TRAVIS Vinyl & CDs

Review: Travis' The Man Who marked a pivotal shift in British music when it arrived in 1999. At a time when Britpop had fizzled out and the music scene was grasping for a new direction, few would have predicted that a band like Travisiwho had delivered a fairly uninspired debut with Good Feelingiwould lead the way. Yet, The Man Who became the cornerstone of what would later be dubbed the "New Acoustic Movement." This isn't a record full of groundbreaking sonic experimentation or technical complexity. Instead, it's an album brimming with simple, poignant songs that resonated with a wide audience. Tracks like 'Why Does It Always Rain On Me?' became iconic, not just for its evocative lyrics but for the now-legendary Glastonbury performance where it began raining as the band played. Songs like 'Driftwood'. 'Turn' and 'Luv' showcased a direct emotionality, creating a soundtrack for a new era where sentiment and songcraft mattered more than image. Now reissued on white vinyl, The Man Who stands as a quietly influential record that reshaped the British musical landscape, paving the way for bands like Coldplay and Elbow.

Review: Travis returns with their tenth studio album, L.A. Times,their first new music since 2020. Written by Fran Healy in his studio on the edge of Skid Row in Los Angeles, where he has resided for the past decade, the album reflects on the journey that brought the band to this point. Produced by Tony Hoffer, known for his work with Air, Beck, and Phoenix, L.A. Times features ten tracks that delve into personal and introspective themes, reminiscent of Travis' iconic albums like The Man Who and The Invisible Band. The album's cover, featuring distant figures amidst the concrete and glitter of downtown Los Angeles, captures the essence of Travis' enduring journey together. With its evocative imagery and introspective lyrics, L.A. Times promises to be a compelling addition to the band's celebrated discography.

Review: Travis are proof we should look beyond singles. 25 years ago, the band released The Man Who, which still represents the apex of their commercial success, with singles like 'Driftwood' and 'Why Does It Always Rain On Me' positioning them as talented but rather morose, folk-hued indie rockers from a Scotland which has the reputation for equally dreary weather. In reality, though, that's as reductive as saying 2024 is all about TikTok videos of the Euros. There's always been a lot more going on with Travis, and their tenth studio album, aptly titled L.A. Times because it was recorded in a studio just off Skid Row, really proves this. Veering between stylistically divergent tracks, on the one hand we get weirdo Americana, another rousing chorus pop, another glass-boned tenderness, another, arena-filling rock. Better yet, it all works very well indeed.