Frank Turner – “Be More Kind” [Album Review]

You’ll be hard placed to find an artist more suited to providing a voice for the masses in these socially and politically fraught times than Frank Turner and this is demonstrated perfectly in the message of his seventh album, Be More Kind. In an age when acts of kindness appear few and far between and are becoming rarer by the day, especially if the news is any gauge, the timing for an album like Be More Kind couldn’t be more perfect.

First and foremost though, Be More Kind is a Frank Turner album through and through. It’s full of folk-laced punk rock rowdiness the kind of which made us fall in love with Frank and his music in the first place. It’s the reason we pour out to his shows night after night to sing, dance and forget about life and all its difficulties. However, underneath all the raucous punk rock and hooks that get you singing your head off there is always that underlying message in Turner’s poetry that makes you think. Be More Kind sees Turner demonstrate this perfectly and with someone like Donald Trump in charge, Turner has the perfect go-to source for inspiration and, with the most important man in the World in his sights, Turner opens fire with “Make America Great Again”. Of course, with a title like Be More Kind, there is more to the message than just a barrage of anti-Trump rants.

Be More Kind is an album full of uplifting tracks like the title track, where Turner champions and encourages a more open mind. Mixing politically charged views with a positive message is a tough act to balance but, as Be More Kind shows, Turner is a man who can just about get that balance spot on.

Be More Kind Track Listing:

01. Don’t Worry
02. 1933
03. Little Changes
04. Be More Kind
05. Make America Great Again
06. Going Nowhere
07. Brave Face
08. There She Is
09. 21st Century Survival Blues
10. Blackout
11. Common Ground
12. The Lifeboat
13. Get It Right

Run Time: 48:22
Release Date: May 4, 2018

Frank Turner Wants Us to “Make America Great Again”