Frank Turner - The Road (Epitaph)

Rebecca Ryder | Thursday, 27 August 2009

Frank Turner's latest single has impressed enough to garner some substantial airtime across major radio networks. That can only mean that the former member of hardcore band Million Dead's rise to stardom is still on the up, and that he is rightfully getting the recognition he deserves.

Turner offers more than standard folk singer-songwriters, using his experience of hardcore rock to add real intrigue and captivation to his hybrid musical offerings. 'The Road' is a high-spirited earworm that holds the traces of Turner's punk roots with its bold energy and raucous vocals; its cheerful acoustic guitar and narrative of long journeys with unknown conclusions reveal his folk stylings.

The memorable chorus denotes a longing for freedom which is empowering. It's a potential live anthem. On hearing this song, you wonder whether Frank has finally found his forté and his sense of identity. If so, things can no doubt only get better for him as he continues to show us what he can do by himself with his third studio album, Poetry Of The Deed.

Rating: 4/5