Me and Mia by Ted Leo and The Pharmacists
October 22, 2004 | 
17 Comments
The Artist: Ted Leo and The Pharmacists
The Song: Me and Mia
The Album: Shake The Sheets
Released 2004
I’ve been waiting awhile for Shake The Sheets to come out. I’ve been a huge fan of Ted Leo and The Pharmacists since I first heard the amazing Hearts of Oak.
Ted Leo is one of those strange artists that I can’t figure out. It’s not that I can’t see what he’s all about, but what I can’t understand is why I like he and his Pharmacists so much and I can’t find many others who do also. I mean, seriously, what’s the deal? This stuff is amazing. I know he gets great reviews and is supposed to have “legions of fans” but I never seem to hear anything about him from people I know.
Maybe it’s just a coincidence? Either way, I’m hoping some of y’all can back me up on this, and if not I’m going to turn you on to some special stuff this week.
Between Hearts of Oak and Shake The Sheets I can’t think of another artist that has done better in the last few years. Ted Leo is a talent that can’t be denied and I imagine this album might push him out into the spotlight.
Shake The Sheets could be my favorite album this year. I’ve been lucky enough to have it for a little over a month and still can’t get enough. It seems like with every listen I discover a new favorite track or something new and exciting I’d missed before.
The sound hasn’t changed much. Ted Leo is the modern master of the original punk sound. I’m not talking new school here, I’m talking about The Jam, Sex Pistols or The Clash. You know? Old School. He’s also got a bit of an Irish, Poguesish flavor on a few tracks which was a very nice surprise.
Aside from that fairly generic description it’s hard music to put your finger on. It’s simple but has a depth that is very hard to gauge. It’s feel good rock that you can sing along to, but it’s more than that. It really has to be listened to, to be appreciated. So, please, check out this week’s song, “Me and Mia” and if you like it, pick up Shake The Sheets — it doesn’t come any more highly recommended than this.
Recommended if you like: The Jam, Interpol, Elvis Costello, Modest Mouse, The Clash, The Pogues.
Filed under: Song of The Week
Comments
1. Ray said:
“master of the original punk sound… The Clash”. I’ll grab a copy tomorrow 8 )
{off topic}
Looks like everyone is plumb worn out from the October 21 article. Poor loves.
Posted on October 22, 2004 08:17 PM | #
2. Tom said:
Ive always loved this band. There music is always so original. I just cant explain what it is about them.
Posted on October 22, 2004 08:21 PM | #
3. Keith said:
Ray – Nah, I think it as because my comments inexplicably went down all day today. That’s why it’s quiet around here.
;0)
Posted on October 22, 2004 08:23 PM | #
4. Pete Prodoehl said:
Ted Leo is amazing… But then again, I’m an old timer from the Lookout Records camp, and a huge Clash fan…
Posted on October 22, 2004 08:32 PM | #
5. Jason Santa Maria said:
I have seen him solo and also with his band a few times, luckily he live only a few minutes away from here and plays out a lot. Hearts of Oak was ok, but Shake The Sheets doesn’t let up the whole way through. I think it’s their best album since Tyranny of Distance. You have listened to Chisel before, right?
Posted on October 23, 2004 05:07 AM | #
6. Ray said:
RE: post #1
Got up bright and early.
Went to Sams.
Picked up a copy.
Popped it in the player on the way home….
Took the long way home ; )
I love the internet. Twenty five year ago we’d find out about new music through Circus Magazine or a new kid that just moved in down the street. This is so fucking great!
please excuse my enthusiasm. the “F” word was used to convey positive excitement and righteous vibes man
Posted on October 23, 2004 07:15 AM | #
7. Keith said:
Jason – Yeah, when I first discoverd Leo I went out and got any thing I could find with him. Chisel is great, and Tyranny of Distance
Posted on October 23, 2004 11:28 AM | #
8. Lenny Cooper said:
Yes, I’ve always loved this band! ;-)
Posted on October 23, 2004 11:31 AM | #
9. Jaxon Rice said:
Keith, have you ever tried out emusic.com? They have 6 different Ted Leo albums/EPs for download there, as well as some Chisel stuff.
Their service is subscription based, focuses on indie labels and features high quality VBR MP3s and no DRM. The basic package starts at 40 tracks for $9.99 a month. Judging from your taste in music you should be able to find plenty of stuff there that you would like.
Posted on October 23, 2004 02:23 PM | #
10. Keith said:
Jaxon – That is where I got my Ted Leo stuff last time. I don’t have a membership anymore, because I ran out of new stuff to get from them, but it was worth it while I did have it.
Posted on October 23, 2004 05:57 PM | #
11. Seth Thomas Rasmussen said:
Man, I love that album cover!
I’ve never really bothered to listen to these guys too much though. Where would teh uber fans recommend I start?
Posted on October 24, 2004 01:52 PM | #
12. Ippy-chan said:
I have to say that I have seen you do your almost religious “song of the week” every Friday, and before I just couldn’t listen to any of the songs due my slow connection.
However that changed once I got broadband, and I just can’t stop thanking you for “Me and Mia”, I totally loved it when I heard it. I never knew Leo and the Pharmacists existed until I listened to them here, thank you and please don’t stop the song of the week, ever.
Posted on November 6, 2004 11:48 PM | #
13. Cornbread said:
I heard Me and Mia today on XM Radio on the XMU channel. Loved it!
Posted on November 16, 2004 07:53 PM | #
14. Justin Perkins said:
Ted Leo was on Air America this morning (Dec. 10) and played all acoustic tunes, I’m guessing mostly from this album. Hearing them on SOW was a first for me, then I heard “Me and Mia” on the radio alarm clock this morning… I thought “hey this is that song I heard at Asterisk…maybe I’ll go buy the CD.”
Thanks Keith, SOW rocks (so does Ted Leo).
Posted on December 10, 2004 09:43 AM | #
15. Matt said:
Ted Leo has to be the coolest person alive saw him when he came to cleveland he it was the the best show i had ever seen there so original!
Posted on December 30, 2004 01:31 PM | #
16. Sean said:
These guys definately ROCK! I found them through my 14 year old son who was listening to Ted and the boys on internet radio. I said “who is that?” and now I am a fan.
Posted on March 18, 2005 09:23 PM | #
17. andrew said:
leo fans may be interested to know that “me and Mia” is about eating disorders. Mia is sort of slang for bulimia, ana for anorexia. For more about this check out www.ellipsis.cx/~kortbein/ blog/index.php?et=20041220021818 it covers most of the bases.
Posted on August 28, 2005 11:33 PM | #
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