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England Keep My Bones

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England Keep My Bones
Studio album by
Frank Turner
Released6 June 2011
RecordedJanuary 2011
StudioThe Church Studios[1]
GenreFolk rock, folk punk
Length44:14
LabelXtra Mile Recordings, Epitaph
ProducerTristan Ivemy
Frank Turner chronology
Rock & Roll
(2010) 		England Keep My Bones
(2011) 		The Second Three Years
(2011)
Singles from England Keep My Bones
  1. "I Still Believe"
    Released: 28 October 2010
  2. "Peggy Sang the Blues"
    Released: 25 April 2011
  3. "If Ever I Stray"
    Released: 29 August 2011
  4. "Wessex Boy"
    Released: 12 December 2011
Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
Metacritic77/100[2]
Review scores
SourceRating
AbsolutePunk89%[3]
AllMusic[4]
BBC(Positive)[5]
BLARE Magazine[6]
Clash5/10[7]
NME8/10[8]
Paste8.4/10[9]
PopMatters7/10[10]
Spin8/10[11]
SputnikMusic4.5/5[12]

England Keep My Bones is the fourth studio album by London-based singer-songwriter Frank Turner, released on 6 June 2011, on Xtra Mile in the United Kingdom, and on 7 June 2011, on Epitaph Records worldwide. Preceded by the single, "Peggy Sang the Blues", the album was produced and mixed by Tristan Ivemy, who had previously mixed Love, Ire and Song, Rock & Roll and Campfire Punkrock.

The album's title is taken from William Shakespeare's play, The Life and Death of King John,[13][14] with Turner noting, "I knew that the album was, for the most part, about mortality, and about Englishness. Shakespeare seemed like a good place to go hunting for some pearls of wisdom, and with a little help from my friend Ben we came across this one, and it just seemed to fit the work really well."[15]

Background and recording

[edit]

Amidst extensive touring in support of Poetry of the Deed, Turner and his then-untitled backing band recorded Rock & Roll, an EP consisting of tracks written at the same time as Poetry of the Deed alongside new material. Following its release, Turner and the band spent twenty days[15] in January 2011, recording their next studio album with producer Tristan Ivemy. Turner noted, "I guess we worked pretty fast by most measures, but it wasn’t ever rushed, it was a really comfortable recording experience actually. We did an awful lot of pre-production and demoing, so I felt very ready to make the album once the time finally rolled around."[15]

Writing and composition

[edit]

Prior to the album's release, Turner noted that his growing commercial success had influenced his lyrical content, stating, "I could still write songs pretending to be the underdog kid, but it's just not really true anymore."[16] Turner also noted that one of the major themes of the album is that of "English national identity,"[16] stating, "it's something that I want to write songs about. I, quite self-consciously, want to make music that sounds English."[16]

Regarding the album's overall aesthetic, Turner notes, "it's not a radical departure, just maybe a little deeper ploughed into the same furrow,"[17] and stated, prior to its release, "I'm very pleased with it, I think I achieved what I set out to do, which was to make a record that falls equally between Love Ire & Song and Poetry of the Deed. The songs sound very strong to me."[18]

Turner commented on the atheist nature of closing track, "Glory Hallelujah", stating, "I have played many Christian songs on stage in my time, and have no issue with that; but one time I was singing “May the Circle Be Unbroken” onstage in Atlanta, with Chuck Ragan, and it occurred to me that it'd be nice if there was a concomitant atheist song, with the same feel, to put the other side of the argument."[17]

The Sleeping Souls

[edit]

Following the completion of the album, Turner subsequently announced his backing band had named themselves The Sleeping Souls, after a lyric in the track, "I Am Disappeared". Regarding their contributions, Turner noted, "they arrange with me, and there’s a clear distinction. Basically I turn up with songs that are finished to the extent that they have verses, choruses, middle eights, chord progressions and vocals. I generally have some ideas about what I want people to do. People will suggest a guitar or piano line, but I retain power of veto. It’s a dictatorship, rather than a democracy. To be honest, without getting too precious about this, I pay them to be in my band. I don’t want to be in a band, if I did then I'd do that. This is my project."[19] Turner had previously stated, "I made [the album] with my band, but it feels like more of a solo record than Poetry of the Deed,"[20] and further elaborated, "Last time round, I think I was a little excited about having a stable band line-up to take into the studio; also, we worked out all the arrangements in about two weeks of intensive rehearsal. As a result the feel tended towards the rock end of the spectrum and it became a band record – which is fine, but it’s definitely in the side field of what I want to do. This time we were all on tour together pretty much the whole time when I was writing, which meant we had much longer to work on arrangements, plus I was more confident in not using people on some songs, as opposed to just throwing everything on all the time."[21]

Reception

[edit]

England Keeps My Bones was met with "generally favorable" reviews from critics. At Metacritic, which assigns a weighted average rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream publications, this release received an average score of 77 based on 14 reviews.[2]

NME described the release as "a fearless venture for an artist with something interesting to say."[22] Paste placed it at number 50 on their "Top 50 Albums of 2011" list.[23]

Track listing

[edit]

All tracks are written by Frank Turner, except where noted

No.TitleLength
1."Eulogy"1:34
2."Peggy Sang the Blues"3:33
3."I Still Believe"3:47
4."Rivers"4:34
5."I Am Disappeared"4:47
6."English Curse"2:17
7."One Foot Before the Other"3:26
8."If Ever I Stray" (Frank Turner, Nigel Powell)2:54
9."Wessex Boy" (Turner, Powell)3:34
10."Nights Become Days"4:26
11."Redemption"4:48
12."Glory Hallelujah"4:30
Total length:44:14
Bonus tracks
No.TitleLength
13."Song for Eva Mae"3:43
14."Wanderlust"3:13
15."Balthazar, Impresario"4:01
iTunes Bonus tracks
No.TitleLength
13."Song for Eva Mae"3:43
14."Wanderlust"3:13
15."Balthazar, Impresario"4:01
16."Peggy Sang The Blues (Acoustic)"3;24
17."I Still Believe (Acoustic)"3;41
18."I Am Disappeared (Acoustic)"4:21

Editions

[edit]
  • Standard CD
  • Deluxe CD which included a signed poster for the 1st 1000 copies.
  • 12" Vinyl available in green or black
  • iTunes LP

Singles

[edit]

"I Still Believe" was released as the first single from the album (and the single from Rock & Roll EP) on 28 October 2010. This was followed by the song "Peggy Sang The Blues", Frank's tribute to his Grandma on 25 May 2011. It was then announced on 28 July 2011 that "If Ever I Stray" would be released as the album's third single. It was backed by b-side "Sailor's Boots" (previously known as "Rod Stewart") and released on 29 August 2011.

Chart performance

[edit]
Chart performance for England Keep My Bones
Chart (2011) Peak
position
Dutch Albums (Album Top 100)[24] 94
Dutch Alternative Albums (MegaCharts)[24] 10
Scottish Albums (OCC)[25] 20
UK Albums (OCC)[26] 12
UK Independent Albums (OCC)[27] 5
US Billboard 200[28] 143
US Folk Albums (Billboard)[29] 8
US Heatseekers Albums (Billboard)[30] 4
US Independent Albums (Billboard)[31] 25
US Top Rock Albums (Billboard)[32] 49

Certifications

[edit]
Region Certification Certified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI)[33] Gold 100,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Personnel

[edit]

Credits adapted from Allmusic.[34]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "ENGLAND KEEP MY BONES FRANK TURNER". Epitaph. 7 June 2011. Archived from the original on 25 October 2020. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
  2. ^ a b "England Keep My Bones by Frank Turner". Metacritic. Archived from the original on 23 July 2020. Retrieved 3 July 2021.
  3. ^ Nassiff, Thomas (23 May 2011). "Frank Turner - England Keep My Bones". AbsolutePunk. Archived from the original on 14 January 2021. Retrieved 3 July 2021.
  4. ^ Jurek, Thom (2 June 2011). "England Keep My Bones - Frank Turner". Ann Arbor: AllMusic. Archived from the original on 31 August 2019. Retrieved 13 June 2011.
  5. ^ Winwood, Ian. "Frank Turner England Keep My Bones". BBC. Archived from the original on 16 March 2021. Retrieved 3 July 2021.
  6. ^ Rankin, Dan (3 July 2021). "REVIEW: Frank Turner - "England Keep My Bones"". BLARE Magazine. Toronto. Archived from the original on 10 October 2011. Retrieved 5 June 2011.
  7. ^ Renshaw, David (8 June 2011). "Clash Magazine Review". Clash. Archived from the original on 14 January 2012. Retrieved 3 July 2021.
  8. ^ Murray, Kelly (1 June 2011). "Album Review: Frank Turner - 'England Keep My Bones'". London: NME. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 2 June 2011.
  9. ^ Tedder, Michael (6 June 2011). "Paste Magazine Review". Paste. Archived from the original on 3 July 2021. Retrieved 3 July 2021.
  10. ^ Johnson, Andy (27 June 2011). "PopMatters Review". PopMatters. Archived from the original on 3 July 2021. Retrieved 3 July 2021.
  11. ^ Young, Joe (7 June 2011). "Spin Magazine Review". Spin. Archived from the original on 7 August 2020. Retrieved 3 July 2021.
  12. ^ Thomas, Adam (20 June 2011). "Frank Turner - England Keep My Bones". United States: Sputnik Music. Archived from the original on 3 July 2021. Retrieved 20 June 2011.
  13. ^ "England Keep My Bones". frank-turner.com. Archived from the original on 27 February 2011. Retrieved 29 June 2012.
  14. ^ "King John, Act IV, Scene 3". Open Source Shakespeare. Archived from the original on 20 May 2011. Retrieved 29 June 2012.
  15. ^ a b c "Interview: Frank Turner". Mind Equals Blown. 3 March 2011. Archived from the original on 11 June 2011. Retrieved 15 February 2012.
  16. ^ a b c Martin, Josie (31 May 2011). "Interview: Frank Turner". ForgeToday.com. Archived from the original on 20 March 2012. Retrieved 15 February 2012.
  17. ^ a b "Exclusive Frank Turner Interview | Reading and Leeds Festivals". Strictlyrandl.com. 12 May 2011. Archived from the original on 16 May 2011. Retrieved 15 February 2012.
  18. ^ "Frank Turner Interview". Flares n Seagulls. 3 November 2009. Archived from the original on 12 June 2011. Retrieved 15 February 2012.
  19. ^ "Interview: Frank Turner « HAUS DIGITAL". Hausdigital.com. 19 February 2011. Archived from the original on 6 February 2012. Retrieved 15 February 2012.
  20. ^ jcmfs (4 December 2010). "It's Just Rock 'n' Roll, Bitch!: Interview with Frank Turner". Itsjustrocknrollbitch.blogspot.com. Archived from the original on 18 August 2011. Retrieved 15 February 2012.
  21. ^ on (18 April 2011). "– News Page - Interview: Frank Turner". Archived from the original on 24 March 2012. Retrieved 15 February 2012.
  22. ^ "NME Album Reviews - Album Review: Frank Turner - 'England Keep My Bones'". Nme.Com. 1 June 2011. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 15 February 2012.
  23. ^ Jackson, Josh (22 November 2011). "The 50 Best Albums of 2011 :: Blogs :: List of the Day :: Paste". Pastemagazine.com. Archived from the original on 5 April 2016. Retrieved 15 February 2012.
  24. ^ a b "Dutchcharts.nl – Frank Turner – England Keep My Bones" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 3 July 2021.
  25. ^ "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 3 July 2021.
  26. ^ "Frank Turner | Artist | Official Charts". UK Albums Chart. Retrieved 3 July 2021.
  27. ^ "Official Independent Albums Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 3 July 2021.
  28. ^ "Frank Turner Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved 3 July 2021.
  29. ^ "Frank Turner Chart History (Top Americana/Folk Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved 3 July 2021.
  30. ^ "Frank Turner Chart History (Heatseekers Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved 3 July 2021.
  31. ^ "Frank Turner Chart History (Independent Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved 3 July 2021.
  32. ^ "Frank Turner Chart History (Top Rock Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved 3 July 2021.
  33. ^ "British album certifications – Frank Turner – England Keep My Bones". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 3 July 2021.
  34. ^ "AllMusic - Credits". AllMusic. Archived from the original on 3 December 2019. Retrieved 3 July 2021.
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