Tom Lynch

Ted Leo--who's gained a massive amount of critical success at this point and a loyal fan base that will swallow just about anything he produces--should be lauded even more for his recent jump to Touch & Go from the quickly dismantling Lookout! label, fighting off the overwhelming temptation to jump to a major and sticking to his underground-punk roots (the band plans to release its first T & G effort later this year).

The band's most recent record, 2004's "Shake the Sheets," showed off his stellar guitar work. Along with being able to belt out raucous anthems to catchy, rhythmic accompaniment that rattles the dance floor, Leo moves along the fretboard like Gretzky on ice. Couple that with his lyrical curiosity in all-things-political, and "Shake the Sheets" rings just as true, just as fun, and just as original as "Hearts of Oak," the Pharmacists' breakthrough of a couple years ago that filled club rooms to the brink of explosion and sent longtime fans angrily to the back to smoke. The best thing about him and his crew of Pharmacists--besides the fact that you absolutely have to shake your ass while they perform, there's no getting around it--is that they're able to control a room with the sheer intensity of fun. There just aren't that many live shows as enjoyable as this. Expect new material, and expect it to be good.

Ted Leo and the Pharmacists play March 10 at Abbey Pub, 3420 West Grace, (773)478-4408.

(2006-03-07)

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