Named after Shakespeare’s earliest, bloodiest tragedy—rape, murder, severed hands, cannibalism (lite)—Titus Andronicus has a reputation to live up to among the more literate set. Fortunately for them, most people will probably just think that their name sounds cool, perhaps “Roman-y.” Although, I have no idea how the kids in Glen Rock, NJ spend their time when they aren’t making the rock music, so maybe there’s a whole complex substructure to the lyrical arrangement and virtuoso counterpoint soliloquy blah blah blah I’m a rock critic, yr mom, iambic pentameter…
I doubt it.
Titus Andronicus’ debut, The Airing of Grievances, is more teen angst than tragedy, but it’s got some gems on it. One of those gems, also called “Titus Andronicus,” is a nasty little ripper about throwing guitars, throwing back beers, and throwing yourself on the mercy of the crowd at a rock show. It’s not recommended, unless you have the right attitude, which Titus Andronicus does: “Fuck everything/fuck me… your life is over!”
The Airing of Grievances reissue hits the streets January 20, 2009 (that’s right, it’s your Inauguration Day jam) on XL Recordings. They’ll tour in early 2009 with Los Campensinos, who are “twee,” which means that you can relax the fist that you’ll pump violently through T.A.’s set.