Search - Todd Snider :: The Excitement Plan

Another classic from an American original

Only on here to review Todd | Philadelphia, PA | 06/10/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Todd Snider draws inspiration from all over the musical map, from tough-guy outlaws like Billy Joe Shaver to wise guy satirists like Randy Newman and John Prine. But Todd's not an imitator of those geniuses - he's a peer. The Excitement Plan showcases one of America's greatest songwriters at the top of his game. This guy can deliver a line so poignant and honest it hurts - and then counter with a punch line that makes you laugh out loud. That alone makes him a rare talent - and he's even better live. Viva Todd Snider!"

Maybe Todd's best "solo" CD

K. Bortz | Delmont, PA USA | 06/11/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"When I heard that Todd Snider's "The Excitement Plan" featured a song about Dock Ellis, former Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher, throwing a no-hitter while tripped out on LSD, I thought "why hasn't this been sung about before?" And leave it to Todd Snider to make the song both historical and hysterical. This CD, like all of Todd's, is full of story songs about down on their luck, regular everyday people either trying to make the best with what they have or rationializing their situations. The lyrics and song themes are outstanding, and "Corpus Christi Bay", a cover of a Robert Earl Keen song, comes off as a vintage Snider song.



What about the sound of the CD? Well, Don Was produced and played upright bass, but don't expect an album that sounds like Was (Not Was) or the B-52s. If anything, this is the most country-sounding album Todd has done, due likely to the presence of Greg Leisz on dobro and pedal steel guitar (Leisz has played with Sheryl Crow, Robert Plant/Alison Kraus, Wilco....) But it's a good, raw, folk-and-booze inflected country, not pop/rock country like is common here in 2009, doubly effective with Todd's not-always-on-pitch vocals. One or two songs even sound a little like Randy Newman. Oh, and Loretta Lynn co-wrote a duet song and Jim Keltner plays drums (Keltner played drums for John Lennon, Joe Cocker, Steve Miller, Bill Withers, Bonnie Raitt, Bob Dylan, Neil Diamond....)



So great lyrics and concepts, a tight band, and an overall great sound. Perhaps his best CD since the demise of "Todd Snider and the Nervous Wrecks.""

Another Classic From The Barefooted Hippie

K. Palmer | Illinois | 06/17/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Todd Snider has come up with another great CD with "The Excitement Plan". There aren't very many up-tempo tunes on this CD as there were with the last full-length CD ("The Devil You Know"), but the wit is sharper than ever. Personal favorites are "Greencastle Blues" (written after he was arrested for pot possession in Greencastle, Indiana last year), "Corpus Christi Bay" (not one he wrote, but well-covered) and "Money, Compliments and Publicity" (his method of taking care of all of his friends when he gets enough money is classic). There's a lot of piano on this CD than I hear on other Snider CDs, but I think that's a nice change. I also get a kick out of his collaboration with Loretta Lynn on "Don't Tempt Me".



I've done reviews of many of Todd's other CDs and I always say, get the CD, but if he comes near your town, get to one of his live shows. You WILL have a great time!"