Rate it!
Avg: 4.0 (369 ratings)
- Date Released: October 19, 2004
- Genre: Alternative/Punk
- Style: Indie Rock
- Label: Lookout! Records / The Orchard
-
We Say...
Though he's long since moved on from his youthful hardcore roots, Ted Leo continues to maintain the emotional spirit of that music in this muscular and melodic set of tunes that resembles a highly caffeinated version of the Jam. Leo is still a "punk," but in the same way that early Elvis Costello was — not so much in style as in attitude, spitting out carefully barbed lyrics with earnest vehemence. It's blistering, blustery punk rock for grown-ups.
The album kicks off with its strongest track, the urgent, swooning "Me and Mia." Recent world events appear to have made the singer/songwriter newly re-engaged in politics, as reflected in the lyrics of songs such as the hurtling title track and "The One Who Got Us Out," in which Leo declares over a hopping pop-hardcore beat, "All they want is one who'll lead/ And I'll put it to you plain and bluntly/ I'm worried for my tired country." Leo's overly explicit lyrical agenda occasionally gets the better of him — politics and rock are not necessarily the sexiest of bedfellows, and there are the occasional moments of trite sloganeering. Ultimately, though, Leo effectively channels his righteous anger into a spirited, addictively consistent and ultimately hopeful record for our tormented times. -
They Say...
Shake the Sheets is more of the same from Ted Leo. Tough, wiry, and smart, bristling with anger, hope, and fervor, the record is another much-needed dose of thinking-person's punk. Sort of an antidote to pouty, made-to-order girl punk and pretty-boy, mall-rat pop-punk, sort of a giant FU to anyone who acts like punk is a set of rules one has to follow in order to be authentic, Leo and his band craft their punk out of attitude, commitment, and dynamic tension. This record is more affected by the tenor of the times than past releases (detainees, bad presidents, broken systems, war, and rifles are among the topics covered) and Leo has stripped away some of the more convoluted language he loves to use in order to deliver a more direct message. The sound of the record is more stripped down as well. Using only guitars and drums, the Pharmacists whip up a powerful mix of wild abandon and subtlety that is a perfect backing for Leo's vocal dexterity and clanging guitar heroics. Throat problems and subsequent surgery haven't affected Leo's amazingly acrobatic yet heartfelt vocals too much. He may not vault into the high range quite as much, but that is also due to the simpler, more direct nature of the songwriting too. At a time when many writers find their talent beginning to desert them (that tricky third album!), Leo has come up with songs that are as good as any he has written. "Me and Mia," "The Angels' Share," "Little Dawn," "Shake the Sheets," and "Walking to Do" are all going to be on his greatest-hits collection and the rest of the record is no letdown either. Fiercely political without being to specific, filled with moments that will have you jumping out of your seat with excitement, Shake the Sheets is more proof that Ted Leo & the Pharmacists are the only band that matters, punk or otherwise.
“ The indie iTunes — Hardcore music fans are migrating to eMusic, the iTunes Music Store's cheaper, cooler cousin.”
Rolling Stone
eMusic Tip
Paid downloads are counted towards an album discount but free downloads are not.
COMPLETE FOR FREE!
You can download the rest of the tracks from this album for free! Just click the Complete Album button.
We’re sorry this album can only be downloaded using paid subscription download credits.
We recommend you Save it for Later by clicking the Save for Later button shown just above this message. For a list of related albums you can download right now, check out these recommendations.
We'll give you 11 additional free credits to download this album and start your paid subscription.
Get 11 bonus credits on us if you download this album. Sweet!
| 01. |  |
Me And Mia |
3:31 |
|
| 02. | |
The Angels' Share |
3:46 |
|
| 03. | |
The One Who Got Us Out |
3:04 |
|
| 04. | |
Counting Down The Hours |
3:07 |
|
| 05. | |
Little Dawn |
5:33 |
|
| 06. | |
Heart Problems |
3:13 |
|
| 07. | |
Criminal Piece |
2:42 |
|
| 08. | |
Better Dead Than Lead |
3:46 |
|
| 09. | |
Shake The Sheets |
4:43 |
|
| 10. | |
Bleeding Powers |
2:51 |
|
| 11. | |
Walking To Do |
3:36 |
|
11 Total Tracks, 39:52 Total Length
Loading...
Playlists If you like Ted Leo & The Pharmacists, check out these member playlists
Credits
- Howie Weinberg - Mastering // Ted Leo - Guitar // Ted Leo - Guitar // Ted Leo - Guitar // Ted Leo - Percussion // Ted Leo - Percussion // Ted Leo - Percussion // Ted Leo - Vocals // Ted Leo - Vocals // Ted Leo - Vocals // Ted Leo - Mixing // Ted Leo - Mixing // Ted Leo - Mixing // Eric Tew - Vocals // Eric Tew - Editing // Chris Appelgren - Art Direction // Chris Appelgren - Design // Chris Appelgren - Construction // Chris Shaw - Piano // Chris Shaw - Glockenspiel // Chris Shaw - Vocals // Chris Shaw - Producer // Chris Shaw - Engineer // Chris Shaw - Mastering // Chris Shaw - Mixing // Brian Montgomery - Assistant // Chris "Poet" Wilson - Drums // Rudyard Lee Cullers - Assistant // David Lerner - Guitar (Bass) // David Lerner - Vocals // Pamela H. Leahigh - Photography // Arjun Agerwala - Assistant // Jason Munn - Design // Sarah Field - Vocals
Choose from over 7 million
music downloadseMusic features legendary and emerging artists in every genre: classic rock to classical,indie to international, soundtracks to spiritual, jazz to country and many more.
MP3 downloads work on any digital media player
With eMusic, you OWN your music without any restrictions. Burn music to a CD, play it on your computer, mobile phone or any digital media player - including iPod®, Zune® and Walkman®.
Songs available for 50¢ or less
eMusic subscriptions start at just $11.99 a month for 24 downloads - that's just 50¢ per song! And it gets better from there - our plans go as low as 42¢ per song!
Music Discovery
eMusic is about discovery. We make finding new music fun again with music recommendations from our award-winning team of music experts, member playlists and new music features.
Cancel anytime
With all the great music and site features we're pretty sure you will love eMusic. If not, no problem. You can cancel at any time and keep the music you have downloaded.
© 1992 - 2009 All Media Guide, LLC