Album Review: Frank Turner - 'Songbook'

To a small, non-specific group of people, myself included, Frank Turner can do no wrong. The man could fart the alphabet over a dubstep beat and a country and western guitar and his hardcore following would still declare it more honest than Dylan, more passionate than Springsteen and as heartfelt as any of the punk rock/hardcore bands he’s introduced his ever expanding fan base too.

So of course a collection of Frank Turner’s favourite songs that he’s written is going to whet any one of his fans appetites. I mean, the tracklisting is somewhat odd. Traditional main set and encore closers 'Four Simple Words' (totally should have swapped it for 'Get Better') and 'I Still Believe' open up the album, leaving stone cold classic 'I Knew Prufrock Before He got Famous' mulling in the middle ground of the album- almost making it forgettable in this collection. And it’s almost a criminal offense to leave out career highlights such as 'Peggy Sang the Blues' and 'Try This at Home' in favour of songs that are too long ('Polaroid Picture', which I’m afraid is only good live), songs that are forgettable ('The Opening Act of Spring') and his only straight up bad song (sorry 'Mittens', you suck) but Turner as always is incredibly open in the fact that these songs reflect himself. They are HIS favourite songs, so for once the fans can go and fuck themselves.

Except that’s not really true. Because there are ten alternative versions of his most loved songs (and 'Josephine', I can’t be the only Turnerite that thinks PSFNP was a bit shit right?) AND a brand new song! The new versions of old songs shtick however feels slightly forced, especially in the timing. Isn’t Frank supposed to be in the studio writing a new album? As joyful as the mandolin solo on 'Photosynthesis' is, do we need this version or do we just go and see it live? Do we need slow and more emotional versions of songs that were meant to be his positive songs? This album doesn’t seem to know if it’s a gift to it’s fans or just an insight for Frank’s casual following that would ultimately just stop them from enjoying the real experience? As always though, the intentions are good and there are some decent versions on here- I am under the impression that 'The Way I Tend To Be' should have just stayed and been originally recorded as a solo track.

Anyway- the moment we all were waiting for. 'There She Is' isn’t the huge departure that the YouTube comments might have you believe. Sure, there’s a little bit of an electronic undertone but think 'Tunnel of Love'-era Springsteen rather than James Blake. The heart and humanity is still there for all to see and it’s a delightful change hearing Frank fall in love than hearing him disillusioned with it. It doesn’t rank among his best work, but it’s by far his best sweeping ballad, it will have you in tears at his live shows and more importantly, it will make you feel something- which obviously is what Frank Turner is all about.

Words and thoughts of James Kitchen