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A review by librarylemming
Try This at Home: Adventures in Songwriting by Frank Turner
5.0
Oh Mr Frank.
This is such a personal and honest reflection of your work, and has entirely restructured my way of thinking about your work - and, in fact, music itself. Whilst I've been a fan of yours for quite a while, and know most of your discography by heart, it's easy for us non-musos (even those with a background in music) to be simply unaware just how many conscious choices go into making music. It's easy to forget that songs don't just come from nowhere - every choice in a song is exactly that, a choice. A choice made for a purpose, an aim. And as you said in your book, the lyrical meaning of each song is up to interpretation of the audience, however you've given us a brief insight into your process in building feelings, emotions, tones, ideas and crossing that barrier of human communication into something deeper and more rewarding.
Your inclusion of tracks you still aren't happy with, your acknowledgement of errors or regrets or even just your own self-proclaimed immaturity at the time, offers a fresh perspective and grounds you in the real, and makes you that much more relatable as an artist.
I'm listening to all your music with a whole new ear - to the crafting of it, to the way each layer builds and how it makes you feel.
And not just that, Mr Turner, but your writing is absolutely incredible. I would happily read a thousand pages of you just talking (if you were ever inclined to write such a beast) - you have a frank (hah) honesty and beautiful turn of phrase (which I guess isn't such a surprise when you consider the poetry of your music) and just getting those insights into the stories and feelings and thoughts behind your music has been an absolute privilege. Thank you for taking the time to make such a beautiful book.
This is such a personal and honest reflection of your work, and has entirely restructured my way of thinking about your work - and, in fact, music itself. Whilst I've been a fan of yours for quite a while, and know most of your discography by heart, it's easy for us non-musos (even those with a background in music) to be simply unaware just how many conscious choices go into making music. It's easy to forget that songs don't just come from nowhere - every choice in a song is exactly that, a choice. A choice made for a purpose, an aim. And as you said in your book, the lyrical meaning of each song is up to interpretation of the audience, however you've given us a brief insight into your process in building feelings, emotions, tones, ideas and crossing that barrier of human communication into something deeper and more rewarding.
Your inclusion of tracks you still aren't happy with, your acknowledgement of errors or regrets or even just your own self-proclaimed immaturity at the time, offers a fresh perspective and grounds you in the real, and makes you that much more relatable as an artist.
I'm listening to all your music with a whole new ear - to the crafting of it, to the way each layer builds and how it makes you feel.
And not just that, Mr Turner, but your writing is absolutely incredible. I would happily read a thousand pages of you just talking (if you were ever inclined to write such a beast) - you have a frank (hah) honesty and beautiful turn of phrase (which I guess isn't such a surprise when you consider the poetry of your music) and just getting those insights into the stories and feelings and thoughts behind your music has been an absolute privilege. Thank you for taking the time to make such a beautiful book.