[Stream] Titus Andronicus - “Four Score And Seven”
New Jersey indie-rockers Titus Andronicus are back with a follow up to their debut album, The Airing Of Grievances. The new album, entitled The Monitor, is due to be released on March 9th, courtesy of XL Recordings. According to singer/Band leader Patrick Stickles, they approached The Monitor with a different kind of writing process this time.:
"'The Monitor' is more or less a "concept album" – that is to say, it uses the American Civil War of 1861-1865 as an extended metaphor for the concerns addressed in a somewhat linear narrative. In said narrative, our hero leaves his humble birthplace of New Jersey - the oppressive and stifling qualities of which were discussed ad nauseam about one album ago – for the greener pastures of Boston, Massachusetts. His thesis – "the enemy is everywhere" – is put to the ultimate test as he pontificates on the topics of regional identity, emotional anesthetization, and the heavy yoke of trying to live decently in indecent times. All the while, he is forced to wonder whether said American Civil War was truly won or lost, or even completed. Will he find the supportive environment and like-minded compatriots he dreams of? Or will he be forced to leave his newly adopted home in ideological disgrace? What does it mean to be an American in 2009 anyway? Who are our so-called "friends" and how actually friendly are they? Is it necessary, or even a good idea, for an indie rock album to ask these sorts of questions? The Dark Knight, Curb Your Enthusiasm, and The Taming of the Shrew also fit in there somewhere."
Recorded in August of 2009, The Monitor features guest players from members of The Hold Steady, Wye Oak, Vivian Girls and Ponytail. It will be available as a compact disc or as a double vinyl LP, both with gorgeous artwork by Nolen Strals, vocalist of Double Dagger and co-author of the recently published textbook, Lettering and Type, and of course digitally.
Want a taste of what's to come on The Monitor? You can stream "Four Score And Seven" right here!
It's an eight minute song, so it's been cut into two pieces for your listening convenience:
Titus Andronicus - "Four Score And Seven" part one
Titus Andronicus -"Four Score And Seven" part two
Make sure you check them out at Bowery Ballroom in NYC on March 6th if you're in the city. If not, you can catch them at any of these in-store performances accross the country (see flyer below).:
