England Keep My Bones

Last updated

England Keep My Bones
Frank Turner - England Keep My Bones Cover.jpg
Studio album by
Frank Turner
Released6 June 2011
RecordedJanuary 2011
Studio The Church Studios [1]
Genre Folk rock, folk punk
Length44:14
Label Xtra Mile Recordings, Epitaph
Producer Tristan 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
Metacritic 77/100 [2]
Review scores
SourceRating
AbsolutePunk 89% [3]
AllMusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [4]
BBC (Positive) [5]
BLARE MagazineStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [6]
Clash 5/10 [7]
NME 8/10 [8]
Paste 8.4/10 [9]
PopMatters 7/10 [10]
Spin 8/10 [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 .

Contents

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

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

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

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

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

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

Singles

"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

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

RegionCertification Certified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI) [33] Gold100,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Personnel

Credits adapted from Allmusic. [34]

Related Research Articles

<i>O Brother, Where Art Thou?</i> (soundtrack) 2000 soundtrack album by various artists

O Brother, Where Art Thou? is the soundtrack album of music from the 2000 American film of the same name, written, directed and produced by the Coen Brothers and starring George Clooney, John Turturro, Tim Blake Nelson, and John Goodman.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chrissie Hynde</span> American musician (born 1951)

Christine Ellen Hynde is an American-British musician. She is a founding member and the lead vocalist, guitarist, and primary songwriter of the rock band The Pretenders, and one of the band's two remaining original members alongside drummer Martin Chambers. She is the only continuous member of the band, appearing on every studio album.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Black Keys</span> American rock duo

The Black Keys are an American rock duo formed in Akron, Ohio, in 2001. The group consists of Dan Auerbach and Patrick Carney (drums). The duo began as an independent act, recording music in basements and self-producing their records, before they eventually emerged as one of the most popular garage rock artists during a second wave of the genre's revival in the 2000s. The band's raw blues rock sound draws heavily from Auerbach's blues influences, including Junior Kimbrough, R.L. Burnside, Howlin' Wolf, and Robert Johnson.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Arctic Monkeys</span> English rock band

Arctic Monkeys are an English rock band formed in Sheffield on 14 August 2002. The group consists of lead singer Alex Turner, drummer Matt Helders, guitarist Jamie Cook and bassist Nick O'Malley. Former bassist Andy Nicholson left the band in 2006 shortly after their debut album, Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not, was released.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Frank Turner</span> English singer-songwriter

Francis Edward Turner is an English punk and folk singer-songwriter from Meonstoke, Hampshire. He began his career as the vocalist of post-hardcore band Million Dead, then embarked upon a primarily acoustic-based solo career following the band's split in 2005. In the studio and during live performances, Turner is accompanied by his backing band, The Sleeping Souls, which consists of Ben Lloyd, Tarrant Anderson (bass), Matt Nasir and Callum Green (drums).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cold War Kids</span> American indie rock band formed in 2004

Cold War Kids are an American indie rock band from Long Beach, California. Band members are Nathan Willett, Matt Maust, David Quon, Matthew Schwartz, and Joe Plummer. Former members of the band include Dann Gallucci, Matt Aveiro, and Jonnie Russell.

<i>Yesterday and Today</i> 1966 American studio album by the Beatles

Yesterday and Today is a studio album by the English rock band the Beatles. Released in the United States and Canada in June 1966, it was their ninth album issued on Capitol Records and twelfth American release overall. Typical of the Beatles' North American discography until 1967, the album contains songs that Capitol had withheld from its configurations of the band's recent EMI albums, along with songs that the group had released elsewhere on non-album singles. Among its 11 tracks are songs from the EMI albums Help! and Rubber Soul, and three new 1966 recordings that would appear on Revolver in countries outside North America.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">My Oh My (Slade song)</span> 1983 single by Slade

"My Oh My" is a song by British rock band Slade, released in November 1983 as the second single from the band's 11th studio album, The Amazing Kamikaze Syndrome, and in 1984 as the second single from the album's US counterpart, Keep Your Hands Off My Power Supply. The song was written by lead vocalist Noddy Holder and bassist Jim Lea and produced by John Punter. "My Oh My" reached No. 2 on the UK Singles Chart, topped the charts of Norway and Sweden, and peaked at No. 37 on the US Billboard Hot 100.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ryan Bingham</span> American country musician

George Ryan Bingham is an American singer, songwriter, and guitarist whose music spans multiple genres. He is currently based in Los Angeles. As of 2019, Bingham has released six studio albums and one live album, the last four of which were released under his own label, Axster Bingham Records.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Friendly Fires</span> English indie rock band

Friendly Fires are an English indie rock band from St Albans, Hertfordshire, England. They are currently signed to Polydor Records. Their self-titled debut album was released on 1 September 2008, and was announced as one of the shortlisted twelve for the 2009 Mercury Prize on 21 July 2009.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joe Jonas</span> American singer and actor

Joseph Adam Jonas is an American singer, songwriter, and actor. He rose to fame as a member of the pop rock band the Jonas Brothers, alongside his brothers Kevin and Nick. The group released their debut studio album It's About Time through the Columbia label in 2006, which failed to achieve commercial success. After signing with Hollywood Records, the group released their self-titled second studio album in 2007, which became their breakthrough record. The band became prominent figures on the Disney Channel during this time, gaining a large following through the network: they appeared in the widely successful musical television film Camp Rock (2008) and its sequel Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam (2010) as well as two of their own series, Jonas Brothers: Living the Dream (2008–2010) and Jonas (2009–2010).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Young Guns (band)</span> English alternative rock band

Young Guns are an English alternative rock band from High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire. The members, working with each other in various musical interests throughout the 2000s, formally formed the band in 2008, and rose to prominence after their debut EP, Mirrors, earned them spots opening live shows for Bon Jovi and Guns N' Roses. Their debut album, All Our Kings Are Dead, on 12 July 2010. Their second album, Bones, was released in February 2012. Their single "Bones" reached no. 1 on the Billboard Active Rock charts in the US in May 2013. Their third album, Ones and Zeros, was released on 9 June 2015. The band's fourth album, Echoes, was released on 16 September 2016.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Imagine Dragons</span> American pop rock band

Imagine Dragons are an American pop rock band formed in 2008, based in Las Vegas, Nevada, and currently consists of lead singer Dan Reynolds, guitarist Wayne Sermon, bassist Ben McKee and drummer Daniel Platzman. The band first gained exposure with the release of their single "It's Time", followed by their debut album Night Visions (2012), which resulted in the chart-topping singles "Radioactive" and "Demons". Rolling Stone named "Radioactive", which held the record for most weeks charted on the Billboard Hot 100, the "biggest rock hit of the year". MTV called them "the year's biggest breakout band", and Billboard named them their "Breakthrough Band of 2013" and "Biggest Band of 2017", and placed them at the top of their "Year in Rock" rankings for 2013, 2017, and 2018. Imagine Dragons topped the Billboard Year-End "Top Artists – Duo/Group" category in 2018.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Young the Giant</span> American rock band

Young the Giant is an American rock band that formed in Irvine, California, in 2004. The band's line-up consists of Sameer Gadhia, Jacob Tilley (guitar), Eric Cannata (guitar), Payam Doostzadeh, and Francois Comtois (drums). Formerly known as the Jakes, Young the Giant was signed by Roadrunner Records in 2009, and they released their eponymous debut album in 2010. The band's first three singles, "My Body", "Cough Syrup", and "Apartment", all charted on the US Alternative Songs chart.

<i>Move Like This</i> 2011 studio album by the Cars

Move Like This is the seventh and final studio album by American rock band the Cars, released on May 10, 2011. It was their first since 1987's Door to Door, and the only one without bassist and vocalist Benjamin Orr, who had died of pancreatic cancer in 2000.

<i>Bon Iver</i> (album) 2011 studio album by Bon Iver

Bon Iver is the second studio album from American indie folk band Bon Iver, released on June 17, 2011. The album is composed of 10 songs and was seen as a new musical direction for the band.

<i>Thats Why God Made the Radio</i> 2012 studio album by the Beach Boys

That's Why God Made the Radio is the twenty-ninth and final studio album by American rock band the Beach Boys, released on June 5, 2012, on Capitol Records. Produced by Brian Wilson, the album was recorded to coincide with the band's 50th anniversary. It is their first studio album since 1996's Stars and Stripes Vol. 1, the first album to feature original material since Summer in Paradise in 1992, their first album to feature guitarist and backing vocalist David Marks since Little Deuce Coupe in 1963, and their first album since the 1998 death of co-founder Carl Wilson.

<i>Tape Deck Heart</i> 2013 studio album by Frank Turner

Tape Deck Heart is the fifth studio album by English singer-songwriter Frank Turner, released on 22 April 2013 on Xtra Mile in the UK, and on Polydor / Interscope worldwide. Produced by Rich Costey, the album was preceded by the single, "Recovery."

<i>...Like Clockwork</i> 2013 studio album by Queens of the Stone Age

...Like Clockwork is the sixth studio album by American rock band Queens of the Stone Age, released on June 3, 2013, on Matador Records in the UK, and on June 4 in the United States. Self-produced by the band, it is the first Queens of the Stone Age album to feature full contributions from bassist Michael Shuman and keyboardist and guitarist Dean Fertita, who both joined the band in 2007 to tour in support of the band's fifth studio album, Era Vulgaris, and record its bonus tracks.

<i>Positive Songs for Negative People</i> 2015 studio album by Frank Turner

Positive Songs for Negative People is the sixth studio album by English singer/songwriter Frank Turner. It was released on 7 August 2015 by Xtra Mile Recordings. The album garnered a positive reception but critics said it was derivative of Turner's previous works. Positive Songs for Negative People debuted at number 2 in the UK and number 69 on the Billboard 200 and spawned only one single: "The Next Storm". To promote the record, Turner toured across North America, Europe and Australia.

References

  1. ↑ "ENGLAND KEEP MY BONES FRANK TURNER". Epitaph. 7 June 2011. Archived from the original on 25 October 2020. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
  2. 1 2 "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. 1 2 3 "Interview: Frank Turner". Mind Equals Blown. 3 March 2011. Archived from the original on 11 June 2011. Retrieved 15 February 2012.
  16. 1 2 3 Martin, Josie (31 May 2011). "Interview: Frank Turner". ForgeToday.com. Archived from the original on 20 March 2012. Retrieved 15 February 2012.
  17. 1 2 "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. 1 2 "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.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.