Todd Snider
That Was Me 1994 – 1998
(Hip-o)
Snider is a Nashville smartass and charmer whose early work is due for a re-airing. This set picks the cream from the first three of his seven albums and will be a delight to recent converts. Comparisons to John Prine and Jerry Jeff Walker are apt, for both have called him a tough act to follow. Opener “Alright Guy” is an instant grabber about keeping your chin up in this judgmental age, graced by some impeccable playing. Snider manages to parody Dylan and take the piss out of “alternative” on “Talking Seattle Grunge Rock Blues.” More troubled numbers like “Horseshoe Lake” are less of a revelation, but still worthy for strong melody and performance. That Was Me serves as an alert to an unjustly obscure artist who may be just getting started.
—Doug Taylor
This article appears in Dec 6-12, 2007.
