Search - Todd Snider :: Step Right Up

Todd's second effort fell a little short...

William E. Adams | Midland, Texas USA | 06/10/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"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.""

What could have been.

Alexander C. Meske | Columbus, OH | 04/30/2003

(3 out of 5 stars)

"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."

Opening act for John Prine

Mary Gollihugh | On the Lake Erie Shoreline, PA | 12/20/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"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."