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Ted Leo & The Pharmacists - The Brutalist Bricks
(Matador; 2010)
7.5/10
Despite his track record of putting out consistently solid albums, modern punk rocker Ted Leo has come to represent the decline of the indie music empire. Unfortunately, excellent songwriting combined with blistering politico-rock energy is no longer self-sustaining, as evidenced when Leo’s last two labels – Lookout Records and Touch and Go – both fell victim to a rapidly shrinking music economy. Therefore, The Brutalist Bricks – Leo’s first for new label Matador – is a comeback album of sorts.
Reminiscent of the excellent Shake the Sheets, The Brutalist Bricks is brimming with Leo’s trademark earnestness and driving post-punk. Songs such as “Mourning in America” showcase his clever political edge without becoming clunky and heavy-handed. In fact, most songs are catchy enough that a casual listener could probably ignore the politics altogether.
While The Brutalist Bricks stops just short of essential, it is a welcome return to Leo’s seemingly boundless optimism – both musically and professionally.
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