Staff Reviews

Ted Leo and The Pharmacists - The Brutalist Bricks

Review by Thom Gibbs

After the misfire of Living With The Living this is a content, relaxed record with nothing to prove. Ted Leo is a man un-fussily playing to his strengths. »

User reviews

• 7/10 by

Buy now from:

the vinyl comes with a free download. new jersey's ted leo and the pharmacists are back after a two year break with their fourth album and matador debut, the brutalist bricks. this extraordinarily assured, wideranging album explores new ground for ted, showcasing his singer-songwriter side while remaining emotionally and energetically true to his punk roots. from the thrilling opener and video track 'the mighty sparrow' to the apocalyptic 'last days,' startling influences reveal themselves. sure, hardcore punk vibes are there, as is acoustically driven power-pop - but from elvis costello to billy bragg, there's a softer, at times more introspective side at work, with one entirely acoustic number. in one song, the ghost of josh homme seems to hover momentarily.
description from www.roughtrade.com