The Boy with No Name

Travis

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 8, 2007)
• Original Release Date: May 8, 2007
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Sony
• ASIN: B000O77SKY
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (43 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #30,165 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Track Listings

1. 3 Times And You Lose

2. Selfish Jean

3. Closer

4. Big Chair

5. Battleships

6. Eyes Wide Open

7. My Eyes

8. One Night

9. Under The Moonlight

10. Out In Space

11. Colder

12. New Amsterdam

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Travis seemingly disappeared after the arguably forgettable 12 Memories but the sound of the Scottish group's daydream-pretty guitar rock endured thanks to Keane, Snow Patrol, and especially Coldplay. More than three years later, Travis is playing catch-up with their fifth studio album, The Boy with No Name. Predictably, it's a well-crafted affair, bursting to life with tunes that celebrate life's minor victories such as "Closer," "Battleships," and "My Eyes." But as a comeback effort it feels flawed, let down by both melodies that disappear into the ether as quickly as they come out of the speakers ("One Night," "3 Times You Lose") and those that clumsily attempt to tweak the formula ("Eyes Wide Open," "Selfish Jean"). --Aidin Vaziri

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Bold & Beautiful., June 7, 2008

By	Christi Serrao (Toronto, Ontario, Canada) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

It's been a while. Four and a half long years, now, since their last studio album, and almost a decade since they bounced onto the scene with 'Good Feeling'. That debut had them down as the next big Brit-pop band and erstwhile Oasis chums / prodigies, even if the rest of the world hardly noticed their obvious talent. It was only the breakthrough "Why Does It Always Rain On Me" a couple of years later that launched them into the mainstream. Two albums and a collection later they have freed themselves of any expectant hype and can return to making sweet music. They always have done of course, and you really shouldn't be put off that this is a CD that both you and your mum can enjoy. For goodness sake, your Gran may do too.

Be warned that it's an album likely to get under your skin - in a good way that is. Something that seems so unlikely when you play it through for the first time, as it is so perfectly unassuming. Starting off with barely a whimper that is the intro to "3 Times And You Lose" it is the antithesis of going in with all guns blazing. But the track nurdles around with a listless pleasure, and harmonies that waft in the breeze. Uncannily simple, and marvellously crafted without really trying.

The "Lust For Life" beat behind "Selfish Jean" gives it a more obvious pop feel, and somewhat flyaway at that. But it's a worthwhile tempo change that would otherwise leave the album too samey. "Closer" really shouldn't be a such a strong song as it has an almost dreary quality to it, yet still a strong melody and easy hook doesn't let you down. A more complex rhythm makes "Big Chair" beautifully different, and even then you'll be humming along to a song that you feel you've known all your life - on the first listen.

Real credit to taking a leaner approach to production also. "Battleships" is a gem of a song of relationships gone wrong, and it could have turned into a grandiose Keane-esque, multi-layered extravaganza in the wrong hands. Instead it is kept clean and simple, where the words are allowed to shine and not sink. "Eyes Wide Open" has more of a plodding, ballsy quality, squeezed into a tight and very handy 3 minute track.

Travis do have a trademark sound that is "Writing To Reach You" or "Flowers In The Window", which is that easy, relaxed folkiness, often with the odd banjo plucked in for good measure. That soundprint is rarely far from this album, with "My Eyes" the latest amalgam of that style.

"Under the Moonlight" is deceptively good song, and yet another why you wonder why it's not been done before. "Out In Space" has a chillier simplicity, whilst the final "New Amsterdam" is a perfect homage to what is now New York. Talking of a "park that is Central" may be a tad contrived, but the unsophisticated view of what is outwardly so complex, sums up their ethos for the whole album.

Subtlety is often confused with growing old in music, and it's definitely the former here. They bounded around in their "Tied to the 90's" days youth but now have established a real understanding of what they are doing, giving them far more confidence to understate their case.

A certain Scottish music guru famously called Coldplay "bed-wetters", and the same criticism could be wielded at Travis of this CD (if you don't actually listen to it that is), though the Glasgow originated Fran Healey & Co would be more likely to punch such detractors out cold. Besides, it's not true. To deliver simplicity this beautiful is both bold and beautiful.

13 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars amazon review missed the spot, May 8, 2007

By	Lis "XLVaj" (WI) - See all my reviews

The Amazon review is incorrect. This album rocks. The band's orginal sound is still there but with a fresher sound. Every track hooks you the first few seconds into the song. Buy it if you are a true Travis fan!

8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Intimate!!!, May 8, 2007

By	Nse Ette (Lagos, Nigeria) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

Travis return with their brand of melodic but melancholic rock, and that choir boy voice, aped since by fellow Brits Coldplay and Keane.

Titled after lead singer Fran Healey's son who was nameless for a while after being born recently, "The boy who had no name" opens with the downbeat Simon & Garfunkel-like "3 times and you lose", followed by the upbeat Motown-like "Selfish Jean".

Lead off single "Closer" is a rather dreamy, melancholic tune, with superb, echoing vocal effects.

Other standouts are "Big chair", the sweeping "Eyes wide open" (with edgy guitars), the touching "My eyes" (which seems to be about Healey's son), the ballads "One night" (pretty and jangly), "Out in space" (complete with alien-like effects), and the woozy "Colder". "Under the moonlight" features KT Tunstall.

Tight harmonies, beautiful guitar and piano work, and personal lyrics, just what we've come to expect from Travis!!