Frank Turner - Undefeated (May 3, 2024) • Page 4

positive songs

 

I am a pretty big Frank apologist (Mittens is fucking awesome), but this album is rough

Track 7 isn't terrible?

maybe I wasn't in the right headspace for this...

 

no one else falling head-over-heels for "Never Mind The Back Problems" like I am??

 

I think It’s easily the best song on this. I love it.

Also, I’m in the “enjoying it” camp. Far from his best, but definitely not his worst in my opinion.

 

Listening now and I’m halfway through “Letters” and this is alright so far. “Pandemic PTSD” is def the worst song so far, but not MAGA, Sand in the Gears or Going Nowhere levels of bad.
The Sleeping Souls are killing it though, per usual. Tarrant continues to be the most underrated bassist and their new drummer Callum is a great fit.

 

I loved it

 

Sounds weak and uninspired. I'm not just growing out of this sort of thing, am I?

 

Mittens is fine, but I admit he definitely has a “type” of latter era song he writes with cringey-ish lyrics that are just way too cutesy and not as clever as he thinks

at this point I have reset my expectations a bit.

 

I got the deluxe edition of this album that comes with acoustic versions of these songs and I think they are far superior.

 

This album is legitimately incredible, it feels like the Frank from Positive Songs is back. These songs sound huge and are absolute rippers. Loving it. Yes, Pandemic PTSD is a clunker lyrically but to be honest, I don't feel that differently about how I was impacted by 2020-2022 so it works enough for me. Certainly way better than MAGA. And he's not being a COVID denialist.

 

I'm not sure if I like this one as much as the last one. It's not quite as punchy as I hoped for. Some of the singles I didn't like felt better on my 2 listen throughs so I'm hoping it grows on me.

 

Mittens is good. Out of Breath also good. Song For Josh great.

Do One's lyrics suck, but man, that melody and hook is so catchy.

 

I just don't know why I would ever listen to this over EKMB, LI&S, TDH, or PSFNP.

I'll see him at 2000 Trees this year but I hope he doesn't play loads from this or his more recent records, tbh.

 

As I said earlier in the thread, saw Frank in November and he's still one of the best live performers I've seen.

 

After I posted

Yeah I can’t deny that hook. Its fucking great despite the lyrics.

 

Same. He and the Sleeping Souls are so much fun.

 

I really don't feel mixed or negative on this at all. Ceasefire reminds me of Redemption or I am Disappeared, which is one of my favorite Frank songwriting modes that he rarely goes to, but it packs such a massive punch with that guitar. Back Problems is a total barnburner of a folk punk song. Letters and East Finchley have that emotional storytelling core from Tape Deck Heart. Girl From a Record Shop filters the 60s beat band sound and updates it for 2024 in the coolest way, and lyrically it's lighthearted and fun. I really am not bothered by the lyrics on the singles like everyone else is. Every single song is catchy. This is a win in pretty much every way in my book, especially after the songwriting has been so much more of a mixed bag since Positive Songs.

 

Listened to this today and have to say it’s right up there for my least favorite album of his, which unfortunately is like a 4 way battle. It stinks.

Dude is so washed when it comes to songwriting and I truly have no idea how he is the same person who wrote some of my favorite albums of all time.

 

Yeah I can't see me coming back to this much at all.

I've been a huge fan of Frank over the years (I even have a Poetry Of The Deed tattoo), but there was a clear drop off in songwriting around the time of Be More Kind for me.

 

I dunno, there are a few clunkers here, but I mostly think this is pretty fun and a good listen

 

Sue me but I liked this quite a bit on first listen

seemed to be on par with FTHC and way better than Be More Kind or No Mans Land

 

Ceasefire is so good.

 

I liked Show People !!

 

I didn't know so many people hated, Mittens, I love that song!

Diving into this album now.... Haven't been a fan of the last few, but I am hoping this one changes the trend.

 

The song Ceasefire would probably be decent if it wasn't called Ceasefire.