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ROOTS: The Excitement PlanContinental City Records****

“I’m as broke as the 10 Commandments.” You have to love east Nashville renegade Todd Snider – he really doesn’t give you a choice. Master of the hilarious simile, this criminally unsung singer-songwriter with a wicked grasp of the sublime and the ridiculous takes time out for the down-and-outs on his latest collection. Joined by an A-list of players (Greg Leisz, Jim Keltner, Don Was) and featuring country legend Loretta Lynn on the wonderfully rakish Don’t Tempt Me, Snider reinforces his reputation for “peace, love and anarchy”. The 12 tracks lean toward his lighter, bluesier side, with echoes of Randy Newman. Songs such as the droll closing pair of Money, Compliments, Publicity (Song Number Ten)and Good Fortuneleave the listener with a grin a mile wide. And this is par for his course. After The Excitement Plan, check out Snider’s back catalogue – newbies are in for a treat. www.toddsnider.net