Customer Reviews

The Boy With No Name

5 star:		(24)
4 star:		(14)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

After the dark, protest-song side trip that was 12 Memories, Travis have returned to what they do best (and did FIRST, long before Coldplay, Starsailor, or any other). This album sits very nicely next to The Man Who and The Invisible Band, and while it doesn't reach the brilliance of the former, it most certainly is equal to or better than the latter. There are bittersweet lyrics, happy jangly guitars, and even some violin here and there in the songs, and the textures work very well. These guys are decent musicians.

As in albums past, Fran's lyrics remain in "forced rhyme" mode, which can occasionally grate on the ears, and sometimes just plain don't make sense ("I wake up to find you lying awake with your hands in your head..." Eww!), but most of the time they work. I also like some of more experimental sounds Travis pursues (experimental for Travis, anyway), especially the bass-driven song, Big Chair. Unfortunately, this album also contains what is arguably the WORST Travis song ever, New Amsterdam. There is a hidden song called Sailing that makes up for this misstep, however.

I find Travis to be a band that, like CAKE or some others bands, sounds best when they stick to their time-tested formula. Some bands need to rework their sounds from album to album to keep it interesting for themselves and others (Radiohead, to name one), but Travis has a pop-perfect sound that is utterly timeless. Why mess with it?

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!!

I've been a Travis Fan since 'The Man Who'. I actually liked 12 memories, but understood that it was far too dark for most people.

Thankfully, this album is upbeat and has a ton of GOOD songs.

Battleships, Big Chair, Closer, and My Eyes could get plenty of airtime. Check out the bonus song at about 5:50 on the last track -- it's terrific!

If you've liked Travis in the past, this album will *NOT* disappoint.

Well I've read the other reviews and comments here, and I have nothing new to add. I like Travis, but they repeat themselves each album. I, too, would like to see a more drastic change, but at the same time it doesn't matter because Travis fill a niche in my cd collection. They DO sound like Radiohead, Coldplay and in some ways The Verve. I don't think they copied Radiohead or The Verve, nor do I think Coldplay stole from Travis or Radiohead. I like all of these bands for the same reason: they sound alike, and I might now add Snow Patrol to this as well.

This is Travis's fifth studio album in ten years. I think it has seven good songs: "Selfish Jean", "Closer", "Big Chair", "Battleships", "Eyes Wide Open", "My Eyes" and "New Amsterdam". That leaves six average tracks including the hidden track which I will call "Sailing Away". This is typical, in my not-so-humble opinion, of a Travis album. Good melodies, good lyrics, nice, soothing mood music that I think actually began with The Byrds. Travis have always had this 60's vibe to their harmonies which I like.

So what to recommend for a Travis fan? Buy it, don't buy it, do what you will. It doesn't matter to me. I bought it, I liked it, I own all five of their albums, so take that for what it's worth. I didn't think it was fantastic, nor did I think it was the best album by the band. It was just good.

Travis always puts out quality music and I'm always surprised at how they can top their last album! They keep pumping out better and better music. Easy to listen to - easy to sing along to - and so entertaining. Just saw their video to "Closer" - that was GREAT! Thanks for continuing to entertain!

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!

Travis has never received the recognition it deserves in the states. I love all of their albums for different reasons (yes, even 12 Memories) and this one did not disappoint me. Gorgeous melodies, Fran's lovely voice, Andy tearing it up on the guitar, backed by Dougie's great bass lines, and Neil's superb drumming. If you're a fan you've probably already purchased this after having to wait 3 years. If not, please buy it and support a talented band. And go see them live because they are incredible.

I'm a huge Travis fan and have enjoyed every single one of their albums. (including 12 Memories) I've listened to this new one around 20 times since the 8th of May and still love it. Selfish Jean, Closer, Battleships, My Eyes, Colder and the hidden track Sailing Away are all instant Travis classics.

If you liked Travis before, this album is more of the same. Go ahead and buy it.

If you haven't like them to this point, you still ain't gonna.

Definitely worth the purchase! I heard some of their songs at the start of their US tour and was really impressed, and the album versions are just as good. HIGHLY recommended! Fantastic, classic, very well done Travis. Buy it now!

After a long pause, Travis is back with a new strong release. The sound is the familiar crispy; perhaps with a fuller production than what was heard on the previous albums.

The songs are generally strong, with several jewels among. The very melodic and catchy "Closer" and "My Eyes" (one of the most beautiful songs the group has written), are both well known singles.

Other similar strong tracks are "Battleships" and "Three Times and You Lose", both of them potential singles.

The group shows itself from the more rocking side with the single "Selfish Jean" and the Oasis-inspired "Eyes Wide Open".

"Out in Space" is an unpretentious Donovan-like thing - very charming.

Closing-track "New Amsterdam" is a different, slightly folk-like number, and another highlight.

Actually I do not have much objection to this album, which is perhaps the group's most successful.