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“Timorous Me – Ted Leo / Pharmacists
(Words/music: Ted Leo, available on The Tyranny of Distance, Lookout! Records, 2001)

I wasn’t introduced to Ted Leo until Hearts of Oak came out, but it was a case of “better late than never.”  Tyranny of Distance came out the week I graduated from high school and I wish it was in my life at that time.  It’s the perfect combination of Leo’s punk rock ethos with his extremely personal songwriting.  These songs seem like intimate portraits straight from the core of his being yet still resonate with almost everyone that hears these songs.  He’s streamlined his production since The Tyranny of Distance and (arguably) has written dozens of better songs since this album, but this group of songs straddles the line between intensely personal and overtly political. 

“Timorous Me” is, in Leo’s own words, “an Irish wake,” yet as a remembrance of the past it focuses more on lost moments rather than lost souls.  Each of the verses details moments where the opportunity for connection went unfulfilled – whether it’s reconnecting with a childhood friend, a member of the audience enjoying herself, or a loved one spending an evening uncharacteristically quiet.  Even if he’s describing specific personal moments, the listener feels a sort of kinship with Leo, sharing in his emotions as he paints the picture with the words.  While we weren’t there for the instances he describes, we have our own missed opportunities and can share in these brief moments of recognition (if not regret).  It’s appropriate that “Timorous Me” generally appears near the end of Ted Leo’s shows, as it’s his most accessible song as well as an opportunity for him to share the spotlight with his audience.   We might not share all of the moments he sings about, but we all have these times where we wish we said one more thing or offered one more bit of advice.   It’s helpful to have an engaging performer like Ted Leo leading us through these moments because together we can share our moments of regret, accept our shortcomings, and move on.  We might not come to this conclusion on our own, but with Leo’s songs to guide us along, we can start to move on and enjoy the present moment.

More on Ted Leo and the Pharmacists: Allmusic | Amazon MP3 | Emusic | Last.fm