Travis Album: “12 Memories”

It's quite clear that Travis are evolving as a band. One could see that from their first three albums, but with their fourth disc, it becomes undeniable. Some may quickly write this album off because it isn't as radio friendly as TIB. Well, my friends, TIB didn't have any material nearly as 'in-depth' as some of these songs. Fran and the boys have not written a song as intensely poetic as 'Walking Down This Hill' in a long, long time. 'Happy to Hang Around' rocks out, especially during their live sets.

This album also sees the band voicing a political opinion. While not necessarily shared by all, it is just one more step in their evolution as a band. They aren't just churning out crap - these songs have meaning.

In short - 12 Memories is an excellent CD well worth your time and money. You won't be disappointed. If you quickly write this off as 'not as good as TIB or TMW', maybe you should go grab some Nickleback or similarly shallow music to hold you over. Give it a listen or two (and a real good listen), and I guarantee you these songs will grab you.

Before I listened to the record, I was suspicious. One, the album title itself is somewhat trite....12 Memories, 12 songs, okay I get it. And then there's the album cover. As respected and successful Anton Corbijn is, this Travis album cover is simply ugly, since it looks like something picked off the dark room floor.

Following several listens to "12 Memories," I can't say I'm all that happy with Travis' latest. One of the band's strong points is being able to frame shimmering instrumentality around Fran Healy's pop songs. Healy's songs up until now captured a certain fun and innocence of pop songwriting, evocative of the great songwriters like Paul McCartney and Elton John.

I know what "12 Memories" is trying to do. Healy's songs showcase a darker, moodier side to his songs, perhaps as a reflection of what's going on around the world. While songs like "Peace the F**k Out" and "Love Will Come Through" are admirable, collectively, the songs end up coming across as contrived and heavy-handed. Bands like Radiohead and Coldplay have successfully taken artistically bold steps in reflective, subdued directions. However, the musical directions those bands have taken sound more artistically honest and focused. Travis' strength as a band has been essentially to be a happier alternative to those two bands. The songs on this album betray Travis' strenghths and appeal.

One asterisk to all of this: Travis is a wonderful live band. It's possible that in its upcoming tour, the group will be able to communicate the songs on this record with more immediacy and confidence than what's presented on disk. If that's the case, then I can see a reevaluation of this record. In the meantime, I'll keep "The Man Who" and "The Invisible Band" closeby.

I've been a Travis fan since The Man Who. Yes, The Man Who and the Invisible Band are awesome and similarly brilliant in their melodies and harmonies. Hard to beat. They're both tinged with a lot of sadness, couched within catchy melodies. Good Feeling was more of an upbeat, early 90s rock album. I prefer TMW and TIB over Good Feeling. Those are my biases.

Now about this one: I bought it and like many reviewers was initially disappointed. Maybe one or two songs--like Love Will Come Through and Quicksand--jumped out at me and reminded me of Travis' previous two efforts. But I kept listening and just saw them play live. It TOTALLY changes your perception of the album because you realize (1) that these songs really rock and get people up and going when played onstage and (2) that there's a lot more to the songs than a quick listen or two will show.

The first three songs are excellent. The next three--Peace the F**K Out, How Many Hearts, and Paperclips are a bit weaker--but the rest of the album is as good as any other stuff Travis has done. It's a bit edgier, rawer, less 'poppy' but its addictive. I applaud Travis for going for a different sound for their 4th album. Having another TMH or TIB would be great and fun to listen to but would not indicate much progression on behalf of the band. Fans are usually not as interested in the musical development of a band as the band itself is--remember they have to play their songs over and over. So I think Travis really took a leap here and, if you give your ears a few helpings, I hope you'll see that they've landed successfully.

I was so excited about this release that I jumped out of bed in the early morning to purchase it. I rushed home, slipped the CD into the stereo and prepared to be amazed, as I was with the previous albums.

Amazed, I wasn't; suprised is more like it. I was surprised because I wasn't blown away. In fact, I felt my face squinch up in parts where I thought the vocals clashed with the music. I cringed at times when I felt each band member was rushing to catch up to another. Some songs felt a bit Radiohead while one reminded me of Roy Orbison. I felt confused. The album seemed . . . jumbled.

My heart was broken! I just couldn't understand how this could happen! It's not that I didn't like the CD. It was just fine, whereas the other albums were instant treasures.

Later, when I arrived at work, I decided I MUST give Travis another try. I sat at my computer, popped in the disc and got to work.

There it was! There was the Travis I knew! I realized I had simply forgotten how to listen to Travis. Since I was working while I listened, I wasn't concentrating so much on the music. Travis is a band you can't try to analyze. Listening to them is like sitting on your back porch and listening to nature. A person doesn't say "Man, those crickets sure clash with the owls!" It's a cohesive experience.

Now, I can't get enough of the CD. I listen to it constantly and am gushing to my friends about the beauty of Travis.

I do think some of the vocals get a little out of control, but that doesn't stop me from singing along at the top of my lungs. Nor does it keep me from running around, chanting "Peace the F*** out!"

The Scottish band is back, and their new album is best described as a divergence from their previous material. The album almost didn't happen when their drummer sustained a spinal injury so severe doctors thought he would never walk again. Without the drummer the rest of the band would not go on. But weeks later he was recovering and in front of his drum set again. The sound and content of this album is affected very greatly by the events of September 11 and the following issues that arose from it. As lead singer Fran says "I can now see how fragile the world is." It is by far a more somber and melancholy album than their other three. The album includes tweaked versions of two tracks that have been released on compilations since their last album, The Invisible Band. Those tracks, Love Will Come Through and Beautiful Occupation, are a good gauge as to how you will react to the album. The mellow and hypnotic tones of Love Will Come Through are reflected in the albums stand out tracks "Walking Down Hill" "Somewhere Else" "Quicksand" and the first single "Re-Offender" about Domestic Violence. The political vibes of "The Beautiful Occupation" are reflected in tracks like the aforementioned "Re-Offender" and the in your face track "Peace the F**k Out." Being a fan of Travis' previous works won't guarantee that you enjoy 12 memories. But it is a great album in on its own rights that will get under your skin after a couple of spins.