Customer Reviews

To Be Frank

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

From the sheer joyous fun of "Wounded" to the warm hug of "Show Them What You're Made Of," Nik Kershaw's latest offering To Be Frank is perfect for those seriously looking for true music instead of worrying what will help them be with the "kewl" crowd.

I have been a Kershaw fan since 1984 and Nik seems to care about his fans and shows he loves to share his musical talent. This time around he's more acoustic but still with plenty of emotion to back it up. There have been few songs over the years that have deeply affected me like Paula Cole's "I Am So Ordinary" and Tori Amos' "Crucify," and Nik's song "Already" is the latest example of how perfect a song can be lyrically as well as in the melody. Take a listen to this track and you'll find yourself looking up, tilting your head a little to one side, and smiling as you sing along. It's got such a powerful feeling of hope.

On To Be Frank, Nik's vocals are right upfront, never upstaging the music and never drowned out by effects. When songs are sad they never are depressing, they are hopeful even when about conflict, and upbeat songs can be sly with a knowing wink and smile. It's a nice touch that many of these tracks overlap each other (which might aggravate those wanting certain tracks for personal mix compilations), it keeps a nice flow and gives the feel of a complete story. Musically, it's amazing how the songs never maintain a sameness -- there are shifts within the songs that never interfere with the rhythm or enjoyment.

While an acoustic flavor is present throughout, there are a nice range of sounds going on here. "Wounded" will please those that remember the upbeat fun of "Don Quixote," there's the folk style of "Take Me To The Church," a pinch of funk in the wonderful "All's Fair," the toe-tapping rhythm of "Die Laughing," and the more guitar-driven "Jane Doe" (for those that liked the sound of his previous album 15 Minutes, this track will please). I personally find "Already" to be the most perfect track, it always brightens my day listening to it.

It's a shame that the two import tracks "They Say" and "Food For Fantasy" weren't included on this release as I was not able to get my hands on the CD single of "Wounded" and many in the U.S. like myself will be left without! It is rather odd too, that the acoustic version of "Wouldn't It Be Good" was once again put on To Be Frank since it was also included on 15 Minutes. I never tire of any version of that song, but why they keep including that one is a mystery.

It's also a mystery that Nik Kershaw hasn't been invited to appear on any of the U.S. late night talk shows to perform yet, or even been pushed by MTV/VH1. There could be a whole new group of fans out there for him if some of these more commercial powers-that-be would give him a chance. After all, they are already offering an overdose of artists who scream at the top of their lungs to squeeze money out of the baggy jeans crowd. Nik offers something different, something fresh. In the meantime, I feel proud to be one of his supporters and will be spreading the word about his great music.

In my opinion, as the song "Already" states: "He's already there, he's already made it, he's already stolen the show...he just don't know." I have a feeling though that Nik Kershaw knows how much his music means to his fans, and will continue to share with us for a long time to come.

To Be Frank is one of those records that captures your attention from the opening notes and never lets go. The disc is absolute brilliance from beginning to end. The lyrics are like practical advice from someone who's been there - from the hopeful pleadings of "Get Up" to the cautionary tale of "Already", from the don't-let-her-get-away of "All is Fair" to the you're-a-better-person-because-of-it of "Wounded" - each song seems to solve one of the several problems we all have. The album shows us that the best time for optimism is when there's no reason to have any. If you're looking for new chapter of 80's synthpop, then don't buy this CD - the mechanics of "Don Quixote" have given way to a seamless combination of guitars and keyboards, and the vocals have never been better. His music has transitioned much like the lives of his fans since the early 80's - older, wiser, and much more refined.

Let's be honest. The music business can be a cruel one, and those artists who outstay their welcome are often derided mercilessly, often with good reason. For many, Nik Kershaw will forever remain in the same category of '80's synth pop along with Howard Jones, Thompson Twins and Heaven 17. And that is a shame, because "To Be Frank" reflects everything that is good about modern pop music and is as contemporary as they come. The whole album is shot through with a refreshing humor married to some of the catchiest material Nik has ever recorded. His voice sounds great, and the instrumentation is a delight. If you liked "Don Quixote" all those years ago, you will love the full- on samba of "Wounded". "Hello World" is a down to earth critique of the falseness of celebrity (much like "Wouldn't It Be Good" was) and overall, the album's production reminds us that Nik is first and foremost a genuinely talented songwriter whose older material has dated far less than many of his contemporaries and whose new material - this and 1999's "15 Minutes" - stands up with the best music of today. For me, the album's highlight and undisputed masterpiece is "Die Laughing", a song with a great melody, subtle instrumentation and hilarious lyrics. My only reservation? The non-album tracks "They Said" and "Food For Fantasy", released on the "Wounded" CD Single, are as good as anthing on the album. If a US distributor is found for this wonderful collection, perhaps they could add those two on at the end. Then the best album of 2001 would be just about perfect.

This is an excellent album full of great tracks by a truly great musician. I got hooked onto Nik's catchy tunes and lyrics with the release of Wouldn't it be Good in 1984 and have always looked forward to his new releases (the ten year hiatus in the 90's was murder). This album (and 15 Minutes [1999]) proves Nik has a lasting and enviable talent.
The single Wounded took minutes to grow on me, as did Get Up and Already, but I think the outstanding track on the album is One Day. One listen and you will be over the moon with its tune, subtle lyric and positive message. As always, Nik has a mastery of chord progressions, tune and lyric as well as overall production values. The songs are never overdone or over orchestrated.
My only complaint is that Nik has once again gone into hiding after sales and promotion hassles in the UK. If only radio and tv powers could get over his 80's success and persona!! God knows Nik has and we are all the better for it. I fear that he will never release another album which will surely be our great loss.
Buy this album, give it a couple of listens and you will be glad you did, because it is one album (and artist) that you will always come back to again and again.

Nik Kershaw has been out of the limelight long enough now that this album should finally gain him some well-earned recognition. Something of a one-hit wonder back in the 80's with "Wouldn't It Be Good" (although he clearly had more hits, like the excellent "I Won't Let the Sun Go Down on Me"), Nik Kershaw has returned to form in recent years with some amazing songwriting. TO BE FRANK is chock full of hitworthy ear candy: "Wounded", "Get Up", "Jane Doe", "Hello World" and my favorites: "Die Laughing" and "How Sad". I would have given this album 5 stars, but it loses a bit of steam towards the end. A semi-obligatory acoustic version of "Wouldn't It Be Good" is included as a bonus track.

"To Be Frank" is the only import album I ever bought that is worth every bit of the 20-some-odd dollars I paid for it, in fear of its never seeing the light of day in the US. You now (apparently) have the opportunity of picking up this gem at a more reasonable price of under 15 bucks. Buy this album NOW if you like clever pop rock. This record is miles above the competition. I really can't find anything in that genre that I like half as much as this. Nik Kershaw is a true pop genius. If you don't buy it now, it may well disappear, and you will never know what a wondrous thing you've missed.

Terrific album that encapsulates all the best of the singer songwriter genre. No gimmicks, just melodic, intelligently written songs that are well crafted and produced. Buy it, you won't be disappointed.

Let's be honest. The music business can be a cruel one, and those artists who outstay their welcome are often derided mercilessly, usually with good reason. For many, Nik Kershaw will forever remain in the same category of '80's synth pop along with Howard Jones, Thompson Twins and Heaven 17. And that is a shame, because "To Be Frank" reflects everything that is good about modern pop music and is as contemporary as they come. The whole album is shot through with a refreshing humor married to some of the catchiest material Nik has ever recorded. His voice sounds great, and the instrumentation is a delight. If you liked "Don Quixote" all those years ago, you will love the full- on samba of "Wounded". "Hello World" is a down to earth critique of the falseness of celebrity (much like "Wouldn't It Be Good" was) and overall, the album's production reminds us that Nik is first and foremost a genuinely talented songwriter whose older material has dated far less than many of his contemporaries and whose new material - this and 1999's "15 Minutes" - stands up with the best music of today. For me, the album's highlight and undisputed masterpiece is "Die Laughing", a song with a great melody, subtle instrumentation and hilarious lyrics. My only reservation? The non-album tracks "They Said" and "Food For Fantasy", released on the "Wounded" CD Single, are as good as anything on the album. If a US distributor is found for this wonderful collection, perhaps they could add those two on at the end. Then the best album of 2001 would be just about perfect.

Well, now I am reviewing the US version a year later. It's still one of my favorite albums. No sign of the extra tracks I wished for; instead we get an acoustic rendition of Nik's best known '80's track. You can see the record label's logic - "hey, people, remember this one?" - but I'm not sure if Nik thought it was a good idea. Strangely, though, I found myself warming to this track because it does fit in with the tone of Nik's recent output. In conclusion, please listen to this album: it really does deserve a place in any discerning listener's collection.

Nik Kershaw has been out of the limelight long enough now that this album should finally gain him some well-earned recognition. Something of a one-hit wonder back in the 80's with "Wouldn't It Be Good" (although he clearly had more hits, like the excellent "I Won't Let the Sun Go Down on Me"), Nik Kershaw has returned to form in recent years with some amazing songwriting. TO BE FRANK is chock full of hitworthy ear candy: "Wounded", "Get Up", "Jane Doe", "Hello World" and my favorites: "Die Laughing" and "How Sad". I would have given this album 5 stars, but it loses a bit of steam towards the end. A semi-obligatory acoustic version of "Wouldn't It Be Good" is included as a bonus track.

Nik does it again. Since I am an artist myself down here in Brazil, I am going to be a little more technical in my review. His last work (15 minutes)is, in my opinion even better than this one but both have the same amazing sound. Nik has achieved a level of mixing and mastering that is amazing to listen to and that I would like to achieve some day. The guitars, both electric and acoustic, are played with perfection, creativity, and much care was taken with the way each one should sound. Drums are a little more subtle and I felt this one was a bit more acoustic than the earlier effort. Nik's ability to write about such trivial things with such eloquence has long served as an influence in my work. Beautiful melodies woven into surprising harmonies. You can't go wrong! Even if you don't buy this one, don't you dare not purchase 15 minutes. It is a masterpiece!!