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Chris
von Sneidern
Headful of Words: The Best of CvS, Volume 1
Innerstate
http://www.innerstate.com/
Hmmmmm….what to call this brief, yet heartfelt,
rumination? An Appreciation of Chris von Sneidern? Nah, too formal. How
Do I Love CvS…Let Me Count the Ways? No, no…too prissy. The Godlike
Genius of Mr. Chris von Sneidern? Nope, don't think that one'll fly.
OK….howzabout eschewing the titular quest (sounds
dirty, doesn't it?) and just getting on with the business at hand. First
off, if you decide to take the plunge and purchase this CD, it's sure to
become one of the crown jewels of your CD collection. Why, you ask? Well,
if little things like achingly beautiful and haunting melodies, sweet,
soulful vocals and a heart-tugging ambience float your musical boat, then
climb aboard, Gilligan, 'cause you're in for the ride of your life here.
Chris von Sneidern -- and I say this without
prejudice, arm-twisting or any sort of payola (dammit) -- is a Pop Genius.
Not a pop genius -- a Pop Genius. He writes tunes that bear his
unmistakable stamp, the type that'll transport you to places that only the
most special popsongs take the listener, not unlike Badfinger's Pete Ham
during his finest hour and a half. Not many can do it these days, but CvS
can, did and continues to do so.
His first four solo LP's -- Sight & Sound, Big
White Lies, Go! and Wood and Wire -- are each overflowing
with some of the finest tunes written in the last decade, and that ain't no
record company hyperbole. I'm sure that choosing the best of the best of
these discs for this comp must have been hell for Mr. CvS (matter of fact,
I know it was, because he changed the track list about 381 times), but
truth be told, he could have put on most anything from these four records
without fear of suckage.
From the Rubber Soul vibe of
"Annalisa" to the wistful sadness that permeates
"Doctor," from "Don't Worry Now" and its lilting
Bacharach moves to the percolating percussion and shiny, happy harmonies
that propel "Big White Lies," from the pretty acoustic waltz
"One Side in Heaven" to the sprightly
folk-pop-with-Beatles-quotes of "North Country Girl," this is a
collection to savor and treasure. Pick your own favorites, won't you?
I can honestly say that Chris von Sneidern's music has
changed my life and….hey! There's a cool title! Chris von Sneidern
Changed My Life. Nah….
-John M. Borack
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