Their debut album, The Airing of Grievances, was released on the Troubleman Unlimited record label on April 14, 2008 to many positive reviews. The album's loud, heavily distorted guitars are influenced by shoegaze, while the lyrics and song titles are references to various books and other forms of entertainment (such as the album title, from the Seinfeld episode, "The Strike", about Festivus). The Airing of Grievances was reissued on January 20, 2009 on XL Recordings.
The band's second album, The Monitor, was released on March 9, 2010 through XL Recordings to wide critical acclaim, and was cited as one of the best indie albums of the year.
The band has a sizable list of former members, the latest of which, Amy Klein, left the band on October 24, 2011.
...And Ever
Titus Andronicus Lyrics
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The enemy is everywhere
The enemy is everywhere
The enemy is everywhere
Oh I'm worthless and weak, and I'm sick and I'm scared
And the enemy is everywhere
The enemy is everywhere
The enemy is everywhere
The enemy is everywhere
Oh I'm worthless and weak. Oh I'm sick and I'm scared
And the enemy is everywhere
"I am loathe to close. We are not enemies, but friends. We must not be enemies. Though passion may have strained, it must not break the bonds of affection. The mystic chords of memory stretching from battlefield and patriot grave to every living heart and hearthstone all over this broad land, will yet swell the chorus of the union when again touched, for surely they will be, by the better angels of our nature."
This song by Titus Andronicus speaks to the feelings of fear and vulnerability that can arise in times of conflict. The repeated phrase "the enemy is everywhere" creates a sense of paranoia and unease that seems to pervade the singer's worldview. The lines "Oh I'm worthless and weak, and I'm sick and I'm scared" further emphasize this feeling of powerlessness and insecurity.
However, there is also a sense of defiance and resilience in the song. Despite the overwhelming presence of the "enemy," the singer is still able to vocalize their fear and weakness. There is a bravery in admitting vulnerability and confronting it head-on. Additionally, the final lines of the song, which quote Abraham Lincoln's famous inaugural address, speak to the idea that even in times of great strife, there is still hope for reconciliation and progress.
Overall, the song seems to be a reflection on the complex and often conflicting emotions that arise during times of conflict. It acknowledges the fear and uncertainty that can feel all-consuming, while also holding out hope for eventual resolution and healing.
Line by Line Meaning
The enemy is everywhere
There are dangers and threats surrounding us on all sides.
Oh I'm worthless and weak, and I'm sick and I'm scared
I feel lifeless, powerless, ill, and full of fear.
The enemy is everywhere
There are dangers and threats surrounding us on all sides.
Oh I'm worthless and weak. Oh I'm sick and I'm scared
I feel lifeless, powerless, ill, and full of fear.
"I am loathe to close. We are not enemies, but friends. We must not be enemies. Though passion may have strained, it must not break the bonds of affection. The mystic chords of memory stretching from battlefield and patriot grave to every living heart and hearthstone all over this broad land, will yet swell the chorus of the union when again touched, for surely they will be, by the better angels of our nature."
Although we may have been in conflict, we should seek to reconcile and avoid becoming enemies. Despite the strife we have experienced, it is important to maintain our connections with one another and our shared history, which will ultimately bring us together again with kindness and compassion.
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
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