New Music: Frank Turner
Credit my pal Brian for turning me on to what might end up being one of my favorite releases of 2009, the newest release by British singer/songwriter Frank Turner. Poetry of the Deed is Turner's third release, newly available in stores, and it's truly a release that is rich with variety and full of unbelievable amounts of energy.
Piano loaded album opener "Live Fast Die Old" gives a subtle hint as to what Ben Folds might sound like if he would have gone in more of a punk direction. Turner alternates between big noisy fun like "Live" and "Try This At Home" and acoustic-based numbers like "Dan's Song," which sounds like it could have been recorded on your average street corner on a particular summer evening at sunset. Fans of Gaslight Anthem will love Turner's stuff - it's very much in the same vein, although I'll argue that Turner has better songs. As it happens, Turner is on the road this fall opening dates for Gaslight Anthem, a double bill that packs a lot of value into the ticket price.
Speaking of value - Turner's label Epitaph Records is offering a special deal this week only: Fans can nab the new album packaged with Turner's previous release Love Ire & Song for the low price of $14.99.
Meanwhile, vinyl hounds can snag the newly released vinyl version of The First Three Years, a double LP compilation of rarities and unreleased material from Turner's earlier releases. The compilation features tracks from early EPs, split singles, covers, and other oddball tracks. Grab your copy now from Paper + Plastick Records.
Check out the title track from Turner's new album below, and if you need further convincing, you can stream additional cuts from his Myspace page.
Trust me, you'll want to pick this album up - it's one not to miss!
Frank Turner - Poetry of the Deed
P.S. - Check out a cool cover and more thoughts from Pete at Blogness on the Edge of Town!
Photo above: Frank Turner at Amoeba Records in Los Angeles, on September 15th, 2009. Photo by Annie Zaleski.
June 23rd, 2010 - 21:41
Couldn't have put it better. Saw Gaslight last night in Birmingham, UK and their soundgirl was telling me loads of stories about that tour. As an Englishman it's great to see that he has such appeal to an American audience. He's skyrocketed since signing to Epitaph. You should listen to other artists on Xtra Mile (his UK label) as they're all very good.
Neil