America’s mod prince in waiting, Ted Leo, pops the trunk and gives us his second merciless full-length. While his previous album was a bit more satisfying-all blister’d hooks and visceral surging-Hearts of Oak splays open and shows that Teddy is more an honors grad from Beat Surrender U. He can both fill the dance floor at yr next house party and give up a poetic new lexicon to that special league of post 9-11 rage/disgust/Bush-induced apathy we’ve all got a-brewin’. Gleefully mashing polemics (think D. Boon/Billy Bragg sloganeering plus a shade of flutter and romance) and tight Northern Soul, with the occasional nod to his rude boy roots. Let Ted set you free.