Customer Reviews

12 Memories

5 star:		(48)
4 star:		(32)
3 star:		(23)
2 star:		(8)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

First, a word about the star number. There is a fair bit of "grade inflation" on most websites. In my opinion, a four star album would be something like The Joshua Tree and five stars would be reserved for albums like the Beatles' Revolver or The White Album. So three stars is, in my ratings universe, an excellent album.
The new Travis album, 12 Memories, is a 3.5 star effort. The songs are "darker" than their previous releases, but it's all relative: they are still very poppy even when the subject matter is "deeper." That said, the album opens with three midtempo songs ("Quicksand," "Beautiful Occupation," and "Re-Offender") all of which have great melodies with hummable choruses. Neil's drumming is Ringo-esque; simple and effective. The next three tracks ("Peace the F*** Out," "How Many Hearts," and "Paperclips") are the weakest on the album. They kind of muddle along.
The album really hits it's stride with the seventh track "Somewhere Else." It's pretty ditty with elegant chimes linking the rhythm to Fran's singing melody. The song, according to the Travis website, is about having life change when you aren't even paying attention. Fair enough. It's pretty pop perfect.
The remainder of the album is all catchy ("Love Will Come Through" and "Mid-Life Krysis" being excellent). They are very close to previous Travis work. Like all of Travis's previous songs, you will find yourself singing along to the best of them.
The album closes with "Walking Down The Hill," a song that is Fran's spare "stream of unconsciousness" singing over a keyboard melody. It comes off as a great example of minimalism and eloquence. Fran sings in a lilting voice, "We're apart/go to pieces" making dime store lyrics into diamonds. It's that good.
The "bonus track" (the 12th memory, so to speak) is buried in the last track, so you have to listen through two minutes of silence to get to it. It's a sweeping and melodramatic tune called "Sad Song." I can take it or leave it, though it is starting to grow on me.
All in all, this album is absolutely worth owning. I saw Travis live in the Beacon Theater last night, and the album plays even better live.

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.

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.

Each song gets better and better everytime I listen to this album, the lyrics are solid, the harmony rocks, and the way the music was composed is brilliant. I would agree that it isn't like their previous albums...but it is still a very solid mature transition they have made, in my 28 yrs I have a good idea of what is quality and this is as good as it gets.
You can't not feel the music and the mood of each song...close your eyes and you are taken in to the music.....Re-Offender is an amazing song, it is a song that I think most people could relate with....Peace The F** Out is so damn catchy, you will be singing this one....Love Will Come Through is along the lines of Flowers in the Window...a beautiful song that I am certain will be a huge hit....Same Sad Song just gives me goosebumps listening to it....Travis continues to improve and I am so thankful that they got me hooked with their music years ago when I saw them live in NYC!

Travis takes a sharp left turn in "12 Memories," a controversial evolution in the Brit-pop band's sound. It's more cynical, more sharply melancholy, more political, and experiments with their sound. While it may turn off people expecting a sunny listen, it makes up for its shortcomings with its beautiful writing and instrumentation.

It kicks off with the mournfully catchy "Quicksand," political pop-rocker "Beautiful Occupation," and the vague, quiet "Reoffender." After the rousing "Peace the F*ck Out," they take a slightly different turn with the depressingly upbeat "How Many Hearts," the eerie "Paperclips," and the catchy but confusing "Somewhere Else." The end takes a wild seesaw between the melancholy "Some Sad Song" and the prettier, lighter "Walking Down the Hill" and "Happy To Hang Around."

The political Britpop of "12 Memories" gives a vaguely Beatles-esque feel to the album. Okay, it's not "All You Need is Love," but the darker, frustrated feelings in "12 Memories" are more in tune with the times. Then, apparently having gotten their soapboxing out of their system, Travis focuses on the lonely, chilly ballads and pop-rockers.

Fran Healy's low, rough-edged voice is well-suited to the melancholy music. And that music takes a newer, more experimental edge here, like the build-up of swirling sound in "Mid-Life Krysis" or the meandering, swelling, surreal lament or the tinkling soundscapes of the penultimate track. It adds to the moodiness, and gives the feeling that Travis is growing and changing.

And the political themes may rub some listeners the wrong way, but they remain as explicit as they can be without naming names. Some songs, like "Somewhere Else" and "Mid-Life Krysis," have lyrics that are confusing at best. But overall the writing is quite solid, and Healy's voice brings to life lines like the plaintive "Hopelessly hoping our plan will wake up/Hoping it all will be fine."

"12 Memories" takes Travis to a more cynical, gloomier place, but the chilly, twilight beauty of the British pop-rock is undeniable. Not the best they have done, but certainly intriguing.

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.

Wrote a review just yesterday stressing my disappointment with this CD. Well, after several listens today while driving I have found the beauty within this CD...Quicksand grows on you, Re-Offender is impossible not to sing along to, Beautiful Occupation is just amazing the more listens, and, Happy To Hang Around is my favorite track. Yes, the lyrics have strayed from their norm on some songs, and, yes, the voice sounds a bit different and somewhat Tim Booth-ish (James) on some tracks...still an amazing voice. Just incredible! Rather than Sing, Sing Sing...my advice would be Listen, Listen, Listen and soon you'll be singing along.

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!"

Travis's newest album, I feel, is their best. Though some fans would disagree, and though a few of the songs on the album are less than stand-out tracks, the album as a whole marks a new and better sound/direction for the band. Allow me to give my thoughts on the individual tracks:

1. Quicksand: (*****) - The music on this begins with piano way up front, with guitar providing a rhythmic groove punctuated by Beatlesque drum playing. The lyrics are beautifully written and sung, and the chorus has a wonderful sink-sink-sinking drone that fits the song perfectly. This could easily be a hit single.

2. The Beautiful Occupation: (*****) - Though the political overtone of this song originally turned me off a bit, the music and melody kept bringing me back to it. Now it is one of my favorites on the album. This track has a marvelous Rolling Stones feel to it, and the guitars are much more prominent.

3. Re-Offender: (*****) - This ditty starts with a drum beat that is reminiscent of old Beck; then once the first chorus erupts, orchestration give a rich sound to the music and the drums/guitar/bass bloom into a light and soaring groove that blends well with the Neal Young-like crooning. Another outstanding track.

4. Peace the F&@# Out: (****) - The band returns to the Rolling Stones inspired music in this track. This fits the political tinge of the song itself. At first, I was turned off by the overt anti-war statement of the song...but what would music inspired by a peacenik era be without songs about peace? Ha--the music is great, but the track is too short.

5. How Many Hearts: (***) - The band seems to lose some steam on this track. It just meanders about most the time; though the chorus, which is most beautiful, nearly redeems itself.

6. Paperclips: (**) - My least favorite song on the album. This track is lifeless moaning that just doesn't suit my fancy. Decent background music, nothing more.

7. Somewhere Else: (******) - The album surges back to life on what is most certainly the best song on it. This song is just about the best song I've heard in recent memory. It has a great piano/bell accompanyment with light acoustic guitar and groovy drum-beat and bass-line. This is THE standout track on the album and ought to be a heavily promoted single.

8. Love Will Come Through: (*****) - The breath of life given by the previous track is continued on this ode. I especially like the mandolin/dulcimer sound that defines the primary lead.

9. Mid-Life Krysis: (****) - While this song is not the best on the album, and has a particularly weak chorus...the sitar and "Losing My Religion" mandolin sound are enough to hold my interest.

10. Happy To Hang Around: (*****) - I feel that this song is possibly the second best on the album. I especially love the Turtles-like feel of the song (not so much the music as the melody). The music is again akin to a blend of Beatles and R.E.M. This could also be a hit single.

11. Walking Down the Hill: (****) - The drums on this remind me of Radiohead, but that's where the similarity ends. The piano and keyboard slightly hint at possible inspiration by Tubular Bells era Oldfield. Despite the slow droning sound, the difference in sound is enough to pique my interest. Good track.

I'll reserve judgement on the bonus track because I have not listened to it enough. The rhyming on it gets on my nerves and I skip it every time.

There you have it. An album that isn't perfect, but which has some absolutely wonderful tracks that more than qualifies it as a classic, and possibly as Travis's best album.

Many have seemed to criticize this album for not being enough like their previous albums. Four words for that: GIVE ME A BREAK! Now I'll explain myself. Bands evolve over time: their sound changing, their talent growing. This change is inevitable, whether you like it or not, so live with it. To see a group I love like Travis evolve in this style was what I had been waiting for. Sure, I was a huge fan of The Man Who and The Invisible Band, but they were very similar albums. To put it straight out, Travis needed this change to survive as a group, and if that's not what suits you, find a band that doesn't change and does it well, like The Strokes.

How has Travis's style changed exactly, though? Every one of the tracks (except for the hidden track 'Some Sad Song') has at least one of these new qualities: harder, more experimental, political. The first track entitled 'Quicksand' embraces the latter two with interesting sound qualities and droning backing vocals in the background and a theme of sinking into a bad situation, a political theme lasts until it breaks off at the fifth song. And Travis pulls it off wonderfully, something that before would have seemed above them. 'The Beautiful Occupation' is a pop-rock gem with a heavy political backdrop on invasion with such lines as, "You don't need an invitation do drop in upon a nation" and "So much for an intervention, don't call the United Nations." 'Re-Offender' is a catchy little track that just grows in your mind over time. This track is on the surface about a feuding couple but could have a deeper meaning on promises to fix the Middle East. The last politically-geared song is 'Peace the Fu*k Out,' a more experimental song for them with well-timed ringing cymbal crashes leading to the thrumming beat of the chorus.

As a sidenote, don't let the political undertone turn you away. This album is so much more than just a liberal look at the Middle East crisis, and what parts of the album do focus on that do it magnificently.

The album takes a less political direction with the fifth track, 'How Many Hearts.' This is a largely acoustic song until it reaches the chorus which churns out blaring guitars under Fran Healy's lovely vocals. The high point of the song, and possibly the album, is Healy's soft lilt on, "And you are, and you are a new age." The way he sings this is a simple moment of true perfection. 'Paperclips,' the next track, takes a little while to strike you as a good song. At first the lyrics seemed a little over the top, but the more the song gets underway, the experimental elements of this song take center stage, as well as this great, and painfully true comment: "Take a trip down memory lane, you will never want to go again." 'Somewhere Else' seems like it could be out of TIB until the 'How Many Hearts'-esque chorus. The overlap of the underlying piano melody and vocals is another high point of the album. 'Love WIll Come Through' sounds a great deal like Travis's previous work with more sweeping vocals but is still a great track that fits well with the album. 'Mid-Life Krysis' combines great chord progression with Healy's wounded, lilting vocals to acheive an experimental wash that truely heals the soul. 'Happy To Hang Around' is possibly the hardest Travis has ever gotten, except for 'Blue Flashing Light,' TMW's hidden song. The bass groove provides a driving backbone for this traditional compelling rocker.

The album's last song, not including the obligatory hidden track, is also its best. 'Walking Down The Hill' is the most poetic and beautiful Travis has ever come off. The way this song is presented with the backing aural soundscape straight out of, of all things, Yoshimi Battles The Pink Robots by The Flaming Lips, is phenomonal, providing this album with a truely great conclusion before 'Some Sad Song.' This hidden track does grow on you but is generally not up to par with the rest of the album. It seems a little too melodramatic and moody to fit in with the rest of 12 Memories. Not a song to play over and over again.

So Travis has changed. Some fans may look at this and say to the band, "Never again." Look at this album with a realistic outlook expecting a departure from earlier work and say, 'Finally, a progression has been made." That's the way I look at it, as a fan of the old and new Travis and the Travis yet to come.