s probably my favorite thing i’ve written this year. would love if you took a dive in and read mytimeback.beehiiv.com/p/cathedral?...
November 25, 2025 at 3:42 PM
for this week’s My Time Back i wrote about Raymond Carver’s short story collection Cathedral. it’s probably my favorite thing i’ve written this year. would love if you took a dive in and read mytimeback.beehiiv.com/p/cathedral?...
Wrote about some of our favorite songs by the late Todd Snider at No Fences Review, w/ @charleshughes2.bsky.social and special guest @jonbern.bsky.social
Turn It Up - Todd Snider Edition
We pay tribute to the great singer-songwriter
open.substack.com
November 24, 2025 at 3:08 PM
Wrote about some of our favorite songs by the late Todd Snider at No Fences Review, w/ @charleshughes2.bsky.social and special guest @jonbern.bsky.social
Movie set where I'm from...
November 23, 2025 at 5:28 PM
Movie set where I'm from...
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"War is peace.
Freedom is slavery.
Ignorance is strength"
Freedom is slavery.
Ignorance is strength"
"Countries with state subsidies for abortion, transgender-friendly policies for children, hate speech laws and affirmative action policies will now be considered to be violating human rights under rules imposed at the [US] State Department..."
www.forbes.com/sites/maryro...
www.forbes.com/sites/maryro...
Abortion And DEI Policies Now Considered Violations Of Human Rights, U.S. Says
The Trump administration has overhauled how the State Department conducts its annual Human Rights Report.
www.forbes.com
November 22, 2025 at 4:06 PM
"War is peace.
Freedom is slavery.
Ignorance is strength"
Freedom is slavery.
Ignorance is strength"
Reposted by David Cantwell
We are not a serious country, at all.
BREAKING: The House of Representatives voted 285–98 in favor of a resolution condemning socialism.
Eighty-six Democrats joined Republicans in supporting the measure, including House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries.
Eighty-six Democrats joined Republicans in supporting the measure, including House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries.
November 21, 2025 at 6:37 PM
We are not a serious country, at all.
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Once again beating the drum that @manruss.bsky.social is one of our great 21st Century philosophers. Pick up a copy of Thanksgiving from @ahoycomicmags.bsky.social and bring it to dinner next week for when the conversation turns dreadful.
November 21, 2025 at 1:22 PM
Once again beating the drum that @manruss.bsky.social is one of our great 21st Century philosophers. Pick up a copy of Thanksgiving from @ahoycomicmags.bsky.social and bring it to dinner next week for when the conversation turns dreadful.
Reposted by David Cantwell
attn: all the people freaking out over jesse welles
you can't trust smug; you can't trust galaxy brain tiktok bait maker joe rogan appearing guys.
you *can* trust don't rock the inbox to steer you towards all kinds of great country/roots/folk protest music www.dontrocktheinbox.com/put-a-record...
you can't trust smug; you can't trust galaxy brain tiktok bait maker joe rogan appearing guys.
you *can* trust don't rock the inbox to steer you towards all kinds of great country/roots/folk protest music www.dontrocktheinbox.com/put-a-record...
Put A Record On: Something Besides 'Americana'
We need a better word...
www.dontrocktheinbox.com
November 21, 2025 at 4:08 PM
attn: all the people freaking out over jesse welles
you can't trust smug; you can't trust galaxy brain tiktok bait maker joe rogan appearing guys.
you *can* trust don't rock the inbox to steer you towards all kinds of great country/roots/folk protest music www.dontrocktheinbox.com/put-a-record...
you can't trust smug; you can't trust galaxy brain tiktok bait maker joe rogan appearing guys.
you *can* trust don't rock the inbox to steer you towards all kinds of great country/roots/folk protest music www.dontrocktheinbox.com/put-a-record...
Reposted by David Cantwell
This 2013 parallel history novel has Fox News rebranding as Fox Faith & Freedom News.
It also has America becoming an authoritarian Christian theocracy.
It also has America becoming an authoritarian Christian theocracy.
Christian Nation: A Novel by Frederic C. Rich — Frederic C. Rich
Synopsis, reviews, q & a, and book group information for the book Christian Nation: A Novel by author Frederic C. Rich.
fredericrich.com
November 20, 2025 at 7:49 PM
This 2013 parallel history novel has Fox News rebranding as Fox Faith & Freedom News.
It also has America becoming an authoritarian Christian theocracy.
It also has America becoming an authoritarian Christian theocracy.
Reposted by David Cantwell
For decades, scholars have argued education’s hidden curriculum is about disciplining and socializing children as future workers, and they just….tweeted it out
The U.S. Education Department is moving management of K-12 and higher education to the Department of Labor
Is Trump dismantling the Education Department? Not yet. But changes are coming.
The U.S. Education Department is moving management of K-12 and higher education to the Department of Labor and parceling out other core job duties to other agencies. It's the most sweeping effort so f...
www.chalkbeat.org
November 20, 2025 at 4:35 PM
For decades, scholars have argued education’s hidden curriculum is about disciplining and socializing children as future workers, and they just….tweeted it out
Reposted by David Cantwell
The Beatles celebrate the thirtieth anniversary of their archival trawl by adding a fourth disc to Anthology. The new Anthology 4 highlights the structural problems with the entire project. My review: sterlewine.substack.com/p/the-beatle...
The Beatles, Anthology Collection and Anthology 4
The Beatles celebrate the thirtieth anniversary of their archival trawl by adding a fourth disc to Anthology. The new Anthology 4 highlights the structural problems with the entire project.
sterlewine.substack.com
November 20, 2025 at 11:02 PM
The Beatles celebrate the thirtieth anniversary of their archival trawl by adding a fourth disc to Anthology. The new Anthology 4 highlights the structural problems with the entire project. My review: sterlewine.substack.com/p/the-beatle...
90 more 1975 country albums worth checking out + 98 more that i take a pass on. Too bad for you Dolly, Tammy and (twice!) Mr. Man in Black. (W/ @charleshughes2.bsky.social at No Fences Review)
The Best Country Albums of 1975, Part 2
David spotlights 90 more noteworthy country albums from a half century ago
open.substack.com
November 20, 2025 at 3:20 PM
90 more 1975 country albums worth checking out + 98 more that i take a pass on. Too bad for you Dolly, Tammy and (twice!) Mr. Man in Black. (W/ @charleshughes2.bsky.social at No Fences Review)
Reposted by David Cantwell
Trump calls for Democratic members of Congress to be hanged
November 20, 2025 at 2:15 PM
Trump calls for Democratic members of Congress to be hanged
Resharing my 22 Best Country Albums of 1975 list. Ahead of Part 2 on its way in a few minutes—accounting for (yikes!) 232 more
The Best Country Albums of 1975
David picks his 22 favorite country albums from a half century ago.
open.substack.com
November 20, 2025 at 2:35 PM
Resharing my 22 Best Country Albums of 1975 list. Ahead of Part 2 on its way in a few minutes—accounting for (yikes!) 232 more
Reposted by David Cantwell
Mother Jones has been on fire on the John Roberts beat and, man, I'd love to see our national press pick up this ball.
"It’s impossible to imagine today’s crisis without the Roberts court having first undermined the foundations of our democracy."
www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
"It’s impossible to imagine today’s crisis without the Roberts court having first undermined the foundations of our democracy."
www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
November 19, 2025 at 10:11 PM
Mother Jones has been on fire on the John Roberts beat and, man, I'd love to see our national press pick up this ball.
"It’s impossible to imagine today’s crisis without the Roberts court having first undermined the foundations of our democracy."
www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
"It’s impossible to imagine today’s crisis without the Roberts court having first undermined the foundations of our democracy."
www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
Reposted by David Cantwell
when we talk about efforts to "erase DEI" can we be more precise and say "efforts to re-segregate workplaces and schools"
Since 1981, Chicago Women in Trades has worked to promote equity by getting more women into the construction trades. Now the nonprofit faces a different challenge: Trump's efforts to erase DEI. n.pr/4pmCNr2
How a small Chicago nonprofit is resisting Trump's war on DEI
Since 1981, Chicago Women in Trades has worked to promote equity by getting more women into the construction trades. Now the nonprofit faces a different challenge: Trump's efforts to erase DEI.
n.pr
November 19, 2025 at 10:58 AM
when we talk about efforts to "erase DEI" can we be more precise and say "efforts to re-segregate workplaces and schools"
Reposted by David Cantwell
man we should bring back the pamphlet
Hey historians 🗃️: Do you know of presses that publish short books (around 30K words / 90 pages plus notes)? I have been working on an article project that could easily turn into an great micro-history of that length, but I'm not sure it would make it to the usual full 60-90K words...
November 19, 2025 at 3:48 AM
man we should bring back the pamphlet
LOL. We live in KC, visit St. Louis across the state often, and my wife now uses "like flying to St. Louis" as shorthand for all things that SEEM like they'd save time/effort or be more efficient but in reality... (Instant pots and select-a-size paper towels, for ex's, are like flying to St. Louis)
I could drive to new york faster than this one hour flight will eventually get me there 😂😂😂😂😂😭😭
November 18, 2025 at 2:49 PM
LOL. We live in KC, visit St. Louis across the state often, and my wife now uses "like flying to St. Louis" as shorthand for all things that SEEM like they'd save time/effort or be more efficient but in reality... (Instant pots and select-a-size paper towels, for ex's, are like flying to St. Louis)
Reposted by David Cantwell
The primary fascist base is not rural whites. It is your local car dealers.
Hendrick Motorsports sold dozens of SUVs to ICE, records show
The $2.25M contract was for 25 Chevrolet Tahoes
www.wbtv.com
November 17, 2025 at 7:55 PM
The primary fascist base is not rural whites. It is your local car dealers.
Reposted by David Cantwell
Alice Wong, a writer and activist who was born with muscular dystrophy and who fought relentlessly for equal rights and access for people with disabilities, died on Friday. She was 51. nyti.ms/4r9WqEr
November 15, 2025 at 9:33 PM
Alice Wong, a writer and activist who was born with muscular dystrophy and who fought relentlessly for equal rights and access for people with disabilities, died on Friday. She was 51. nyti.ms/4r9WqEr
Have felt, since I read this piece in its moment that Christgau shares below, that he was the critic who really understood Todd Snider. (Or maybe it was just that I felt the same ways... )
I'm very sorry to report that the great alt-country singer-songwriter Todd Snider has died at 59 of undiagnosed walking pneumonia. I stick by what I wrote about him in 2012. www.robertchristgau.com/xg/bn/2012-0... Here's Rolling Stone's coverage. www.rollingstone.com/music/music-...
Robert Christgau: Preaching Agnosticism (with Laugh Lines)
www.robertchristgau.com
November 15, 2025 at 10:44 PM
Have felt, since I read this piece in its moment that Christgau shares below, that he was the critic who really understood Todd Snider. (Or maybe it was just that I felt the same ways... )
Reposted by David Cantwell
I'm very sorry to report that the great alt-country singer-songwriter Todd Snider has died at 59 of undiagnosed walking pneumonia. I stick by what I wrote about him in 2012. www.robertchristgau.com/xg/bn/2012-0... Here's Rolling Stone's coverage. www.rollingstone.com/music/music-...
Robert Christgau: Preaching Agnosticism (with Laugh Lines)
www.robertchristgau.com
November 15, 2025 at 6:03 PM
I'm very sorry to report that the great alt-country singer-songwriter Todd Snider has died at 59 of undiagnosed walking pneumonia. I stick by what I wrote about him in 2012. www.robertchristgau.com/xg/bn/2012-0... Here's Rolling Stone's coverage. www.rollingstone.com/music/music-...
Todd Snider was sneaky good, among the best songwriters of my lifetime minus the self-seriousness. He abided, like the Dude + laughs + another round. A humanist artist unafraid to mock himself. Also: His "regional leaders of sales" might be the smartest/funniest lyrical punchline I've ever heard.
Todd Snider, Rambling Troubadour Who Helped Shape Alt-Country and Americana, Dead at 59
Todd Snider, the rambling troubadour who helped shape the Americana music movement, has died at 59.
www.rollingstone.com
November 15, 2025 at 4:46 PM
Todd Snider was sneaky good, among the best songwriters of my lifetime minus the self-seriousness. He abided, like the Dude + laughs + another round. A humanist artist unafraid to mock himself. Also: His "regional leaders of sales" might be the smartest/funniest lyrical punchline I've ever heard.
Reposted by David Cantwell
RIP Todd Snider. Sad for selfish reasons (hoped for decades more great music, shaken when anyone around my age dies) but also because his last days were so troubled.
There's a war goin' on that the poor can't win.
Sometimes you rise above it, sometimes you sink below.
There's a war goin' on that the poor can't win.
Sometimes you rise above it, sometimes you sink below.
The Devil You Know
YouTube video by Todd Snider - Topic
www.youtube.com
November 15, 2025 at 4:25 PM
RIP Todd Snider. Sad for selfish reasons (hoped for decades more great music, shaken when anyone around my age dies) but also because his last days were so troubled.
There's a war goin' on that the poor can't win.
Sometimes you rise above it, sometimes you sink below.
There's a war goin' on that the poor can't win.
Sometimes you rise above it, sometimes you sink below.
Hey all, I contributed this entry to editor Josh Glenn's month-long ska tribute, "Skank Your Enthusiasm," at HiLoBrow. www.hilobrow.com/2025/11/15/s...
November 15, 2025 at 4:22 PM
Hey all, I contributed this entry to editor Josh Glenn's month-long ska tribute, "Skank Your Enthusiasm," at HiLoBrow. www.hilobrow.com/2025/11/15/s...
Reposted by David Cantwell
Give a man a fish and someone with a thousand fishes is going to bitch about people getting free handouts. Teach a man to fish? Yeah, that person with a thousand fishes is going to bitch about that too.
November 14, 2025 at 1:28 AM
Give a man a fish and someone with a thousand fishes is going to bitch about people getting free handouts. Teach a man to fish? Yeah, that person with a thousand fishes is going to bitch about that too.