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.
Within The Gravitron
Titus Andronicus Lyrics
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They fight over a future that gets shorter by the day
The unrelenting train of progress ever pushing through
Says, "Anything that we can do is what we're going to"
That's why we're spinning in a centrifuge
Where the unscrupulous can never lose
It's enough to make you want to puke
Oh, what is a person to do?
Spinning in a centrifuge will make you want to puke
You'd think that such a fight would make the fighter very tired
But it only gets them more excited and twice as inspired
To go and find another guy and pummel him on sight
The fight is all that matters, the opponent? Nevermind
Oh, why is man obsessed with making something die?
I'll tell you why, to cast the false illusion of their might
As women carry the secret of life
Carry the secret of life or shrivel up under the light
The light is beautiful and bright, oh my
From the mother country to the fatherland
They're looking for Trouble man
All over creation, they are chasing, hot damn
They're wondering where I am
Waves of secret agents in a caravan
Shaking hammers in their hands
Satan's elevation is their major plan, they're making it happen
But if you're looking for Trouble man
I might start with your dearest friend
Or you just might look at the president
Or anyone between the two of them
Pondering where it began, trying to find the alien
Bit if you're looking for Trouble man
Nothing can show you like a mirror can
Oh yeah
The lyrics of Titus Andronicus's song "Within The Gravitron" explore themes of anger, fear, progress, and violence. The opening lines suggest that people's anger stems from their underlying fear, and in their fight for a future that seems to be diminishing rapidly, they fail to realize that progress itself is the driving force behind this fear. The unrelenting train of progress represents society's relentless pursuit of advancement, with the belief that anything that can be done, will be done.
The chorus introduces the concept of spinning in a centrifuge, symbolizing the chaotic and uncontrolled nature of modern society. The centrifuge is a metaphor for the world we live in, where unethical individuals thrive, leaving us feeling helpless and overwhelmed. The lyrics question what an individual can do in such a situation, as the centrifuge makes us want to "puke," implying a feeling of disgust and nausea towards the state of affairs.
The following verse discusses the paradoxical nature of fights and violence. Instead of tiring fighters out, it only fuels them with excitement and inspiration to continue their battles. The lyrics ponder why humans are so obsessed with causing harm and destruction, suggesting that it is to maintain a false sense of power and superiority. In contrast, women are portrayed as carriers of life and the secret to its continuation, highlighting their essential role in society. However, they are often overshadowed and disregarded in the face of violence and aggression.
The song then shifts to a more political commentary, referencing the mother country and the fatherland, which could symbolize nations or ideological pillars. The lyrics mention Trouble man, secret agents, hammers, and Satan's elevation, alluding to a corrupt power structure and its agenda. The song suggests that if one is looking for trouble or seeking to understand the root cause of societal issues, they should examine those in positions of power such as the president and the individuals surrounding them. However, the ultimate message is that if you are looking to truly understand the troubles of the world, you need to reflect on yourself, as a mirror can reveal the truth.
Line by Line Meaning
People are acting angry because people are afraid
People are expressing anger because they are scared
They fight over a future that gets shorter by the day
They argue about a future that is diminishing rapidly
The unrelenting train of progress ever pushing through
The unstoppable force of progress that continuously advances
Says, 'Anything that we can do is what we're going to'
Asserts that they will do whatever is possible
That's why we're spinning in a centrifuge
That is why we are trapped in a chaotic cycle
Where the unscrupulous can never lose
Where those without morals always prevail
It's enough to make you want to puke
It's repulsive and nauseating
Spinning in a centrifuge and never being asked to choose
Trapped in a cycle without having a choice
Oh, what is a person to do?
Oh, what options does a person have?
Spinning in a centrifuge will make you want to puke
Being trapped in a cycle is disgust-inducing
You'd think that such a fight would make the fighter very tired
One would assume that fighting would exhaust the combatant
But it only gets them more excited and twice as inspired
Instead, it energizes and motivates them even more
To go and find another guy and pummel him on sight
They seek out someone else to physically attack immediately
The fight is all that matters, the opponent? Nevermind
The only thing that holds importance is the conflict, not the adversary
Oh, why is man obsessed with making something die?
Why does humanity have an excessive fixation on causing death?
I'll tell you why, to cast the false illusion of their might
To create an untrue perception of their power
As women carry the secret of life
While women possess the knowledge of bringing forth life
Carry the secret of life or shrivel up under the light
Embrace the gift of life or deteriorate under scrutiny
The light is beautiful and bright, oh my
The truth and knowledge are radiant and splendid
From the mother country to the fatherland
From the nation of origin to the homeland
They're looking for Trouble man
They are actively seeking someone causing turmoil
All over creation, they are chasing, hot damn
They are pursuing Trouble throughout the entire world, with great enthusiasm
They're wondering where I am
They are curious about my whereabouts
Waves of secret agents in a caravan
Groups of undercover operatives in a procession
Shaking hammers in their hands
Holding hammers and ready to strike
Satan's elevation is their major plan, they're making it happen
Their primary objective is to promote evil, and they are actively achieving it
But if you're looking for Trouble man
However, if you seek a person causing chaos
I might start with your dearest friend
I suggest considering your closest companion
Or you just might look at the president
Alternatively, analyze the actions of the president
Or anyone between the two of them
Or anyone positioned between those two individuals
Pondering where it began, trying to find the alien
Contemplating the origins and searching for the outsider
Bit if you're looking for Trouble man
But if you are indeed seeking a troublemaker
Nothing can show you like a mirror can
No one can reveal it to you better than your own reflection
Oh yeah
Oh yes
Lyrics © ROUGH TRADE PUBLISHING
Written by: Patrick Joseph Stickles
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind