12 Memories
by Travis
  • Record Label: Sony
  • Release Date: Oct 14, 2003
Metascore
64

Generally favorable reviews - based on 22 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 22
  2. Mixed: 13 out of 22
  3. Negative: 0 out of 22
  1. The A.V. Club
    60
    That title is an overstatement, but the album does offer a few more memorable tracks than its predecessor.
  2. The Guardian
    60
    This pretty diffidence, coupled with the fact the loss of producer Nigel Godrich and his sexifying sheen, makes Travis's fourth album feel small and woebegone.
  3. Rolling Stone
    60
    There are too many humdrum love ballads.
  5. Playlouder
    60
    It's a bloody nice record, which may be damning them with faint praise but it's an area they've stalked out for themselves immensely likably.
  6. New Musical Express (NME)
    60
    It's a compelling, if far from satisfying, album: the awkward work of a man confronting mortality, global meltdown and fractionally diminished success, but still terrified of appearing pretentious, still stuck with singalong tunes in his head.
  7. AllMusic
    60
    If you're able to appreciate the pleasure and point they bring as a whole, 12 Memories will be an fine listen. If you're hoping they took the Coldplay route, you're in the wrong place.
  8. E! Online
    58
    Gone are the inspired melodies and sweet emotional turns of their past triumphant albums, replaced by boring philosophical musings and wafer-thin tunes.
  9. ShakingThrough.net
    54
    Fans of the Scottish foursome will be disappointed with 12 Memories, which plays like a wimpy, distant cousin to Good Feeling.
  10. Pitchfork
    51
    Each new direction leads into a wall or dies for lack of momentum.
  11. Dot Music
    50
    A bitterly disappointing, lacklustre album that is sadly short of distinct memories of any kind.
  12. Stylus Magazine
    40
    I’m making a mix CD for someone and it’s an incredibly difficult one because she’s into crap like Ben Harper and Lemon Jelly, and I can’t even impress her with a Travis promo CD because they’re ‘too boring’ even for her!
  13. Q Magazine
    40
    Melodic without being vibrant or actually that pretty, these are songs that seem to sink into themselves. [Nov 2003, p.123]
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  14. Uncut
    40
    The tunes, for all their airiness, just won't stick. [Nov 2003, p.107]
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Awards & Rankings

89
#89 Most Discussed Album of 2003

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
7.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 31 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 24 out of 31
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 31
  3. Negative: 1 out of 31
  1. walkabout_88
    Mar 11, 2017
    6
    Travis' fourth LP sees the band trying to distance themselves from the sound they had perfected up to that point, favouring darker and moreTravis' fourth LP sees the band trying to distance themselves from the sound they had perfected up to that point, favouring darker and more experimental turns. 12 Memories certainly lacks cohesion and even finds the place for unusual, overtly political songs that probably felt needed in the year 2003 (The Beautiful Occupation; Peace the F**k Out). Some songs feel as almost unfinished (Paperclips; Happy to Hang Around), and it's unclear what direction Travis might take - the subsequent, more conservative 2007's The Boy with No Name provided an answer.
    The safest bet here is Love Will Come Through, which counts as one of the best polished songs the quartet has ever recorded, though opening track Quicksands and closing track Walking Down the Hill, as imperfect as they are, hint at a more interesting record that never came to fruition.    … Full Review »
  2. matts
    Oct 24, 2006
    7
    Good not great. Clearly some filler involved. Overall, an enjoyable album with some really great songs. This next comment is for SPENCER who Good not great. Clearly some filler involved. Overall, an enjoyable album with some really great songs. This next comment is for SPENCER who claimed that "12 Memories" is ...."better than anything Radiohead has ever done." How does one even respond to such a grossly misguided statment? Maybe Thom Yorke didn't sign your tour t-shirt backstage or your ex beau just loved em. Not only is Radiohead heads and shoulders above the rest...."O.K. Computer" is probably the best album ever made.… Full Review »
  3. matta
    Oct 5, 2005
    7
    Not quite as bad as the metascore would indicate, this third album from Travis still is the about the equal of Invisible Band, but very Not quite as bad as the metascore would indicate, this third album from Travis still is the about the equal of Invisible Band, but very inferior to The Man Who. THere is a handful of nice tracks though especially Quicksand, Peace the Fuck Out, Somewhere Else, and Love Will Come Through.… Full Review »
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