Teddy finally returns with the follow-up to 2000's The Tyranny Of Distance with Hearts Of Oak and he's brought his incredible band, The Pharmacists, with him. Produced by Nicolas Vernhes and Ted Leo himself, Hearts Of Oak takes off where Tyranny left of, with passionate moments and moods inspired by Generation X, Dexy's Midnight Runners, and The Ruts. The album references the intensity and politics of late '80s DC hardcore scene, as well as the political dance pop of Chumbawumba. The basic facts are these: Ted Leo used to be in Chisel and The Sin-Eaters. His songwriting and performances are compared to the likes of Thin Lizzy, Paul Weller, Elvis Costello, and Billy Bragg and informed by his love of punk rock. He's one of the most important, original, and earnest of today's indie punk scene, and Hearts Of Oak is a vital record that defies categorization and is undeniably great on every level.