So my smile of the day came with the news that Titus Andronicus — that terrifically tortured band, the pride of Glen Rock, New Jersey — have landed a deal with indie heavyweight XL, the folks who bring you Vampire Weekend, Sigur Rós, and a little album called In Rainbows from Radiohead, among others. XL plans a reissue next month of Titus' album The Airing of Grievances, which was previously released on Jersey's Troubleman Unlimited. Hopefully this means wider attention will be paid to a record that deserves to be heard by as many people as possible.

One of my favorite interviews of the year was a summertime sitdown with the Titus guys in a suburban backyard. Hear what they have to say about Shakespeare, Seinfeld, shoegaze and punk — and best of all check out a couple of their rousing tunes. Read more...