Titus Andronicus croons about history, love and patriotism

Titus Andronicus

The Monitor

XL Recording

Rocks… Titus Andronicus

The Monitor

XL Recording

Rocks like: Neutral Milk Hotel, Pavement

B+

“As a nation of free men, we will live forever or die by suicide.”

Titus Andronicus gives a new meaning to patriotism by its use of the words of Abraham Lincoln that begin its applauded sophomore album, The Monitor.

The 10-track album includes the same rough, yelled vocals, electrifying guitars and pounded drums as the band’s previous sound did. However, a more amplified and improved sound quality makes this album much more pleasing, no matter how raw and rowdy it gets.

With added saxophone and harmonica solos, surprising string sections, a key-pounded piano and heroic bagpipes, Titus Andronicus achieves a dynamic sound that its first album lacked.

Labeling The Monitor as a risk to this world dominated by 3-minute pop songs is a serious understatement.

The Monitor is a concept album with five songs more than 7 minutes long, including the last 14-minute anthemic track, “The Battle of Hampton Roads.” The album in its entirety is a unique musical experience.

You cannot look at the songs individually because together they form a message that waits to be uncovered.

Within the emotional melting pot that Titus Andronicus concocts, the mesh of intense love songs, civil war salutes and the same old punk rock elements put a new twist on contemporary subjects.

They aren’t afraid to ask why. It’s a refreshing slap in the face and a much-needed back pedal into what music used to be.

The Monitor is a trophy of improvement from Titus Andronicus’ first album.