It's All Downhill From Here

I figured I'd start by posting the objectively greatest band in the history of the world. That band is Ted Leo & the Pharmacists. This is a fact. Disagree if you like, but you'll be wrong. I won't try to describe their sound too much, because I can't do it justice. No one can. The only way to know what Ted Leo & the Pharmacists sounds like is to listen.

However, as a service to anyone who doesn't automatically trust me and my (impeccable) taste, I'll try. Imagine if the Clash listened to Dexy's Midnight Runners, Thin Lizzy, and a bunch of dub music. That's actually a terrible description, but it's the best I've got. Just listen.

Tej Leo(?), Rx/Pharmacists

This is probably the worst place to start, if you're just getting into Ted Leo, but it's still interesting. Tej Leo(?) has lots of dub-y sonic experimentation, and soundscape type stuff. If you're only going to get one album (you moron), don't get this one; get The Tyranny Of Distance.
http://www.mediafire.com/?1kn1tjzzgou

Guitar For Jodi

Uh, it's an EP. It has 3 songs. Recording quality is pretty gnarly compared to later stuff, but it's still very cool, plus it has an early version of "The Great Communicator," and that's a good song.
http://www.mediafire.com/?myjlotgj2fz

Ted Leo/One A.M. Radio Split

Again, it's got 2 songs, one of which is called "To Whom You Were Born (Lungfish)." Just get it, you know you want to.
http://www.mediafire.com/?mymydj5jmmj

Treble in Trouble

This has a cover of a Thin Lizzy song ("Little Girl In Bloom"), so you know it rules. "Come Baby Come" and "Treble in Trouble" are awesome, too.
http://www.mediafire.com/?0imzn11t6wn

The Tyranny Of Distance


This is a perfect album. If I could listen to only one album for the rest of my life, this would be it. If you don't like every song on this album, fuck you. Also, fuck Pitchfork for saying "Timorous Me" is cheesy. That is possibly the best song in the world. If you only get one thing out of this post, get this, please. And then tell all your friends about it. It is the best.
http://www.mediafire.com/?eat3zidilj2

Hearts Of Oak

The first 6 songs on this album are so goddam good you have no idea. Unless you have heard them. In which case, you do know how good they are, and you love them. The same thing applies to the last 7 tracks, too actually.
http://www.mediafire.com/?x19mb4fytey

Tell Balgeary, Balgury Is Dead

Dude covers the Ewan MacColl song "Dirty Old Town," the Jam's "Ghosts," Split Enz' "Six Months In A Leaky Boat," and some stuff from Hearts Of Oak, mostly solo.
http://www.mediafire.com/?4bz0zl14caz

Shake The Sheets

This is the first Ted Leo album I ever got, mainly because it had good cover art and Ted Leo & the Pharmacists is an interesting name for a band. Here, his songs are at their most concise--they're almost all around the 3-3 1/2 minute mark, his lyrics aren't as tongue-twistingly loquacious, and the songs are some of his most bitingly angry. "Me And Mia" is everything a 3 minute pop song should be.
http://www.mediafire.com/?xfywnzhnj0a

Sharkbite Sessions

I don't like this version of "Loyal To My Sorrowful Country" as much as the one on Tell Balgeary, Balgury Is Dead, but you need it for the cover of Stiff Little Finger's "Suspect Device."
http://www.mediafire.com/?mzwmti1txdy

Ted Leo/Blueline Medic Split

Another split; this one has "Angel's Share," "Loyal To My Sorrowful Country," and "Six Months In A Leaky Boat."
http://www.mediafire.com/?nyml1yhkhwj

Living With The Living

Some people don't like this album that much. Those people are fucking retarded. "Sons Of Cain," "Army Bound," "Who Do You Love," "Bottle Of Buckie," "La Costa Brava," "The Toro And The Toreador," and "C.I.A." all rule hard.
http://www.mediafire.com/?9tm3wwzimyt

Mo' Living
Just listen to "Rappaport's Testament" over and over again. Then go fight fascism.
http://www.mediafire.com/?xmmxjztjomd