3.19.2006

Before there was Ted Leo + Pharmacists...


... there was Chisel. Recently graduated from college, Ted Leo and his quirky pop-punk band packed a tweed suitcase full of funk and relocated from the Northeast to Washington DC in 1994. Alongside acts like the Make-Up, they infused some much needed Soul into the lagging mid-90s DC punk scene. Between 1995-97, the prolific band released three LPs before disbanding.

Today's post is the first (and only, I believe) single from the band's swan song LP, Set You Free. Driven by a woozy Hammond organ, angular guitars, and Ted Leo's unmistakable pipes, the song clearly demonstrates the band's movement away from punk rock to a more inspired mod-rock sound. I'm going to make the lofty claim that it's as good as anything he's done with the Pharmacists, which is saying a lot. I'm guessing it was the move back to Jersey that stunted his maturation.

Chisel - It's Alright, You're OK

No comments: