'The Invisible Band' is the third album offering from Travis following the debut album 'Good Feeling' and the top selling 'The Man Who'. The third release from the Glaswegian band offers no experimentation from the standard indie/pop that has served them so well in the past and to all intents and purposes continues in the same vein as 'The Man Who'.
The album begins with ‘Sing’ which recently featured in the charts and entered the top 5. A very melodic track with classic guitars and chorus which is easy to sing along to. All Travis fans will love this one, and it is one of the best tracks on the album. The bells and the banjo accompaniment compliment the song very effectively.
2. Dear Diary -
This track is particularly eerie and the piercing electric guitar sound drones on and on. It is mellow and pretty at best but after listening a few times becomes very dull. It is very relaxing though and the repeated guitar riff is good.
3. Side -
‘Side’, is considerably more uplifting than 'dear diary' and has similarities to ‘Sing’. This track is typical of Travis' early stuff and possibly a future single with its great melody and sing-along tune.
4. Pipe Dreams -
The first few seconds of this are taken from 'Spies' by Coldplay but nevertheless the use of the drums and guitar are trademark Travis and the lyrics have real meaning to them. This track is about the dreams people have and the fact that everyone thinks the same.
5. Flowers In The Window -
The lyrics on this one are again very inspiring and are about having kids. This is a very pleasing track with the piano and banjo. One of the best tracks on the album. It's dedicated to Fran's girlfriend Nora.
6. The Cage -
This track is very quiet but still has very good lyrics. It's about ending relationships and is a big contrast to 'Flowers in the Window'.
7. Safe -
This track sounds a bit depressing but once the singing starts the song becomes more uplifting and is another thought provoking track about feeling safe but unfortunately is quite repetitive. The song finishes with a synthesised whirring sound at the end. It was written many years back but has only now made it to this album.
8. Follow The Light -
This is a very inspiring track with a nice chorus and guitar intro. It's about life being gloomy but with hope for improvement. Possibly the weakest track on the album.
9. Last Train -
This track makes references to several other Travis songs in the lyrics - 'She's So Strange' from 'The Man Who' and 'Sing'. This is another very slow melodic track.
10. Afterglow -
This song is about Healy’s girlfriend Nora. The riff that is played by the guitars I would suggest is a nick of the Stereophonics track 'Not up to You'.
11. Indefinitely -
This track is far more laid back than the rest on this album and uses the sampled sound of a bedside clock at the end. It's about wanting to stay somewhere indefinitely.
12. The Humpty Dumpty Love Song -
This is a soothing mix to a mellow album and mixes guitar, drums and strings together very effectively. A great track to close on. It has lyrics based on the nursery rhyme but these are altered in typical Fran Healy way.
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Overall this is a good album, not a great one. Unfortunately I feel they need a bit more variation as the tracks seem very repetitive. However, some of the tracks are very uplifting and classics. I like the use of bells and synthesised sounds throughout the album that add to its appeal.
This album is great if you like 'The Man Who' and the same style of songs appeals to you. If you are looking for an album that moves away from this style you will be disappointed.
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Thank you for a most enlightning review, It is most appreciated. As a travis fan who has not heard this album yet, this opinion is a very helpful one. Cheers Zorena
The Invisible Bandmarks no major change in direction for Travis but this is no bad thing. ... more
That Travis are the most simplistic of the post-Radiohead groups may not sound like the heartiest of compliments but it undoubtedly accounts for their massive app...
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The Invisible Band marks no major change in direction for Travis but this is no bad thing. ... more
That Travis are the most simplistic of the post-Radiohead groups may not sound like the heartiest of compliments but it undoubtedly accounts for their massive ap...
Postage & Packaging: Free! Availability: Usually dispatched within 1 to 3 weeks...
Advantages: Great sound of and tunes written by Fran Healy. Includes the excellent releases such as 'Turn,' Writing to Reach You,' and 'Why Does It Always Rain on Me?' Disadvantages: ?
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