Part musician, part comedian and all-around entertainer, Todd Snider knows how to capture an audience’s attention. He’s also caught the ears of country artists such as Gary Allan, who cut his song “Alright Guy,” and Jack Ingram, with whom he co-wrote Jack’s “Barbie Doll”; also, Todd’s 2009 album, The Excitement Plan, was largely praised for its sharp-witted lyrics. On The Storyteller, Todd is doing what he does best: getting a laugh (or possibly a rise) out of people with his cleverly spun compositions and colorful characters. In addition to fan-favorites such as “The Devil You Know,” Todd unleashes his keen eye on such topics as unemployment (“Looking for a Job”), societal stereotypes (“Conservative Christian, Right-Wing Republican, Straight, White American Males”) and religion (“If Tomorrow Never Comes”). Todd offers an intriguing balance of truth and humor, made all the more potent and fresh by the live performances captured here. A storyteller, indeed.