Album: 10 Songs by Travis (2020)
Genre: Indie | Mood: Gritty
Format: Album

Description: 10 Songs is the ninth studio album by the Scottish band Travis, released on 9 October 2020. The album sees singer Fran Healy return to the role of primary lyricist for the first time since 2003's 12 Memories.

Artist Background: Travis are a Scottish alternative rock band from Glasgow, comprising Fran Healy (lead vocalist, rhythm guitar), Dougie Payne (bass guitar, backing vocals), Andy Dunlop (lead guitar, banjo, backing vocals) and Neil Primrose (drums, percussion). They named themselves after the Harry Dean Stanton character Travis Henderson from the film Paris, Texas. The band's debut album Good Feeling, released on 8 September 1997 entered the UK Albums Chart at number 9, spending nine weeks inside the UK Top 10... Part of the Glasgow, Scotland, UK music scene. Emerged in the 1990s era. Associated with Indie movement. Known for Rock/Pop style.

Related Artists: Starsailor, Richard Ashcroft, Keane, Stereophonics

Music Scene: Part of the Glasgow, Scotland, UK music scene. Emerged in the 1990s era. Associated with Indie movement. Known for Rock/Pop style.

Tags: Indie, Gritty, 2020s, Album


10 Songs is the ninth studio album by the Scottish band Travis, released on 9 October 2020. The album sees singer Fran Healy return to the role of primary lyricist for the first time since 2003's 12 Memories.

Album: Where You Stand by Travis (2013)
Genre: Indie | Style: Rock/Pop | Mood: Bittersweet
Format: Album

Description: Where You Stand is the seventh studio album from Scottish rock band Travis, released on 19 August 2013, on their own record label, Red Telephone Box via Kobalt Label Services. The first single from the album, the self-titled "Where You Stand", was released on 30 April 2013. It is the band's first new album in five years. Speaking about the band's departure from the spotlight, bassist Dougie Payne said of the release: "You stay away as long as it takes, so you feel that hunger and desire to get back to it same as you did at the start."

Artist Background: Travis are a Scottish alternative rock band from Glasgow, comprising Fran Healy (lead vocalist, rhythm guitar), Dougie Payne (bass guitar, backing vocals), Andy Dunlop (lead guitar, banjo, backing vocals) and Neil Primrose (drums, percussion). They named themselves after the Harry Dean Stanton character Travis Henderson from the film Paris, Texas. The band's debut album Good Feeling, released on 8 September 1997 entered the UK Albums Chart at number 9, spending nine weeks inside the UK Top 10... Part of the Glasgow, Scotland, UK music scene. Emerged in the 1990s era. Associated with Indie movement. Known for Rock/Pop style.

Related Artists: Starsailor, Richard Ashcroft, Keane, Stereophonics

Music Scene: Part of the Glasgow, Scotland, UK music scene. Emerged in the 1990s era. Associated with Indie movement. Known for Rock/Pop style.

Tags: Indie, Rock/Pop, Bittersweet, 2010s, Album

Additional Context: Rating score: 7. Based on 3 votes. Available on Discogs marketplace


Where You Stand is the seventh studio album from Scottish rock band Travis, released on 19 August 2013, on their own record label, Red Telephone Box via Kobalt Label Services. The first single from the album, the self-titled "Where You Stand", was released on 30 April 2013. It is the band's first new album in five years. Speaking about the band's departure from the spotlight, bassist Dougie Payne said of the release: "You stay away as long as it takes, so you feel that hunger and desire to get back to it same as you did at the start."

Album: The Boy With No Name by Travis (2007)
Genre: Indie | Style: Rock/Pop | Mood: Confrontational
Format: Album

Description: The Boy with No Name is the fifth studio album from Scottish indie pop band Travis. The album was released on May 7, 2007 through Epic Records. The album sold over 442,900 copies worldwide.

The name of the album came about when lead singer Fran Healy and his partner Nora were deciding on a name for their newly born son. During this time, he sent a photo of his son to friend by email and labeled the photo "The Boy with No Name". Healy revealed this on The Chris Moyles Show during an interview. Healy has also revealed in pre-album release performances that some tracks are influenced by his developing family status, such as "My Eyes" being about his new son or "Battleships" referring to ups and downs of relationships. Travis dedicated this album to the Abbey Road Studios chief master engineer Chris Blair and British world champion rally driver Richard Burns, who died of a brain tumour at the age of 34 in 2005. During recording the band discovered they were nearby British band Feeder in the same studio both in different recording rooms. Feeder were recording what would be their fifth studio album Pushing the Senses. It soon occurred that Fran and Dougie helped out Feeder with some recording of the album; their voices appeared as backing vocals for the final chorus of the track "Tumble and Fall" and was its first single. The track "Under the Moonlight" features Scottish singer-songwriter KT Tunstall's vocals.

Artist Background: Travis are a Scottish alternative rock band from Glasgow, comprising Fran Healy (lead vocalist, rhythm guitar), Dougie Payne (bass guitar, backing vocals), Andy Dunlop (lead guitar, banjo, backing vocals) and Neil Primrose (drums, percussion). They named themselves after the Harry Dean Stanton character Travis Henderson from the film Paris, Texas. The band's debut album Good Feeling, released on 8 September 1997 entered the UK Albums Chart at number 9, spending nine weeks inside the UK Top 10... Part of the Glasgow, Scotland, UK music scene. Emerged in the 1990s era. Associated with Indie movement. Known for Rock/Pop style.

Related Artists: Starsailor, Richard Ashcroft, Keane, Stereophonics

Music Scene: Part of the Glasgow, Scotland, UK music scene. Emerged in the 1990s era. Associated with Indie movement. Known for Rock/Pop style.

Tags: Indie, Rock/Pop, Confrontational, 2000s, Album

Additional Context: Sales figures: 442900. Rating score: 8. Based on 1 votes. Available on Discogs marketplace


The Boy with No Name is the fifth studio album from Scottish indie pop band Travis. The album was released on May 7, 2007 through Epic Records. The album sold over 442,900 copies worldwide.

The name of the album came about when lead singer Fran Healy and his partner Nora were deciding on a name for their newly born son. During this time, he sent a photo of his son to friend by email and labeled the photo "The Boy with No Name". Healy revealed this on The Chris Moyles Show during an interview. Healy has also revealed in pre-album release performances that some tracks are influenced by his developing family status, such as "My Eyes" being about his new son or "Battleships" referring to ups and downs of relationships. Travis dedicated this album to the Abbey Road Studios chief master engineer Chris Blair and British world champion rally driver Richard Burns, who died of a brain tumour at the age of 34 in 2005. During recording the band discovered they were nearby British band Feeder in the same studio both in different recording rooms. Feeder were recording what would be their fifth studio album Pushing the Senses. It soon occurred that Fran and Dougie helped out Feeder with some recording of the album; their voices appeared as backing vocals for the final chorus of the track "Tumble and Fall" and was its first single. The track "Under the Moonlight" features Scottish singer-songwriter KT Tunstall's vocals.

Album: Good Feeling by Travis (1997)
Genre: Indie | Style: Rock/Pop | Mood: Gritty
Format: Album

Description: Good Feeling is the debut album from Scottish alternative rock band Travis. The album was originally released on September 26, 1997, on Independiente Records.

In April 1998, the album was re-released, with the only differences being new album artwork and a slightly-tweaked version of "More Than Us". The album itself has a much more up-beat and 'rockier' sound than their subsequent releases, however, is regarded as one of their best.

Once set up in London the band spent between nine months and a year recording new songs. The band played their first London show at the famous Dublin Castle in Camden. With around twenty good songs ready they then approached managers Colin Lester and Ian McAndrew of Wildlife Entertainment who then introduced the band to Andy MacDonald, owner of Go! Discs Records and founder of Independiente Records. Sensing greatness, he negotiated with Wildlife Entertainment and signed Travis for a reputed Â£100,000 of his own money. The band is signed to MacDonald personally, not to the label-if MacDonald ever leaves the Sony-financed label Independiente Records, the band goes with him (commonly referred to in the industry as a "golden handcuffs" clause).

Artist Background: Travis are a Scottish alternative rock band from Glasgow, comprising Fran Healy (lead vocalist, rhythm guitar), Dougie Payne (bass guitar, backing vocals), Andy Dunlop (lead guitar, banjo, backing vocals) and Neil Primrose (drums, percussion). They named themselves after the Harry Dean Stanton character Travis Henderson from the film Paris, Texas. The band's debut album Good Feeling, released on 8 September 1997 entered the UK Albums Chart at number 9, spending nine weeks inside the UK Top 10... Part of the Glasgow, Scotland, UK music scene. Emerged in the 1990s era. Associated with Indie movement. Known for Rock/Pop style.

Related Artists: Starsailor, Richard Ashcroft, Keane, Stereophonics

Music Scene: Part of the Glasgow, Scotland, UK music scene. Emerged in the 1990s era. Associated with Indie movement. Known for Rock/Pop style.

Tags: Indie, Rock/Pop, Gritty, 1990s, Album

Additional Context: Sales figures: 40000. Available on Discogs marketplace


Good Feeling is the debut album from Scottish alternative rock band Travis. The album was originally released on September 26, 1997, on Independiente Records.

In April 1998, the album was re-released, with the only differences being new album artwork and a slightly-tweaked version of "More Than Us". The album itself has a much more up-beat and 'rockier' sound than their subsequent releases, however, is regarded as one of their best.

Once set up in London the band spent between nine months and a year recording new songs. The band played their first London show at the famous Dublin Castle in Camden. With around twenty good songs ready they then approached managers Colin Lester and Ian McAndrew of Wildlife Entertainment who then introduced the band to Andy MacDonald, owner of Go! Discs Records and founder of Independiente Records. Sensing greatness, he negotiated with Wildlife Entertainment and signed Travis for a reputed Â£100,000 of his own money. The band is signed to MacDonald personally, not to the label-if MacDonald ever leaves the Sony-financed label Independiente Records, the band goes with him (commonly referred to in the industry as a "golden handcuffs" clause).

Album: The Man Who by Travis (1999)
Genre: Rock | Style: Rock/Pop | Mood: Reflective
Record Label: Independiente
Format: Album

Description: The Man Who is the second studio album from the Scottish indie pop band Travis. The album was released on 24 May 1999, becoming the album that gave the band international recognition.

Travis' second album, The Man Who, was produced by Nigel Godrich and recorded at producer Mike Hedges' chateau in France. The band continued recording at, among other studios, Abbey Road Studios in London. The Man Who initially looked as though it would mirror the release of Good Feeling. Although it entered the charts at No. 7, with little radio play of its singles, it quickly slipped down. Worse, many critics who had raved about the rocky Good Feeling rubbished the album for the band's move into more melodic, melancholic material (for example, "Travis will be best when they stop trying to make sad, classic records" - NME). However, when the album slipped as far as No. 19, it stopped. Word of mouth and increasing radio play of the single "Why Does It Always Rain on Me?" increased awareness of the band and the album began to rise back up the charts. Then, when Travis took the stage to perform this song at the 1999 Glastonbury Festival, after being dry for several hours, it began to rain as soon as the first line was sung. The following day the story was all over the papers and television, and with word of mouth and increased radio play of this and the album's other singles, The Man Who rose to No. 1 on the British charts.

It also eventually took Best Album at the 2000 BRIT Awards, with Travis being named Best Band. Music industry magazine Music Week awarded them the same honours, while at the Ivor Novello Awards, Travis took the Best Songwriter(s) and Best Contemporary Song Awards. Travis followed the release of The Man Who with an extensive 237-gig world tour, including headlining the 2000 Glastonbury, T in the Park and V Festivals, and a US tour leg with Oasis. In Los Angeles, an appearance of the band at an in-store signing forced police to close Sunset Strip. The gentle, melodic approach of The Man Who became a hallmark of the latter-day Britpop sound, and inspired a new wave of UK-based rock bands, with acts such as Coldplay and Starsailor soon joining Travis in challenging the chart dominance of urban and dance acts. The title "The Man Who" comes from the book The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat by neurologist Oliver Sacks. The majority of songs for this album were written before Good Feeling was even released. "Writing to Reach You", "The Fear" and "Luv" being penned around 1995/96, with "As You Are", "Turn" and "She's So Strange" dating back as far as 1993 and the early Glass Onion EP.

Artist Background: Travis are a Scottish alternative rock band from Glasgow, comprising Fran Healy (lead vocalist, rhythm guitar), Dougie Payne (bass guitar, backing vocals), Andy Dunlop (lead guitar, banjo, backing vocals) and Neil Primrose (drums, percussion). They named themselves after the Harry Dean Stanton character Travis Henderson from the film Paris, Texas. The band's debut album Good Feeling, released on 8 September 1997 entered the UK Albums Chart at number 9, spending nine weeks inside the UK Top 10... Part of the Glasgow, Scotland, UK music scene. Emerged in the 1990s era. Associated with Indie movement. Known for Rock/Pop style.

Related Artists: Starsailor, Richard Ashcroft, Keane, Stereophonics

Music Scene: Part of the Glasgow, Scotland, UK music scene. Emerged in the 1990s era. Associated with Indie movement. Known for Rock/Pop style.

Tags: Rock, Rock/Pop, Reflective, 1990s, Album, Independiente

Additional Context: Sales figures: 2700000. Based on 2 votes. Available on Discogs marketplace


The Man Who is the second studio album from the Scottish indie pop band Travis. The album was released on 24 May 1999, becoming the album that gave the band international recognition.

Travis' second album, The Man Who, was produced by Nigel Godrich and recorded at producer Mike Hedges' chateau in France. The band continued recording at, among other studios, Abbey Road Studios in London. The Man Who initially looked as though it would mirror the release of Good Feeling. Although it entered the charts at No. 7, with little radio play of its singles, it quickly slipped down. Worse, many critics who had raved about the rocky Good Feeling rubbished the album for the band's move into more melodic, melancholic material (for example, "Travis will be best when they stop trying to make sad, classic records" - NME). However, when the album slipped as far as No. 19, it stopped. Word of mouth and increasing radio play of the single "Why Does It Always Rain on Me?" increased awareness of the band and the album began to rise back up the charts. Then, when Travis took the stage to perform this song at the 1999 Glastonbury Festival, after being dry for several hours, it began to rain as soon as the first line was sung. The following day the story was all over the papers and television, and with word of mouth and increased radio play of this and the album's other singles, The Man Who rose to No. 1 on the British charts.

It also eventually took Best Album at the 2000 BRIT Awards, with Travis being named Best Band. Music industry magazine Music Week awarded them the same honours, while at the Ivor Novello Awards, Travis took the Best Songwriter(s) and Best Contemporary Song Awards. Travis followed the release of The Man Who with an extensive 237-gig world tour, including headlining the 2000 Glastonbury, T in the Park and V Festivals, and a US tour leg with Oasis. In Los Angeles, an appearance of the band at an in-store signing forced police to close Sunset Strip. The gentle, melodic approach of The Man Who became a hallmark of the latter-day Britpop sound, and inspired a new wave of UK-based rock bands, with acts such as Coldplay and Starsailor soon joining Travis in challenging the chart dominance of urban and dance acts. The title "The Man Who" comes from the book The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat by neurologist Oliver Sacks. The majority of songs for this album were written before Good Feeling was even released. "Writing to Reach You", "The Fear" and "Luv" being penned around 1995/96, with "As You Are", "Turn" and "She's So Strange" dating back as far as 1993 and the early Glass Onion EP.

Album: 12 Memories by Travis (2003)
Genre: Indie | Style: Rock/Pop | Mood: Sophisticated
Format: Album

Description: 12 Memories is the fourth studio album from Scottish alternative rock band Travis. The album was released on October 11, 2003 on Epic Records. In comparison, the album is a much more mature and lyrically darker album, focusing on issues such as the 2003 Iraq invasion, politicians, psychological crisis and domestic abuse.

Musically, 12 Memories has embraced use of distorted guitars and a more electronic, rockier and even trip-hop style. Three singles were released from the album - "Re-Offender", a track that deals with domestic abuse, "The Beautiful Occupation", a song which was inspired by the invasion of Iraq by US and coalition forces in 2003, and "Love Will Come Through", a more traditional Travis song, which was later featured in a marketing campaign by the Post Office. The album entered the UK charts at #3. "The Beautiful Occupation" was their first single to miss the top 40, charting at #48, though the following single, the fan favourite "Love Will Come Through", only fared slightly better, charting at #28. Whilst being titled 12 Memories, there are only eleven tracks on the album, each one of these a "memory". The "12th memory" is actually a hidden track entitled "Some Sad Song" which plays after silence frollowing the last track. The album cover is somewhat similar to the album covers for The Beatles's Let it Be and U2's Pop.

This is the only Travis album without their logo on the album cover. However, their logo can be seen from the album cover, as the visible part of the rear back cover, the Travis logo can be found. The rear back cover is also similar to the cover of "Re-Offender", the lead single. As the album does not display the title on the cover either, a sticker is featured on the case which says the title of the album. Also, a Parental Guidance logo is featured as a sticker on the case.

Artist Background: Travis are a Scottish alternative rock band from Glasgow, comprising Fran Healy (lead vocalist, rhythm guitar), Dougie Payne (bass guitar, backing vocals), Andy Dunlop (lead guitar, banjo, backing vocals) and Neil Primrose (drums, percussion). They named themselves after the Harry Dean Stanton character Travis Henderson from the film Paris, Texas. The band's debut album Good Feeling, released on 8 September 1997 entered the UK Albums Chart at number 9, spending nine weeks inside the UK Top 10... Part of the Glasgow, Scotland, UK music scene. Emerged in the 1990s era. Associated with Indie movement. Known for Rock/Pop style.

Related Artists: Starsailor, Richard Ashcroft, Keane, Stereophonics

Music Scene: Part of the Glasgow, Scotland, UK music scene. Emerged in the 1990s era. Associated with Indie movement. Known for Rock/Pop style.

Tags: Indie, Rock/Pop, Sophisticated, 2000s, Album

Additional Context: Rating score: 7. Based on 1 votes. Available on Discogs marketplace


12 Memories is the fourth studio album from Scottish alternative rock band Travis. The album was released on October 11, 2003 on Epic Records. In comparison, the album is a much more mature and lyrically darker album, focusing on issues such as the 2003 Iraq invasion, politicians, psychological crisis and domestic abuse.

Musically, 12 Memories has embraced use of distorted guitars and a more electronic, rockier and even trip-hop style. Three singles were released from the album - "Re-Offender", a track that deals with domestic abuse, "The Beautiful Occupation", a song which was inspired by the invasion of Iraq by US and coalition forces in 2003, and "Love Will Come Through", a more traditional Travis song, which was later featured in a marketing campaign by the Post Office. The album entered the UK charts at #3. "The Beautiful Occupation" was their first single to miss the top 40, charting at #48, though the following single, the fan favourite "Love Will Come Through", only fared slightly better, charting at #28. Whilst being titled 12 Memories, there are only eleven tracks on the album, each one of these a "memory". The "12th memory" is actually a hidden track entitled "Some Sad Song" which plays after silence frollowing the last track. The album cover is somewhat similar to the album covers for The Beatles's Let it Be and U2's Pop.

This is the only Travis album without their logo on the album cover. However, their logo can be seen from the album cover, as the visible part of the rear back cover, the Travis logo can be found. The rear back cover is also similar to the cover of "Re-Offender", the lead single. As the album does not display the title on the cover either, a sticker is featured on the case which says the title of the album. Also, a Parental Guidance logo is featured as a sticker on the case.

Album: Everything At Once by Travis (2016)
Genre: Indie | Style: Rock/Pop | Mood: Gritty
Format: Album

Description: "Everything at Once"  is the eighth studio album by the Scottish band Travis, the album was released on 29 April 2016 on the Red Telephone Box label.
A Deluxe edition features two bonus live tracks "Sing" and  "Closer"

Artist Background: Travis are a Scottish alternative rock band from Glasgow, comprising Fran Healy (lead vocalist, rhythm guitar), Dougie Payne (bass guitar, backing vocals), Andy Dunlop (lead guitar, banjo, backing vocals) and Neil Primrose (drums, percussion). They named themselves after the Harry Dean Stanton character Travis Henderson from the film Paris, Texas. The band's debut album Good Feeling, released on 8 September 1997 entered the UK Albums Chart at number 9, spending nine weeks inside the UK Top 10... Part of the Glasgow, Scotland, UK music scene. Emerged in the 1990s era. Associated with Indie movement. Known for Rock/Pop style.

Related Artists: Starsailor, Richard Ashcroft, Keane, Stereophonics

Music Scene: Part of the Glasgow, Scotland, UK music scene. Emerged in the 1990s era. Associated with Indie movement. Known for Rock/Pop style.

Tags: Indie, Rock/Pop, Gritty, 2010s, Album

Additional Context: Based on 3 votes. Available on Discogs marketplace


"Everything at Once"  is the eighth studio album by the Scottish band Travis, the album was released on 29 April 2016 on the Red Telephone Box label.
A Deluxe edition features two bonus live tracks "Sing" and  "Closer"

Album: The Invisible Band by Travis (2001)
Genre: Indie | Style: Rock/Pop | Mood: Passionate
Format: Album

Description: The Invisible Band is the third studio album from Scottish indie pop band Travis. The album was released on June 11, 2001. The title of the album makes reference to the band's feelings regarding 'music being more important than the band making it'. Band frontman Fran stated in an interview that the album's title referred to the band's status in 'having famous songs, but not being famous themselves'. The album spent four weeks at the top of the UK Albums Chart, selling more copies in that time than The Man Who managed in half a year.

Q Magazine said of the album, "While the wheel remains un-reinvented, The Invisible Band finds its mark with unerring accuracy". While Launch also said of the album, "Songs like the stirring "Side", the delicate "Dear Diary", and the glistening "Follow The Light" are among the best and most fully crafted of Fran Healy's short but accomplished writing career". Leonard's Lair fully reviewed the album, claiming that, "Along with Coldplay's 'Parachutes', 'The Man Who' slowly became one of the ubiquitous releases at the turn of the century. Yet although the likes of 'Turn' and 'Driftwood' were undeniably easy on the ear paradigms for thoughtful indie/adult rock, they seemed to lack any kind of edge to go further particularly on the unremarkable 'Why Does It Always Rain On Me?' which was in danger of becoming their musical albatross. It seems as they have never been away but the follow-up release signifies their intention to become known as an albums band. The singles thus far, 'Sing' and 'Side', both feature hypnotic tunes courtesy mainly of Andy Dunlop's fine guitar work; the former is hopeful and joyous whilst the latter is steeped in melancholy. Further exposure to the album unveils a remarkably consistent level of songwriting with the unassuming-looking Dunlop always able to turn guitar and even banjo into memorable verses and choruses whilst Fran Healy sensibly never over-reaches in his successful quest for the yearning vocal. It's easy to imagine that the earnest, yet brilliant, likes of 'The Last Train' and 'Pipe Dreams' might alienate former fans but Travis are clearly above turning into victims of their own success. As an exercise in how modern rock should sound like, 'The Invisible Band' will take some beating".

Artist Background: Travis are a Scottish alternative rock band from Glasgow, comprising Fran Healy (lead vocalist, rhythm guitar), Dougie Payne (bass guitar, backing vocals), Andy Dunlop (lead guitar, banjo, backing vocals) and Neil Primrose (drums, percussion). They named themselves after the Harry Dean Stanton character Travis Henderson from the film Paris, Texas. The band's debut album Good Feeling, released on 8 September 1997 entered the UK Albums Chart at number 9, spending nine weeks inside the UK Top 10... Part of the Glasgow, Scotland, UK music scene. Emerged in the 1990s era. Associated with Indie movement. Known for Rock/Pop style.

Related Artists: Starsailor, Richard Ashcroft, Keane, Stereophonics

Music Scene: Part of the Glasgow, Scotland, UK music scene. Emerged in the 1990s era. Associated with Indie movement. Known for Rock/Pop style.

Tags: Indie, Rock/Pop, Passionate, 2000s, Album

Additional Context: Based on 2 votes. Available on Discogs marketplace


The Invisible Band is the third studio album from Scottish indie pop band Travis. The album was released on June 11, 2001. The title of the album makes reference to the band's feelings regarding 'music being more important than the band making it'. Band frontman Fran stated in an interview that the album's title referred to the band's status in 'having famous songs, but not being famous themselves'. The album spent four weeks at the top of the UK Albums Chart, selling more copies in that time than The Man Who managed in half a year.

Q Magazine said of the album, "While the wheel remains un-reinvented, The Invisible Band finds its mark with unerring accuracy". While Launch also said of the album, "Songs like the stirring "Side", the delicate "Dear Diary", and the glistening "Follow The Light" are among the best and most fully crafted of Fran Healy's short but accomplished writing career". Leonard's Lair fully reviewed the album, claiming that, "Along with Coldplay's 'Parachutes', 'The Man Who' slowly became one of the ubiquitous releases at the turn of the century. Yet although the likes of 'Turn' and 'Driftwood' were undeniably easy on the ear paradigms for thoughtful indie/adult rock, they seemed to lack any kind of edge to go further particularly on the unremarkable 'Why Does It Always Rain On Me?' which was in danger of becoming their musical albatross. It seems as they have never been away but the follow-up release signifies their intention to become known as an albums band. The singles thus far, 'Sing' and 'Side', both feature hypnotic tunes courtesy mainly of Andy Dunlop's fine guitar work; the former is hopeful and joyous whilst the latter is steeped in melancholy. Further exposure to the album unveils a remarkably consistent level of songwriting with the unassuming-looking Dunlop always able to turn guitar and even banjo into memorable verses and choruses whilst Fran Healy sensibly never over-reaches in his successful quest for the yearning vocal. It's easy to imagine that the earnest, yet brilliant, likes of 'The Last Train' and 'Pipe Dreams' might alienate former fans but Travis are clearly above turning into victims of their own success. As an exercise in how modern rock should sound like, 'The Invisible Band' will take some beating".

Album: Ode to J. Smith by Travis (2008)
Genre: Indie | Style: Rock/Pop | Mood: Good Natured
Format: Album

Description: Ode to J. Smith is the sixth studio album by Scottish alternative rock band Travis, released on 29 September 2008 in the United Kingdom and received generally positive reviews. The album was released in the United States on 4 November 2008. The first single from the album, "Something Anything", was released on 15 September, and despite being generally well received by Travis fans gained very little airplay.

Ode to J. Smith entered the UK Album Chart at #20, and spent 3 weeks on the chart. The album peaked at #122 on the Billboard 200.

The band announced in December 2007 that a short tour was planned for February 2008, with only five dates in different small club venues around the UK. Shortly after, they would start recording their sixth studio album. Singer/songwriter Fran Healy said he would like to record the entire album in two weeks, having been inspired by the speed and simplicity of their recent recording session with Beatles engineer Geoff Emerick while participating in a BBC programme celebrating the 40th Anniversary of the Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band album. The band road-tested the new material in their February 2008 club shows. It was announced in February 2008 that Travis have left Independiente Records as they had "come to the end of our deal and decided to go as it was time to start afresh", according to Healy. The band recorded the album at RAK Studios in London for two weeks between February and March. Afterward, Healy went to mix the record in New York between March and April. The cover image of the eye is an exact copy of a design by Omnific created for an early 1980s Penguin Books edition of the Roald Dahl short story collection, Someone Like You. Fran Healy announced on the band's official website, that 1000 copies of the song "J. Smith" had been pressed and would be available to buy as an EP called J. Smith EP, along with two other new songs, from 30 June 2008. However, Healy confirmed that the EP would not be the 'official' first single from the album, which was "Something Anything". The EP was released on 'Red Telephone Box Records', which was the label Travis set up to release their first EP "All I Want to Do Is Rock" 12 years previously.

Artist Background: Travis are a Scottish alternative rock band from Glasgow, comprising Fran Healy (lead vocalist, rhythm guitar), Dougie Payne (bass guitar, backing vocals), Andy Dunlop (lead guitar, banjo, backing vocals) and Neil Primrose (drums, percussion). They named themselves after the Harry Dean Stanton character Travis Henderson from the film Paris, Texas. The band's debut album Good Feeling, released on 8 September 1997 entered the UK Albums Chart at number 9, spending nine weeks inside the UK Top 10... Part of the Glasgow, Scotland, UK music scene. Emerged in the 1990s era. Associated with Indie movement. Known for Rock/Pop style.

Related Artists: Starsailor, Richard Ashcroft, Keane, Stereophonics

Music Scene: Part of the Glasgow, Scotland, UK music scene. Emerged in the 1990s era. Associated with Indie movement. Known for Rock/Pop style.

Tags: Indie, Rock/Pop, Good Natured, 2000s, Album


Ode to J. Smith is the sixth studio album by Scottish alternative rock band Travis, released on 29 September 2008 in the United Kingdom and received generally positive reviews. The album was released in the United States on 4 November 2008. The first single from the album, "Something Anything", was released on 15 September, and despite being generally well received by Travis fans gained very little airplay.

Ode to J. Smith entered the UK Album Chart at #20, and spent 3 weeks on the chart. The album peaked at #122 on the Billboard 200.

The band announced in December 2007 that a short tour was planned for February 2008, with only five dates in different small club venues around the UK. Shortly after, they would start recording their sixth studio album. Singer/songwriter Fran Healy said he would like to record the entire album in two weeks, having been inspired by the speed and simplicity of their recent recording session with Beatles engineer Geoff Emerick while participating in a BBC programme celebrating the 40th Anniversary of the Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band album. The band road-tested the new material in their February 2008 club shows. It was announced in February 2008 that Travis have left Independiente Records as they had "come to the end of our deal and decided to go as it was time to start afresh", according to Healy. The band recorded the album at RAK Studios in London for two weeks between February and March. Afterward, Healy went to mix the record in New York between March and April. The cover image of the eye is an exact copy of a design by Omnific created for an early 1980s Penguin Books edition of the Roald Dahl short story collection, Someone Like You. Fran Healy announced on the band's official website, that 1000 copies of the song "J. Smith" had been pressed and would be available to buy as an EP called J. Smith EP, along with two other new songs, from 30 June 2008. However, Healy confirmed that the EP would not be the 'official' first single from the album, which was "Something Anything". The EP was released on 'Red Telephone Box Records', which was the label Travis set up to release their first EP "All I Want to Do Is Rock" 12 years previously.

Album: The Man Who by Travis (2000)
Genre: britpop
Record Label: Epic
Format: CD

Artist Background: Artist from GB, known for alternative rock, britpop, indie pop, indie rock, jangle pop

Related Artists: Starsailor, Richard Ashcroft, Keane, Stereophonics

Music Scene: Part of the Glasgow, Scotland, UK music scene. Emerged in the 1990s era. Associated with Indie movement. Known for Rock/Pop style.

Tags: britpop, 2000s, CD, Epic


Album: Singles by Travis (2004)
Genre: Indie | Style: Rock/Pop | Mood: Gritty
Format: Compilation

Description: Singles is the first and only compilation album from Scottish alternative rock band Travis. The album was released on 1 November 2004. The album consists of all of the band's singles from 1997–2004, as well as including two new tracks, "Walking In The Sun" and "The Distance". The album charted at #4 on the UK Albums Chart, performing considerably better than 12 Memories, actually selling the required 300,000+ copies that were shipped to make it a platinum album.

Artist Background: Travis are a Scottish alternative rock band from Glasgow, comprising Fran Healy (lead vocalist, rhythm guitar), Dougie Payne (bass guitar, backing vocals), Andy Dunlop (lead guitar, banjo, backing vocals) and Neil Primrose (drums, percussion). They named themselves after the Harry Dean Stanton character Travis Henderson from the film Paris, Texas. The band's debut album Good Feeling, released on 8 September 1997 entered the UK Albums Chart at number 9, spending nine weeks inside the UK Top 10... Part of the Glasgow, Scotland, UK music scene. Emerged in the 1990s era. Associated with Indie movement. Known for Rock/Pop style.

Related Artists: Starsailor, Richard Ashcroft, Keane, Stereophonics

Music Scene: Part of the Glasgow, Scotland, UK music scene. Emerged in the 1990s era. Associated with Indie movement. Known for Rock/Pop style.

Tags: Indie, Rock/Pop, Gritty, 2000s, Compilation


Singles is the first and only compilation album from Scottish alternative rock band Travis. The album was released on 1 November 2004. The album consists of all of the band's singles from 1997–2004, as well as including two new tracks, "Walking In The Sun" and "The Distance". The album charted at #4 on the UK Albums Chart, performing considerably better than 12 Memories, actually selling the required 300,000+ copies that were shipped to make it a platinum album.

"L.A. Times" showcases a polished blend of alternative rock and pop sensibilities, characterized by lush instrumentation and layered textures. The production features a mix of vibrant guitar riffs and atmospheric synths, creating a dynamic soundscape that shifts from the upbeat energy of tracks like "Raze the Bar" to the introspective tones of "Home." The album maintains a steady tempo, allowing for moments of both exuberance and contemplation, particularly in tracks like "Gaslight" and "The River." The inclusion of stripped versions of "Bus" and "Raze the Bar" highlights the raw emotional core of the songs, contrasting the more produced tracks. Overall, the album offers a rich auditory experience, balancing polished production with heartfelt songwriting.

Album: L.A. Times by Travis (2024)
Format: Album

Artist Background: Travis are a Scottish alternative rock band from Glasgow, comprising Fran Healy (lead vocalist, rhythm guitar), Dougie Payne (bass guitar, backing vocals), Andy Dunlop (lead guitar, banjo, backing vocals) and Neil Primrose (drums, percussion). They named themselves after the Harry Dean Stanton character Travis Henderson from the film Paris, Texas. The band's debut album Good Feeling, released on 8 September 1997 entered the UK Albums Chart at number 9, spending nine weeks inside the UK Top 10... Part of the Glasgow, Scotland, UK music scene. Emerged in the 1990s era. Associated with Indie movement. Known for Rock/Pop style.

Related Artists: Starsailor, Richard Ashcroft, Keane, Stereophonics

Music Scene: Part of the Glasgow, Scotland, UK music scene. Emerged in the 1990s era. Associated with Indie movement. Known for Rock/Pop style.

Tags: 2020s, Album


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