Million Dead's "I am the party" Reviewed

Million Dead

I’m pretty sure I just discovered one of the most adorable things on the internet.  Apparently Frank Turner wasn’t always a folk singer… He used to be in a punk band called Million Dead when he was much younger.  I stumbled upon the video for “I am the party” and it almost feels like I opened up his past when he had his emo kid days of long hair and maybe even some eyeliner.

I almost didn’t believe it was him, but I know that voice anywhere.  His vocal skills have always been beautiful, but they definitely fit in a more folk setting.  His screams/yells aren’t half bad, though, which is pretty impressive.  However, I find myself unable to take it really seriously.  He’s just too clean cut and handsome and grown up now for me to look at this with a real critical eye like I would any of his newer work.  It’s like something he did in his garage with his college friends.  There’s nothing wrong with that at all, and he could’ve been very successful had he stuck with doing punk music because he’s talented in whatever he does, but wow it’s a change.

The band’s overall sound is really good.  It’s got a smooth backing of good enough guitars and good enough drumming, but Frank  is really what steals the attention, and there’s nothing wrong with that.  Though it’s clear that Frank was the only one who had music as really their strong suit.  Regardless, it’s fun to listen to and sufficiently entertaining.

Just, uh…thank goodness Frank got into folk music and thank goodness he got a haircut.