Frank Turner – Be More Kind

Top contender for AOTY for me.

 

Aaron nails this here. It's a fine album, there's some good songs, but it's definitely not great and there's really not a whole lot I find myself wanting to return to. And, there's quite a few clunkers as it just middles along. Pretty disappointed all-in-all.

 

First of all, love how many album reviews we’ve been getting.

Second in glad I’m not alone In my thoughts on this album. I was really surprised by the positive reaction I was seeing by people cause to me this album is really perfectly represented by one word: underwhelming.
It tries so hard to be memorable and unique and interesting but so little of it is. Almost all of it is just...kinda good

 

Thanks for posting! Out of curiosity, which songs do you like?

Thanks for reading! Honestly, when I first heard the album, I struggled with whether I wanted to score it as "neutral" or "recommended." But the more I listened and actually expanded on my thoughts, the more glaring the album's flaws became. It's an easy listen with some really nice moments, but when that's the best thing you can say about it (especially in the shadow of Positive Songs For Negative People, which truly impressed me), that doesn't exactly make it a good listen.

 

I prefer the first half of the album! The last 3-4 song are just boring to me . But hey! Its just my opinion:)

 

As someone who has struggled to get into Frank Turner for the last couple years, this was actually the album that won me over. As a parent of four little girls, I’ve struggled with the lack of kindness in the world, and how much better the world could be if those four humans could show it to others. Something with his lyricism (as vague as it may be at times) struck a chord with me this time around.

It feels like it could hold hands with Paddington 2 and skip down a street. Ok, that might have been a little overboard, but I also loved Paddington 2 for many of the same reasons I’ve enjoyed this album.

 

I think he really missed Butch Walker here. A better producer could have knocked some life into these songs. Instead, they're exactly what @Aaron Mook says they are: "nice." Positive Songs remains his best, for me.

 

Absolutely. After seeing what he did on positive songs I was super surprised by how mellow this album felt. There’s very few risks, very few big moments. Very little to point at and go “this is why it’s great”

 

Couldn’t disagree more - I think the sequencing is spot on and allows the album to flow, also if anything the album is front end heavy with bangers. Last two songs are sleepers for me... It’s interesting though to hear opposing thoughts though.

I agree that Make America Great Again is a little cringey and some of the words just feel a little forced.

 

As a long term fan, I find this disappointing. Some good songs but it all feels very wet and nice and safe.

England Keep My Bones is still his best, in my opinion, but when you have that, Love, Ire & Song, Tape Deck Heart, and Positive Songs, I'll allow the occasional misfire.

 

I like the album but I don't know if after a month of two with it whether I would come back to it. It seems a little half hearted in its message. Their She Is should be a killer love song/first dance song but it never really goes anywhere and doesn't say a lot. I was excited when I heard Frank was returning to write a few political songs but they just fall a bit flat.

The Lifeboat is my least favourite song on the album. Best song I would opt for Common Grounds.

 

A very great review for an album I think all of us feel bad not loving as much as our standards were concerned. You pretty much nailed it!

Only bit I would disagree is the sequencing for the final three, but I'm glad you liked it!

 

I liked it enough on my first listen, but I agree that there weren't many big standout moments. Still, I'll spin this a few more times and enjoy it enough. Now I'm just waiting for another Mongol Horde album....

 

I agree with everything in this review except the shade thrown at Tape Deck Heart. I love that album so much I listen to all the b-sides every time I listen to it. Might be my favourite Frank record, but EKMB and PSFNP (and even LIS) give it a run for its money.

It's a bummer this one is a dud but he's still one of my favourite artists. I'm fully confident he'll release another great album in the future.

 

I wasn't into it on first listen but every time I listen to this album it gets catchier and I really enjoy it now. Definitely not his best work, but I applaud him for stretching his creative boundaries.

 

One of the things I find most fascinating about this album is that somehow while stretching his creative boundaries he managed to make his most boring album to date.

 

I'd argue one of the bigger reasons this left me underwhelmed is because it doesn't seem to stretch his creative boundaries enough? Again, the strings are a fantastic addition, and the electronic elements of "Blackout" are what make it so interesting, but mostly everything else here has been done by Frank before, and done better.

 

I came here to say this. The first half is wildly better than the last.

This album was woefully underwhelming for me because I adored the opener and could see sparks of greatness that never really come to fruition. The album is inconsistent and lacks a significant and solid direction.

There are some great tracks, but I'll just pull those ones out and leave the rest of the record to gather dust.

 

Really liked 1933 buuuut nothing else really grabbed me here

 

I just can't imagine thinking the half of the album that has "Little Changes" and "Make America Great Again," two songs I will honestly probably never listen to again, is better than the second half. But to each their own I guess.

 

The lyrics on this are just so bland. If you want to make a statement, make it. Feels like he was trying to make a "punk" album, but was trying not to offend anyone at the same time... which is not really how it works.