Albums by this artist

Shake The Sheets (Recommended) (2004)

Hearts Of Oak (2003)

Tell Balgeary, Balgury Is Dead (2003)

The Tyranny Of Distance (Recommended) (2001)

Ted Leo/Pharmacists

The Tyranny Of Distance

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» A.K. GOLD | STAFF WRITER

NATN Recommended Ted Leo The Tyranny Of Distance Lookout!, 2001 RiYL: Chisel, Fugazi, Elvis Costello

I hope each and every person found a record in 2001 that they loved as much as I love Ted Leo and the Pharmacists' The Tyranny Of Distance. The former frontman of Chisel and the short-lived Sin-Eaters offers up a fantastic first full-length with his new outfit that is pensive, political and literary, yet never fails to rock. Who, besides Ted Leo, could name check James Joyce's Ulysses protagonist Stephen Daedelus and not come across as a pretentious bastard? Who else could proclaim "I'm not the great communicator I used to be" and still sound earnest? I'm pretty sure that the answer to both is "no one."

On tracks like "Timorous Me," Leo blends solo rockabilly guitar licks with his unique, affected tenor in order to craft a lyrically infectious tale of missed opportunities (due to shyness). Just when you think the song can't rock one bit more, the full band gets in on the musical celebration, filling out the song with drums, bass, tambourines and hand claps. The record ably balances joyful rockers with darker tracks while never compromising the sound's compelling nature. "St. John The Divine" utilizes guitar pedals to craft an echoey backdrop for dark poetry. The song's lyrics then dissipate and a raging, cathartic instrumental jam is unleashed like the Furies.

Truly, my only gripe with The Tyranny Of Distance is with some of the production. Most evident on the album opening "Biomusicology," a seeming love song to rock'n'roll, the bombastic, cymbal-heavy drum work becomes the sonic equivalent of an over-exposed photograph as it whites out the instrumental nuances of talking guitars and an undulating cello. Overall, though, The Tyranny Of Distance might be my favorite release of 2001. And having witnessed Ted and the boys live three times over the last couple of months, I can honestly say that the recording pales in comparison to the pure enthusiasm which their live performance generates.

A.K. GOLD | A.K. Gold lives in Washington, D.C., where she slaves away for a non-profit organization and constantly compares everything to New York City or Chicago. She's earned her "cred" as a college radio and pre-1960 country music DJ, committed indie label street teamer, sporadic zinemaker/contributor, retired mail-order filler and occasional freelance writer. From time to time, she publishes Anecdotal Evidence, a per zine that will some day be considered for the National Book Award, or possibly not. If you want to buy a copy, or desire to write to her for some other reason, email criticgirl@hotmail.com.