The Monitor is the second studio album by American indie rock band Titus Andronicus, released in March 2010 through XL Recordings. It is a concept album loosely based on themes relating to the American Civil War.
The album title is a reference to the USS Monitor, the first ironclad warship commissioned by the United States Navy, and the closing track, "The Battle of Hampton Roads", refers to the battle between the Monitor and the CSS Virginia, which took place on March 8–9, 1862; according to the band, "Releasing this record is our way of celebrating the 148th anniversary of this historic event." There are numerous references to early Billy Bragg songs such as some lyrics in "A More Perfect Union" and the song "Richard II". "A More Perfect Union" also includes references to the band's New Jersey roots as well as riffs on the lyrics of Bruce Springsteen, another New Jersey native. The Monitor features guest appearances by members of Ponytail, Wye Oak, Hallelujah The Hills, Felice Brothers, Spider Bags, Vivian Girls and the Hold Steady.
Contents
Reception
The Monitor received a Metacritic score of 82 out of 100, signaling universal acclaim. Pitchfork included the album in their list of top albums of 2010, at No. 10 while Spectrum Culture gave the album its No. 1 position. "The Monitor" was named Exclaim!'s No. 20 Pop & Rock Album of 2010.
The album was recognized as No. 30 of The 100 Best Albums of the Decade So Far by Pitchfork Media in August 2014.
Track listing
All tracks written by Patrick Stickles.
2010 release
"A More Perfect Union" – 7:09
"Titus Andronicus Forever" – 1:55
"No Future Part Three: Escape From No Future" – 5:16
"Richard II or Extraordinary Popular Dimensions and the Madness of Crowds (Responsible Hate Anthem)" – 5:06
"A Pot in Which to Piss" – 8:53
"Four Score and Seven" – 8:38
"Theme from Cheers" – 5:01
"To Old Friends and New" – 7:00
"...And Ever" – 2:24
"The Battle of Hampton Roads" – 14:02
Vinyl 2 LP version
Side A: 1–4
Side B: 5–6
Side C: 7–9
Side D: 10
2021 remaster
Note: The timings of tracks 4, 5, 6, 9 & 10 differ on the remaster, primarily due to index changes. Tracks 4 & 5 no longer segue, and a longer, pre-vocal drone is moved to the beginning of track 5. On the remaster, track 4 is (4:10) and 5 is (10:06). Track 6 includes a slightly longer fadeout, and additional silence, now totaling (8:46). Lincoln's speech is moved from the end of track 9 to the beginning of 10; the result is track 9 is (1:31) and 10 is (14:57). The remaster is 23 seconds longer overall.
Personnel
Per the album liner notes:
Titus Andronicus
Patrick Stickles – lead vocals, guitar, synthesizer, piano, electronics, harmonica
Liam Betson – guitar, vocals
Ian Graetzer – bass guitar
Eric Harm – drums, percussion, vocals
Additional musicians
Julian Veronesi – vocals
Dan McGee – vocals
Matt Miller – vocals
Brendan Stickles – vocals
Ryan Walsh – vocals
Andrew Cedermark – guitar
Pete Feigenbaum – guitar
Kevin McMahon – guitar, percussion, vocals
Ian O'Neil – guitar, vocals
Jenn Wasner – guitar, vocals
Dustin Wong – guitar
David Bentley – cello
Greg Farley – fiddle
Brett Bondar – Highland bagpipes, Scottish small pipes
Peter Buettner – tenor saxophone
Dean Jones – trombone
Brian Rutledge – trumpet
Elio DeLuca – piano, electric piano, organ, vocals
Ian Dykstra – bass drums, sleigh bells, tambourine
Alex Tretiak – snare drums, vocals
The Monitor Players
Okey Canfield Chenoweth III – as Abraham Lincoln
Cassie Ramone – as Jefferson Davis
Production
Kevin McMahon – producer, recording, mixing
Elio DeLuca – additional recording
Andy Stack – additional recording
Patrick Stickles – incidental four-track recording, tape operator
Dustin Miller – vocal recording
Craig Calbi – mastering
Nolen Strals – layout
Alex Tretiak – research assistant