TomAz's Official, Ugly, Totally Threatening Titus Andronicus Misery Slog

[bmack86]

Tom, I think I agree with your greater idea about the development of the theme of the music without necessarily focusing it on war as a specific. I think so much of the Monitor is about stepping back and realizing that, even in the most extreme of situations, the most blunt of thought is never going to serve you most effectively. The idea that if you attack something with a broad sword, you're going to lop off more than you can chew. I think they intended to add nuance and depth as the narrator gets further into the complexity of emotional development and societal discomfit.

And I think this is a top 5 of the year album without a doubt. I knew I'd love it, I knew it'd take awhile, and I'm glad I've finally caught up to the album in terms of my listening.

[humanoid]

this album is so awesome...but I've only listened to it twice so far, so i am so far unable to revel in its full glory...I look forward to spending much more time with it

thanks for pointing us all in the right direction

[bmack86]

I've probably listened to the album about 10 times in the last week. I had to go out to buy the record today because it's so damn addicting.

[humanoid]

i have to go buy it as soon as possible...I think I love literally every second of it

[bballarl]

I wish I could go back to hearing it again for the first time. I'm pretty sure I texted Bryan for no reason other than to tell him how good it was.

[greghead]

This record killed me the first time through. "Can it really be THIS good?" I have spent the last month quietly listening and absorbing, allowing my brain time to process and interpret. This period has confirmed what I felt the first time I heard The Monitor: this record fucking slays. Indescribable joy.

[bballarl]

I don't feel uncomfortable describing it as a modern classic. I think its stature will grow with time.

[PotVsKtl]

Eh.

[bballarl]

It's a fucking killer punk rock record. I think its ambition will do it some favors down the line.

[TomAz]

speaking of ambition.

[ivankay]

i'd like to put this in the running for my funeral song (assuming there is one when i demise)

[TomAz]

I think The Monitor does as much for me now as London Calling did 30 years ago.

I don't feel uncomfortable describing it as a modern classic.

I think we are saying the exact same thing here.

[bballarl]

I think we are saying the exact same thing here.

True that Tom. True that.

[seyrnon]

I think The Monitor does as much for me now as London Calling did 30 years ago. I am not kidding.

I downloaded this album first thing after reading this quote thinking "damn, that's a heavy statement." and I have to say its lived up to that hype easily. This is the most awesome, most charged, and overall most brilliant record I've listened to in a long fuckin time.

[hendrixfan143]

I can easily say that Titus Andronicus is the best band of this era. One of the handful of bands I listen to that isn't from the past.

[TomAz]

He's just 18 for now but he's going to murder us all.

[seyrnon]

He's just 18 for now but he's going to murder us all.

the drop after "is there a soul on this earth that isn't too frightened to move" might be my favorite moment in the whole album.

[TomAz]

As long as we are talking, let me take the opportunity to thank all the good people who have offered to put us up during our forthcoming UK travels. We still have a few holes, though - we desperately need shelter in NEWCASTLE, SHEFFIELD, and CORK! Can you help please? Let me remind you, that if you agree to invite us to yr house as yr guest, YOU will be invited to the show as OUR guest, that is, FOR FREE! You can bring a couple friends too. What a deal! Please e-mail TitusAndronicusTheBand@Gmail.com if you can help.

Okay, great! That's all for today - you guys take care now.

Yr friend,
Patrick

how cool would that be?

[faxman75]

the drop after "is there a soul on this earth that isn't too frightened to move" might be my favorite moment in the whole album.

I love that part.

I wonder how they are live these days. Youtube is hardly a good judge and I know people who live in the NE who claim they are absolutely terrible live and I've seen a youtube or two that i've cringed watching and listening to.

[TomAz]

I wonder how they are live these days. Youtube is hardly a good judge and I know people who live in the NE who claim they are absolutely terrible live and I've seen a youtube or two that i've cringed watching and listening to.

...

I've seen them at two fests and two club shows, and they've always been excellent. Their 2008 Pitchfork set was extraordinarily memorable, as they played one of the songs from the new one (the one where Your life is over!) during a pretty decent rain as Patrick ran around the stage flying this old school US flag:



It was so fucking badass, and not long after The Airing of Grievances came out. Andrew, Jeff and I also saw them open for No Age at the Troubadour, and Andrew and I saw them at the Bootleg on this tour. Fucking great live act.

[seyrnon]

I love that part.

I wonder how they are live these days. Youtube is hardly a good judge and I know people who live in the NE who claim they are absolutely terrible live and I've seen a youtube or two that i've cringed watching and listening to.

yeah
all the youtube I've seen has been shit but there "for no one" performance of Battle was pretty great if you ask me

[faxman75]

I trust the bmack opinion. I really want to see these guys. This could be a fun Coachella meetup set if it happens.

[bballarl]

They are amazing live. I have seen them three times now, and they were fantastic each time.

[Drinkey McDrinkerstein]

they were really good at FYF. Huge turn out during a very hot day though. i definitely want to see them in a smaller venue

[Llama of Time]

I've heard only great things myself about them live.

I want to see them so badly but they haven't been here this year, and I got into them with "the Monitor" (fantastic album) so I haven't had a chance.

[hendrixfan143]

I've only seen them at the echo and at FYF, but they were both great, Point is you should see them

[TomAz]

Why is it that men seem to like this album more than women? I guess I don't know the genders of everyone posting in here, but I don't know of one single female who has said they like this album. Am I wrong?

[greghead]

I recommended the album to a friend from high school and she loves it. Or so she says.

[mountmccabe]

Your life is over

[miscorrections]

Why is it that men seem to like this album more than women? I guess I don't know the genders of everyone posting in here, but I don't know of one single female who has said they like this album. Am I wrong?

I like them as a band very much but I haven't given this album a fair shake because on first listen or two I much preferred The Airing of Grievances.