Chris Von Sneidern's fame is an underground sort, but it's easy to hear from this compilation drawing on his solo work why the power pop universe holds the guy in pretty high esteem. It's fair to say that he's a practitioner of the form rather than an innovator, but he draws on both classic sources and similarly inclined friends (guests include Smithereens' vet Dennis Diken, Richard X. Heyman and Neko Case) to create enjoyable confections. When his songs are at their spikiest he's at his best -- Go On Go On has a couple of fine breaks that help the song careen along -- though more than once it would be nice to hear him fire up with the full rampaging abandon of Cheap Trick. Von Sneidern's voice is often Lennon-and-his-descendants in his phrasing and delivery (Like Me That Way at times almost scarily so), but it's not just Beatles worship on show, with nods to a continuing country fascination on songs like Feel and Identity, while Don't Worry Now and Remember have a smooth-'60s pop undercarriage thanks to the trumpets. (There's also a direct homage with the cover of Petula Clark's Downtown.) Perhaps the secret highlight is the slow-building, majestic Great American Dream, which belies the seeming pomposity of the title with a lovely piano melody, just enough extra twists and tweaks in the arrangement buried deep in the mix, and a bravura vocal. While there's enough variety as it goes through the disc, ultimately Like Me That Way is probably all most casual listeners will need, a fine journeyman's collection. The booklet contains a brief appreciation from U.K. writer Nick West, though an actual breakdown of what tracks came from where would have been welcome. ~ Ned Raggett, Rovi

1		Love
2		Like Me That Way
3		Go on Go On
4		Ooh Mama Mama
5		Glory Days Are Gone
6		Identity
7		Don't Worry Now
8		Annalisa
9		Remember
10		(Watch Them) Ride Away
11		Sun
12		Feel
13		Great American Dream
14		Clock on the Wall
15		Walking Endlessly
16		A Simple Tune
17		Downtown