Generally I'm an r & b girl when it comes to my choice of music (which may be obvious from the albums I generally choose to review). But I have always had a soft spot for Travis (who are quite patently NOT r & b, I think you will agree!), since they are effectively the local band around here. So I thought I'd take a break from my normal genre and review their album "12 Memories" instead.
Now, first of all, I have to point out that this album, their fourth, marked a decided change in direction from their previous ones. Most people are used to Travis producing cheery, jaunty singalong type tunes, like "Sing" or "Why Does It Always Rain on Me?" But this album has a much darker side to it, as you probably could see from the first single release from the album "Re-Offender" and I would go as far as to say it can even be a bit depressing at times. So if you are expecting a happy Travis, you're going to be a little disappointed.
The fact of the matter is this though - rubbish things happen in your life. War happens, people break up, people are abused physically and emotionally by other people . . . and Travis are not going to sugarcoat that in this album.
The three singles
released from this album are, for me, undoubtedly the standout tracks. "The Beautiful Occupation" sounds cheerful and upbeat on the surface with its wailing guitars and rocky chorus, but it has a bitter ring to it - just like the lyrics. This song is about war and how we don't really think about what is going on because we only see it on the news - "read it in the headlines/watch it on the tv/put it in the background/stick it in the back stick it in the back" - and I think it is also making a dig at the way the media deals with war. It is quite obviously an anti-war song because there is a very cynical tone to it - "You don't need an invitation/to drop in upon a nation".
"Re-Offender" is a song referring to domestic violence and written from the point of the abused person within the relationship, rather than the viewpoint of an observer. It begins initially with very melancholy chords and the music is very sparse in the first verse but then the chorus kicks in and the music becomes stronger. The use of repetition in the lyrics "You say you love me/ then you do it again/you do it again/ You say your sorry's/ then you do it again/you do it again and again and again and again and again" rams the point home and gives you the feeling of almost being trapped inside the song. I love the music to this song, which is very string-led with what seems like a full orchestra in it at times. When I hear it, it's stuck in my head for hours.
And, if you don't remember it as a single, you will certainly remember "Love Will Come Through" from the Royal mail adverts. It's probably most recognisably Travis in the fact it is a bit more cheerful than the other songs. It's quite folky in style and fairly simple but I love it, especially the lyrics which I find very sweet - "Love will come through/it's just waiting for you" and "if the world isn't turning/your heart won't return anyone, anything, anyhow". This and "Re-Offender" are my favourite tracks on the album.
Of course, albums which only produce good singles and all fillers otherwise are a bit of a waste of space, and Travis obviously realise this as they have produced a few other quality tracks for us to enjoy. There's the opening track "Quicksand", which doesn't even sound instantly recognisable as Travis - it sounds to me more like a song from the eighties, and Fran doesn't even sound like himself on it. Then there's "Peace The F**k Out", a rocky tune and another political commentary - I like to believe it is slagging off politicians ("I don't care if your tie is straight/your lies are crooked and you're gonna pay") but I guess, like a lot of songs, this is open to interpretation. I also like "Mid Life Krysis" which sounds part U2, part Deacon Blue (it's a good thing, honest!) and is in possession of a very catchy chorus. The best non-single in my opinon though is "Happy to Hang Around" - this is a deceptively mellow, laidback tune but the lyrics are, unsurprisingly, not mellow or laidback. This song seems to be about having feelings for someone but not even trying to get them - "And I'll never get into your heart/ no I don't even want to start" - possibly because the person in question treats them like dirt? Midway through the tune becomes less mellow and more angry.
However, with the good comes the bad, and there are other songs which simply do not make the grade.The middle of the album contains "How Many Hearts", "Paperclips" and "Somewhere Else" all of which are slightly bland and never seem to really get going. Then the last two songs, "Walking Down the Hill" and the hidden twelth memory "Some Sad Song" continue the dull theme, although "Walking Down the Hill" contains a surprisingly catchy but depressing hook.
Still seven good tracks out of twelve ain't bad at all, as far as I'm concerned, and this makes the album pretty good value for money, considering you can currently buy it for a mere £5.97 on amazon.co.uk or £6.99 on cdwow. I would say that if you liked the three single releases from the album as much as I did, you would probably enjoy the album and it would be worth buying it. However, if you're a Travis fan generally but not sure if this album would be for you, it would probably be a better bet to buy their newer album "Singles" with all of their hits on it. Really, the choice is yours!
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
Im still undecided on travis, sometimes i like them sometimes i dont, this album doesnt really sway it either way however your review was really helpful:)
jonesri 14.02.2005 09:53
I quite like Travis but am not convinced by this album. I got it when it came out and have given it a couple of chances but it is yet to sway me one way or the other. Pretty average as far as I am concerned. Nice op though. Rich
emmaewok 13.02.2005 21:56
I would rather murder baby seals than listen to travis! Interesting Review thou.
Travis's self-produced fourth album,12 Memories, is lush and gorgeous, drenched with ... more
strings and piano, which add a lazy, dreamlike quality to songs such as first single "Re-Offender" and opening track "Quicksand", and even the occasional bit of experi...
Postage & Packaging: £1.21 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
Travis's self-produced fourth album, 12 Memories, is lush and gorgeous, drenched with ... more
strings and piano, which add a lazy, dreamlike quality to songs such as first single "Re-Offender" and opening track "Quicksand", and even the occasional bit of exper...
Postage & Packaging: Free! Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours...
Advantages: Great, easy listen with different and original tracks. Disadvantages: Not a huge fan of the dull cover, as it does not fully portray the music.
Feb 11th, 2005
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