Peace Queer
| Peace Queer | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| EP by | ||||
| Released | 2008 | |||
| Label | Aimless[1] | |||
| Producer | Doug Lancio, Eric McConnell, Todd Snider | |||
| Todd Snider chronology | ||||
| ||||
Peace Queer is an EP by the American musician Todd Snider, released in 2008.[2][3] It was made available as a free download before it appeared in stores.[4] The Riverfront Times labeled the EP "a don't-let-the-door-hit-you adios" to George W. Bush.[5]
Snider supported Peace Queer with a North American tour.[6] He made a 43-minute movie as a companion piece.[7]
Production
[edit]Snider considered the EP to be a political record, with the caveat that one shouldn't take political advice from a "stoner."[8] Because the songs didn't fit in with Snider's typical songs, he considered simply throwing them away.[9] The album cover is a photo of a masked Snider being held hostage by a hippie.[10]
"Fortunate Son" is a cover of the John Fogerty song, with Patty Griffin providing backing vocals.[11][12] "Mission Accomplished (Because You Gotta Have Faith)" is built on the musical structure of George Michael's "Faith" and incorporates Will Rogers's most famous saying.[13][14] "Stuck on the Corner" is about a man driven insane by the materialism of his family.[15] "The Ballad of Cape Henry" was cowritten with Will Kimbrough.[16] "Is This Thing Working?" is an allegorical song about the victim of a high school bully.[17]
Critical reception
[edit]| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [18] |
| The Austin Chronicle | [13] |
| Boston Herald | C[19] |
| Robert Christgau |  [1] |
| Spin | 8/10[12] |
| The Sunday Times | [14] |
The New Yorker wrote that Snider's "brilliant brand of rambling, homespun comedy is in fine form on the title track."[20] The Independent deemed the EP "a gorgeously atmospheric experience, from its opening acoustic Bo Diddleyisms via its unaccompanied versifications to its blues."[21] The Dallas Observer stated that "Snider has always incorporated wit and a leftist political bent into his folk/country, but about half of Peace Queer comes off as heavy-handed and predictable."[22]
The Associated Press considered Peace Queer "more funny than angry but passionate, too."[23] The Boston Herald opined that the only worthy track was "Stuck on the Corner".[19] NPR determined that the tracks "are heavy on melody and metaphor, mixing politically and socially disgruntled themes while maintaining Snider's stinging wit."[24]
AllMusic called the EP "a short and bittersweet gem, a rant that's funny enough to make the venom sting all the more and a cry of protest with joy and compassion in its heart."[18]
Track listing
[edit]| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Mission Accomplished (Because You Gotta Have Faith)" | |
| 2. | "The Ballad of Cape Henry" | |
| 3. | "Fortunate Son" | |
| 4. | "Is This Thing Working?" | |
| 5. | "Stuck on the Corner (Prelude to a Heart Attack)" | |
| 6. | "Dividing the Estate (A Heart Attack)" | |
| 7. | "Ponce of the Flaming Peace Queer" | |
| 8. | "Is This Thing On?" |
References
[edit]- ^ a b "Robert Christgau: CG: Todd Snider". www.robertchristgau.com.
- ^ "Todd Snider Biography, Songs, & Albums". AllMusic.
- ^ Corcoran, Michael (2 Oct 2008). "7 Nights". Austin American-Statesman. p. T15.
- ^ Grobaty, Tim (22 Sep 2008). "Free Snider". News. Press-Telegram.
- ^ Kasten, Roy (January 21, 2009). "Todd Snider". Critics' Picks. Riverfront Times.
- ^ Thompson, Bill (21 Nov 2008). "Snider would rather play music, not politics". The Cincinnati Enquirer. p. E10.
- ^ Meinert, Kendra (12 Feb 2009). "Next up is quirky singer/songwriter Todd Snider...". Green Bay Press-Gazette. p. W4.
- ^ Locke, Greg. "NUVO Interview: Todd Snider". NUVO.
- ^ Burger, David (19 Feb 2009). "Move over Archuleta, here come Bird and Snider". The Salt Lake Tribune.
- ^ Conway, Tom (1 Aug 2008). "Snider butts heads for peace on new CD". South Bend Tribune. p. D3.
- ^ Smith, William Michael. "Todd Snider: Peace Queer". Houston Press.
- ^ a b Wood, Mikael. "Todd Snider, 'Peace Queer'". Spin. Retrieved 22 October 2022.
- ^ a b "Todd Snider: Peace Queer Album Review". www.austinchronicle.com.
- ^ a b Edwards, Mark (January 11, 2009). "Rock, pop, jazz". Features. The Sunday Times. pp. 32, 33.
- ^ Harrison, Shane; Murray, Sonia (29 Sep 2008). "Hard Tunes for Hard Times: Music for a Modern Meltdown". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. p. C1.
- ^ "Spin Factor". Lifestyles. The City Paper. November 7, 2008.
- ^ "For Todd Snider, the a song is a portrait, not a lesson or lecture". The Kansas City Star. January 22, 2009. p. E28.
- ^ a b "Todd Snider - Peace Queer Album Reviews, Songs & More | AllMusic" – via www.allmusic.com.
- ^ a b Convey, Kevin R. (October 24, 2008). "Discs". Boston Herald. p. E7.
- ^ Greenman, Ben (Sep 1, 2008). "Pop Notes". The New Yorker. 84 (26): 36.
- ^ Coleman, Nick (21 Dec 2008). "Todd Snider Peace Queer". Arts. The Independent. p. 52.
- ^ Smyers, Darryl (December 25, 2008). "Todd Snider". Critics' Picks. Dallas Observer.
- ^ Wine, Steven (October 19, 2008). "CD Reviews". The Press of Atlantic City. Associated Press. p. E3.
- ^ "Todd Snider On Mountain Stage". NPR. December 9, 2008.
