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Rating:
Shake!
And on the third album, that imp Ted decided to take over our nervous system.
Better than any remedy for spring fatigue, this album succeeds in transmitting an unstoppable vitality.
Ted Leo is the active ingredient prescribed in this case, a young New Yorker and brother of Chris, leader of the Van Pelt(!), recently described by CNN as one of the most underrated artists in the American indie rock scene.
Having grown up with a guitar slung over his shoulder, young Ted must have lived through so much punk on his skin that he now doesn't need to prove it to a bunch of spotty kids by lining up the usual three chords or overusing the worn-out stereotypes or slogans typical of a genre currently struggling to renew itself creatively.
Leo and his pharmacists (not a stable lineup, but friends who take turns on various instruments) in this chapter prescribe us a powerful cure against bad moods, based on rock'n'roll, (post) punk, mod, power pop, ska, Celtic folk, funk, and dub, all played with energetic tone and topped by the versatile voice of the frontman, who effortlessly switches from falsetto to more aggressive singing, including some rather cabaret-like spoken words.
This is a record that needs to be absorbed slowly, and at the very first listens - due to its self-satisfied non-conformity - it may not be fully understood.
But the effect of the remedy works quickly; after a few listens, its damn catchy and engaging songs will succeed in provoking an irresistible urge to move.
Vitamin-like.
Tracklist Lyrics and Videos
01 Me and Mia (03:30)
As I was walking through a life one morning
the sun was out, the air was warm, but
Oh, I was cold
And though I must have looked half a person,
to tell the tale, in my own version,
It was only then that I felt whole
But do you believe in something beautiful?
Then get up and be it
Fighting for the smallest goal: to get a little self-contol
I know how hard you try. I see it in your eyes
But call your friends, 'cause we've forgotten what it's like to eat what's rotten
And what's eating you alive might help you to survive.
We went on as we were on a mission, latest in a Grand Tradition
And oh, what did we find?
It was Ego who was flying the banner, and me and Mia, Ann and Ana
Oh, we'd been unkind
But do you believe in something beautiful?
Then get up and be it
Fighting for the smallest goal: to get a little self-control
I see it in your eyes, I see it in your spine.
But call your friends,
'cause we've forgotten what it's like to eat what's rotten
And what's eating you alive, might help you to survive.
And even the nights, they could get better
And even the days ain't all that bad
And after a week of fighting, as more and more it seems the right thing
But do you believe in something beautiful?
Then get up and be it
Fighting for the smallest goal: to gain a little self-control
Won't anybody here just let you disappear?
Not doctors, nor your mom and dad, but me and Mia, Ann and Ana
Know how hard you try. Don't you see it in my eyes?
Sick to death of my dependence, fighting food to find transcendence
Fighting to survive, more dead but more alive
Cigarettes and speed for livin', and sleeping pills to feel forgiven
All that you contrive, and all that you're deprived
All the bourgeois social angels telling you you've got to change
Don't have any idea. They'll never see so clear.
But don't forget what it really means to hunger strike
when you don't really need to
Some are dying for a cause, but that don't make it yours.
And even the nights, they can get better.
07 Criminal Piece (02:42)
There's no more bad weather underground
It's time to settle down
For all of the kiddies' sakes
Yeah, you'll want to be around
And who could have seen
Where everyone would go
And what did it mean?
Not everyone can know
I grew up with no gasoline
On the darkest edge of town
I became quite the changeling
There was just so much around
So much to be seen
And no one to stop you seeing
And oh, the things that I've been
And all of the things I'm being still
And I hold on to some dreams
Though the years seem to move so slowly
But that's how we've stayed so gold
So, so long to you "Moderates"
It's time for getting down
Your peace and quiet is criminal
While there's injustice in the town
Go on with your dreams
It's silly to let them go
And say what you mean
Not everyone can know
10 Bleeding Powers (02:51)
All the time you were keeping me straight I was bleeding powers
In my mind it was never too late, and the days were hours
And sure the waves still make spray at the old sea wall...
And the road leads somewhere, but it's not yet to your door
And the road leads somewhere, but it's not yet to your door
Let's go down to the old South End, where we used to meet
Take me back to the basements and alleys on Walbridge Street
Ah, but it'll only make me sadder when I can't conjure ghosts no more
And the road leads somewhere, but it's not yet to your door
And the road leads somewhere, but it's not yet to your door
All the time you've spent working away, well you've done more than your part
All the times you only wanted your say, not their slings and darts
And still you couldn't let them drown in their own hate no more
And the road leads somewhere, but it's not yet to your door
And the road leads somewhere, but it's not yet to your door
And you still see people waiting for the next excuse for war
And the road leads somewhere, but it's not yet to your door
And the road leads somewhere, but it's not yet to your door
And the road leads somewhere, but it's not yet to your door
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