Phoebe Snow

Phoebe Snow is not yet a mature artist. Though the makings are nowhere more evident
than on her third album, she still hasn't been able to concentrate fully enough on the use
of her voice as an instrument, or the development of a persona through which to sing. She
also must either study songwriting or devote more energy to interpretation. Given that, It
Looks like Snow shapes up as Snow's most impressive set. "Autobiography (Shine,... More >

Except for "Mercy on Those," a quite remarkably tedious profession of self-righteousness that occupies the last 6:06 of side one, Snow's gifts as a singer and lyricist are finally channeled. The silly mystical ideas are way down below her overriding good sense; up above we find a fairly strong, direct, and happy woman who is by no means vegetating in her contentment, perhaps because she's too insecure ever to become complacent. She's rocking a lot more, correct practice for a content but uncomplacent person, and when her voice wavers it no longer sounds as though it wants to disappear altogether. And the three non-originals--"Teach Me Tonight," "Don't Let Me Down," and "Shakey Ground"--make quite a combo. (Grade: B+)