A band from New Jersey idolizes Bruce Springsteen (not so unusual), goes into the studio to record their sophomore album (again, not so unusual), and records an album loosely based around the American Civil War, using antique war-themed metaphors and scraps of historical recorded speeches to portray the harsh truths of modern life (uh...yeah, you got me there). Titus Andronicus could have easily allowed this set of songs to slip into the realm of novelty or pretension, and with this concept that seems the inevitable conclusion. However, these guys rip through these songs, dismantling them as they go and rearranging them to fit even better together. The Monitor bristles with the kind of relentless energy that was found on their debut The Airing Of Grievances but it's been ratcheted up to eleven and by filtering their regret and anger through this all-too-appropriate period in history, Titus Andronicus manage to connect the past mistakes of America with the modern tragedies of America and still faithfully and seriously handle all the relevant issues that crop up. From the ballistic opener "A More Perfect Union", almost a statement of intent from the band, to the ending "The Battle of Hampton Roads", an extended treatise on youthful anger and the ways in which people handle it, the band included, The Monitor rips the guts out of the history of America and reveals that, while time and temperament may have changed, we are still as fucked up as ever.
Tracklisting:
01. A More Perfect Union (listen to the mp3 below)
02. Titus Andronicus Forever
03. No Future Part Three
04. Richard II
05. A Pot in Which to Piss
06. Four Score and Seven
07. Theme from “Cheers”
08. To Old Friends and New
09. ...And Ever
10. The Battle of Hampton Roads
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