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
My latest newsletter: my favorite/best albums of 2025.
STE's Best Albums of 2025
The 99 Albums That Caught My Attention This Year.
sterlewine.substack.com
December 4, 2025 at 10:45 PM
My latest newsletter: my favorite/best albums of 2025.
Reposted by David Cantwell
this really isn’t an exaggeration
This man may be the most racist president this country has ever had, and twelve presidents owned slaves
Trump: "It’s a hellhole right now. And those Somalians should be out of here. They've destroyed our country. And all they do is complain, complain, complain. You have her. She’s always talking about the Constitution provides me with – go back to your own country and figure out your constitution."
December 4, 2025 at 11:31 AM
this really isn’t an exaggeration
My man @charleshughes2.bsky.social writes up some of his favorite cuts from the late Jimmy Cliff. Fantastic close listening here at No Fences Review.
Turn It Up - Jimmy Cliff Edition
Charles pays tribute to the great artist
open.substack.com
December 3, 2025 at 3:11 PM
My man @charleshughes2.bsky.social writes up some of his favorite cuts from the late Jimmy Cliff. Fantastic close listening here at No Fences Review.
Reposted by David Cantwell
I see this every day — real rural Arizonans, meaning those of us actually living full time in food-medical-service desert rural Arizona, bear no resemblance to popular portrayals. Like…none.
I think we lost it in editing but I talked about that very thing. Real rural life is virtually invisible — no art for dollar stores and meth clinics. And its racial diversity is erased. Actual rural people, especially poor ones, cannot access its aesthetic power
This is really important, because it is also about who can access the rural aesthetic. It's not always rural residents!
December 2, 2025 at 10:48 PM
I see this every day — real rural Arizonans, meaning those of us actually living full time in food-medical-service desert rural Arizona, bear no resemblance to popular portrayals. Like…none.
Reposted by David Cantwell
Those $300 yeti coolers and ford 350s erasing whole counties that dont have a grocwry store but got 6 dollar generals
I think we lost it in editing but I talked about that very thing. Real rural life is virtually invisible — no art for dollar stores and meth clinics. And its racial diversity is erased. Actual rural people, especially poor ones, cannot access its aesthetic power
This is really important, because it is also about who can access the rural aesthetic. It's not always rural residents!
December 2, 2025 at 9:02 PM
Those $300 yeti coolers and ford 350s erasing whole counties that dont have a grocwry store but got 6 dollar generals
This is so true and is part of why works like, say, Kingsolver’s Demon Copperhead, or the novels of Jesmyn Ward or the late Daniel Woodrell have struck me so powerfully—they not only depict but value whole rural, working class worlds that most art, including most country music, overlooks entirely
I think we lost it in editing but I talked about that very thing. Real rural life is virtually invisible — no art for dollar stores and meth clinics. And its racial diversity is erased. Actual rural people, especially poor ones, cannot access its aesthetic power
This is really important, because it is also about who can access the rural aesthetic. It's not always rural residents!
December 3, 2025 at 2:03 PM
This is so true and is part of why works like, say, Kingsolver’s Demon Copperhead, or the novels of Jesmyn Ward or the late Daniel Woodrell have struck me so powerfully—they not only depict but value whole rural, working class worlds that most art, including most country music, overlooks entirely
Reposted by David Cantwell
credit to NYT for not sanewashing the appalling bigotry we saw today in the WH
"Even for Mr. Trump — who has a long history of insulting Black people, particularly those from African countries — his outburst was shocking in its unapologetic bigotry."
"Even for Mr. Trump — who has a long history of insulting Black people, particularly those from African countries — his outburst was shocking in its unapologetic bigotry."
Trump Administration Live Updates: President Calls Somalis ‘Garbage’ in Anti-Immigrant Tirade
www.nytimes.com
December 3, 2025 at 2:43 AM
credit to NYT for not sanewashing the appalling bigotry we saw today in the WH
"Even for Mr. Trump — who has a long history of insulting Black people, particularly those from African countries — his outburst was shocking in its unapologetic bigotry."
"Even for Mr. Trump — who has a long history of insulting Black people, particularly those from African countries — his outburst was shocking in its unapologetic bigotry."
Reposted by David Cantwell
thread of newsletters to support on Black Friday (for yourself or get them as a gift and look cool). ppl giving you great stuff when AI slop is trying to beat you down:
first: Don’t Rock The Inbox ( @natalieweiner.bsky.social and @marissarmoss.bsky.social) www.dontrocktheinbox.com
first: Don’t Rock The Inbox ( @natalieweiner.bsky.social and @marissarmoss.bsky.social) www.dontrocktheinbox.com
Don't Rock The Inbox
A country music newsletter.
www.dontrocktheinbox.com
November 28, 2025 at 4:52 PM
thread of newsletters to support on Black Friday (for yourself or get them as a gift and look cool). ppl giving you great stuff when AI slop is trying to beat you down:
first: Don’t Rock The Inbox ( @natalieweiner.bsky.social and @marissarmoss.bsky.social) www.dontrocktheinbox.com
first: Don’t Rock The Inbox ( @natalieweiner.bsky.social and @marissarmoss.bsky.social) www.dontrocktheinbox.com
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Effectively there is no *one* person performing the duties of President of the United States right now. We are in an interregnum with an occupied throne.
The fundamental thing to understand about this administration is the president is a grumpy retiree. He has no interest in working anymore. Which leads to him being pissed that he is getting asked a question, pissed he has to show up and work, the scheming viziers running the show, etc..
“You’re a stupid person” — Trump lashes out at a reporter who presses him on the fact that the suspected DC shooter was actually thoroughly vetted before he was let in the US from Afghanistan
November 28, 2025 at 7:16 AM
Effectively there is no *one* person performing the duties of President of the United States right now. We are in an interregnum with an occupied throne.
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...
Reposted by David Cantwell
"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.
Reposted by David Cantwell
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