Life Assignment, March 27, 2010: Ted Leo & the Pharmacists
by practicalspactical
1. Biomusicology, the Tyranny of Distance, 2001
- “Had we never come across the vastness of pavement / The barrenness of waves and the grayness of the sea
Never lost or ne’er been misguided / We’d have ne’er reached seas so shining” - “You won’t be able to stop whistling the first song.” Pitchfork, http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/4738-the-tyranny-of-distance-with-pharmacists/
2. The Sons of Cain, Living with the Living, 2007
- “The Sons of Cain” is one of the better examples of his skill here: Its driving cowpunk finds flashes of Chuck Berry in Leo’s licks, handclaps, and a sharp piano run tucked neatly in the mix, plus some ecstatic, throat-shredding whooping at the climax.” http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/10018-living-with-the-living/
3. Who Do You Love, Living with the Living, 2007
- “Joe Strummer would appreciate the riffs on “Who Do You Love?”, which climaxes in a stirring outro straight out of “Safe European Home” and indulges Leo’s own mannerisms to great effect.” Id.
- “And so goes the most of our freedom of speech: We live for the city, we work for the beach
And when the weekend seems to be just out of reach / Just make the most of what you’re paid, dear
Your love’s a ghost, and that’s why we’re delayed here”
4. The Mighty Sparrow, The Brutalist Bricks, 2010
