 |
|
Ted Leo "Living with the Living"
Ted Leo breaks no new ground. I know it, he knows it, and everyone familiar with his music knows it. While his fans can argue that he plays for those who weren't able to catch his influencors in their prime, another, and more convincing argument is that Leo is good at what he does. And to be honest, he really fucking is.
Living with the Living is fantastically well done and had it been made in the '70s, it would be a masterpiece. The second song, "Songs of Cain," sounds like a cross between The Replacements' "Bastards of Young" and the Clash's "Hateful" and as unlikely as it may seem, it's almost as good. The same goes for the Costello-ish "Army Bound" and "The Unwanted Things," which sounds like the Clash in reggae mode. These songs have a certain brilliance, but it's greatly reduced by their unoriginality. Listening to this album is like hitting on a hot and vacant woman when there's already a beautiful and smart one at home.
Had Ted Leo been born 30 years earlier, it’s possible he would be regarded as a genius. But just as likely, he could have looked at the burgeoning punk scene of the late 1970s and started a fantastic doo-wop band.
WZBC's 30th Anniversary Bash
It's no wonder that one of the world's most internationally renowned college radio stations is based in one of the world's most internationally renowned area for its colleges. Based in Boston, WZBC celebrated 30 years of groundbreaking radio last year (beat that, Resonance!). This week is the irregular pledge week and to support them, a video document of the 30th Anniversary Bash has been assembled from footage taken by students and DJs, edited by Jon Whitney and current WZBC Operations Director Amar Ashar. Performers at the bash included Keith Fullerton Whitman, Quasi, Lightning Bolt, Out Hud, Due Process, Jackie-O Motherfucker, Sunburned Hand of the Man, Tunnel of Love, Landing, Bardo Pond, Christopher Willits, No Neck Blues Band, Hella, and Nautical Almanac (many appear in this mini-documentary). Watch the video, then tune in afterwards at www.wzbc.org (or tune in if you're local) and hear for yourself! Support innovative non-commercial radio. Thanks!13 Minutes, Quicktime Streaming Video
