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Frank Turner

Poetry of the Deed
2009
Epitaph

Frank Turner - Poetry of the Deed (Cover Artwork)

Review by: thepopeofchili-town
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Published on September 29th 2009

Poetry of the Deed is Frank Turner’s third solo album in three years and his first for Epitaph, not counting their re-release of 2008’s fantastic Love, Ire and Song. In that time span he has also released several split and solo EPs, in addition to touring Europe with the Gaslight Anthem and a stint on last year’s Revival Tour alongside Chuck Ragan, Tim Barry, Ben Nichols and others. To say he has been keeping busy would be quite an understatement.

The album opens with the very Springsteen-esque “Live Fast, Die Old.” The lyrics are a mission statement of sorts. “I’m gonna live fast and I’m gonna die old. I’m gonna end my days in a house with high windows.” It is apparent from the choruses that all the time on the road has improved his vocal range quite a bit. The track is one of the album’s strongest and sets the pace for what is to follow.

Second track “Try This at Home” is a critique of the “rock star” attitude. As usual, Turner tackles his subject with humor and wit; “There’s no such thing as rock stars, there’s just people who play music. Some of them are just like us and some of them are dicks.” The track also asserts that music should be not about fashion, but the music itself. As the title suggests he also encourages the listen to create some music of their own.

Just as on past albums, Poetry of the Deed is filled to the brim with pop hooks, but never feels overtly commercial or radio-friendly. First single “The Road” is a superb example of this. Its “To the east, to the east...” chorus will remain with you for days, but it’s hard to imagine it fitting in on mainstream radio in between the latest Lady Gaga and Nickelback tunes. The song’s lyrics about not wanting to remain in one place and fully experience what life has to offer should be relatable to just about anyone. Other highlights include the reflective title track, the somber “Sunday Nights” and epic closer “Journey of the Magi.”

As a whole, the album doesn't reach the heights of its near-perfect predecessor. However, Poetry of the Deed is a very good singer/songwriter offering, and Turner’s vocals here are the best we've heard from him yet. If he can find a way to bring his songwriting A-Game together with his newfound vocal prowess, his next offering may very well be a masterpiece.

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Posted by leecorsoisapenis on 2009-10-02 13:53:29
My Score:

"Lol at the "buy this record" link. I'm downloading this and deleting this at least 100 times.

you just insulted yourself more than frank turner or this album, because this points to the fact that you clearly have too much time on your hands, and need to get a social life. i don't care if it was a joke or not."

I applaud him for this. Thank you for doing what should be done. Only suckers would buy this.

Posted by ReducerSF on 2009-10-02 13:19:41
My Score:

Solid record, but not as good Love Ire & Song or Sleep is for the week.

To me:
Love, Ire & Song: 9
Sleep is for the Week: 8
This one: 6.5/7

Posted by cheesetits on 2009-10-01 20:22:09

Someone got ahold of the haterade.

Posted by telegraphrocks on 2009-10-01 16:30:34
My Score:

Sidenote:
Not saying it's the worst shit of the year (as there definitely are a few worse albums than this, Daisy, and Beggars), but thankfully those worse albums are actually being ignored and shat on like they should be.

Posted by telegraphrocks on 2009-10-01 16:28:52
My Score:

Holy fuck, this completes the Overrated Beyond Belief Trilogy Of 2009 alongside Beggars and Daisy.

What a bore.

Posted by chrisafi on 2009-10-01 09:21:03

I agee with this review mainly.

This is Frank's WORST album of the 3. Few too many dud tracks in my opinion and not enough stripped down acoustic stuff, which is what he does best.

But its still very good, so 7 is about right.

Posted by ramblinboysof on 2009-09-30 19:06:55

this record is awesome, but this review is not.

Posted by Carlo_Cabinetti on 2009-09-30 14:38:59

Funny shit is that The Road WAS all over Radio 1 over this side of the pond a couple of weeks ago. And not just on Mike Davies.

Posted by superskabro on 2009-09-30 11:23:56
My Score:

not quite as good as LI&S, but FT sure knows how to write a great song. some are better than others, but there's no denying his talent. One of the greatest moments in my life was when he played in my basement in Indianapolis last year. what a fucking treat.

Posted by Indecay on 2009-09-30 08:36:58
My Score:

I've had this album since it's realease but after several spins it still hasn't quite clicked with me.

It's solid but just doesn't have the unshakable appeal of Love, Ire & Song. With his older stuff I always find myself singing along and tapping my feet (I'm annoying like that) to every song. With this my mind just kind of drifts and I forget I'm even listening to it half way through.

Still, decent record and I can't wait to see him in december.

Posted by spoon_of_grimbo on 2009-09-30 06:26:31
My Score:

"I like this, but it veers almost too close to self-parody. Like, a few too many lyrics that are like 'let's go down to the park with some beers and play guitars and forget about all your dreams and working awful jobs' etc."

i'll be honest, it's those kind of lyrics that make his music so enjoyable for me. i guess it's partly nostalgia, remembering times when shit like that didn't matter, but those lines still hit home. also, i really like that this album is a bit more of a full-band affair - aside from the last two tracks, it's pretty consistently amazing. and the production is amazing - those epic drums before the singalong in "sons of liberty" sound like planets exploding if you listen with headphones!

in summary, amazing album, and also - totally worth the price for "isabel" alone. what a fucking beautiful song.

Posted by thirtyseconds on 2009-09-30 05:13:43

"I felt that there was just too much "rock" sound to the album over all. I don't see Turner as a player of rock. I liked his folksy punk style of the last two albums over this. I just dont feel like his guitar playing had that distinct unique sound that it has in the past."

Completely agreed. That is my initial reaction, I'm not sure how much I like the album yet.

Posted by jacknife737 on 2009-09-30 01:49:24
My Score:

Love this record so much.

If it doesn't click right away, give it a few more spins, it's definitely a grower.

Live Fast Die Old is also, probably the best song of the year.

Posted by MN_DrNick on 2009-09-30 01:41:24

Easily Top Ten of the year for me.

Posted by nocigar on 2009-09-30 01:28:30

Lol at the "buy this record" link. I'm downloading this and deleting this at least 100 times.

you just insulted yourself more than frank turner or this album, because this points to the fact that you clearly have too much time on your hands, and need to get a social life. i don't care if it was a joke or not.

Posted by steveguttenberg on 2009-09-30 00:36:41

does anyone else think the end of "the road" sounds like a song from Homegrown? yeah i know im gay.

Posted by cheesetits on 2009-09-30 00:00:07

But damn is he awesome live. I saw people crying when he perfomed "Long Live the Queen" and I don't blame them.

Posted by SydBarrett420 on 2009-09-29 23:58:53

Lol at the "buy this record" link. I'm downloading this and deleting this at least 100 times.

Posted by american_666_jesus on 2009-09-29 23:35:56

I felt that there was just too much "rock" sound to the album over all. I don't see Turner as a player of rock. I liked his folksy punk style of the last two albums over this. I just dont feel like his guitar playing had that distinct unique sound that it has in the past.

Posted by Hey_Asshole on 2009-09-29 22:54:11

i have not listened to this, or his previous album. the fucking hype machine is making me not want to bother.

Posted by R3vengeTherapy on 2009-09-29 22:02:54
My Score:

The first half of this record is almost as good as anything on Love Ire & Song, but it's the second half that loses me. Especially the last two tracks. This record starts with one of the best songs, but then fizzles without so much as a whimper.

Love Ire & Song is heads and shoulders above this one, but I think he's written some of his best songs to date here. The absolute highlight for me is "The Fastest Way Back Home."

Posted by HankScorpio on 2009-09-29 22:01:09

I really respect the guy, I just can't get into him at all (yet). I'll keep trying.

I still read it as "dead".

Posted by KungPowza on 2009-09-29 21:56:35
My Score:

Definitely a decent album, but nowhere near as good as Love Ire & Song (that album is my new favorite). I feel like The Road would have been a perfect fit on his previous album.

Posted by fattony on 2009-09-29 21:54:00
My Score:

Didn't think much of this at first, but it's growing on me. I think the bar was just set too high after the last album, so I got that initial disappointment of this not living up to the last album.

Posted by switcharoo on 2009-09-29 21:20:13

aside from try this at home this whole album is forgettable

Posted by TheViz on 2009-09-29 21:17:31
My Score:

I love this album. Love Ire & Song was damn near perfect though. Good to see he's not slowing down.

Posted by threechordsandthetruth on 2009-09-29 21:14:36

I like this, but it veers almost too close to self-parody. Like, a few too many lyrics that are like 'let's go down to the park with some beers and play guitars and forget about all your dreams and working awful jobs' etc. Like, it's almost stereotypical orgcore stuff. It's a good album but his other stuff's stronger.

Posted by ashtraymonument on 2009-09-29 21:12:28
My Score:

hopefully it will grow on me more. just not as memorable as love ire and song to me.

Posted by cheesetits on 2009-09-29 20:58:47
My Score:

I really wanted to love this record, but I only like it, which is still fine, he's still a rad person.

Posted by Tye on 2009-09-29 20:26:20
My Score:

love, ire & song = 9/10
this = 8/10

great album, though. i feel it's the production of the album rather than the songwriting that makes it ever so slightly inferior to LIAS. it's not dramatically different, just a little.. less?

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