Patterns in Traffic's Recent Activity

Patterns in Traffic replied to the thread My Life In 35 Songs, Track 29: “Carry Me Home” by The Alternate Routes.

Yeah, 2014 or 2015. I remember crowdfunding that album and not being crazy about it initially. During the pandemic, I came across some YouTube livestream concerts the band did and it really reignited my love for them. I ended up revisiting Nothing More and becoming very fond of it.

Patterns in Traffic liked Craig Manning's post in the thread My Life In 35 Songs, Track 29: “Carry Me Home” by The Alternate Routes.

Oh man, I'm glad to hear they're making another album. The last one was, what, 2014?

Patterns in Traffic liked Craig Manning's post in the thread My Life In 35 Songs, Track 27: “Speed Trap Town” by Jason Isbell.

I don't think there's anything on the record but his voice and an acoustic guitar, and it's a bloodletting affair, similar to that City & Colour album. Some fans balked at it, especially those who are drawn in large part by how good his band is, but the emo kid in me loved it. Let me know when that album is coming; would love to listen!

Patterns in Traffic liked Craig Manning's post in the thread My Life In 35 Songs, Track 28: “Dibs” by Kelsea Ballerini.

Rolling Up the Welcome Mat is only 16 minutes long, but it's somehow still the most complete breakup album I've heard this decade. The one and only time I ranked an EP as my album of the year. I highly recommend it if you liked Patterns.

Patterns in Traffic liked satellitexyears's post in the thread Vinyl Thread.

Holy crap its happening!!!!!!! Please remind me. I may forget haha

Patterns in Traffic replied to the thread My Life In 35 Songs, Track 29: “Carry Me Home” by The Alternate Routes.

We made it! Worth the wait. "Time Is a Runaway" was also my introduction to the band. I was a DJ on my college radio station for a year and I'm pretty sure this is the first song I ever played. "Time" got such a good reception during that first hour that I ended up closing the show with "Ordinary." The band mentioned a new album coming a while back, either late last year or early this year. I'm surprised it hasn't been announced yet. Hopefully it's coming soon!

Patterns in Traffic liked Jason Tate's post in the thread My Life In 35 Songs, Track 29: “Carry Me Home” by The Alternate Routes.

Loved this one. Really connected with me. Especially as someone that last year moved 8 minutes away from my childhood home and have been spending the last 12 months rediscovering it in so many ways -- the place I thought I'd never return to -- again. It's a weird feeling. I've still not quite worked through how I feel about it. Haven't heard this song, but will add it to my playlist.

Patterns in Traffic liked Craig Manning's post in the thread My Life In 35 Songs, Track 29: “Carry Me Home” by The Alternate Routes.

"Ordinary" was the one that hooked me from that first album. Wish they'd make a new album, instead of just releasing singles every so often.

Patterns in Traffic liked Penlab's post in the thread My Life In 35 Songs, Track 29: “Carry Me Home” by The Alternate Routes.

Dug this band ever since I heard Time Is A Runaway when I worked in retail. Glad to see them talked about.

Patterns in Traffic liked Craig Manning's post in the thread My Life In 35 Songs, Track 29: “Carry Me Home” by The Alternate Routes.

This one probably won't get a ton of clicks, because I don't think most people on this site know this band, but it's absolutely one of my favorite essays of the series.

Patterns in Traffic liked Craig Manning's post in the thread My Life In 35 Songs, Track 29: “Carry Me Home” by The Alternate Routes.

@Patterns in Traffic, as promised, here's the Alternate Routes song.

Patterns in Traffic replied to the thread Vinyl Thread.

Awesome! I snagged a copy years ago, and it was pretty expensive to get one then. Glad more people will be able to get their hands on this.

Patterns in Traffic liked smowashere's post in the thread Vinyl Thread.

Phantom Planet’s Raise the Dead! (my fave of theirs) Phantom Planet

Patterns in Traffic replied to the thread My Life In 35 Songs, Track 27: “Speed Trap Town” by Jason Isbell.

I've been meaning to check out the new one. I heard that it's mostly acoustic, but the City and Colour comparison isn't one I would have expected. I'll have to give that one a listen! Time consuming is accurate haha. The album I'm working on was fully recorded in 2023 with the exception of some harmonies, ancillary touches, and mixing, and it's still not finished. Looking forward to rediscovering some of my other hobbies when it's finally out.

Patterns in Traffic liked Craig Manning's post in the thread My Life In 35 Songs, Track 27: “Speed Trap Town” by Jason Isbell.

Southeastern is my favorite of his, but I'm wondering if you might like his newest one, Foxes in the Snow. It's basically a 2000s acoustic emo album, lol. It reminds me more of City & Colour's Sometimes than it does any prior Isbell album, or even anything in the country/Americana world. And thanks for saying that about my albums. I really would love to get back to writing and recording one of these days, but man, that's a time-consuming process. I have made a few friends over the years who are professional producers and mixers, though, so I could probably enlist those guys for some help.

Patterns in Traffic replied to the thread My Life In 35 Songs, Track 28: “Dibs” by Kelsea Ballerini.

Really loved Patterns, but that's still the only album of hers I've heard. I should remedy that. Kudos for writing about both sides of an often complicated genre. This piece did a great job capturing your mixed feelings and how they changed with the political climate.

Patterns in Traffic liked Craig Manning's post in the thread Yellowcard – Better Days.

Another thing that I've realized while writing this weekly series is that the music you used to love (not just new albums from those bands, but the actual songs and albums themselves) can really continue to grow and change with you over time. The last song in the series is almost 20 years old, but something happened last year that completely reframed the way I heard it and what it meant to me. I think an experience like that flies in the face of nostalgia culture, or the idea that things we loved when we were kids or teens only have value because they remind us of who we used to be. And then, if you follow that line, it's easy to see the value of continuing to follow those bands over time and seeing where they go. It's one of the reasons why I'm always a little bummed when I see a band like Jimmy Eat World or Dashboard Confessional and they play almost exclusively old songs. I LOVE those songs, but I want the new stuff, too. I wish that feeling was more common. It's cool you say that about the "breakup songs and summer anthems" line, because that was definitely one of the parts of this that gave me chills. Felt like a key point, and I'm glad to know it was!

Patterns in Traffic replied to the thread My Life In 35 Songs, Track 27: “Speed Trap Town” by Jason Isbell.

Catching up on the last few weeks. This one is beautifully written, maybe my favorite entry even though I don't have a very personal connection to Isbell's music. I've listened to Weathervanes a few times and enjoyed it. "Death Wish" and "Cast Iron Skillet" are captivating. Really need to take the time to dive into his catalog. No doubt there is a ton of richness there to be discovered. Also want to say I'm one of the 100 that listened to your albums, and genuinely enjoyed your songwriting. Impossible not to appreciate what a momentous accomplishment it is to write, create, and release your own album. If you ever do decide to record more songs, I'll be listening!

Patterns in Traffic liked Jason Tate's post in the thread My Life In 35 Songs, Track 27: “Speed Trap Town” by Jason Isbell.

One of these days Isbell is going to totally connect with me. It’s like 60% of the way there. another great entry btw

Patterns in Traffic liked Craig Manning's post in the thread My Life In 35 Songs, Track 27: “Speed Trap Town” by Jason Isbell.

Ha, thanks Adam, I appreciate that! I am toying with another series concept for next year. Less personal, but still fun.

Patterns in Traffic liked paythetab's post in the thread My Life In 35 Songs, Track 27: “Speed Trap Town” by Jason Isbell.

Do you plan to have a lot more birthdays, Craig? I want this writing series to last forever...It's that good!

Patterns in Traffic liked Craig Manning's post in the thread Yellowcard – Better Days.

Man, @Jason Tate, I just loved this. Found myself nodding my head along with the entire second half. I get so bummed that such a huge amount of music discourse is focused on finding and chasing the new, young thing. It was something I couldn't quite verbalize 10-15 years ago, when I was in the thick of my most prolific music writing days and constantly annoyed by Pitchfork reviews and end-of-the-year lists. I felt like all the conventional wisdom said that a band or artist couldn't be still be vital after maybe their fifth or sixth album. "They have nothing to say," I read, so many times, about artists reaching middle age. "They're past their prime" was the refrain about artists reaching their twilight years. Way more often than not, I disagreed, vehemently. I love the unbridled hunger and passion of youthful albums too; there's something about that time of your life, and all the self-discovery that happens then, that just makes for great music. But especially as I get older, I'm finding more value in hearing from the songwriters and bands that have lived a little more life and picked up a few more scars. And I'm glad our scene has so many bands who are coming back from lengthy breaks to realize that, yes, actually, they do have something to say. Writing my end-of-the-year list in 2023, I felt so lucky to be writing about new albums from bands I never thought I'd hear from again, like The Gaslight Anthem or Marvelous 3. Looks like I'll be writing something similar this year.

Patterns in Traffic liked Jason Tate's post in the thread Yellowcard – Better Days.

Thank you! Appreciate that! May be like four of us still writing while everyone else talks into YouTube but I'm ok with it. I still find it fulfilling. I still like having the written word and the posterity. It makes me happy.

Patterns in Traffic replied to the thread Vinyl Thread.

Hell yeah! Didn't think we'd see the day

Patterns in Traffic liked paythetab's post in the thread Vinyl Thread.

OMG! [MEDIA]

Patterns in Traffic liked irthesteve's post in the thread Album Maisie Peters - The Good Witch (June 23, 2023).

[MEDIA]

Patterns in Traffic replied to the thread The Format - Boycott Heaven (January 23, 2026).

Seconded

Patterns in Traffic liked ComedownMachine's post in the thread The Format - Boycott Heaven (January 23, 2026).

Dog Problems Some Nights I&L Grand Romantic A&I

Patterns in Traffic liked Yourbiggestflan's post in the thread The Chorus.fm Music League Thread.

looking forward to seeing the submissions this round

Patterns in Traffic liked DPG124's post in the thread The Chorus.fm Music League Thread.

I currently have an entire playlist of choices for the next round - decisions, decisions....

Patterns in Traffic liked Elder Lightning's post in the thread The Chorus.fm Music League Thread.

Patterns in Traffic liked irthesteve's post in the thread The Chorus.fm Music League Thread.

@Elder Lightning how unique of you