Peace Queer
2008 EP by Todd Snider
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Peace Queer is an EP by the American musician Todd Snider, released on August 19, 2008.[2][3][4] It was made available as a free download before it appeared in stores.[5] The Riverfront Times labeled the EP "a don't-let-the-door-hit-you adios" to George W. Bush.[6]
| Peace Queer | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| EP by | ||||
| Released | August 19, 2008 | |||
| Label | Aimless[1] | |||
| Producer | Doug Lancio, Eric McConnell, Todd Snider | |||
| Todd Snider chronology | ||||
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Snider supported Peace Queer with a North American tour.[7] He made a 43-minute movie as a companion piece.[8]
Production
Snider considered the EP to be a political record, with the caveat that one shouldn't take political advice from a "stoner."[9] Because the songs didn't fit in with Snider's typical songs, he considered simply throwing them away.[10] The album cover is a photo of a masked Snider being held hostage by a hippie.[11]
"Fortunate Son" is a cover of the John Fogerty song, with Patty Griffin providing backing vocals.[12][13] "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.[14][15] "Stuck on the Corner" is about a man driven insane by the materialism of his family.[16] "The Ballad of Cape Henry" was cowritten with Will Kimbrough.[17] "Is This Thing Working?" is an allegorical song about the victim of a high school bully.[18]
Critical reception
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [19] |
| The Austin Chronicle | [14] |
| Boston Herald | C[20] |
| Robert Christgau |  [1] |
| Spin | 8/10[13] |
| The Sunday Times | [15] |
The New Yorker wrote that Snider's "brilliant brand of rambling, homespun comedy is in fine form on the title track."[21] The Independent deemed the EP "a gorgeously atmospheric experience, from its opening acoustic Bo Diddleyisms via its unaccompanied versifications to its blues."[22] 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."[23]
The Associated Press considered Peace Queer "more funny than angry but passionate, too."[24] The Boston Herald opined that the only worthy track was "Stuck on the Corner".[20] NPR determined that the tracks "are heavy on melody and metaphor, mixing politically and socially disgruntled themes while maintaining Snider's stinging wit."[25]
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."[19]
Track listing
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Mission Accomplished (Because You Gotta Have Faith)" | 2:36 |
| 2. | "The Ballad of Cape Henry" | 3:48 |
| 3. | "Fortunate Son" | 2:44 |
| 4. | "Is This Thing Working?" | 2:18 |
| 5. | "Stuck on the Corner (Prelude to a Heart Attack)" | 3:45 |
| 6. | "Dividing the Estate (A Heart Attack)" | 3:38 |
| 7. | "Ponce of the Flaming Peace Queer" | 4:40 |
| 8. | "Is This Thing On?" | 3:11 |