The Monitor is the second studio album by American indie rock band Titus Andronicus, released in March 2010 through XL Recordings. It is a concept album loosely based on themes relating to the American Civil War.

The album title is a reference to the USS Monitor, the first ironclad warship commissioned by the United States Navy, and the closing track, "The Battle of Hampton Roads", refers to the battle between the Monitor and the CSS Virginia, which took place on March 8–9, 1862; according to the band, "Releasing this record is our way of celebrating the 148th anniversary of this historic event." There are numerous references to early Billy Bragg songs such as some lyrics in "A More Perfect Union" and the song "Richard II". "A More Perfect Union" also includes references to the band's New Jersey roots as well as riffs on the lyrics of Bruce Springsteen, another New Jersey native. The Monitor features guest appearances by members of Ponytail, Wye Oak, Hallelujah The Hills, Felice Brothers, Spider Bags, Vivian Girls and the Hold Steady.

Reception

The Monitor received a Metacritic score of 82 out of 100, signaling universal acclaim. Pitchfork included the album in their list of top albums of 2010, at No. 10 while Spectrum Culture gave the album its No. 1 position.Spectrum Culture Best Albums of 2010 "The Monitor" was named Exclaim!'s No. 20 Pop & Rock Album of 2010.

The album was recognized as No. 30 of The 100 Best Albums of the Decade So Far by Pitchfork Media in August 2014.

Track listing All tracks written by Patrick Stickles. 2010 release "A More Perfect Union" – 7:09 "Titus Andronicus Forever" – 1:55 "No Future Part Three: Escape From No Future" – 5:16 "Richard II or Extraordinary Popular Dimensions and the Madness of Crowds (Responsible Hate Anthem)" – 5:06 "A Pot in Which to Piss" – 8:53 "Four Score and Seven" – 8:38 "Theme from Cheers" – 5:01 "To Old Friends and New" – 7:00 "...And Ever" – 2:24 "The Battle of Hampton Roads" – 14:02

Vinyl 2 LP version Side A: 1–4 Side B: 5–6 Side C: 7–9 Side D: 10

2021 remaster Note: The timings of tracks 4, 5, 6, 9 & 10 differ on the remaster, primarily due to index changes. Tracks 4 & 5 no longer segue, and a longer, pre-vocal drone is moved to the beginning of track 5. On the remaster, track 4 is (4:10) and 5 is (10:06). Track 6 includes a slightly longer fadeout, and additional silence, now totaling (8:46). Lincoln's speech is moved from the end of track 9 to the beginning of 10; the result is track 9 is (1:31) and 10 is (14:57). The remaster is 23 seconds longer overall.

Personnel Per the album liner notes:

Titus Andronicus Patrick Stickles – lead vocals, guitar, synthesizer, piano, electronics, harmonica Liam Betson – guitar, vocals Ian Graetzer – bass guitar Eric Harm – drums, percussion, vocals

Additional musicians Julian Veronesi – vocals Dan McGee – vocals Matt Miller – vocals Brendan Stickles – vocals Ryan Walsh – vocals Andrew Cedermark – guitar Pete Feigenbaum – guitar Kevin McMahon – guitar, percussion, vocals Ian O'Neil – guitar, vocals Jenn Wasner – guitar, vocals Dustin Wong – guitar David Bentley – cello Greg Farley – fiddle Brett Bondar – Highland bagpipes, Scottish small pipes Peter Buettner – tenor saxophone Dean Jones – trombone Brian Rutledge – trumpet Elio DeLuca – piano, electric piano, organ, vocals Ian Dykstra – bass drums, sleigh bells, tambourine Alex Tretiak – snare drums, vocals The Monitor Players Okey Canfield Chenoweth III – as Abraham Lincoln Cassie Ramone – as Jefferson Davis Craig Finn – as Walt Whitman, quoting "Vigil Strange I Kept on the Field One Night"

Production Kevin McMahon – producer, recording, mixing Elio DeLuca – additional recording Andy Stack – additional recording Patrick Stickles – incidental four-track recording, tape operator Dustin Miller – vocal recording Craig Calbi – mastering Nolen Strals – layout Alex Tretiak – research assistant

References