I don't
know if I like Frank Turner.
Over the
years I've heard good songs and bad songs and I'm still looking to
hang my hat comfortably on something, but it's not happening.
On Tape
Deck Heart I can tap my toe along to it, even listen to the lyrics
and consider that they are fine, but at the same time I keep coming
back to thinking he's chart fodder.
That he
is writing songs for a wide demographic with an eye on the hit
single.
Rebellion
wrapped up in an x-factor sheen.
He's Ed
Sheeran with a Billy Bragg fixation.
It's not
dire, but it's just not got enough rough to it to balance out the
smooth.
If
Mumford and Sons were to write an album of tracks steeped in social
commentary then this would be it.
Okay....lets
just get to the point.
This is a
pop album.
There's
nothing wrong with that, but at the same time Turners whole career is
sort of promoted as him being a bit of a punk rock troubadour and
therein lies the problem.
There's
an aspect of it that is claiming to be something that it's not.
It's a
very good pop album, and if it leads to listeners seeking out the
folk and punk roots that are alluded to then that's great.
If one
person picks up a Billy Bragg album after listening to this then I'd
pat Frank on the back and say 'job well done mate'.
I don't
think I'll hold my breath though.
It's
probably going to be a huge hit and the world will still turn, but
I'm still not getting enough from it to feel any sort of pull that
could keep a grip of me.
Am I the only one who keeps coming back to thinking that there are others doing this better?
