The usual Turner
Since leaving his post-hardcore days behind, parting from his old band Million Dead, growing up slightly, and turning to folk music, Mr Turner has taken a more gently poetic, less violently embittered musical approach towards expressing his stance on living life. Nowadays he likes to put his energy into drumming up a youthful cult, rock ‘n’ roll following, leading his loyal recruits into an existence of emotionally expressive enthusiasm as opposed to apathy, and he’s been really soppy, sad and sentimental about it in the process.
'Isabel' is nothing surprising with that typical epic campfire feel that Turner always goes for. He eases us in at first with ambient instrumental sound, and then throws us into melodic layers of acoustic and buzzing electric guitars, thumping drum and cymbals, and Frank’s inimitable vocals. He takes us right down at the verse, and into a syrupy melodic interlude and dramatic silent pause for effect, and then builds us back up again into thumping piano/guitar chords and an emotive layered crescendo at the song’s climax.
Sentimental piano echoes the vocal melody line, and it’s those prominent vocals, like Frank himself, that lead the way, ever present, always at the forefront, proclaiming that big hearted punk poetry. Full of spirit, full of energy, and full of unabashed soppiness, 'Isabel' is another one for the Frank Following, but it’s no 'Photosynthesis' and might not attract too many new recruits.