Criteria - "Prevent the World" (2005)

The story of Criteria is quite uncommon as far as rock bands go. Lead singer/guitarist Steve Pederson began playing music as a teenager and even had a hand in forming noted indie band Cursive. After some time with that band, Pederson decided to get his law degree. After graduating from Duke University he came back to his hometown of Omaha, NE and while living in a friend's basement, started writing songs that would eventually become Criteria’s debut En Garde. The release didn’t do much outside of Omaha so Pederson took a job as a lawyer while still continuing to write songs in his free time. Criteria signed a deal with Omaha based Saddle Creek Records who re-released En Garde in 2005. Later that year came When We Break, Criteria’s second record full of anthemic rock songs. Pederson and co. are at their best on today’s song “Prevent the World,” which tells the story of the struggle between Pederson’s day job and his overwhelming desire to write music and tour in a band. I think this is a great song for people who are dissatisfied with their 9 to 5s and just want to do something that they enjoy. Plus, you know a band is cool when they can use the phrase “stilted social norms” in a song and not sound pretentious.

Criteria - "Prevent the World"