Now, I always say I have a new favourite song, new favourite band, new favourite album, etc. But I am here to say that there is a man who I now put on the same level as Conor Oberst, Joe Strummer, Bon Iver. All my favourite solo artists are like an exclusive club, where none of them can do any wrong, and no one else can make their way into this group. Until now, of course.
Frank Turner is a man who is not only a musician, but a poet. This scruffy, tattooed Brit with the voice of an angel has wiggled his way into my heart; his singing voice is beautiful. He’s so immensely talented and whenever I listen to the album Tape Deck Heart, there’s this fluttery feeling in my throat and an urge to yell out the lyrics at the top of my lungs. I’ve been sharing it with everyone I know, pushing his songs on my friends until they finally understand just why I’m so passionate and advocating for this man’s brilliance.
The live version of “Plain Sailing Weather” almost brings me to tears it’s so good. Listening to it, I realise I like it more than the album version. His articulation and inflection are just so much more raw and real- it seriously hits home. You can see it in his face, the emotion. It’s almost heartbreaking. This man puts so much into his music, and it shows.
“Recovery” live gave me chills. It’s insanely gorgeous, and the lyrics push through and force you to listen. Plus, it’s so catchy. His backing band is brilliant, like they’re little mini Franks each split up to play each instrument. There is a certain quality about him that makes it impossible to take your eyes off of him- he’s such a performer. You can see the music coursing through his veins, and hear the emotion in his voice. This song is also extremely personal, and I respect him for even writing something like this. It’s not an easy thing to talk about, but he went ahead and wrote a masterpiece about it.
Frank Turner is genius; he’s one of the best musicians of the century. Everything that he does is so real and captivating, and I want to see him live so badly, I want the chance to tell him this in person. I now understand why my friends worship the ground he walks on- he’s otherworldly.