Our modern society seems to prefer it if everything is neatly labelled. Whilst this is great if things can be clearly defined and pigeonholed, some things aren’t easily categorized. It is the latter that Frank Turner finds himself comfortably settled in.
Musically, Turner bounces around genres. Sometimes he will blend genres together, other times his albums will feature numerous musical styles. His back catalogue of nine studio albums is a testament to this fluid path through his recording career. One thing you could label Turner as is he’s a grafter. According to his website, he has played 2,857 shows as a solo artist (add another 312 with various bands) and is about to embark on a world-record attempt of playing the most gigs in different cities in 24 hours with 15 shows planned. Oh, and he’s a producer now too.
Fresh from producing Grace Petrie’s excellent recent album Build Something Better, Turner has chosen to self-produce his tenth studio album, Undefeated, something he has not done before. The Rich Costey produced FTHC, Turner’s last album, hit the number one spot in the UK album chart. Is this a crazy gamble after such a successful record? Or is it that Turner simply feels confident and comfortable enough to take the reins and steer his own ship, if you’ll pardon the mixed metaphor?
This 14-track offering gets underway with a bubbly and buoyant slice of classic Turner rock in ‘Do One’. Turner shows his fighting qualities here, refusing to be defeated no matter what life, and people, may hurl at him. He sums it up quite efficiently and effectively when he sings “But through my ups and downs I figured one thing out/Don’t take anyone’s shit”. An ethos I think we can all agree with.
The short and sweet ‘Never Mind The Back Problems’ takes a playful swipe at Turner’s increasing years (he’s at the ripe old age of 42, you know!). Whilst Turner continues to operate at the shouting end of life, he can’t avoid the passage of time and the reminders the body gives you that you aren’t as young as you once were. I also speak with great experience here. A proper punky romp, it feels like it’s a wonderful mix of early Pogues and vintage Toy Dolls.
Many of us may recall our younger days and wonder how our current lives differ from our hopes and ambitions in our youth. Turner is no exception. ‘Ceasefire’ sees him in conversation with his 15-year-old self. Turner seeks common ground between what he is today and what his younger self aimed to be so they may both reconcile their differences and find peace. It is a song that slowly builds until it takes flight and soars in the final stages.
‘Girl From The Record Shop’ smacks of early Billy Bragg with a splash of Green Day. It takes a fun look at the silly things infatuation can make you do. “I’ve been in every day buying so much vinyl/Don’t even own my own turntable”, croons Turner. Ah, the challenges of love… As it happens, this track was released on 7” vinyl for Record Store Day this year. Did you buy it so you could talk to that special person behind the counter?
Many artists have created a song around the ‘P’ word in the last couple of years, and Mr Turner chimes in with his own take on events. ‘Pandemic PTSD’ is a lively track examining the long-lasting effects of the Covid-19 outbreak. Everything was thrown upside down and lives changed forever. Whilst it was an inconvenience for some, others saw their lives torn apart. Turner adds his trademark view of the world as he opines, “We got punched in the dick for two straight years/We can’t move on that easily”. The musical arrangement is quite clever here as it makes you feel a little unsettled, echoing the pandemic era for many.
Turner excels at pulling apart the human condition, using his poetic voice to convey emotions we can all connect with. ‘Letters’ is a great example of this. It is a true sonic assault with a real “Phil Spector’s Wall of Sound” rich, deep finish to it. A missive about the challenges of relationships and the ease of getting it wrong due to the lack of communication, it takes us back to a simpler time of letter writing in the time before instant messaging and social media feeds.
Turner once again shows his poetic turn of phrase with the gentle folksy ballad ‘East Finchley’. “I never stopped shirking, you never started working/And somehow we never grew up to be responsible commuters”, shares Turner, demonstrating his talents at delivering lyrics with a touch of humour.
We start the second half of Undefeated with ‘No Thank You For The Music’. I do not doubt that this will be a popular song live as it has the perfect refrain for the crowd to shout out very loud. And who doesn’t enjoy bellowing like a loon at a gig? The song is a ball of energy expressing how Turner never really fit in from school to the modern day and he no longer gives a toss. He’s 42, and the angry man has re-emerged! Remember kids, always be proud of yourself and your achievements.
‘The Leaders’ is another short and punchy track that takes me back to The Clash at their finest. This is a rallying call (and also a major earworm) for us to never rely on those in power to sort things out. “If we want this shit to change, it’s up to us and no-one else”, Turner sings forcefully. It is very hard to argue with that.
Another song that will no doubt be a live favourite is the top-notch blast of pop-punk ‘International Hide And Seek Champion’. The idea of just escaping the world and hiding away, creating a simpler life without expectations from others is pitched as a possible nirvana. It does sound pretty sweet.
Taking it down a notch, ‘Show People’ is a rumbling slow-tempo track. A song full of optimism and self-belief, it is a shout-out to those who perform for the love of their craft as opposed to those who will sell their soul for fame and fortune. “You’re more likely to be John Otway than The Beatles, but Otway’s still on tour/Hat’s off to the show people”, asserts Turner who will likely be playing and touring in another 25 years from now. Here’s hoping.
Up next is the gentle soulful ballad, ‘On My Way’. A song from the heart, it considers the importance of returning home to a loved one and the challenges of being apart. As a performer who is constantly travelling the world, it must be tough for him and his family.
Many people can relate to the struggles of understanding their own identity. ‘Somewhere Inbetween’ examines this and the challenges it presents. As someone who is neurodivergent, it certainly resonates with me. A gentle song delivered with a luscious thrusting rhythm, it shines a light on a real struggle for many folk.
The album concludes with the title track – a song that slowly builds and eventually erupts into a huge anthemic swell. “When it feels like the work was for nothing/And you’re wrecked and in retreat/Survival adds up to something/Independent, undefeated”, Turner delivers with a blend of fatigue and defiance in his voice. It is a fitting close to the album. After 25 years in the business of show, Turner still stands tall, continuing to plough his furrow with little sign of letting up anytime soon.
While Turner has written and produced an excellent album, credit must also to his regular live band who played on this album, helping to make it into a wonderful-sounding record. So, stand up and give a round of applause to Ben Lloyd (guitar), Tarrant Anderson (bass), Callum Green (drums) and Matt Nasir (piano). Turner would be the first to recognize their valuable contribution.
Undefeated takes us on a journey of youthful hopes and dreams, life-altering love, wistful nostalgia, fading friendships, the mental fallout and political consequences still lingering from the pandemic… and the joy of persistent backache. With excellent musical composition, shown off to its finest with great production by Turner himself, the album sounds fresh, energetic, and compelling and is certain to be well-received by his loyal fan base. I also feel as if it will bring plenty of new listeners to Turner’s work. Another number-one album must surely be on the cards. It certainly deserves to be.
Turner remains Undefeated after releasing his tenth album. It will certainly take a jackhammer of an uppercut to stop him, and I don’t fancy anyone’s chances.
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