REVIEW BY TAMSIN JONES
Frank Turner ‘FTHC’ Out Now Order HERE
“After promising not to sit down, shut up or most of all not grow up. Frank Turner returns with his 9th studio album. Which sees him return to his Punk roots with a some familiar vocals and sounds”
‘FTHC’ or Frank Turner Hardcore Released 11th February 2022 via Extra mile recordings/ Polydor, After promising not to sit down, shut up or most of all not grow up. Frank Turner returns with his 9th studio album. Which sees him return to his Punk roots with a some familiar vocals and sounds.
Life is a series of scenarios, events that let us experience a vast range of emotions, Frank Turner is able to express this in his majestic story telling way through the art of song writing and music. This album is a story with a rawness and honesty that was incredibly difficult to leave, delivered through the genres of punk, rock and folk it left me feeling incredibly disoriented but in the best possible way I’ve ever imagined, that left me going back receptively.
Recorded at Abbey recording studios and produced and mixed by Rich Costey (Foo Fighters, Biffy Clyro, Muse) The album has a personal depth that has Turners marinade of folk, rock and a huge dose of punk which allows Turner to express at volume, some personal emotions to the album.
This is evident from the start opening with ‘Non Serviam’ which is all about being truth yo yourself, describing it as a punk rock record this opening does exactly that by delivering a two minute blast of tenacious vocals.
‘The Gathering’ which features Jason Isbell and Muse’s Dom Howard the opening is oozing with confidence and has the guitars including a solo from Howard to back up the almost gospel feel to it.
‘Fatherless’ is particularly open, showing strength and vulnerability whilst speaking of growing up without the father his mind envisaged, screaming ‘look at me do I make you proud?’ The whole album has an air of honesty and admitting surrender.
‘Haven’t Been Doing So Well’ speaks of struggling and not being totally happy with the person we are, this track allows the listeners to tune in and have connection with the topic. Turner said in a statement regarding the album
“It’s been a difficult time for a lot of people and their mental health, myself included, and discussing that openly is important to me, so this is a song about anxiety and the struggles that come with that.”
Miranda touches on a topic of growing through a transition of Franks father transitioning into a woman, the turmoil growth and acceptance suits the slow strings and deep riffs that flows and dips to compliment the process of change.
‘Wave Across The Bay’ nudged me in a place that sometimes sleeps but never disappears, having lost a best friend to the ocean. I know this song must have risen some difficult emotions for Turner as its a tribute to his late friend ‘Scott Hutchinson from Frightened Rabbit’ it is done so beautifully and allowed me to visit a place to express my own emotions even after many years. To describe a person gone as ‘wave across the bay never breaking, always smiling‘ is a beautiful written piece with the melody to comfort.
Moving forward was a wake up to the track ‘The Resurrecrionist’ is a reflection and a maybe being a forgiving to our past self’s explaining ‘We’re all just kids let loose into the world / Waiting for someone to explain the rules / Unsupervised, unhappy and uncool / We’re all just kids and that’s all.’ I listened to this without knowing there was a cameo so was so excited to hear Biffy Clyro’s Simon Neil’s vocals
Turner has admitted to taking his gloves off this album and this is why many will find this album a pleasure to sit with. From the diversity of such songs such as untainted love which speaks of a complex relationships with substances that form an escape, to the realisation ‘you can’t stay alone forever’ . To the mini autobiography of ‘Farewell To This City’ that left me with the same feeling of knowing a performance is coming to an end, and wanting to take it in every single lyric, but understanding this will be the last time you hear that performance for the first time.
Having stated this album was built to play for live music and getting sweaty with your mates. Turner’s extensive support of the live music scene during the pandemic saw him play countless livestream benefit shows to raise money and awareness of the importance of small venues all across the country. After raising nearly £300,000 he was recently awarded the Music Venue Trust’s award for Outstanding Achievement for Grassroots Music Venues.
Frank Turner and the sleeping souls will continue to highlight this and continue their The Never Ending Tour of Everywhere in 2022
10/10
TRACK LISTING
1/ NON SERVIAM
2/ THE GATHERING
3/ HAVEN’T BEEN DOING WELL
4/ UNTAINTED LOVE
5/ FATHERLESS
6/ MY BED
7/ MIRANDA
8/ A WAVE ACROSS A BAY
9/ THE RESURRETIONISTS
10/ PUNCHES
11/ PERFECT SCORE
12/ THE WORK
13/ LITTLE LIFE
14/ FAREWELL TO MY CITY
FRANK TURNER TOUR DATES
INTIMATE RECORD STORE SHOWS
16th March – Southampton Brook – Vinilo Records
18th March – Bournemouth Fire Station – Vinilo Records
19th March – Kingston Pryzm – Banquet Records
21st March – Nottingham Metronome – Rough Trade
12th April – Leeds Wardrobe – Crash Records
13th April – Liverpool Arts Club – Jacaranda Records
14th April – Sheffield Foundry – Bear Tree Records
16th April – Bristol Fleece – Rough Trade
FOLLOW FRANK TURNER
My life is a soundtrack, i track my life through music, photography is my passion, my escape, my expression. Without both i have pieces missing, thankfully i’m blessed and get to combine both.
Born in Manchester, lived in Australia for 22 years where i was heavily involved in the Australian Music Industry, firstly in bands (Singer) and then managing bands (all original), I moved back to the UK, Wales specifically 10 years ago
