David Cantwell
@cantkill.bsky.social
Music critic. Husband. Dog Lover. Author of “The Running Kind: Listening to Merle Haggard.” Cofounder No Fences Review. Midwesterner
Even as someone whose laborer dad helped build Arrowhead, I've no attachment to the place. But I do hate Highland Park TX-resident Clark Hunt's disingenuousness throughout the process. The KC Star's Sam McDowell is right when he says, "let’s be abundantly clear why they made this decision.
Money"
Money"
There is one party most responsible for the Chiefs’ move to Kansas
It might not be who you’d think, but Monday’s events were the culmination of a calculated effort.
www.kansascity.com
December 23, 2025 at 5:56 PM
Even as someone whose laborer dad helped build Arrowhead, I've no attachment to the place. But I do hate Highland Park TX-resident Clark Hunt's disingenuousness throughout the process. The KC Star's Sam McDowell is right when he says, "let’s be abundantly clear why they made this decision.
Money"
Money"
D. Boon died this date in 1985... I saw Minutemen play a few shows in college and met him. I was so NOT a punk kid but was a budding lefty. He quizzed ME: What do you think of...? Have you read...? When I learned he'd died, I surprised myself and sobbed. Boy could we use him now... Rest in Power
December 22, 2025 at 4:48 PM
D. Boon died this date in 1985... I saw Minutemen play a few shows in college and met him. I was so NOT a punk kid but was a budding lefty. He quizzed ME: What do you think of...? Have you read...? When I learned he'd died, I surprised myself and sobbed. Boy could we use him now... Rest in Power
Reposted by David Cantwell
Ransone was wonderful in everything I've seen him in.
My favorite performance of his was in a pivotal role (as "bodysuit") in Cory McAbee's genius and still out-of-time The American Astronaut.
My favorite performance of his was in a pivotal role (as "bodysuit") in Cory McAbee's genius and still out-of-time The American Astronaut.
Suicide is no joke. Check on those you love every single day.
Sigh. This one really hurts. 💔 variety.com/2025/tv/obit...
Sigh. This one really hurts. 💔 variety.com/2025/tv/obit...
James Ransone, Who Played Ziggy Sobotka on ‘The Wire,’ Dies at 46
James Ransone, an American actor best known for playing Ziggy Sobotka in 'The Wire' died on Friday in an apparent suicide. He was 46.
variety.com
December 22, 2025 at 4:08 PM
Ransone was wonderful in everything I've seen him in.
My favorite performance of his was in a pivotal role (as "bodysuit") in Cory McAbee's genius and still out-of-time The American Astronaut.
My favorite performance of his was in a pivotal role (as "bodysuit") in Cory McAbee's genius and still out-of-time The American Astronaut.
Reposted by David Cantwell
Bob Dylan attempts to explain Willie Nelson in The New Yorker's profile of Willie: www.newyorker.com/magazine/202...
December 22, 2025 at 3:28 PM
Bob Dylan attempts to explain Willie Nelson in The New Yorker's profile of Willie: www.newyorker.com/magazine/202...
Reposted by David Cantwell
CBS paid the president of the United States millions in bribe money and now they censor news reports so it does not annoy him. I don’t know how much plainer we can put this.
December 22, 2025 at 12:14 PM
CBS paid the president of the United States millions in bribe money and now they censor news reports so it does not annoy him. I don’t know how much plainer we can put this.
Reposted by David Cantwell
In the summer of 1950 most US newspapers ran an AP story about how race had become the main issue in the upcoming Georgia governor's race. Segregationist Herman Tallmadge, governor from '47 to '55 and then a Senator until 1981 made a name for himself by refusing to "apologize for being a white man."
December 21, 2025 at 10:57 PM
In the summer of 1950 most US newspapers ran an AP story about how race had become the main issue in the upcoming Georgia governor's race. Segregationist Herman Tallmadge, governor from '47 to '55 and then a Senator until 1981 made a name for himself by refusing to "apologize for being a white man."
Small Wonder, 1985, about an engineer who creates and adopts a robot daughter. (Also in the running for worst series I recall viewing)
December 22, 2025 at 1:44 PM
Small Wonder, 1985, about an engineer who creates and adopts a robot daughter. (Also in the running for worst series I recall viewing)
Reposted by David Cantwell
the vice president is a klansman
JD Vance: "In the United States of America you don't have to apologize for being white anymore"
December 21, 2025 at 8:22 PM
the vice president is a klansman
Reposted by David Cantwell
Trade wars are good, and easy to win”
December 20, 2025 at 1:50 PM
Trade wars are good, and easy to win”
Reposted by David Cantwell
There's really interesting social science on how white people significantly overestimate the number of people of color in a room or in a picture. A room with, like, 20% POC will be perceived as majority POC.
White men are 30% of the US and if they look around the room and see it’s less than 90% white men they think it’s affirmative action.
85% of CEOs are white men.
All but one US President has been a white man.
65% of all elected offices are held by white men.
Roughly 30% of the population is white men.
WHAT THE FUCK IS THIS TOPIC EVEN???
All but one US President has been a white man.
65% of all elected offices are held by white men.
Roughly 30% of the population is white men.
WHAT THE FUCK IS THIS TOPIC EVEN???
December 19, 2025 at 2:58 PM
There's really interesting social science on how white people significantly overestimate the number of people of color in a room or in a picture. A room with, like, 20% POC will be perceived as majority POC.
The kids are alright…
December 20, 2025 at 2:26 PM
The kids are alright…
Reposted by David Cantwell
one thing that is important to know is that BIRTH OF A NATION is so racist that people at the *time*, in 1915, were like, “holy shit this is racist”
When the slightest bit of research shows he was consistently racist and a daddy issues Confederate fanboy.
People try to paint BIRTH OF A NATION as a masterpiece with some unfortunate racism. The whole movie is racist, the “masterpiece “ thing was backfilled to excuse it.
People try to paint BIRTH OF A NATION as a masterpiece with some unfortunate racism. The whole movie is racist, the “masterpiece “ thing was backfilled to excuse it.
December 19, 2025 at 12:55 PM
one thing that is important to know is that BIRTH OF A NATION is so racist that people at the *time*, in 1915, were like, “holy shit this is racist”
Reposted by David Cantwell
A band I was too young to appreciate during its original run but enjoyed seeing on a reunion tour.
The dB’s recorded a trio of damaged guitar-pop albums in the early eighties adjacent to lifelong buddies R.E.M.’s: intelligible in the sense that listeners could hear the lyrics; inscrutable if not impregnable as repositories of meaning. humanizingthevacuum.wordpress.com/2021/02/19/i...
If you walk in the dark you will probably fall: The best of The dB’s
Combining Big Star’s hopped-up jangle, Cheap Trick’s harmonic sense, and closet avant-gardists’ attention to musique concrète, The dB’s recorded a trio of damaged guitar-pop…
humanizingthevacuum.wordpress.com
December 17, 2025 at 2:38 PM
A band I was too young to appreciate during its original run but enjoyed seeing on a reunion tour.
Reposted by David Cantwell
it's that time: Don't Rock The Inbox's best country albums of the year - read all about them over at @stereogum.com!! stereogum.com/2483029/the-...
The 10 Best Country Albums Of 2025
This year’s best country albums list is once again presented in partnership with Don’t Rock The Inbox, the amazing country music newsletter run by Stereogum contributors Marissa R. Moss and Natalie We...
stereogum.com
December 17, 2025 at 2:53 PM
it's that time: Don't Rock The Inbox's best country albums of the year - read all about them over at @stereogum.com!! stereogum.com/2483029/the-...
Reposted by David Cantwell
We at Don't Rock the Inbox are pleased to present our best country songs and best country albums (in partnership with our friends at Stereogum) of 2025...
www.dontrocktheinbox.com/the-best-cou...
www.dontrocktheinbox.com/the-best-cou...
The Best Country Albums & Songs of 2025, According to Us
Happy end of 2025 - we did it, everyone! Well, almost. This year, we were excited to once again partner with our friends at Stereogum to rundown our favorite albums of the year (with our favorite song...
www.dontrocktheinbox.com
December 17, 2025 at 2:29 PM
We at Don't Rock the Inbox are pleased to present our best country songs and best country albums (in partnership with our friends at Stereogum) of 2025...
www.dontrocktheinbox.com/the-best-cou...
www.dontrocktheinbox.com/the-best-cou...
R.I.P. to one of the great ones, roots rocker extraordinaire Joe Ely. Glad we had a chance, back in August, to celebrate a Joe Ely Week at No Fences Review: I wrote about my favorite Ely solo cuts and (link in comments) @charleshughes2.bsky.social essayed the Letter to Laredo album.
Joe Ely: A Love Letter in 16 Songs
David with some favorite songs by an artist we love
open.substack.com
December 16, 2025 at 2:18 PM
R.I.P. to one of the great ones, roots rocker extraordinaire Joe Ely. Glad we had a chance, back in August, to celebrate a Joe Ely Week at No Fences Review: I wrote about my favorite Ely solo cuts and (link in comments) @charleshughes2.bsky.social essayed the Letter to Laredo album.
Reposted by David Cantwell
Rob Reiner’s early television appearances.
December 15, 2025 at 1:40 PM
Rob Reiner’s early television appearances.
Reposted by David Cantwell
New at No Fences Review: our 2025 year-end wrap-up continues as @cantkill.bsky.social shares his best of the year. Check out his favorites, and be sure to share and subscribe!
Best of 2025: David's Version
David Cantwell picks his favorite albums of the year
nofencesreview.substack.com
December 15, 2025 at 11:07 PM
New at No Fences Review: our 2025 year-end wrap-up continues as @cantkill.bsky.social shares his best of the year. Check out his favorites, and be sure to share and subscribe!
Reposted by David Cantwell
Rob Reiner's sudden death turns Spinal Tap II: The End Continues from an amiable reunion into a poignant epilogue. My thoughts are in my latest newsletter: sterlewine.substack.com/p/spinal-tap...
Spinal Tap II: The End Continues, Rob Reiner's Final Film
Rob Reiner's sudden death turns Spinal Tap II: The End Continues from an amiable reunion into a poignant epilogue.
sterlewine.substack.com
December 15, 2025 at 8:30 PM
Rob Reiner's sudden death turns Spinal Tap II: The End Continues from an amiable reunion into a poignant epilogue. My thoughts are in my latest newsletter: sterlewine.substack.com/p/spinal-tap...
Picked my 15 favorite 2025 albums for No Fences Review, as well as a slew of runners up and best archival releases. (W/ @charleshughes2.bsky.social who shared his picks last week)
Best of 2025: David's Version
David Cantwell picks his favorite albums of the year
open.substack.com
December 15, 2025 at 3:04 PM
Picked my 15 favorite 2025 albums for No Fences Review, as well as a slew of runners up and best archival releases. (W/ @charleshughes2.bsky.social who shared his picks last week)
Reposted by David Cantwell
The cultural impact of Rob Reiner cannot be understated. Legend isn't big enough a word. It goes to 11. You can't handle the truth. As you wish. I'll have what she's having. I'm your number one fan. You guys wanna see a dead body? The very idea of a bucket list. The West Wing.
All from his movies.
All from his movies.
December 15, 2025 at 3:51 AM
The cultural impact of Rob Reiner cannot be understated. Legend isn't big enough a word. It goes to 11. You can't handle the truth. As you wish. I'll have what she's having. I'm your number one fan. You guys wanna see a dead body? The very idea of a bucket list. The West Wing.
All from his movies.
All from his movies.
Reposted by David Cantwell
The beginning
25 years ago today, SCOTUS elected George W Bush president of the United States by blocking completion of a voting canvass in Florida. A subsequent canvass by the Associated Press showed that Bush's rival, Al Gore, had won the race in Florida—and thus the contest for the presidency—by 700 votes.
December 12, 2025 at 2:29 PM
The beginning
Reposted by David Cantwell
A wonderful compilation, and a cover photo that's reminded me of the end of The Shining since I first saw it
December 11, 2025 at 11:13 PM
A wonderful compilation, and a cover photo that's reminded me of the end of The Shining since I first saw it
Reposted by David Cantwell
Happy with how this Paul Simon review turned out.
December 4, 2025 at 4:34 AM
Happy with how this Paul Simon review turned out.
Reposted by David Cantwell
i got way too invested in the deslondes www.dontrocktheinbox.com/meet-the-bes...
bsky.app/profile/gran...
bsky.app/profile/gran...
December 10, 2025 at 8:31 PM
i got way too invested in the deslondes www.dontrocktheinbox.com/meet-the-bes...
bsky.app/profile/gran...
bsky.app/profile/gran...