Agnostic Hymns & Stoner Fables
Todd Snider · 2012
42 min · 10 tracks · country music
A blend of poignant storytelling and wry humor, weaving Americana melodies with reflective lyrics on modern life's absurdities.
Top tracks — play these first
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New York Banker — This track cleverly critiques corporate greed through a vivid character sketch, embodying Snider's signature mix of humor and social critique.
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In Between Jobs — Here, Snider captures a relatable sense of uncertainty and transition, using simple yet effective imagery that highlights the struggles of everyday life.
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Brenda — This poignant narrative reflects on personal relationships against the backdrop of broader societal themes, showcasing Snider's storytelling prowess.
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Too Soon to Tell — With its introspective lyrics, this song dives into themes of love and doubt, revealing emotional vulnerability that adds depth to the album.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases strong storytelling through varied instrumentation and cohesive themes across its tracks.
What we noticed
- The album features a consistent narrative style, with each track telling a distinct story that reflects on modern life.
- Several songs incorporate spoken word elements, blending storytelling with musical composition.
- The instrumentation varies between tracks, with some featuring acoustic guitar prominently while others include piano and subtle percussion.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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6/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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7/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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8/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Little footprint beyond its audience. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- witty storytelling with humor
- reflective moments of nostalgia
- for road trip vibes
- casual listening with friends
- interwoven tales of life
Maybe skip if you
- seekers of high-energy tracks
- prefer standalone hit singles
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 2012, Agnostic Hymns & Stoner Fables marked Todd Snider's first album after a brief hiatus. Following the critically acclaimed The Excitement Plan in 2009, this album further cemented his reputation as a master storyteller within the Americana genre.
- Stylistic neighbors
- John Prine· Guy Clark· Steve Earle
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 In the Beginning 4:23
- 2 New York Banker 4:23
- 3 West Nashville Grand Ballroom Gown 4:26
- 4 Precious Little Miracles 3:03
- 5 The Very Last Time 2:50
- 6 In Between Jobs 3:00
- 7 Brenda 4:55
- 8 Too Soon to Tell 5:12
- 9 Digger Dave's Crazy Woman Blues 4:20
- 10 Big Finish 5:53
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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