Living with the Living
Ted Leo and the Pharmacists · 2007
79 min · 21 tracks · punk rock
A frenetic blend of punk energy and introspective lyricism that channels urgency into socially aware themes.
Top tracks — play these first
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Army Bound — This track encapsulates the personal stakes of war through a driving melody and poignant lyrics that reflect on militarization and loss.
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Bomb.Repeat.Bomb. — With its urgent rhythms and biting lyrics, this song critiques cycles of violence and serves as a rallying cry against apathy.
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Rappaport’s Testament: I Never Gave Up — A standout moment on the album, it combines personal narrative with broader societal themes, showcasing Leo's skill at intertwining individual struggle with collective experience.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album blends energetic punk with introspective lyrics but lacks consistent cohesion across its length.
What we noticed
- The first three tracks maintain a high energy level with fast tempos and aggressive instrumentation, while the fourth track introduces a slower, more melodic approach.
- Several songs feature abrupt tempo changes, such as 'Army Bound' which shifts from a driving beat to a more reflective section.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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6/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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5/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- urgent themes with frenetic energy
- brief bursts of reflective introspection
- pacing shifts that maintain engagement
- sing-along moments with friends
- late-night discussions and reflections
Maybe skip if you
- prefer straightforward, instant gratification
- dislike varied track lengths
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released on March 20, 2007, 'Living with the Living' was Ted Leo and the Pharmacists' fifth studio album, following the critically acclaimed 'Shake the Sheets'. At this point in his career, Leo had established himself as a significant voice in punk rock, known for his sharp political commentary and engaging live performances. This album showcases his continued evolution as an artist while navigating personal and societal challenges.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Against Me!· The Menzingers· Hot Water Music
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
Disc 1
- 1 Fourth World War 0:35
- 2 The Sons of Cain 3:59
- 3 Army Bound 3:11
- 4 Who Do You Love? 4:14
- 5 Colleen 3:05
- 6 A Bottle of Buckie 3:11
- 7 Bomb.Repeat.Bomb. 3:18
- 8 La Costa Brava 5:56
- 9 Annunciation Day/Born on Christmas Day 1:33
- 10 The Unwanted Things 4:33
- 11 The Lost Brigade 7:28
- 12 The World Stops Turning 3:26
- 13 Some Beginner’s Mind 3:50
- 14 The Toro and the Toreador 6:09
- 15 C.I.A. 6:33
Disc 2
- 1 Nothing Much to Say 2:39
- 2 Old Souls Know 4:15
- 3 Living With the Living 2:02
- 4 Already Too Late? 3:11
- 5 Rappaport’s Testament: I Never Gave Up 5:31
- 6 [untitled] 0:35
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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