"The Monitor" Review

This is music, my friends. This is music. This is music at its most aggressive and emotional, at its most gripping, at its most sincere. This is the best straightforward ROCK album (although there's a bit of experimentation and ambiance thrown in there) I've heard since I made the decision to download "The Lonesome Crowded West" by Modest Mouse in 8th grade. This is Titus Andronicus' sophomore album, "The Monitor."

I've never heard an album that flows so well in my life, that has such diversity while retaining such a unique and raw sound. The first six or so songs just go one right into the next, using brilliantly executed segues and quotes from prominent American historical figures for transitions. The songs themselves are essentially mini-epics. (except for the full-fledged epic "The Battle of Hampton Falls, and the two brief but powerful punches "Titus Andronicus Forever" and "...And Ever.") These mini-epics go all over the place, not following much of any conventional song structure.

Song structure's the last thing the listener's even thinking about when listening to this, though. It's not the structure of the songs, but what's contained in the very songs themselves. Walls of guitar and drums and bagpipes and god-knows-what-else just come crashing at you while Stickles shouts with his scruffy and fractured voice over it all. At points, it's impossible to absorb. Sure, there ARE quiet moments, but the band for the most part is absolutely relentless. Take one look at all of the people that participated on this album, and the loudness makes sense. There's a lot of people doing a lot of stuff on this.

The things that stood out most to me on this beautiful mess were the lyrics. I could give so many examples, but I'll give my personal favorite, from "The Battle of Hampton Falls":

Solidarity is going to give a lot less than it'll take
Is there a girl at this college who hasn't been raped?
Is there a boy in this town that's not exploding with hate?
Is there a human alive that can look themselves in the face
Without winking, or say what they mean without drinking
Or believe in something without thinking:
"What if somebody doesn't approve?"
Is there a soul on this Earth that isn't afraid to move?

I have nothing more to say, I feel like I've said enough. This is an absolute gem though, a serious accomplishment. If you're a fan of aggressive music, this is going to be one of your favorite albums of all time. If you're not a fan of aggressive music, this probably won't be your thing, despite the moments of rest inbetween. But listen before you knock it.

10/10

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