Totally impressed last night. I had no idea Leo was such a kinetic live performer. And as a three piece the band did their songs proud. He pulled most of my favorites from his catalogue (if I had one complaint it was the exclusion of "Walking To Do" from the new album), including "Rude Boys", "Timorous Me", and, natch, "Me and Mia". And a show can't be considered great unless at least one cool cover is thrown into the set. Leo added three, doing Stiff Little Fingers "Suspect Device" and Split Enz "Six Months In A Leaky Boat" and another I couldn't recognize.

Highlight of the night: final song of the final encore, Leo did a ragged version of Queen's "You're My Best Friend" to buy time while the surprised guitar techs put together whatever bits of a drum set they could find - and then they launched into "Ballad Of The Sin Eater" with three (3) drummers and a guitarless Leo singing the song with complete abandon. Then Leo stole the drummer's snare and all four of them pounded out a crazyass tribal coda to the show, abetted by the front row of the audience, who were armed with tambourines and shakers. Place went nuts. Fucking. Fun. Time.

I gotta catch them live. I just gotta.

Wow, totally different set than when I saw him on Friday night.... I was kinda disappointed by the turnout of the crowd, but then there was another huge show going on. But, point is, yes, Ted Leo is amazing live.

i'm glad he's putting on good shows still. from reading his website, this has been a tough tour for him (parents had to put down his dog, van broke down, election, etc). he's probably my favorite performer. and his solo shows are even the heat.

he's also been asking people to bring their own percussion. before, he'd just pass out the tambourines and whatever else before "ballad of a sin eater" and the room would, like, be shaking. he's so great.

somewhat-related, last night i had a dream in which ted leo was sitting on my couch while my wife and i were debating whether to induce labor because somebody had threatened our unborn child. i wanted shake the sheets playing while she was giving birth and she was totally fine with it. (it was much more intense than that, but that's the gist.)

I saw him last week - it wasn't my favorite time seeing him, but I was surprised by all the "hits" he was throwing out. My friends and I had to leave before the encore, and the stage was a bigger one than I'd ever seen him on before, but he always puts on a good show...

I guess I need to finally quit procrastinating and get one this guys albums.

may i recommend the tyranny of distance? it's been one of my favorites of the last few years.

And Hearts of Oak. Equally as good. If not, better. I still can't decide which I like more.

The Obner has spoken.

It will be.

Or Shake The Sheets. As good as either Tyranny or Hearts. You can't go wrong with any Ted Leo album.

Yeah, I like the new one as well... but I think Tyranny or Hearts is a better start, then get the new one. But that's just me...

Ted Leo rules. 'Nuff said.

I don't know, man. tej leo(?), Rx/pharmacists was pretty spotty, to these ears at least.

Yes go with tyranny of distance. I know I'm in the minority but I hate hearts of oak. Too polished and every hook and melody is predictable. I've been too scared to listen to the new one based on my opinion of hearts of oak but I still really enjoy tyranny.

Ted Leo is one of my favorites, and his entire catalog is awesome...EXCEPT tej leo(?), Rx/pharmacists., which is one of the single worst recordings in the history of the world.

So, yeah, I agree with Stone.

i'm there with ya.

I'm even worse. I've downloaded a few of this guy's albums, and have yet to listen to either. I guess I need to quit procrastinating also...

I saw him on Monday. I loved it.

Did you watch the opening acts though? Lucero was the only one worth a damn.

Glad to hear your $13 was well spent. It's quite a week here in town, eh Radcliffe? Les Savy Fav were pretty hot on Tuesday, Wilco played that night too. Ted Leo last night, and a pile of others in town this entire week: DCFC. Blonde Redhead, Frog Eyes, The Magnetic Fields, De La Soul never mind those canadian boys in the Hip. This being said I may not go to any of these.

Oh, and what about New Music West. Is there anything good going on with that???

Vancouver people- please let me know if there any good shows coming up 12/29 - 1/2!

We can do this. It wouldn't hurt to throw a reminder our way when the time gets a little closer.

lucero opened? wow, what a show (as long as they weren't totally hammered, which they have a tendency to do).

Yeah. They were the 3rd band to play, and the people I was with were all like "too country"

I didn't know their music prior, but had seen their name thrown around (on WB and online)

I totally loved them. Dude was a straight up dirty rocker ala 70s Springsteen. Complete with dirty ball cap in his back pocket, and rocking only a 3 button undershirt.

The bassist went through like 3 cigarettes tho.

i'm going to go see this wanker after dinner.

are you totally stoked?