Search - Todd Snider :: Happy to Be Here

Happy to Be Here

04/18/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Another album from Todd Snider chocked full of lyrical insights into a world out of control, "Happy To Be Here" stands apart from the pablum typically played on turn of the millenium formatted radio, and is all the better for it. This is not to say the album lacks for hooks or wit, in fact it is replete with both. But even as Snider continues to evolve as a musician, songwriter, and performer, he unmistakeably pays homage to his musical roots on this latest album, and those roots decidedly do not include flavor of the month pop and new country trends. Todd Snider is a brilliant and engaging performer and always leaves his audiences exihlarated and breathless. As a songwriter he is peerless. That he remains largely "undiscovered" by the record buying public says much more about the record buying public, and what is played today on the radio, than it says about the artist Todd Snider. Buy this CD. If you don't have Todd's other albums, get them one at a time, starting with the first, "Songs for the Daily Planet", move to his sophomore effort "Step Right Up" and then to the Chuck Berry dedicated--Memphis recorded--scorcher, Viva Satellite". I predict you'll be feeling better with every song you hear."

Get "Happy" with Snider

Brian D. Rubendall | Oakton, VA | 01/15/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

""Happy to Be Here," is another strong collection of tunes from singer-songwriter Todd Snider. Snider firmly straddles the line between rock and country, though he seems to be moving more in the latter direction as his career progresses. He's also toned down his smart aleky sense of humor a bit, though that's not necessarily a good thing. Snider's sound and style varies from song to song on this album. Typically for Snider, his political/topical songs ("Betty was Black," the title track) tend to be the weakest. He's at his best when his observations are more personal, like on the ballads "Lonely Girl," and "Missing You," and the peppier numbers "Keep off the Grass" and "What's Wrong With You." At its best Snider's music at often recalls a young John Prine.Overall, a solid album from an excellent singer-songwriter."

Pure Snider

Alexander C. Meske | Columbus, OH | 10/30/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I can't describe how disappointed I was when I found out that Todd Snider broke up the Nervous Wrecks. Easily the best live show I have ever seen, it was an irreparable loss to anybody who had seen them. However, Snider went back into the studio to record "Happy to Be Here". And, on this album, he really comes into his own. And he finally starts making good on the promise that can be heard on "Songs From the Daily Planet".With the decision to record just Todd and his guitar first, then add instrumentation later, the arrangements are the best I've heard on any of his albums. The Dixieland tinged "Ballad of the Devil's Backbone Tavern", the bluesy "Forty Five Miles", the stripped-down, deadpan humor of "Just In Case", and the rollicking fun of "Keep Off the Grass" are all tributes to Snider's flexibility. Unlike some of his earlier albums, Snider sounds like he is having fun here. Trying to pick out a favorite song is almost impossible, as almost every song is an absolute gem. If you want to know what is worth listening to, check the song list. It's all worth it.This album is a good place to begin any Todd Snider collection. The only other album I can recommend for that distinction might be "Songs From the Daily Planet"."