Sumthin' for Everybody

A few quick random thoughts:

1. The new Devo album is amazing. It's the best Devo album since The New Traditionalists. I think each song is better than the previous and despite the mixed reviews, this one is worth a listen to hear a middle-aged Devo show you what they've learned since 1990's Smooth Noodle Maps.

2. I made myself a Billy Bragg playlist on my iPod. I love everything Billy Bragg has done, but sometimes I just want to listen to the songs with the biggest punch.

It is as follows in not much of an order - since I mostly listen to this on shuffle:

* A New England
* Between The Wars
* The World Turned Upside Down
* Thatcherites
* Accident Waiting to Happen
* You Woke Up My Neighborhood
* North Sea Bubble
* England, Half-English
* NPWA
* Take Down the Union Jack
* The Beach is Free
* O Freedom
* The Boy Done Good
* Think Again
* Greetings To The New Brunette
* Help Save the Youth Of America
* The Price of Oil
* A Pict Song
* Upfield
* The Space Race Is Over
* Goalhanger
* She's Got A New Spell
* Waiting For The Great Leap Forward
* Bush War Blues
* Way Over Yonder In The Minor Key
* All You Fascists

The Brutalist Bricks packs hit after hit

Okay, okay, it's been out for a few months and I really should have reviewed it earlier. Wasn't completely sure if 82 was going to, but decided I might as well do it since he's a busy cat. Ted Leo & The Pharmacists's The Brutalist Bricks is the latest work from the punk/indie/rock group and it's a fantastic follow-up to 2007's Living with the Living. I'm going to jump around on some of the stand-out tracks, so bare with me. The Mighty Sparrow kicks off the album with a catchy chorus and a great hook. Mourning In America (originally released on the Rapid Response EP) is a noisy, fast punk song well worth listening to. I've tried drumming to it, and I'm pretty sure I've got a good idea what drummer Chris Wilson is doing, but it's quite the work out. Ativan Eyes is a lovely song full of distorted guitars and Ted's signature soft vocals. Even Heros Have to Die comes in next with a great beat, and great chorus. Bottled in Cork may be my favourite song. Starts out real quick but quickly cuts the time down and slows down. Gotta love the lines "tell the bartender I think I'm falling in love". Woke Up Near Chelsea is probably my 2nd favourite song. It features some aggressive singing with some great guitar work. Where Was My Brain showcases Leo's love for all things punk rock. Very ramones-esque. One Polaroid a Day kinda has some of the critics scratching their heads. He ditches his typical falsetto vocals with a low-tone style that isn't horrible, but just confusing. I like how he performs it live better, with his normal style of singing. Last Days and Gimmie the Wire both are amazing tracks to finish out the album.
If you're a Ted Leo fan, and you haven't picked this up yet, something may be wrong with you. It's fantastic. It's better then fantastic. It's awesome. Probably one of the best albums of the year. Go grab it, and thank me later.