Frank Turner
Album: Tape Deck Heart
Label: Polydor
Tracks: 12
Website: http://www.frank-turner.com

The follow up to England Keep My Bones was never going to be easy but following up any of his previous four records was never going to be easy, Tape Deck Heart is the fifth studio offering from the folk/punk styling of Frank Turner.

When a new album comes out, it is often seen as the return of the particular artist, band, singer or whatever it may be. With Turner though, well he never really went away. The touring cycle between albums has never been completely broken, one of the songs here (Four Simple Words) had its first airing at Wembley Arena during the triumphant and sold-out final date of the England Keep My Bones run.

If there was a prize for hardest working, road-dog musicians then Frank and the Sleeping Souls (backing band) would win hands down.

Album opener 'Recovery' begins with that signature sound of a lone acoustic guitar and some story telling before it powers in to a staccato groove with an upbeat tempo that hides the bleaker subject matter of the song.

Moving in to 'Losing Days' it is clear this album is personal. Many of his songs are personal but this time it almost feels like your walking in on his deepest emotions and finding you've thought exactly the same way at one point or another.

'The Way I Tend To Be' is an out and out love song and harks back to past heart-break.

The up-beat feel of the album takes a distinctly more sinister and downward step on 'Good & Gone'.

The first signs of bitterness on Frank's words are clear; "fuck you Hollywood for teaching us that love is free and easy" is a stand out line.

Life of course is anything but like it is in the movies, the realisation dawning with storm clouds for many and so many will never get over it. It is captured beautifully here.

The name of a heart-breaker in a song is often left to the imagination but with "God damn it Amy" that unwritten rule is cast aside.

'Tell Tale Signs' tears Turner open, the stories of self harm are laid brutally bare here. The hurt of broken relationships, its impact and the scars we carry, physically or mentally, through out our lives is something most of us can relate to.

The dark subject matter is broken for a time with 'Four Simple Words'.

This song is a complete mesh of influences, punk rock and blues with a definite hint of the eccentricity of Queen. It blends together nicely and fires through at a rapid pace despite its numerous slow-downs.

Franks massive folk influence is very much to the fore with 'The Fisher King Blues' and even more so on 'Anymore', the album may be a little rockier but its is still dripping heavily with his more "folky" past.

It is a haunting song of self healing, the mourning of a failed relationship and possibly a cry for self-forgiveness before Franks patriotic side makes its first appearance with 'Broken Piano' closing out Tape Deck Heart.

A bitter-sweet and dark lament of home, the organ grinds in the background of an emotion cracked voice carrying it through to an epic blast of messy guitars and massive drums.

This final song is a fitting epitaph to an album filled with shades of grey, the agony and despair of the words are masked with melody, in the trademark style of Frank Turner.

This man has made his name the old fashioned, road dog way, that hasn't gone unnoticed in the eyes of fans and critics alike. The Nambucca shows are now a distant memory but he hasn't forgotten them.

This is classic story telling music at its best, in the vein of the old guard such as Tom Waits and Nick Cave, he stands right along side today's legends-in-making such as Brian Fallon.

It can't be understated just how personal and honest a record this is, he has split himself open for all to see.

The standard hasn't dropped with this new album and of course the challenge will now be to top it next time round but for now, these "folk songs for the modern age" are there to be savoured, while the legend of Frank Turner continues to be written.

Aymer Nelson