Music Is My Substitute For Love

Between hearing about Frank Turner through multiple twitter posts and other online outlets, I've really got to give my friend Katy the credit for introducing his music to me.  I finally got the chance to see Frank back in October on The Revival Tour's Hollywood stop.  I was nothing but impressed.  It's a rare sight to see an LA crowd amped for a show, let alone to actually show it.  Frank seemed to bring all the energy out of the crowd with the intensity of his singing, poetic lyrics, and not to be neglected, his English charm.  It's hard to resist tapping your foot and clapping your hands during his set.  From that moment on I've been addicted to his album 'Love Ire & Song.'

I got to see Frank play twice this week. The first show at a more intimate venue in Hollywood, Hotel Cafe, and again the next night in Riverside for a free college show. I was so wrapped up in the show itself, I didn't get a chance to take too many photos. Oops! He played amazing sets both nights, although I seemed to enjoy myself more at the Riverside show. I was glad I got to sing 'Ballad Of Me And My Friends' word for word with Katy.  Completely worth driving 200 miles roundtrip to see.  

I'm a bit late on posting a Top 5 list for 2009.  Between procrastination on writing one up, and not actually being able to decide who to narrow it down to, I probably won't write one for this past year.  Regardless, Mr. Frank Turner has definitely earned a spot in my top lists in more than one category; Top Albums for 2009, Top Albums that came out in 2009, Favorite discoveries in 2009.  'Love Ire & Song' didn't come out in 2009, so that slides in under Top Albums for 2009.  However, his newest, 'Poetry of the Deed' can squeeze in Top Albums that came out in 2009.  If you haven't had a chance to listen to Frank yet, I highly suggest getting to it right away.  Substitute, The Road, and Back In The Day are three of the catchiest songs that can (and will) get stuck in your head for days.  Don't stop there though, there isn't one song on either of his three records that I skip while listening to.  For those that don't know, I usually help a friend flyer for Goldenvoice.  With Coachella creeping around the corner we've been handing out flyers with the line up on them.  I get so excited when I glance down to see I'm promoting for a show Frank will be playing.  Coachella is just the start.  I can't wait to see what this upcoming year brings to him and his music.

“There’s no such thing as rock stars, there’s just people who play music, and some of them are just like us and some of them are dicks.”