If you’re new to Titus Andronicus, you’d be a brave person to take their fourth album as a starting point.

A double concept album based around a character known as “Our Hero”, this is certainly not a convenient introduction to the New Jersey band.

There's plenty of rugged, rousing indie-punk songs to sate fans, though; No Future Part IV and Come On, Siobhan are vigorous, swarthy numbers, and they've apparently conceded on the Pogues comparisons with a deft cover of A Pair of Brown Eyes.

Elsewhere, their '80s new-wave influence is audible on the likable Joe Jackson-esque swagger of Lonely Boy and Mr E Mann – but at 92 minutes, even the most devoted of fans will find this an arduous and often repetitive listen.

titusandronicus.net