The Boy With No Name

All the best of Travis' creative work

There is obviously no need to introduce Scottish alternative rock band Travis, as anyone has surely heard its eternal hit Sing. Lead vocalist Francis Healy playing guitar and piano, bassist Dougie Payne, Andy Dunlop, playing lead guitar, banjo, keyboards and percussionist Neil Primose have started recording albums ten years ago. Four records have been released from the 1997 debut album Good Feeling till 2003's 12 Memories and made Travis one of the most successful Scottish acts of the turn of the centuries. Finally after a four-year break the guys have decided it's enough to keep the fans waiting in tension and released their fifth creation The Boy With No Name. The record has received such a name because its release has coincided exactly with the birth of Healy's son, and thinking over how call him he sent an e-mail to a fiend of his signing it just that way. The Boy With No Name has collected all the best of Travis' creative work: soft melodious front man's vocals, calm and at the same time varied accompaniment and gracefully simple texts.

Each track on The Boy With No Name deserves praise

The album that has been expected that long as The Boy With No Name draws to it a good deal of attention. Realizing it the band has done its best so that all the eleven tracks deserve praise. Opener 3 Times And You Lose starts as a slow romantic composition and gradually grows into a recognizable mid-tempo conversation that Travis often resorts to. A more impetuous track Selfish Jean is devoted to ruined relations. The third single Closer is undoubtedly worth to be one due to an amazingly beautiful melody and instrumental background, and on Big Chair the emotional coloring gains somewhat sadder notes. Healy has taken the ideas for the lyrics on song Battleships from his relationships with his girlfriend Nora, and it is clear that they have not always got along well as is typical of most couples. Another personal creation is My Eyes telling about the singer's newly born son, its tune and overall attitude is filled with pride, hopes and happiness. Slow and brooding track Out In Space is complicated by unusual sound effects, and Colder is based on the contrast of low and high notes. New Amsterdam is the longest composition on the album, an example of a melody that is at first almost impossible to remember and a changing rhythm.

A record different from the rest

Travis has established itself as a band that is not only able to create hits and be awarded for best albums, but also as a symbol of post-Britpop and an example for many beginning rock teams. The collective has evidently influenced upon such famous groups as Embrace, Keane, Coldplay, Snow Patrol and Athlete. Travis' music has always induced the listeners to reflect on life, look for a positive side in everything or vice versa realize the dismal state of things. Yet unlike most of Travis' previous works The Boy With No Name is remarkable for a greater number of more emotionally powerful songs, it is filled with expectations of something absolutely new. All the tracks reveal to some extent what the front man feels these days, and that really distinguishes the work from the rest. Francis' inspiration is sure to find response in the hearts of many Travis fans, and it is rather possible that The Boy With No Name will be soon considered the band's best record to date. The only thing is clear: as long as the Scottish four is not about to retire, its creative work is still going to be the starting point for many young musicians no matter when its next work is put out.