Search - Ted Leo, Pharmacists :: Tell Balgeary, Balgury Is Dead

A great complement to Hearts of Oak

Jeffrey Jotz | Rahway, NJ USA | 11/13/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"In the years between the breakup of Chisel and the beginnings of The Pharmacists, Ted Leo bounced around his record collection, drawing on over 20 years of absorbing rock & roll, punk, indie, soul, hip hop, etc. and translating it to create music that is unique while remaining familiar. We know that we heard that song before when listening to Ted Leo's solo stuff, but we can't pin just where we heard that riff, verse or melody. All we know is that we like it.Ted's first solo release sounded like a man left alone with his home studio and tape loops. Almost 5 years later, now that Ted has climbed his way near the top of the indie rock sludge heap, he takes a side trip back to his solo roots. This time, he is armed with the experiences and skills gained while rocking out with the Pharmacists. We see a more focused Ted Leo this time around than on his initial solo release.Ted has long worshipped at the altar of British singer-songwriters. He draws his social commentary and trebly, stop-start guitar style from Billy Bragg and his cool intensity and whiteboy soul from Paul Weller. While these two artists lurk in the background on Ted's past stuff with the Pharmacists, they really step to the foreground on the Balgeary EP. And no one these days interprets Messrs. Bragg and Weller better than Ted Leo. His version of The Jam's "Ghosts", coupled with "Six Months in a Leaky Boat" (Split Enz) and The Pogues' "Dirty Old Town" (the latter being a fan favorite) all give us an eye into Ted's English-speaking influences around the globe.He also grapples with his role as a citizen in "Loyal to my Sorrowful Country", continuing with the political themes raised by "The Promised One" and "The Ballad of the Sin Eater" on Hearts of Oak.Ted Leo has proven himself to be an honest, courageous songwriter who isn't afraid of where he's been and where he's headed. The Balgeary EP helps round out the world of Ted."

Ted Leo is the man, simple as that

A. Kohler | Louisville, KY | 10/16/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"To put it simply, I think this is the catchiest thing I have ever heard. Ted Leo is a true genious and an amazing song writer. This CD is complied of the title track (which is from the full lenght "Hearts of Oak" which is also trluy amazing), one weird interlude thing, and 8 of the catchiest tracks I've ever heard. Every song had me up and dancing around my room, clapping my hands and smiling like a crazy man. The songs are so warm and so upbeat, and are basicly just Ted and his guitar. "Tell Balgary..." is a truly spectacular and catchy release. This is another solid addition to an amazing back catalog, which is just as catchy and well written as this release, if not more so."