TED LEO AND THE PHARMACISTS
Living with the Living
Touch and Go
· I’ve got the fever and he’s got the cure – Ted Leo and The Pharmacists will help you make sense of the New World disorder.
Ted Leo is the very definition of indie cred – staying true to his virtues without being a self-righteous, militant leftie. He makes politics sound vaguely interesting and easy to dance to while somehow managing to make you think that everything’s going to be OK – and does all this within the confines of a pop song.
While 2004’s Shake the Sheets tried to make sense of living in a post-apocalyptic world designed by George Dubya and "Big" Dick Cheney – Living with the Living is a sequel of sorts. The album deals with the realization that the evil-doers won and nothing much has changed. In fact, it’s this look at society that makes the record even more potent.
However, the album gives listeners hope that tomorrow will be a better day and that injustice doesn’t necessarily make one a victim. His lyrics are smart and insightful and his music catchy as hell. Somehow managing to effortlessly mix together Celtic, reggae, R&B and punk, he sings anthems for a generation raised on the idea that one person can make a difference and it’s hard to fault Leo for his earnest belief in change.
Leo is an eternal optimist and avoids spewing doomsday scenarios while still shining a light on corrupt politicians, consumerism and the evils of war. Change is going to come – and it’s going to sound a lot sweeter with Leo and The Pharmacists leading the charge.
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