Ted Leo's single "Can't Go Back" off his latest studio album, The Hanged Man, Leo laments his fading fortunes over a jaunty "Mr. Blue Sky" bounce, while Jean Grae's Motown-style backing vocals prod him with a velvet-gloved touch.

Ted, who I've always felt carries the spirit of Joe Strummer in his inspirational pocket, writes choppy galloping Cheap Trick-like guitar riffs with a punk pop sensibility and darker political undertones.

The accompanying video for "Can't Go Back" portrays Ted as a tongue in cheek lounge singer. A far cry from his on stage scrappy guitar slinger, someone usually bleeding by the second song persona.

Resources

Ted Leo - Official Site

Related

• The Both perform in The Current studio (2014)
• Ted Leo and the Pharmacists perform in studio (2005)
• Ted Leo and the Pharmacists perform in studio (2010)