I just looked at the Be More Kind track list and had flashbacks of listening to that album at work and really, really reaaaallllllly turning down the volume when Make America Great Again came on
I tried so hard to like that album when it came out. Does anyone remember that random webcomic someone made explaining why Frank watering down his music would be successful for him?
Remember when it first came out I threw the album on during a drive home from work and that song comes on, windows down. And I've never noped out of a track quicker.
Frank Turner: “For the longest time I was the guy that toured, and that was it. I needed to become something more…” — Kerrang!
I know it's a small section of that article, but when frank talks about people criticizing his music, it makes him seem like a total prick. It feels like he's projecting a massive ego. Just take your L man.
I hated Be More Kind at first but it has grown on me so much. It is still lesser Frank but I like it a TON more than No Man's Land. I find it to be totally.........fine.
Frank historically does *not* take criticism well at all. Petulant child shit. Its real disappointing.
Yeah, too bad I’m always hoping that he’ll get some perspective instead of clinging to this “great survivor” image of himself because his terrible lifestyle tumbled into a professional career.
Hard disagree--I think he's right. It takes way more balls to put something out there that you worked hard on than it does to tear someone's efforts down. I say that even as a person who did not like the last two albums whatsoever. He HAS been touring as long as some people relatively new to "the scene" have been alive, and I think that that does merit respect, even if some albums have been a swing and a miss.
I think you're missing the point of why I find it frustrating, as a long time FT fan. Frank could let criticism roll off his back and not turn the crosshairs around on the fanbase. He lets his ego, built from 20 years of touring, continue to build distance between him and his fanbase. When criticism is put forward against his art or his behavior, he immediately dismisses it as invalid, while being about as composed as a flustered child, because it doesn't come from someone of his stature. At least, that's my perception of his more negative interactions with critics and fans over the past 7-9 years. What I can say for certain is, if Frank didn't have these public negative interactions with fans & critics, I would listen to more of his music.
Fair enough. If he took that attitude with fans, I would for sure be disappointed, because I do think there've been some stinkers in the bunch. But I wasn't personally bothered by the quote in the article as it specifically related to magazine critics.
I just wanna really love another Frank record and not just really like some songs of an ok Frank record. Looking forward to Friday.
So many albums these days have 10 or fewer tracks that I have to keep reminding myself that there’s still a fair amount of tracks I am yet to hear. With 16 different songs on the digital version (not to mention the acoustic versions) and the fact that I, at the very least, like all of the pre-release tracks, I still have my fingers crossed.
I am fan of the bigger track list. People sometimes try to make a quality vs quantity comment, but if you look at some of the awesome bsides or songs only on deluxe releases you realize that some of those are his best. Album cycles are usually minimum 2 years so give me my fill and and I’ll be ready for more quicker than 2 years. I think played consecutively on the album these songs will be stronger. Trying to be optimistic. There’s definitely some variety in these tracks released so far too, so if there’s some you don’t like it doesn’t mean you won’t come across other you do because there are more songs. And as I said, happy to see there are some acoustic versions to come.
After one listen, this album is easily his best since Positive Songs, this thing is very enjoyable. I know that everyone's complaints seem to be about the lyrics, and I haven't really been focusing on them right now, but musically it's a total return to form
I know saying “best album since PSFNP” doesn’t hold as much value because the standards are extremely low after the last 2, but god damn I need it. It’s been about 7 years and I need a good Frank album. I am still nervous because for example The Gathering musically is what I want but the lyrics do absolutely ruin the song for me. So I’m hoping even if they’re not great maybe they won’t be … that lol Either way I cannot wait to listen tomorrow!