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12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Frank Turner is a Phenomenon, 13 April 2008
Frank Turner is genuinely a phenomenon. It has been ten years since, in the height of Brit Pop, any musician or group of musicians completely engrossed me. But Turner, in the last five months since I first came across him, as totally got me. Frank Turner is a songwriter of great talent - if it wasn't (probably) against his code of ethics, he could probably make a fortune writing for others. His music - as the acoustic folk artist he has become since his days with punk rock band Million Dead - is all melodies and lyrics. The melodies are weaving and exciting. They are never derivative and the fit sweetly with the lyrics. Turner's voice has an impressive range, and is full of emotion. As a lyricist, he has an amazing knack of writing exactly what you are thinking, of being honest and open, and of saying all the things you wish you'd said - to yourself, your friends, current and former lovers, and to the world.
Here, on his second album, the sound is fuller - he uses his band more than on his previous releases. There are plenty of guitars (electric and acoustic), drums and even some strings. This feels totally natural, as once again Frank treats us to songs about life as a musician and a young (although getting old) person.
For me, Frank Turner has the ability to send shivers down my spine in almost any of his songs, written about almost any subject. These vary from the spectacular Photosynthesis (I won't sit down, I won't shut up, and most of all I will not grow up) to the heart-rending Long Live The Queen. In between, my favourite is probably To Take You Home, an incredibly folky and wonderfully warm love song. Either that, or the amazing opener, I Knew Prufrock Before He Got Famous.
This is the natural development from Sleep Is For The Week, and contains a group of songs as good (if not better) than those on his first album. If you love Frank, you won't be disappointed. If you don't know anything about Frank, then you should.
I can't imagine he can go on without developing a huge following. If he ever does make the big time, I will be at once delighted (for someone who I feel a huge affinity with, and who I feel like I know having listened to all his songs) and disappointed - that our little secret is being taken away from me.
Buy this.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Evolution rather than revolution, 2 Jul 2008
The hardest working guy in music is back with his second full length solo album, a year after the debut - where does he find the time? Love, Ire and Song is musically more accomplished than Frank's previous output, though a little less energetic.
This time around the lyrical themes draw mostly upon his recent experiences as a solo artist who seemingly never stops, especially the impact of this non stop work ethic on relationships. This is nothing new, Frank has always sung about what is on his mind. Compare Frank's honesty to the majority of "production line pop" love songs and it is easy to see why he has such a loyal fan base. Frank will not short change you with fantasy worlds, false experiences or anything such nonsense.
Not that failed relationships and loneliness are the only themes here. Frank still has the knack for sharp social commentary and stinging one liners, many of which are crammed into the title track, Love, Ire and Song. Despite this being a folk album, the values honed in the hardcore scene are still abundant in Frank's current music.
All in all, this is a great album that continues down the path that Frank has been walking since 2005. Not many artists have the intelligence, stamina or balls to do what Frank does, and for that reason alone you should buy his albums. Your record collection will be all the better for it! And if you like what you hear, make sure you catch him live - he will probably be playing at a venue near you soon...
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Very good indeed, 25 May 2008
My first Frank Turner CD, and it's a cracker. He's strong musically, and has a remarkable facility with a lyric. There are a couple of outright classics on here for me: "Photosynthesis" and "To take you home", which I am currently playing to death.
If I had a complaint, it might be that there are too many songs about "luuurve", which, let's face it, is a subject that has been covered quite extensively over the years. With his savage turn of phrase he could deliver some vicious politics.
Overall exceptionally good however.
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