SoCC’s Favorite Fall Albums

It is fall at Colorado College!

A little background on the word Fall, as the term has shifted to reflect and be defined by cultural realities throughout history: Around the year 950, the word for this time of transition was hærfest, meaning the time between August and November. The word hærfest is traced pre-950 to the Proto-Germanic word “harbitas” and the Proto-Indo-European root “kerp-” meaning “to gather, pluck, or harvest”. In the mid-13th century, this word shifted from referring to the season to the time of gathering crops. Soon after, the Latin word autumnus became the main term used for the season. In the 16th century, people identified a key characteristic of this time and began calling it “the fall of leaves” which quickly got shortened to fall.

The proud Anglo-Saxons defined fall as the time period when their blood, sweat, and tears went into the harvesting of plants for the upcoming winter season. In 13th-century England, the season was separated from the act of gathering food, as the country experienced mass famine and plague. During the 16th century, the term used to refer to this time came to reflect the flourishing literature of the English Renaissance, identifying the poetic beauty in the falling of leaves. Now, as we reach the 21st century, the Socc’s define their fall by listening to Adrienne Lenker, Earl Sweatshirt, Elliott Smith, Title Fight, Maroon 5, and so many more! From the groundwork of keeping your family warm during the winter to super baller tunes, fall holds different meanings throughout time, and we want to share how we understand it best… through music!!!!

Instrumentals – Adrienne Lenker

Loving indigo under wind chimes and sunlight.
– Chloe

Boat Songs – MJ Lenderman

Michael Jordan Lenderman tickles your ears with this Indy rock/country album straight out of Appalachia. His third solo album, released in 2022, is full of quintessential tunes during this time of change.
– Maisie

Cafe Tom Tom – Cities Aviv

Wake up to my very last alarm set, “Fuck” by Cities Aviv off the album Cafe Tom Tom.

Walk to class to Disks Under Antwerp by Cities Aviv off the album Cafe Tom Tom.

Head back home to make lunch to “NY Occasion” by Cities Aviv off the album Cafe Tom Tom.

Make lunch to “Blown On A Rooftop” by Cities Aviv off the album Cafe Tom Tom.

Head to a meeting or what have you to “Nineteen” by Cities Aviv off the album Cafe Tom Tom.

Begin homework to “Vernacular Drawings” by Cities Aviv off the album Cafe Tom Tom.

Veg to “The Afters” by Cities Aviv off the album Cafe Tom Tom.

Wind down to “Pool of Ash.” by Cities Aviv off the album Cafe Tom Tom.

Repeat often.
– Issa

Poets of the Fall – Twilight of the Theater

Because it is Fall
– Zach from Campus Activities

Original Pirate Material – The Streets

I’m not at liberty to understand or talk about this album in the context of when it came out, but I will say that it has a long legacy in my family and is possibly the reason I exist. Just some fun hip hop music by some white British guy in his basement with some really creative production and some surprisingly relevant observations (i.e. The Irony of it All). Give it a listen, you’ll have a lot of fun
– Rowan

Thank You For Almost Everything – Headache

Headache speaks again. This is a day changing record, feel it much in your head, and chest. It’s a beautiful time here, your head might hurt but your heart knows the truth!!!
– Sadie

Live – The Heavy Heavy

What an outstanding compilation of concert and studio recordings. This album starts off strong with a driving instrumental (and unreleased) track, and is followed by fan-favorite Go Down River, a Texas Sun cover, and other originals and covers. These include strong harmonies from the leading folk rock duo in addition to gospel inspirations from vocalist guests. Some of the later songs feature extended versions where lead guitarist Frank Frogden shreds on eclectic solos reminiscent of Lindsey Buckingham. The band brings a synthesized approach to highly syncopated motifs that support the listener anywhere from the quad to on the road. Stay groovy, all!
– Julia

From Under the Cork Tree – Fall out Boy

get it…because fall… out boy. In all seriousness, what is more fall than ‘Sugar We’re Going Down’ under a tree turning orange? The album turned 20 this year, and it’s held up perfectly. Personally not my favorite album of theirs, but you cannot deny its influence in the pop punk scene. I feel like every time the days start to get shorter I slide headfirst back into my lifelong FOB addiction, and returning to this album this fall has been especially impactful. I don’t finally feel “grown up”, but that’s what I’ve been attempting to be, and man that’s really the vibe of this album. I’d give some of my favorite songs, but they are all 4 billion words long and any acronyms just look like keyboard smashes. The way it should be.
– Rusty

Some Rap Songs – Earl Sweatshirt

This album embodies so many important aspects of good fall. For me, good fall is wearing comfortable clothing, staying inside with people I love, and good food. This album is almost soothing, but the lyrics do take me out of that reality, forcing me to reflect on things i’ve been putting off in my head. the outro song, “riot!”, has a warmth that i haven’t found anywhere else, and makes me feel like its gonna be ok, despite the complicated emotions on display.
– Hugo

When the Kite String Pops – Acid Bath

please ignore the cover this album is so fire
– Zoe

Either/Or – Elliott Smith

I listened to way too much Elliott Smith on a roadtrip across the country two falls ago. But Either/Or is really the only thing that you can listen to after waking up in a different Walmart parking lot everyday on your way to San Francisco.
– Bradley

Shed – Title Fight

I listened to this album for the first time last fall, and I genuinely feel like it’s one of the best albums ever. “Safe In Your Skin” and “GMT (Greenwich Mean Time)” will always be perfect fall songs to me.
– Avery