Frank Turner has brought 'acoustic punk' to the worlds attention and it is a better place for it. He has never made it into the mainstream, but from supporting to Greenday on one of their stadium tours and working hard on the festival circuit he has got a very big following and is becoming evermore popular.
Tap Deck Heart opens with the album's first single 'Recovery'. This track has a more 'poppy' feel than nearly any track Frank has ever released. Whilst not necessarily a bad thing, I do feel that the track could have been more. The verses show potential that the chorus just doesn't live up to. The third track is called 'The Way I Tend To Be', and is the first stand out song on the album. It's slower than Frank's usual style but this is fitting for the reminiscent lyrics. It's a song about losing the person in your life who you felt made you a better person. It is a beautiful song with Matt Nasir of The Sleeping Souls playing the mandolin throughout to great effect. A must listen. The album continues on strongly with 'Plain Sailing Weather'. A rock song about fucking up, to put it simply. The lyrics are top notch as usual and this is a song that is up there with Frank's best. The Sleeping Souls shine in this track as well. 'Polaroid Picture' is a full band rock song, with a theme of the importance of taking a moment to take in what you have, as everything will come to an end. Personally my favourite song on the album that shows off what Frank can do when he moves away from folk influences and just makes a straight up rock song. 'Fisher King Blues' follows on from this, a song which really shows off Frank's lyrical prowess, with a strong Springsteen-esque vibe throughout. 'Anymore' is a simple track, played just with Frank and his acoustic guitar. It is an uncomfortable listen to be honest, providing a cut down, raw view on breakups. It is nevertheless another highlight of the album, with Frank's vocals taking centre stage.
Overall, 'Tape Deck Heart' is an album that moves away from Frank's roots, yet is all the better for it. It feels as though Frank has made his first ever album that is truly his own, rather than focusing in on influences.The production from Rick Costey is the cleanest I've ever heard on a Frank Turner album, giving the album perhaps a poppier feel than previous albums.
Frank Turner is a favourite of mine, his simple messages always come across very heartfelt and are very relatable, his ability to mock politicians and the masses with such ease is really very good and entertaining. Love Ire and Song is packed with standout tracks, yet this new record only has a smattering to say the least, hopefully it will grow with time.
Tracklist:
1. Recovery
2. Losing Days
3. The Way I Tend To Be
4. Plain Sailing Weather
5. Good & Gone
6. Tell Tale Signs
7. Four Simple Words
8. Polaroid Picture
9. The Fisher King Blues
10. Anymore
11. Oh Brother
12. Broken Piano
13. We Shall Not Overcome
14. Wherefore Art Thou Gene Simmons
15. Tattoos
16. Time Machine
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