Sniper Rifle Music

Well hello there Sniper Rifle. It’s been awhile since we’ve spoken and man has there been some great music in that time. I thought I’d jump back into this game by catching you up a band that I’ve been listening lately. It just so happens I just picked up on of their more recent singles on 7″ vinyl on a trip to Austin’s Waterloo Records and I thought I’d share some thoughts on it.

I first started listening to Titus Andronicus after they released their 2009 album ‘The Airing of Grievances’ and haven’t looked back. The band combines elements of punk rock with their in your face lyrical approach, alternative rock guitars melodies, all layered with the noise you’d come to expect from a shoe-gazing band. I immediately fell in love with their sound and energy off that debut album. In September of last year they released their sophomore album, ‘The Monitor’, and this single is one of the songs off that album.

“Four Score and Seven” is split into two parts, one on each side of the 7″. Part 1 explores the emotions of a young man about to embark on a journey into war. A very somber guitar backs the equally melancholy vocal track. Incredible lyrics that survey feelings of despair and hopelessness. Flip the record over and you’re immersed into the fray as this young man has now been battle tested/worn and expresses his frustration. The soldier is no longer hopeless, but realizes that “I was born to die just like man” as he accepts his duty in the war and partly in the world. However, the war finally gets the better of him as he claims that “It’s still us against them and they’re winning”. The backing instrumentation behind all these self revelations is full of raging guitars and the fury of drums on a mission.

Really happy with this purchase. It’s got the feeling of experimentation and growth while still holding true to the formula that I have come to love from Titus Andronicus. If you’re interested in listening to some of Titus Andronicus, including this song (pt. 1 and 2) check them out on their myspace page. Look forward to seeing a lot more from these guys in the future.