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Travis feel they have a new lease of life
By Kevin Bridges
Scots favourites Travis had a very good 2008 and are set to kick the new year off in style by releasing their new single
Song To Self tomorrow.
The track is lifted from their recent album Ode To J. Smith
which earned them some of the best reviews they’ve had in ages.
Last year also saw them launch their own label, Red Telephone Box.
Drummer Neil Primrose told me they have a new lease of life.
“Last year was really good for us. Doing things on our own label has made us really free-spirited. There was a bit of trepidation about it at first but a lot of other major artists have done it,” he told me.
“It is more work for us but it means you can get things done a lot quicker.”
Faster
The band also made some changes in the way they operate. Their recent album was written in five weeks and recorded in just 14 days, where previously they’ve spent months in a studio. The result is a fresh, edgy sound.
“Sometimes you can spend years labouring in the studio over a song and it just dilutes things,” Neil said.
“It’s also easy to get caught up in using all the amazing technology available. You think it’ll sound amazing but you can’t beat recording things live.”
Neil thinks the band may stick with the new formula.
“I think it’s the way ahead for us.
“Also we write songs together now, which is very constructive as we can play off each other. It also puts less pressure on Fran.”
One of the landmarks for the group last year was a keenly awaited visit to South America, where they supported R.E.M. at gigs in Peru and Venezuela. They found it a fascinating experience.
Poverty
“We were happy to go as our fans there had waited a long time to see us but there really wasn’t much infrastructure and everywhere seemed really poverty stricken.
“You certainly couldn’t go on a three-week tour there, for example, but the people were amazing. It made us realise how lucky we are here.”
They also enjoyed teaming up with R.E.M., with whom they share a mutual admiration.
“They’ve always been a big influence on us. Some people rave about U2 but
I think R.E.M. have the edge.
“They’ve never thought about things too much — they just get on with what they do.
“But I suppose after the quantity of records they’ve sold then they’re in the great position of being able to do that. We’ve had a bit of that, but not to the extent they have.”
Ambitious
While some of the band’s recent output hasn’t charted as highly as their earlier work, Neil says the band are still ambitious for more success.
“We’re very competitive. We’d like to get back up there.
“If you don’t get to Number One it means you’re not top dog any more.
“A lot of our fans have come back to us and love the new record but there’s always a bit of a barrier now getting exposure and radio play. They always want you to sound exactly the same so they can programme you.”
When the band aren’t working they like to catch up with friends and family.
“You have to keep a bit of space between you. We’re like brothers
and sometimes you end up spending more time with the band than you do with wives and other loved ones.
“We’ve all been together for such a long time you need time for your own reflection — a bit like a decompression chamber.”
Neil says the band may come up with more new material before too long.
“We’ll see how it goes. We know we can do it all at the last minute now if we want to.”
If the results are anything like the new album, they should lead to the same success.
 For more about
the band, go to their official website at www.travisonline.com
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Elbow
The Seldom Seen Kid
(Fiction)
Elbow’s excellent album gave them the career lift they deserved.
It’s best listened to as a whole and the opening tracks may seem subdued and underwhelming but they’re merely mood-setters for what follows — wry, intelligent lyrics, passionate playing and music that
rises to the truly anthemic.
One Day Like This is an out-and-out classic.
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Duffy
Rockferry
(A&M)
The debut from this Welsh wonder is impossible to resist.
If you wondered whether we needed another ’60s-influenced girl singer, one listen to the stunning
Mercy had you saying yes, yes, yes! The rest of the album more than matches that stellar track.
It seems Duffy is more than capable of conquering the world a la Amy Winehouse without any of the attendant drama. One of the great debut albums.
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Goldfrapp
Seventh Tree
(EMI)
With their fourth album this act have proved they’re one of the most consistently excellent bands around.
After two top-notch albums of electronic dance music with a glam twist, they reigned things in for this. The music is more chilled out but no less beguiling. There’s also a warmth and beauty and Alison’s vocals are never less than stunning.
If you’re a fan, this will delight you. If not, it’s a great place to start.
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James Morrison
Songs For You, Truths For Me
(Polydor)
James’s last album sold more than a million copies and this deserves to sell just as well as the essential elements are in place — fantastic songwriting and brilliant singing.
There’s a classy soul edge to all his vocals and the current single,
Broken Strings, is a high point.
This may now sell better and there are hit singles aplenty to be mined from it.
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Michelle Williams
Unexpected
(Columbia)
The title sums up this record perfectly. Coming from the least well known member of Destiny’s Child, it was easy to expect formulaic R&B. However what she delivers is a perfect masterclass in modern soul over a pleasing variety of styles.
This is an album that never gets boring or predictable and while not every track is an out-and-out success the overall feel is thoroughly refreshing.
Lenny Kravitz
It Is Time For A Love Revolution
(Virgin)
This was criminally overlooked at the start of 2008 — if it’s top quality pop, rock and soul you’re after, there wasn’t a better example last year.
Lenny shows himself to be up with the likes of Prince in the ‘all-round genius’ stakes as he wrote, produced and played most of the instruments.
This has some epic ballads, feisty guitar playing and a mastery of melody. Buy it!
Sam Sparro
Sam Sparro
(Universal)
Sam has all the pop panache and joie de vivre of a less-irritating Mika.
The über-selling single Black And Gold dominates and is almost worth the price alone. Yet there are also many other great examples of pure pop and blue-eyed soul delivered with effortless style and a sense of fun.
This is uplifting music to put a spring into your day. He’s also a great new talent.
Ladyhawke
Ladyhawke
(Island)
THIS fantastic debut was from a female singer from New Zealand who’s a real one to watch for 2009.
It’s fantastically catchy electronic dance music with hypnotic singalong tunes and with the right exposure she could well be massive.
The opening track, Magic, is a complete delight. Overall she boasts the pop sensibility of Blondie with a synthesiser punch.
Britney Spears
Circus
(Jive)
Against all the odds Britney managed to make another cracker.
There a nice mixture of light and shade here and the self-referential lyrics are, once again, inspired.
Some of her live performances have raised eyebrows, but her music is still ahead of the pack.
MGMT
Oracular Spectacular
(Columbia)
This is the pick of the most inventive and exciting new US music.
From New York, it’s been described as psychedelic indie, with its thumping rhythms, great harmonies and surprising hooks. It’s also extremely commercial and sticks in your brain.
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