Undefeated is a pretty appropriate title for Frank Turner’s latest. For more than two decades now, he has churned out a mix of folk, punk and straight-ahead rock, relying mainly on the DIY punk esthetics that clearly shaped his career dating back to his time in post-hardcore band Million Dead. He has had little radio support over the years, has walked away from major record labels, and yet still manages to hold (and even grow) a wildly devout collective of fans across the globe. Constantly on the road, he regularly sells out shows. All while playing an uncompromising brand of music that many have written off time and time again. Undefeated indeed.
Turner’s 10th album doesn’t deviate too far from any of his previous efforts (thankfully). It’s a mix of amped up, punk-inspired anthems like “Never Mind The Back Problems” (destined to be a set closer for the next few years) and the stellar “Girl From the Record Shop,” and mellower moments like “East Finchley” and “On My Way.” While some of the quieter moments here are quite good, most stop the momentum abruptly. It’s the rowdier tracks that really make this record worthwhile.
As he roars out the opening lines to “No Thank You For The Music” (“I don’t want to be in/
Any gang that you’re in/I refuse to take part/In gatekeeping people’s art”), you can almost see the pit forming in front of the stage and are reminded of just how much fun punk rock music can be. The same can be said for the bulk of the songs that make up Undefeated. You can hear the political spirit of The Clash in a song like “The Leaders” and you can feel the unadulterated fun of a band like The Descendents in “Never Mind The Back Problems.”
For almost 25 years now, armed with an acoustic guitar and a growing sleeve of tattoos, Turner has been fighting for the spirit of punk rock from house shows and bar basements to Wembley Arena. And he remains undefeated to this day.
