Customer Reviews

Step Right Up

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

of his classic debut CD, "Songs From The Daily Planet." The outstanding numbers here are "Tension" and "Horseshoe Lake" and there are a few other pretty good ones, but his recent three releases on the "Oh Boy" label are more successful overall than "Step Right Up" was. If there are any Snider "completist" collectors out there, and I know there must be, I'd get this one just ahead of "Viva Satellite" which I rank as his least interesting CD, although some disagree about that. One thing in favor of "Step Right Up" is that it does feature The Nervous Wrecks, his original band, who got left out when Todd lost his MCA deal following "Viva Satellite."

This CD is a very good example of just how good songs can be made mediocre by bad studio work. Having heard all of these songs in a live setting, I know just how good they can be. "Late Last Night" and "Side Show Blues" straight up rock. The simultaneously driving and haunting "Hey Hey" and "Moon Dawg's Tavern" are remarkable. And "Better Than Ever Blues Part 2" is the sort of song that you want to listen to during a good night of soul-searching while you are suffering through the rough times. So why three stars? I'm glad you asked.

Snider seems to be a pretty lazy musician in the studio. His arrangements are not that great and and his singing, to be quite frank, sounds like somebody who is just going through the motions. Most the songs on this album are decent, but they could have been fantastic. Instead, this album throws enticing shadows that flit away just when you think they are resolving into something you really want to see clearly. Overall, it is a good effort. But it should have been so much more.

Snider's sophomore release is another nice mix of singer songwriter roots rock / country. I don't think it is quite as good as his debut, but it definitely has it's moments. The album rocks a little harder than the first one although there is plenty of acoustic material as well. This would be the last album he would record for Jimmy Buffett's Margaretville label and also the last with his original backing band The Nervous Wrecks. Good songs on this one include "Elmo And Henry", "Moon Dawg's Tavern", "Horseshoe Lake" and others. This is another good Snider disc and worth picking up for fans.

I have warn out all of Todd's CD's. If you like to roll down your windows and sing outloud- give this guy a try.Also one of the best live acts on the road today!

Heyla! I first heart Todd Snider as an opening act for a John Prine concert, and he was fantastic! No light show, just Todd and his instruments (he plays more than one, naturally) Later I found that John's encore song ("Double-wide Blues") was written by Todd Snyder, and already on, a Todd Snider CD. Todd Snider has an enormous following, although most people do not know it is his work behind the songs others sing. Much like John Prine himself, he is an unsung (no pun intended!) talent.
I recently over-heard my daughter singing a song of his ("B Double-r Double-E run, beerrun!") and was very amused when she was shocked to find that her cutting edge music was already known to her old Mum, her husband was just as surprised, as these songs are now circulating around world-wide military bases.
I can highly recommend all of his albums, as once you hear one a few times, they grow on you ... his insights, and often rather dark humor can be more deeply appreciated by anyone aged 25 - 55, although he has appeal to all ages, as his wit crosses generations.
I am honored to write this, this is amazing music! Songs that you find yourself humming hours later. Country/rock/pop crossover music, a little for everyone. basically, it's all good. Please see his other albums, give a listen, and don't judge a CD by it's cover; he is far better than his covers would lead you to believe.

if you're a Todd fan and you don't have this, then you're not a complete Todd fan yet.

but I'm baffled by this CD. The first track listed is "Elmo and Henry", but track 1 is just some short, faint instrumental. The lyrics to "Elmo and Henry" are in the CD liner, but no such song on the CD. Also, the liner contains lyrics to two songs titled "Dance, Dance, Dance" and "Promises to Keep", but again, no such songs on the CD. What is on the CD are some pretty cool songs by a talented wordsmith and musician. I highly recommend it! Just can't make sense of what's in the liner and what is and isn't on the actual CD.

Ever since I first saw Todd Snider at the Ranch Bowl in Omaha, NE back in 1999, I have been a huge fan. I was lucky enough to actually meet and hang out with Todd and all the Wrecks...what wonderful and talented guys. I love Todd's style of writing and the heartfelt lyrics are just brilliant. Everyone I turn on to Todd just raves. This CD happens to be my personal fave...along with Viva Satellite and Songs for the Daily Planet. At least one of his CDs is always in my CD player and always will be.

While not as humorous or as country-influenced as Songs for the Daily Planet, Snider lays mdown some great tracks on this record. The superb Hey Hey and Try to Keep it Down are some serious musical gems. This album is a little less, um, rough than Snider's third album, Viva Satelite, opting for a mellower, softer approack than either of the other records. While I think it is not quite up to par with the astounding Songs for... it still easily deserves 5 stars.

I Can't believe nobody has reviewed this yet! This record is great! Read teh reviews for his first CD to learn more, Songs for the daily planet.