SOUND BITES

  The "back to your roots" album can be a tricky thing to market; whenever you (or a critic, or a fan) claim this when talking about a new album, especially one that comes some twenty years after the roots in question, there's going to be some added scrutiny. In Frank Turner's case, these roots are in Million Dead, a post-hardcore outfit that released two records (2003's A Song to Ruin and 2005's Harmony No Harmony ) before breaking up; they were well-revered in their native England, and I don't think I'm stepping too far out of line when I say that many considered Million Dead a Brit counterpart to influential American acts like At the Drive-In. Since Million Dead's demise, Frank Turner has gone on to forge a very respectable solo career while prolifically creating smart, earnest songs that have far more in common with folk than hardcore; while Turner has occasionally incorporated some rough edges into his work, the majority of his eight previous...

FRANK TURNER Peggy Sang the Blues From: England Keep My Bones Released: June 7 With a background in post-hardcore, it's no surprise that Frank Turner's albums found distribution on Epitaph, one of the planet's foremost punk labels.  The surprise lays in the grooves of his records; England Keep My Bones sees Turner once again proving his considerable chops as a songwriter while moving away from his earlier, more politically minded efforts and toward themes with broader appeal.  Instead of railing against injustices and issues of the day, his sights are set on big picture problems.  Religion is touched upon with Glory Hallelujah , a song Turner wrote as an atheist anthem.  It's scathing and hilarious, and isn't for the pure of faith.  Meanwhile, mortality pops up here and there, most notably on lead single Peggy Sang the Blues .  A full sounding, classic sounding track dedicated to Turner's late grandmother, it's the sound of a man and his band (sinc...