Music Review: The Brutalist Bricks
In a world where Joe Strummer lives in our collective memory, there is Ted Leo to continue on the legacy of the rude boy. Leo continues to impress in the studio and on the stage, and his 2010 release of “The Brutalist Bricks” is another masterpiece. I had the opportunity to meet Ted and the Rx after their show at the Grog Shop here in Cleveland and they couldn’t have been a nicer bunch of guys. Long after the show had ended and many people had left, Ted and Co. stayed around to talk to fans for a bit…it’s been said that Strummer would wait until everyone had gotten an autograph and some time to talk to him after a show, and Leo continues that tradition of being a musician truly connected not only to his music but of his fans and supporters too.
“The Brutalist Bricks” came out earlier this year on Matador Records, three years after Ted Leo & The Pharmacists’ last album “Living With The Living.” Their latest album incorporates every aspect of the band’s legacy that’s made them the band they are today: incredible guitar solos, killer drums, soul-shaking bass and Ted’s signature voice throughout the album.
The Mighty Sparrow
The album opens up with Ted and guitar blasting, kicking the doors off your ears. Immediately the head banging starts and you’ll most likely begin air-guitaring along to the electric chorus. The abrupt pauses for drum solos and bass are great and they couldn’t have picked a better opening song.
Mourning In America
“America” comes in where “Sparrow” left off and proceeds to burn down the doors that were previously kicked in. Blaring guitars and fast-paced drums rain hell down on you for three minutes. I think the drums are the best part of this track, but Ted’s guitar works great in this hard rock duet between guitarist and drummer.
Ativan Eyes
This is probably one of my favorite tracks off the album. I love the opening lyrics, “The industry’s out of touch, the means of production are now in the hands of the workers.” Ted still has a great way of bringing politics poetically to his songs, and this is no exception. This is certainly not as “in your face” as “Bomb. Repeat. Bomb” but is definitely one of my top ten TL&RX songs of all time.
Even Heroes Have To Die
If you ever get to see the guys live, I hope you get to see this song live. It’s incredible and a real crowd pleaser with a great beat. It talks about how none of us are immortal and warns not to take life for granted and make the most of it a’la “Pig” by Dave Matthews Band.
The Stick
Let the head banging begin and the mosh pit open up! It’s hard to describe this song so take a look at this video from their show at the Grog Shop:
Bottled In Cork
Another favorite of mine of this album. Ted sings about his travels all across the globe and giving a shout out to his Irish roots in the title. I’ve been very interested in how this song progressed throughout the past few years…they started playing it live for a while and then a few months ago after the album came out, TL&Rx released it as a free single along with a demo version. For those of you that might be music majors in school this is a really good example of how a song evolves into what it is today.
Woke Up Near Chelsea
Piano never sounded so rebellious. ”Chelsea” describes one’s self as alone in the world in the most simplistic terms…
“Cold in the bones, rot in the teeth
Alone in the home, out in the street”
This song harkens back to the “Shake The Sheets” days and even a little of “Living With The Living.” A solid song overall.
One Polaroid A Day
Some of the best drum work can be found on this song, Larry Mullen Jr. would be proud. At first it sounds a little like “Sunday Bloody Sunday” by U2 and suddenly takes off on a dark dark beat with some fantastic guitar work. You’ll feel like you’re walking the mean streets of an urban town at night listening to this on your iPod.
Where Was My Brain?
Reaching down deep, Ted Leo finds his inner Joey Ramone in “Where Was My Brain?” This is another kick-ass song heard live as well as the studio version. I think out of all my favorites on “Bricks” this has to be in the top three.
Bartolomeo And The Buzzing Of Bees
Fans of the band’s early work will really enjoy this song as the feel is similar to The Tyranny Of Distance. I’m a big fan of this song right after “Where Was My Brain?” because you’re on this musical high, pounding your head and rocking out and this song provides a great transition to the second part of the album.
Tuberculoids Arrive In Hop
The acoustic guitar makes an appearance in “Tuberculoids Arrive In Hop” with a cool background effect making you imagine you’re outside around a fire listening to Ted play.
Gimme The Wire
Another favorite of mine is “Wire”. It has a fast-paced tempo and as usual the guitar is killer. Ted & Company bring back another old-school TL&Rx sounding song and yet again, is a fantastic song live and in the studio.
Last Days
The title of this song could be considered by some to be a harbinger of the future of the band. In multiple interviews, Ted has been asked about his retirement from touring and the band. While the band isn’t breaking up, Ted has come out on his website and said that changes are probably on the horizon but won’t say what those changes might be.
As for the song itself, it’s a great closer to the album. Throughout the album we’re greeted with an awesome trip through the mind of the band and just like any other album by Ted Leo & The Pharmacists, it’s a classic.
Final Thoughts
I was first turned onto the band’s music in my freshman year of college and since then I’ve had nothing but respect for them. There’s almost no money gained for the band performing live, they don’t sell their songs for commercials…so is it really about the music?
Absolutely.
Ted Leo & The Pharmacists are the textbook definition of a band that is truly committed to the music. Despite not selling out and becoming corporate like so many of their peers, Ted and the band continue to have a large following that realizes that when they go to see them play live, they’re seeing a band unlike any other, regardless of genre. Part of me really hopes that the band sees this because I want to thank them for helping me believe in the purity of music…that a band can in fact make it big without being a sellout.
“The Brutalist Bricks” gets an A+ from me. Just like every other album and EP put out by TL&Rx this is a home run all the way and is a great addition to any music fan’s collection.
