Frank Turner – Poetry Of The Deed

By paul

For the most part, he needs no introduction. Winchester’s Frank Turner has been churning out folk rock anthems since the demise of his former band, Million Dead back in 2005. Now very much a household name in his own right, Frank is back with album number three, ‘Poetry Of The Deed’ and it’s his strongest effort to date by a country mile.

The most noticeable difference between ‘Poetry Of The Deed’ and his previous work, is that the entire album is very much a full band affair, as opposed to the one-man-and-his-guitar offerings that launched Frank in the first place. Even compared to the rockier, more energetic numbers that were littered throughout ‘Sleep Is For The Weak’ and ‘Love, Ire and Song’, everything sounds fuller and more complete this time around. From the beautiful piano accompaniments that drip over songs like ‘Isabel’ and ‘Our Lady Of The Campfire’ to the frankly stunning drumming arrangements throughout, make no mistake – Frank Turner is a band now, and ‘Poetry Of The Deed’ is that band’s defining hour.

Lyrically he’s as honest and open as ever. Never one to fuss about with too many metaphors, Frank is most convincing when he’s at his most literal. Whether it’s the punk rock call-to-arms that is ‘Try This At Home’ or the achingly beautiful ode to his mother, ‘Faithful Son’, there’s never any doubt that he means every single word that pass his lips. Like, really means them. Lead single, ‘The Road’ is the song I imagine every singer/songwriter countrywide wished they had written – it encapsulates the nomadic tour life perfectly, while ‘Sons Of Liberty’ builds to an almost orgasmic climax with it’s repeated mantra of ‘Stand up sons of Liberty and fight for what you own’. Every lyric here is penned to perfection, while at the same time, sounds so apparently natural.

Someone once said to me the reason Frank Turner is so appealing, is because he doesn’t really write bad songs. Think of your favourite band in the world – you can probably admit to them releasing at least one shit album. Over the course of Frank’s career so far (three albums, two EPs and then some) he’s maybe recorded two or three sub-par tracks. Fortunately, none of them are on ‘Poetry Of The Deed’. This is an absolutely stellar album that will surely charm its way into many ‘best of’ lists this year. It’s already at the top of mine.

Andy R

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