Album Review: Frank Turner - Rock & Roll

I'll admit I'm a bit late on the Frank Turner "bandwagon", his set at this past summer's Leeds Festival turned out to be one of the highlights of not just the festival, but the whole year. 'Rock & Roll' is short yet justified stop-gap between last year's 'Poetry of the Deed' and Turner's forthcoming full-length which will see the light of day in 2011.

As always Frank beholds a lyrical sense of simplicity, as 'I Still Believe' primarily shows. An anthemic, bouncy folk number that has you hooked straight away. A festival highlight, its the perfect example of what Frank Turner is all about; fun, simple and truthful. I'd even go as far as calling it the song of the year.

Whilst Turner can produce fine "poppy" numbers, 'Pass It Along' is more mellow with dwindling guitars and a steady tempo, that allows his warming words to breathe before neatly building up, which is led by the superb line of "Cast a long shadow in the evening sun, and when the morning comes, pass it along".

The calm, stripped 'Rock & Roll Romance' lowers tone, but Turner's lyrical prowess continues to draw you in, as his honest approach is always appreciated. 'To Absent Friends' is "classic" Turner; folk punk rock with a foot-tapping beat that has you singing along by its conclusion.

'The Next Round' is a swaying finale with an apologetic Turner; "I tried live like Hemingway, life dosen't work that way" and leads to rapturous, harmonious ending that sees his voice soaring above a delicate bluesy piano keys and running drums.

Whilst it may not be the ideal introduction to Frank's work, 'Rock & Roll' gives a solid impression of what he is about and for fans it will fill their need until next year's album. As always Turner's songwriting is consistent and thrives on his truthfulness and his everyday experiences of being an independent artist, one that has worked and toured relentlessly, to the point that you can't help but admire and respect him. That alone means he deserves all the praise possible and songs like 'I Still Believe' are the cherry on top of the cake.

4/5

'Rock & Roll' EP by Frank Turner is available now on Xtra Mile (UK) and Epitap Records (US).

Official Website
Frank Turner on MySpace, Twitter and Facebook.

Sean Reid