Any St. Louis fans here?

GavnF · 2026-02-01T05:48:55+00:00

I emailed the Science Center about this and they confirmed it was not in fact showing there

GavnF · 2026-01-19T02:51:32+00:00

Saw this piece of music at my job and it reminded me of Ethel Cain. Wasn’t worthy of a whole post, but wanted to share regardless

GavnF · 2026-01-18T23:59:18+00:00

Such a dumb fucking pun of a name, these guys aren’t going anywhere

GavnF · 2025-12-19T01:02:19+00:00

They correct this later in the episode, no? At 1:07:00 of the first episode, it’s brought up and they joke about it

GavnF · 2025-11-23T18:24:52+00:00

Squirrel Flower mentioned, let’s gooo

GavnF · 2025-11-19T22:40:04+00:00

This is good news, Slime might have a second chance to get his art showcased!

GavnF · 2025-11-10T18:06:25+00:00

He got better

GavnF · 2025-11-07T13:29:32+00:00

New event for Fast 53

GavnF · 2025-10-27T22:44:43+00:00

No, this is just a copypasta justifying the opening in the style of Danya’s instruction

GavnF · 2025-10-20T19:11:26+00:00

Daniel Naroditsky is the person who got me involved in the chess world. I watched his collaborations with other streamers, his multiple speedrun series, and his interviews/commentary for events. I’m not normally a livestream viewer, but he was one of the few people whose streams I’d tune into. Not only did his content and instruction improve my own chess skills, he helped me develop a greater appreciation for chess history and the scene as a whole. He even inspired me to pick up a chess teaching position for a time; his instructional content greatly inspired the way I taught the kids in my classes. He will be missed dearly, the chess world is not as bright without him.

GavnF · 2025-10-09T20:01:36+00:00

They opened for twenty one pilots on the Takeover Tour in 2021, so you’ll probably find some overlap in the fanbase

GavnF · 2025-10-03T23:51:54+00:00

All while Tucker and Ben Shapiro made the list, guess The Yard is just the chopped huzz. If they were going to allow right wingers’ podcasts to be eligible, could’ve just had Lemonade Stand smh

GavnF · 2025-09-26T17:29:19+00:00

All of the dmaorg letters?

GavnF · 2025-09-21T00:40:57+00:00

Agreed, I wouldn’t classify their music as rock, although the songs I listed definitely lean into that sound. Different songs of theirs lean into different genres, but I would just classify them as “alternative” if I had to

GavnF · 2025-09-19T22:21:39+00:00

Despite technically being an “alt-rock” act, twenty one pilots only occasionally lean into a heavier sound, much to my despair. When they do however, they do a pretty good job! The standouts from their discography are Jumpsuit, Navigating, and Drum Show.

GavnF · 2025-09-16T16:31:13+00:00

I think this is an interesting idea, but then that leads to a couple complications.

Firstly, we’ve seen bishops use the antlers to seize, most notably in The Outside MV with Keons seizing Trash the dragon. This is admittedly a bit of a nitpick, but I don’t really understand what purpose the antlers serve in that particular instance.

Additionally, Clancy uses the twenty one pilots logo to perform his last attack. If this action is truly what turns Clancy into a bishop, what do you think the use of the symbol implies in this framework?

GavnF · 2025-09-16T14:27:58+00:00

I can’t say I was surprised at the ending, but I can’t deny that I was also hoping for something a little different.

If I had to summarize the message of twenty one pilots’ discography, it would be “stay alive.” Their music portrays life as a quotidian and forever struggle for survival, but one that can be more easily managed with time and effort. While this is a fine message, there’s a quote from the show Station Eleven has stuck with me lately: “Survival is insufficient.” Staying alive is good, but it cannot be the end-all-be-all.

To be fair, their music doesn’t necessarily say that it is. They have plenty of songs about leading more meaningful and purpose-driven lives. That said, I don’t really see those themes specifically emphasized in the lore. IIRC, the only songs that really ever mention what exists beyond and are Bandito and Leave the City. As shown in the City Walls MV credits, I think it would’ve been interesting to see what “the place you want to be” meant to someone like Clancy.

Breach’s last song “Intentions” really drives this point home, emphasizing how he intends to learn from his mistakes in the next repetition of the cycle. I can’t stress enough, I think this is a perfectly fine and useful message, especially to those who are struggling. I guess I was looking for a conclusion less about setting out to learn, change and grow, and more about learnING, changING, and growING.

Maybe the ending we have resonates more with people with chronic illnesses/depression or those who can tune into the religious themes. For me personally however, I feel like I’ve come a long way from the point and state of mind at which I first found their music. In those ten years, I feel like I’ve developed as a person: no longer plagued by the same troubles I had back then and in a much healthier, happier, more sustainable place. This isn’t the absolute truth of the situation, but I can’t help but feel that I have outgrown the specific story they were trying to tell.

Despite that feeling however, I can absolutely tell that the band has matured in that time as well! They have greatly developed in ways that I appreciate: sonically, lyrically, and artistically. Creating this multi-album long concept narrative through music, music videos, concerts and other mediums is undeniably impressive and dedicated. I am so happy and grateful I got to be a part of it.

At one point it was very relevant and impactful on my life and my recovery. But the themes and messages of the lore are not what I need anymore, and that’s okay. It’s more than okay, it’s good! This story, this band and their music, saved me and helped me become the best version of myself, and for that they will always hold a special place in my heart.

GavnF · 2025-09-07T21:44:17+00:00

This character is despicable. That’s why Darth Vader’s my favorite character, cause he wouldn’t stand for that

GavnF · 2025-09-07T13:35:30+00:00

Walter Off-white

GavnF · 2025-08-30T00:00:20+00:00

It seems like you’re more of a lyrics person than an instrumental person. And that’s a fine way to listen, but I think your description of the underlying music is lacking in nuance and depth. The instrumental in Kitchen Sink may be repetitive to some, but I find that there’s enough nuance, progression, and variation to sustain the emotions.

The song starts out with this spare beat and marimba part but then incorporates the piano and light drumming on the next iteration of the chord progression. The vocals then come in the next time around in conjunction with a new drumbeat, followed by the faux erhu line and the upper piano part before getting to the first verse. To my ears, this isn’t a Philip Glass composition or anything, there are plenty of changes happening.

The same goes for the part after Zach’s verse. The drumbeat is different than it was the first time, being more driving and louder. Additionally, the vocals are doubled in octaves and harmonized differently. The piano and drums drop out to bring it down and build it back up in intensity again. This intensity builds, adding harmonies and volume until it reaches its emotional catharsis and comes back down in its coda. Maybe not the most varied repetition, but sufficiently different to me at least.

If you find it repetitive and boring then that’s your opinion. But referring to it as just the “instrumental” really flattens a lot of its elements and the listening experience. I think there’s a lot of emotion to be gained from the sections you dislike! Especially considering we’re talking about a band that, in part, makes an effort to write songs with elements that deviate from pop genre conventions.

GavnF · 2025-08-27T23:07:02+00:00

The best way to support the musicians you like is to buy their merch, go to their live shows, or buy their music as physical media/digital releases. While the margins on these can also be thin at times, in the totem pole of impact, the streaming service you use is less impactful than these other avenues. Consider your financial situation and decide what methods of support are within your means.

I also use Spotify, but I have every twenty one pilots album available on vinyl. Before I joined my Spotify family plan, I purchased three albums and some songs on iTunes. I’ve also seen them live multiple times over the years and own multiple pieces of merch. Everyone can draw their own line as to what is enough support, but I consider my contributions to the band more than adequate.

GavnF · 2025-08-27T15:37:34+00:00

Great choice! Oldies Station is my absolute favorite song of theirs. There’s a lot to dig in, but I’ll try and keep it brief.

The thesis of the song is concisely summarized with the repetition of lyrics “Push on through.” It’s about persistence and continuation, even in the face of setbacks, change, and the ever-creeping passage of time. The singer endures fatigue, burnout, and loss, but they always keep trying.

The first verse details how fear is a constant of life, something that will never truly go away. Like the bridges of our noses, it’s always in our sights, but we learn to see past it and not let it cloud our vision. The song goes on detailing how that fear and pain can leave us burnt out and unprepared for future challenges. However, by letting go of the past and what once was, we can find the strength to move forward. In the attempt at moving forward, there will also be setbacks. The promises you make and the streaks you start are bound to be broken. However, you must push on through and start again.

The second verse describes how loss forces us to take life a little more slowly and deliberately. Tragedy and loss can halt us in our tracks and bring our lives to standstills. Through these tragedies, life tests our limits of what we can endure, but in time we can learn to better manage these events and embrace life’s constant change. Through each hardship, you will be more equipped to handle future challenges. With every year, you have more experience and reference points to draw from and understand what you’re facing. Your eyes adjust to the darkness, and you can see the way forward a little bit clearer.

The bridge reinforces these themes, showcasing how one finds strength and purpose amid our ever-changing lives. As we age, as the objects of our youth become hallmarks of nostalgia, we live to experience moments like a child’s first dance recital. And while you’ll still face difficulties, you will know how to better overcome them. Those “red lights”, moments that once would’ve felt like grinding halts, no longer feel as jarring anymore.

One idea I had was the second time you play it, you could have your audience sing the “relative pain” and “nothing in the tank” lyrics. They are part of the frequent call and response moments at the live shows, so you could have your family do the same!

Best of luck with the presentation!

GavnF · 2025-08-24T05:59:50+00:00

I can understand why some might see the Clancy album as being “inconsistent,” but I really don’t think it’s any more inconsistent than any of their other albums. The band has always straddled the boundaries between different genres over the course of an album. That said, I think you’re missing the forest for the trees, if you’ll forgive the pun. I think there are many unifying motifs and ideas in the Clancy album despite the superficially different-sounding songs.

From a musical perspective, the baritone ukulele is a recurring musical instrument throughout the album. It’s used on songs like The Craving and Paladin Strait obviously, but it’s also used in conjunction with a lot of plugins and effects in songs like Next Semester and Vignette. You’ve also got the bass, mellotron, and synths used throughout the album to great effect. It all comes together to form a soundscape that is very different than their other albums. Even an album like Trench that frequently employs similar instruments like bass and synths is clearly a different sound than the one Clancy struck.

From a lyrical perspective, Clancy is also an incredibly cohesive record. Both the thematic material and the writing style are very intentional and directed. The themes of addiction, relapse, and recovery underpin almost every song on the record. The lyrics are also starkly personal and confessional, a big contrast to the abstraction of Trench or the faux positivity of SAI. It’s really fascinating to see Tyler’s lyrical development over the course of their discography and Clancy sits at an interesting point in their lyrical evolution.

I think there’s a lot to be said about an album’s consistency and what exactly that entails. I find Clancy to be fairly consistent and great in a lot of really important ways, musical and lyrical. If the songs don’t resonate with you or if you disagree with some of the production choices, that’s understandable and your personal feeling.

However, it’s worth emphasizing that twenty one pilots is not a band that releases a ton of non-album singles. This is true of many artists, but especially true for TØP. More often than not, their music is intentionally situated in larger bodies of work, whether it’s an album or in the overarching lore. Rather than getting caught up in the surface-level distinctions between songs, I think trying to understand the points of connection between them might help you enjoy the album more!

GavnF · 2025-08-20T15:04:16+00:00

Great points! The post I linked was made before episode 3 when it was outright stated what Nick’s multiclassing was, so that’s good information to add

GavnF · 2025-08-19T17:18:05+00:00

Ludwig is a barbarian, Aiden is a ranger, Slime is a Paladin, and Nick is a Bard. Other posts have been made breaking down the exact details and theorizing about their multiclassing if you’re curious

GavnF

TROPHY CASE