By Tyler Fassnacht

“As nation of free men, we will live forever, or die by suicide.” This is the end of the quote by Abraham Lincoln that kicks off Titus Andronicus’ sophomore album, The Monitor. Through our actions and sacrifice, we will be the cause of our own demise and without surrender, without compromising our integrity, we will keep fighting, even though it will most likely end in failure and defeat. Hints of this message ring throughout the entire album, which focuses more on the enemy and hate than victory.

Right from the explosive, seven minute opener, “A More Perfect Union”, its apparent that the band has come back, full force, with a higher production value, louder vocals in the mix and a beefed up tone. Yet, even with the cleaner advancements, Titus Andronicus still keep the majority of their signature reverb soaked guitars and gritty vocals, often yelled. I mean we are still dealing with the same lovable lo-fi, shoegazy DIY punk band. One new thing for this album that is quickly noticeable is the variety of instrumentation used. Heard throughout The Monitor are fiddles, piano, brass horns and even a bagpipe.

On their first album, we got used to some longer songs, but this time around they have really expanded on that. Five of the ten songs clock in at more than seven minutes, with the epic closer “The Battle of Hampton Roads” at a massive fourteen minutes. Actually I would consider almost all the songs epic on this album. Building up from quiet guitar picking to mammoth, shout along choruses and sprawling solos reinforced with a wall of buzzing distortion, Titus Andronicus really know how to fluctuate through different sounds and write an engaging song. Even though the album runs at approximately sixty-five minutes, it seems to go by like a bullet.

Titus Andronicus created a really unique musical experience with their second album; it is hard to compare it against other recent albums, even with band’s first album. The Monitor is not so much about songs and singles, but a message that needs to be heard in its entirety and that also happens to kick ass.

SIDENOTE: Titus Andronicus will be playing the Project Lodge here in Madison on April 6th. This band puts on one of the best live shows I’ve ever seen, so I suggest that no one misses out on this, as it is likely a concert that will be remembered.

Buy: Titus Andronicus – The Monitor
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MP3: Titus Andronicus – “Four Score And Seven” (Part One)
MP3: Titus Andronicus – “Four Score And Seven” (Part Two)

I’m quite excited for the forthcoming She & Him Volume 2 album. I’ll be honest that it took me awhile to come around on this duo, but I’m a full-fledged believer now. The band has been confirmed for a Milwaukee show on Friday, June 4th at the recently announced Verge festival.

Today, NPR is offering a “First Listen” to the entire Volume 2 (March 23, Merge)

Buy: She & Him – Volume Two

Here are the Wisconsin and Illinois shows we recommend you take in this week. Check them out below and let us know which ones you’ll be attending or ones you think should really make our list.

Upcoming Shows:

3/15 – Strand of Oaks – House Show (Milwaukee)
3/15 – Electric 6 – High Saloon (MADISON)
3/15 – Norah Jones – Overture Hall (MADISON)
3/16 – Willie Nelson – Overture Hall (MADISON)
3/16 – The Clientele + Field Music – High Noon Saloon (MADISON)
3/16 – The Very Best – Bottom Lounge (CHICAGO)
3/16 – RJD2 – Majestic Theatre (MADISON)
3/17 – The Clientele + Field Music – Lincoln Hall (CHICAGO)
3/18 – POS + Astronautalis – Bottom Lounge (CHICAGO)
3/18 – The Appleseed Cast – High Saloon (MADISON)
3/18 – The Big Pink + A Place to Bury Strangers – Turner Hall Ballroom (MILWAUKEE)
3/18 – Jay Z – United Center (CHICAGO)
3/19 – P.O.S. + Astronautalis – High Noon Saloon (MADISON)
3/19 – Norah Jones – Riverside Theater (MILWAUKEE)
3/20 – David Gray – Riverside Theater (MILWAIKEE)
3/20 – POS + Astronautalis – Turner Hall Ballroom (MILWAUKEE)
3/20 – Scout Niblett – The Frequency (MADISON)

Just Announced:

4/28 – Jakob Dylan + Neko Case – Pabst Theater (MILWAUKEE)
4/30 – Kings Go Forth – Turner Hall Ballroom (MILWAUKEE)
5/9 – Simon & Garfunkel- Kohl Center (MADISON)
5/10 – Matt Pond PA + Bobby Long – Mad Planet (MILWAUKE)
5/20 – Sage Francis – Turner Hall Ballroom (MILWAUKEE)

+Bookmark our upcoming shows page for all your concert announcements+

SXSW bound Timothy Showalter aka Strand of Oaks will be in Milwaukee next week before heading South to Austin. Never one to miss a beautiful opportunity, we’ve arranged a very limited, 25 person house show on Monday, March 15th at 8pm. Cost is $10. Drop a comment or send me an e-mail to be put on the list. Show is sold out.

Download: Strand of Oaks – Daytrotter Session
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Buy: Strand of Oaks – Leave Ruin

The National performed “Terrible Love” on Jimmy Fallon last night. The song will be on their forthcoming release, High Violet, due May 11th. That date can’t come soon enough.

Pretty excited about this one. In 2004, I played Matt Pond PA’s Emblems non-stop. Next month they release The Dark Leaves (April 13), which, judging by the information I’m reading, sounds like a pretty emotionally heavy album. “These are the far flung stories of heartache and pain and redemption. These are stories of pain where a person completely dives into their own pitch-black night and comes out again, These are also stories of when the dark finally leaves.”

We’ve teamed up with 91.7 WMSE to bring Matt Pond PA + Bobby Long to Mad Planet in Milwaukee on Monday, May 10th. Tickets are $12 and are on sale now.

Pre-Order: Matt Pond PA – The Dark Leaves