Single Review: Travis

'Closer' single

 Review By Graham Emmerson

Three years is a long time in music. Come to think of it, three years is a long time anyway you look at it unless you’re God, or someone even older like Mick Jagger.

It’s been that long since Travis’ last album ’12 Memories’ failed to come close to replicating the sales success of ‘The Man Who’. By taking a slightly edgier approach with songs about abusive relationships and a big, fat parental advisory sticker gained by the dropping of a few F-Bombs, all but the die-hard fans seemed to have drifted away.

This is an attempt to bring them back. Gently strummed guitars, a catchy chorus, and Healy’s emotion-laden vocals: all trademarks of vintage Travis. At this point you don’t even need to hear ‘Closer’ to make up your mind. If you’re a fan of ‘The Man Who’ or ‘The Invisible Band’ you’ll love it. It’s Travis doing what they do best. Simple as that. They’re not reinventing the wheel- hell they’re not even attaching those little sparkly lights to it.

It’s tempting to say that in 2007 Travis are irrelevant, but as Snow Patrol have proven; if you have a way with a refined vocal and a knack for an engaging melody there’s always going to be space in people’s hearts for you.




 

www.myspace.com/travis

www.travisonlineus.com