The Most Lamentable Tragedy

"The Most Lamentable Tragedy" has been released hard on the heels of "Local Business," and the two records are like having "The Airing of Grievances" and "The Monitor" side by side. Where the earlier record is rumbling punk that lifts being noisy to the level of profession, "The Most Lamentable Tragedy" keeps all of the musical anarchy and weds it to what seems more like a rock meditation than a rock opera. The two-CD album doesn't tell the story of Shakespeare's "The Most Lamentable Tragedy of Titus Andronichus," but, instead, has its own, more urban story to tell. (Shakespeare's play is pretty operatic by itself, but rape, mutilation, murder, and cannibalism in the name of revenge and "honor" was too strong in the 16th century, and it's pretty hard to capture such things in song.)The music is more diverse than "Local Business," but it remains incredibly catchy. Every song, nearly, could be an anthem for somebody, and it's only after gazing at the lyric sheet that we realize what we're singing along with. . . and shudder. This is an excellent record, with Titus Andronichus doing what it does best. (Punk rock isn't dead. Only the people who think it is are.)

Every so often, a musician attempts an opus. This is mostly at the risk of being labelled as pompous or arrogant by critics and fans. It's easier for musicians thinking of this sort of thing to avoid the derision. Detached irony is way cooler than wearing your heart on your sleeve. Fortunately, Stickles is brave enough to take a chance that most musicians will never take.In an era where many people have the attention spans of newts, Titus releases a 90 minute (my estimate) concept garage rock/punk album where the listener is required to apply thought and effort to really understand it and feel it. If you put some effort into listening to this album, you'll get more out of it. I'm not saying it's Dostoevsky, but sometimes a great piece of art requires the listener or viewer to do some work. If you play this album 20 times, it will open up for you and you'll really start to feel it.Our society has gotten to the point that cartoons are often 11 minutes because many folks won't tolerate anything longer. Try breaking out of the mold and put some work into listening to something of substance. This album kills it on many levels. You might want to read Stickles' posts on genius dot com, where he explains the lyrics.

I was looking forward to hearing this new album by Titus Andronicus very much, especially after being blow away by the band's previous album, "The Monitor". But try as I might --- and I've played this one now over 20 times all the way through --- I have to say I'm a bit disappointed. It's certainly no disaster, but overall it just isn't moving me that much.I appreciate the "concept" nature of this album, or song cycle, or whatever you want to call it. It's certainly an ambitious, sprawling 2-CD set of music, but too many of the songs don't have the musical depth, tunefulness, or lyrical spark and wit that I found so engaging on the previous album. Perhaps it would have made a better single disc recording. That said, there ARE some very good songs on here, and I love their cover of the Pogues song. Plenty of energy and wild abandon on some tracks, but others just fell flat for me.All my reservations aside, I still think this is a very interesting band and will be eager to hear their next album.

this album is the freshness. check it dont wreck it.

Depressing. Great album, but depressing. Hard to suggest.

I want to like this more than I do.

The Monitor mną wstrząsnął, nowa płyta czyni ze mną to samo. Fantastyczna.

Amazing. Holds up very well for its length.

I Bought this on the strength of the review in a recent issue of Uncut Magazine. I really enjoy most American guitar music but am always weary of the Hardcore scene, very often it just seems a bad take on the classic UK Punk scene from the seventies and aimed at quite a young market. . Despite having a reasonable catalogue Titus Andronicus were also a new name to me. Anyway I sampled a couple of tracks on you tube and then took a punt. What i hear is nothing new but some very obvious influences from Clash, Pogues, Replacements, Hold steady with a tiny bit of Springsteen and possibly Thin Lizzy in the guitars. What i also like is the Punky energy, in a market currently dominated by electronica/ folktronica this is a great album to blow away the cobwebs and get back to the energy of Rock n Roll.Negatives ? Its overlong and its subject matter can be a bit wearing, some of the link segments are not really nessecary.Overall In a pretty quiet year for quality Rock n Roll releases, am just happy to have something decent to blast out the Car stereo and there`s enough here to prompt further investigation of the catalogue and to put the Band on my gig wish list for the next tour.

Titus Andronicus painted their masterpiece

I'm not a huge punk fan, admittedly. However this album was just amazing. At times beautifully melodic, at times grungy, at times sweet, at times, confusing... Auld Lang Syne? really? The puzzle of playing the album is a great twist for playback. I had never heard Titus Andronicus before this album, but I will definitely be experiencing more of their music. A terrific listen.

Not my cup of tea.A mistake.