Brian Eno is MORE DARK THAN SHARK

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Inpress MAY 23, 2007 - by Rob Townsend

TRAVIS: THE BOY WITH NO NAME

Having spent three-and-a-half years in the wilderness, the world's nicest band is back with a new long-player. A great deal of water has passed under the bridge since Travis released their previous studio album, which makes us wonder, with the current popularity of nu rave, goth rock and post-punk, is there really still a place for sweet and homely old Travis?

Well, joyfully, the answer is yes. Following their last outing, the pessimistic 12 Memories, the four pals from Scotland have got smiles on their faces again. Clearly invigorated by their lengthy break, they return with a much more upbeat collection of songs, put together with some early assistance of balmy musical genius Brian Eno.

After a cogitative opening track, there is a general buoyancy to the record, illustrated by the fun Selfish Jean, which has a Motown bass, expansive production and a vocal that takes a trip back to somewhere in the vicinity of All I Want To Do Is Rock from their 1997 debut. Current single Closer has one of those classic Travis choruses that will be in your head for weeks, and sweeping strings soar through Battleships, which is this year's Driftwood, and therefore the album's strongest track.

Okay, so this album isn't revolutionary, and it's not going to have scenesters wetting their skinny jeans with excitement, but fans of intelligent indie will be delighted that The Boy With No Name proves, over a decade into their career, that Travis still have plenty to offer.