The Monitor by Titus Andronicus (2010)

In a shocking for anyone else except for these guys move, New Jersey's own Titus Andronicus decided that for their sophomore follow up album they would drop... an American Civil War concept album.

The album title is a reference to the first ironclad warship commissioned by the United States Navy, and the closing trackrefers to the battle between said warship and the CSS Virginia. According to the band, "Releasing this record is our way of celebrating the 148th anniversary of this historic event." Okay then.

"A More Perfect Union" also includes references to the band's New Jersey roots as well as riffs on the lyrics of NJ icon Bruce Springsteen.

The album ends up not only being absolutely fantastic but it also accomplishes a tricky metaphor comparing personal struggles to civil wars and manages to (unfortunately) foretell a good deal of our modern political era.

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