SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: FRANK TURNER – THE NEXT TEN YEARS

FRANK TURNER
THE NEXT TEN YEARS
UNIVERSAL/POLYDOR

There’s a chance that something has got Frank Turner feeling nostalgic of late. Discontented with reforming his previous hardcore band, Million Dead, he’s now releasing another boxset compilation of his formative years as a solo artist, following The First Ten Years, with, oddly enough, this release: The Next Ten Years. The compilation covers the last decade of his career in great detail.

There’s a really nice freshness to all of the music. It speaks to the carefully curated nature of the box set, which includes radio sessions, live performances, b-sides, popular covers, and acoustic versions. The live and acoustic versions are exactly what you’d expect, showcasing Turner at his best and in his element. Starting with the powerful and political “Sand In The Gears” was a fantastic choice, leading off a smorgasbord of excellent tracks. From the beautiful sounds of “Little Aphrodite” and “Cleopatra In Brooklyn,” to the infectiously fun “Bar Staff.” Last but not least, the bizarre and surprising cover of Tom Jones’ track, “Deliah,” is a massive highlight.

In truth, whatever track you choose, it feels like you’ve found money. In some ways, it’s a shame that these tracks were buried for so long, as Turner’s fanbase would possibly be even more rabid and presently involved if some of these tracks had found an audience sooner. Still, they’re here now, and it makes this package well worth your time. There are some interesting inclusions here, with both “The Work” and “There She Is” taking on bittersweet tones in light of Turner’s recent personal upheavals, but he still knows how to tell a story. Here’s to the next decade.

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