Customer Reviews

Peace Love & Anarchy

5 star:		(6)
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Todd Snider's PEACE, LOVE AND ANARCHY is a collection of "rarities, b-sides, and demos" (Volume 1). Don't let that fool you...the songs you'll find in here could all have been put on Snider albums (hell, "Nashville" was, and others have been recorded by other artists). These are the kind of songs that just sit around and linger, until they get a record of their own; the result is a cohesive album that doesn't feel pieced together in the least bit.

A sarcastic version of "Nashville" (much more sarcastic than the version that appeared on EAST NASHVILLE SKYLINE) kicks off the album, which ends with the rockin' "Cheatham Street Warehouse." In between you'll find a whole slough of material that features Snider at his storytelling best. There are humorous pieces of course ("Combover Blues"), rockin' pieces ("Barbie Doll"), sad pieces ("Missing You"), thoughtful pieces ("East Nashville Skyline")...hell, there's even a haiku. The spoken-word "From a Rooftop" is a pure delight as well; not to mention the exquisite gospel number "I Will Not Go Hungry" and the Billy Joe Shaver co-write "Deja Blues." Let's face it--there's not a bad song on here. But that's Todd Snider for you.

The fact that most of these songs appear to have come from the EAST NASHVILLE SKYLINE project probably helps with the cohesion; not that this is a bad thing, because that album was arguably one of Snider's best. Really, none of the tracks stands out from the other, which is the way you want it to be. This is simply another great album in a long line of great albums from the incomparable Todd Snider. Let's hope there's a Volume 2 somewhere down the line.

Another great album by Todd Snider--and not the typical outtakes/B sides junk that other people might put on an album like this. Every song is excellent, and there are 2-3 songs here that rank among the best Snider has ever recorded.

Normally when a package of this type of music comes together, it's usually when: A] an artist is deceased/dead, B] the record company is trying to milk the artist from an old record contract of product still owed or C] there isn't really anything for the artist to say anymore.

Thankfully, none of those are the case here. In fact, what Todd Snider says and sings here is simply, well, simple yet memorable. Not just the solor material, but the songs with help from Peter Holsapple [dbs], Jack "selling out" Ingram [okay, that wasn't nice], Keith Christopher [The Yayhoos], Craig Wright [Steve Earle], Tommy Womack [duh!]and more.

If this is Todd just dusting off his slew of one-takes and mishaps, then I want more. My favorite Todd Snider yet.

None of the Snider's recordings that I own have lyrics printed in the album. They are not needed. Just a man singing his poetry. That is enough.

Todd Snider is one of my favorite artists. He is so funny and his music is excellent.

Todd Snider is one of America's greatest song writers. His sharp wit, knack for storytelling, heart felt lyrics, and lovable persona make him and his music irresistible. He's one of the few artist that cant make new albums fast enough.

Thank God for Todd Snider -