Something I don't talk about enough is the fact that I'm a pretty big fan of Frank Turner. I saw him live a few years ago at work, and was instantly attracted to his humble stage presence and absolutely magnetic performances. His album FTHC was on repeat a lot last year, and even though I haven't got it on physical yet, I'm waiting to find it on offer to add it to my arsenal. Now, Frank has released his first independent record, mastered and mixed by him alone with support from his resident band The Sleeping Souls. According to some research, this record is inspired by Black Flag, Elvis Costello and Counting Crows, so I'm pretty intrigued to see where this one goes. Without further adue, here's my full breakdown and review of Frank Turner's Undefeated:
(Undefeated Album Art - Frank Turner)
1. Do One - 2:20
The track starts with a pretty decent easy acoustic section and blasts into a nice upbeat chorus section. It's easy listening, with some really nice guitar with crunch that add a decent layer to the mix. The next verse is more agile, and has again some really listenable instrumentation. The bass sits really nicely in the background, with the lead guitar just weaving between ears. Turner's delivery is pretty easy, there's no extremes in this track, but that's not a problem. This song lyrically is also pretty blatant, but in that sense is also not 2D. It's clearly a track about doing your own thing in the face of adversity and nay-sayers, and when it's the first record he's made by himself, that carries a pretty cool opening message to it.
2. Never Mind the Back Problem - 1:27
This one is insane. It's a manic soundscape that feels more like a fanfare that crashes on and on. It's a little hard to grab a hold of, and in that mania comes a pretty cool emotion of carelessness and joy. Although yes, the insanity of it all feels a bit hard to get into because it's just so early on in the record, it's still a decent track that has some cool instrumentation (if you listen hard enough). However, I'd argue that this song is a bit of a pastiche of Turner's earlier work, to an extent that in my opinion doesn't really ring too true to his current style. I'm all for experiments, but this one and a half minute rollercoaster is a bit much for me so early on in the album.
3. Ceasefire - 5:07
With an opening that sounds more apt in a Cure song, Ceasefire sounds like a lively and smooth sailing track. I like the rapid drums, and muted acoustic guitar in the background, with what seems like a piano in the back. It has a good pace to it, and in terms of the mix it's really lively and upbeat. It's a mile different from the last track, and when it hits that chorus with the picked guitar wailing in the background it's an amazing soundscape. I think lyrically it's a song about fatherhood, and again the lyrics are a little on the nose every now and again, but it feels honest, and that's really lovely to listen to - honesty is always something you get with Turner's writing style. At about the halfway point there's a turning point, a reflection ladened with sparkly synth, rolling snares and twinkling pianos. When it hits that chorus at the end it really brings it all back together, and it's again such easy listening that you can't help but smile. It feels like a resolution to the conflict, and that's so cathartic to hear in the track. There's a brilliantly heavy interlude before the roaring repitition of the title, it's a brilliant way to end a track.
4. Girl From the Record Shop - 1:46
Now this one came out relatively early, but I haven't listened to it till now. It has a definite punk sound to it, with the guitar coming in and out between the lyrics. The drums are punchy and as it hits the chorus and slams on and on, with some nice pitched up guitars and decent vocals. Sometimes the lyrics come across a little clunky, but it's the feeling you can really grab a hold of with this song. It's manic and grinds along at a brilliant pace, a lot like the last shorter track, but by no means is it not chocked full of emotion. It's short, but a decent little track, even with it's small lyrical misfires.
5. Pandemic PTSD - 3.14
The title to this track gives away a lot at the beginning, but at it opens on a jolly pitched up duo of guitars and a cymbal heavy drum beat, you can't help but nod your head along. It's about the pandemic obviously, and again it lyrically is pretty stark and on the nose, but that emotion is really course and palpable. Saying that, there are some rhymes and lyrics that hit pretty hard, it's really a song about a collective experience, and we can all relate in some small way of still being effected by it all. Instrumentally it's brilliant, all parts thrashy and upbeat, it's really well produced, with everything getting it's own place in the mix and getting a place in the spotlight. The piano refrain, although cringe, was a nice addition to then mould onto the final bridge and chorus. It's another decent track that bleeds and oozes with emotion and confusion - when it comes to these tracks, you're never short sold on the music and the feeling, just sometimes on the lyrics.
6. Letters - 3.14
Similarly paced to the last few tracks, this one is actually really complex in the open. There's piano, guitar, drums, and then to a bass centric verse that strips it all back really well. The chorus is awesome, I really like Turner's more extreme vocal range in this, and wow that weaving bassline is just a treat to hear. Lyrically it hits really nicely, and again that emotion is palpable. I really wish there was more to this track, because it's just a delight to listen to. The breakdown is so so good, the slamming cymbals, the admission of the emotional highs and lows, before hitting a bridge that crashes into another chorus. This track is brilliant, and an absolutely gorgeous ode to being emotional, to being true to yourself and muddling on through whatever's going on in your own life. This is a highlight for sure, and really has that feeling that I fell in love with in FTHC.
7. East Finchley - 4:33
I like the little guitar flourish that opens this track, and as the drums appear and add a really luscious swing, I can feel this track is going to be something special. The acoustic turn is one I wasn't expecting, but one that really let's the lyrics breathe. Again the feeling and emotion is so brilliant to see and feel even on his tenth record, that he's making music that's so personal to him. You really feel that in this song, it's a slower burner than the opening really presents, but that's not a bad thing. It feels a bit like Miranda, just a song that is a reflection on the singer's emotional landscape. The words hit hard in this one, and the gang vocals on the chorus really add some awesome depth to what is quite a scarce mix - but one that's not completely devoid of texture. Then it happens, the opening melds with the instrumentation from the rest of the song and creates such an anthemic closing third to the song, and hits you right in the gut. It nails the rise and fall so well that you can't help but really invest in the story of it all. Such a beautiful track, and a real highlight on this record.
8. No Thank You For the Music - 3:49
There's a real punk-esque vibe to this one that I really enjoy. It's bright and vibrant but also has that little bit of edge and gobby lyrics from Turner that you really expect and love in his discography. The guitar riff that this song revolves around is pretty cool and sounds all the parts discordant as the emotions in this song. The way the song builds is also really cool, and yes the name of the song is cringe, and the whole 'gang' refrain is a little odd, but it adds to the vibe of the song, being rebellious, doing your own thing, and also being an angry old man. You have to respect his lyricism in this song too, because sure it's blunt, but it works and it's pretty damn cool. The refrain is cool as well, and with the instrumentation changing key really makes you listen in and wait for something to give and it does, with an awesome screaming section and breakdown. The bridge adds that bit of suspense that the final chorus and instrumental really needs to feel earnt and it's a really joyful and exuberant closer to the track.
9. The Leaders - 1:28
Another fast one, so I can't really tell if I'll love it or find it hard to cotton on to whatever's going on. This one, luckily feels a little more upbeat and easy to get into. A track that at it's core feels like a commentary about the people we think are there to lead us in society but just end up taking us for a bit of a ride. It has a folky feel to it, chocked full of harmonica and acoustic guitar that feels like something off his earlier records. Again there's some real emotion in this track that is really palpable, and boils down to a track that sure is nothing special, but is still really listenable.
10. International Hide and Seek Champion - 2:26
The sound of this one is an explosion again of upbeat guitar and drums. It's a little like other tracks on this record, but it's alright, it's his signature sound - and this one really feels a little more upbeat than the last few tracks which is really cool to see. The lyrics are actually really cool, and rounds out what is a really enjoyable listening experience. I like the place of the instruments in the mix, with the guitars right in the forefront of the mix next to the vocals, the drums and bass holding up the backline, it's a really well made track. It's enjoyable, and Turner's voice really lends itself to this style, it's really cool to hear. Sure, the song name is a bit silly, but it's that air of silliness, of wishing that you could just hide away from the world and kick your feet up, but if you lean into it, it's a good laugh.
11. Show People - 3:43
Now, this one feels like more of a slow burner, and has more of a folk/country sound to it than the others. It's chiller, the drums are slower and simpler, and it grooves at a really easy going pace. There are some small synth embellishment that really adds to the mix and creates some small parts of much needed texture to the more slow burning track. Lyrically it's about being a touring musician, about touring the world and the things that come with the lifestyle. It's not an insane anthem or fast moving rager, but I feel like the record really needed this. It needed a bit of a rest stop at something that wasn't so fast and chaotic. It's just easy to listen to, and really gives your ears a bit of a rest. It adds a bit of depth, and creates a record that's pretty diverse within it's own sound and vibes.
12. On My Way - 3:16
I'm gearing up for an acoustic banger here from Frank. I really like the fact that this feels so unplugged, how it was probably recorded all at once, with the vocals and guitar balancing out in such an organic way. It lets the lyrics really speak for themselves, and you can really hear the emotion and feeling bleed through his voice in this song. It hits you in the stomach, and again adds another angle that really helps the breadth of this record flourish. It's a song that feels really personal, and as a listener you feel quite lucky that you get a little look into this side of the artist, and it's a lovely track. This song proves Turner really does not need insane production and instruments blaring from all sides to create something beautiful.
13. Somewhere Inbetween - 4:48
The last track bleeds into this one! I'm such a sucker for that, because it means this was meant to be listened to as an album! Yay for albums! Anyway, this one opens with a really cool drum beat with some great rim tapping. The vocals come across the top really well, and almost float atop the drums and synth. The piano comes in really naturally too, and creates a really nice sense of suspense, like this song is about to leap into something new. The first chorus is really lovely, and as a listener you feel like your gearing up for something more, for something to smash through, but it strips itself back down again, with a gentle guitar riff being added. It's a reflection for sure, and again you feel that vulnerability from the lyrics, and you can tell this song would sound wonderful live. It grows in the next chorus with more cymbals on the drum beat, and a picked guitar note that sits in the background before strummed chords appear to add more texture. This song nails the rise and fall of it's own lyrics and instrumentals, it's so good to hear this song growing under it's own steam. And then it gives you that breakdown, those slamming cymbals and guitar, and I instantly had goosebumps. It's what you were willing the song to do from the start. What a track, what a way to nail down a feeling and let it grow, create suspense and such intense joy at the song going it's own way. Brilliant.
14. Undefeated - 4:25
Time for the title track. After the last one, I'm expecting big things from this one to really close out this record. The piano was unexpected, but again this one might build up like the last and create something really special, but that waits to be seen. Again the lyrics shimmer in the mix, with a gentle reverb on them that add a nice melancholy to it all. I'm waiting for something else to happen, to bring it all back to the energy and insanity this record began with - but the piano continues, and as the bass slowly creeps in I'm holding out hope for something insane to happen. The guitar also comes into the mix, and creates some cool texture to the track that feels like it's moving towards something special. Extra strings? Yes please. It adds a lot to those moments, and here are the drums rounding out the usual soundscapes you expect. It's more stripped back, but that's not a big problem - and then it goes and does it, it slams into an insane final chorus, and again, goosebumps. It's so brilliant to hear all the build up pay off in such an anthemic way, it's really a joy to listen to and a pretty pitch perfect way to bring this record to a close.
Overall: This record really flourishes in it's anthemic sections, the well built up breakdowns, and the insanity and joyfulness that Turner nails with ease and precision. However, this by no means that he can't smash out an emotional track. The insane highs and lows really take you on a ride, and this album bleeds emotion in the best way. If you want some really genuinely heart-breaking lyricism and performance, look no further than this record - it really does not short sell you in terms of that. There are a few things that didn't translate as well for me personally, some of the lyricism is a little off for me, the rhyme of 'vinyl' and 'turntable' just hits a little yellow in that track, and some other parts just hit a little off centre. Song titles also join this in terms of a touch cringey at points, but you know what, this is a good record, with some great tracks that will be getting added to my everyday playlist.
Highlight: Ceasefire, Letters, East Finchley, Somewhere Inbetween
Rating: 7.5/10
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