In an age when rock is flooded with bands that cite influences like Jimmy Eat World and Blink-182, itOs refreshing to see a band reference Bruce Springsteen and old-school punk, ska and hardcore.
Ted Leo, one of JerseyOs former hardcore heroes, and his band mates the Pharmacists, illustrate that for the emo and post-hardcore infliction, sometimes good olO rock OnO roll is the best medicine.
OLiving with the Living,O Ted Leo and the PharmacistOs latest outing into the rock world released March 20, is not far off from their previous efforts. The anti-military and anti-government sentiments still flood LeoOs lyrics, but the musicianship on this release has greatly increased.
Produced by former Fugazi member Brendan Canty, the album is a glorious trip through such movements as punk, Springsteen-style rock, ska and even a taste of reggae.
Opening with an uncharacteristic introduction, an overlap of several different news reporters in different languages, OLivingO immediately demonstrates LeoOs dissatisfaction with the current state of the world. This theme is brought into the limelight with the anthem like the single-worth revolution rock song, OSons of Cain.O
Similar to the first song on his previous release OMe and Mia,O OCainO echoes sentiments of rock OnO roll at its purest, and all three members of the group are at their finest.
The strongest aspect of the album is its blending of genres. The first tracks are the most rock-infused, as Ted Leo effortlessly uses SpringsteenOs best sounds and molds them into effective social commentary that doesnOt anger, but also doesnOt escape the ears and minds of the listener.
OArmy Bound,O OThe World Stops Turning,O and OC.I.A.O find the band at its most socially conscious, while still producing effective rock with the power to bring the people to their feet.
Aside from the social aspect, the album has its share of love songs. OBottle of BuckieO starts of with a Goo Goo Dolls-esque riff and transfers into a soft-punk-style love song, accentuated by LeoOs Morissey-turned-punk vocal delivery.
OLa Costa BravaO is another love song that echoes of crunching guitars and punk influences.
The production is solid, save for the occasional overpowering guitar that drowns out LeoOs voice. Canty would have done well to make LeoOs voice in tracks like OBravaO sound a bit more powerful.
The standout track is OThe Lost Brigade,O a seven-minute rock tune that echoes of atmospheric-punk, transitioning into a repeated ambient finish of reverberating guitars behind the repeated phrase Oevery little memory has a song.O Indeed, OLiving with the LivingO features more ballad long songs than normal Ted Leo releases.
Ted Leo and the Pharmacists clearly know where the new style of rock really began. These are intelligent songwriters and talented musicians, and OLiving with the LivingO serves up a healthy dose of proof.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
