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Ted Leo/Pharmacists
Fixer of broken hearts! Mender of broken bones! What else is there left to say about Ted Leo and his band of stalwart Pharmacists, who've blazed the land several times over, bringing good music and hope and light to the starving children? After a handful of albums and some cast changes, the hard-working Leo still continues to make exciting, accessible, soulful, nearly-perfect songs with elements of Billy Bragg, Elvis Costello, and the Clash.
I remember the first time I heard the sweet strains of "Biomusicology," off his Tyranny of Distance album. My jaw dropped, my eyes glazed over, and I replayed the song a dozen times in a row. I'm tempted to simply shove these beautiful, rousing, intelligent songs in your face, and leave it at that, because Ted Leo's ear for an instanteously memorable, super-catchy song is second to none. It's hard enough for me to choose a handful of favorites; nearly every Ted Leo song was at one point, my favorite Ted Leo song.
But back to the music: their live performances are famous for a blistering energy emanating off the stage like an August heat wave. These days, TL/RX are a power trio, and Dave Lerner holds up the bottom with an appropriately chugging bass, while drummer Chris Wilson keeps threaten to beat a hole in his drum kit. Leo's searing guitar licks and intense vocal acrobatics are second to none, as he gives 110% with every show. Such is his passion, that he nearly blew out his vocal cords in late 2003, during a grueling tour for Hearts of Oak, and required surgery; still he continues on, making music.
Not to mention that he's a keen cultural critic who's not afraid to tackle important issues, and engage directly with his fans on his weblog. And very few people can argue with his rock pedigree, with his resume listing stints in hardcore and mod-punk bands.
From the a galvanizing Pixies-like anthem of "Ballad of the Sin Eater," found on Hearts of Oak to the pop perfection of "Me and Mia" on Shake the Sheets, Ted Leo/Pharmacists somehow manages to resonate with a wide audience. Everyone from seasoned rock critics, disaffected hipsters, and barely teenaged East Bay punks alike falls in love with these relentlessly smart, engaging, and, of course, politically-charged, polished rock songs.
If there's anyone who might be able to heal the teeming millions and lead armies into the victory, it might just be Ted Leo. (Even if the world ain't ready.)
Ted Leo/Pharmacists - Biomusicology
Ted Leo/Pharmacists - Timorous Me
Ted Leo/Pharmacists - The Ballad of the Sin Eater
Ted Leo/Pharmacists - Tell Balgury, Balgeary is Dead
Ted Leo/Pharmacists - Me and Mia
Ted Leo/Pharmacists - Sons of Cain (Live)
Ted Leo/Pharmacists' official site. Buy Ted Leo/Pharmacist albums on Amazon or iTunes Music Store.
Shadows tags: tedleo.
Posted by Queen of the Front Row at 01.21.06 at 3:15 AM
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