If I told you a secret
You won't tell a soul
Will you hold it and
Keep it alive
'Cause it's burning a hole
And I can't get to sleep
And I can't live...
Buttressing these sentiments (and singer Fran Healy's dewy voice) is just the type of production Travis needed: jarring guitar solos, zigzagging harmonies, snow-crunching percussion.
Travis may have reached the kind heights where each new release is instantly dismissed by many as more disposable, daytime-radio fodder, but '12 Memories' is easily the best post-'Rush Of Blood…' soft-rock record there is.
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.
Gone are the inspired melodies and sweet emotional turns of their past triumphant albums, replaced by boring philosophical musings and wafer-thin tunes.
By far the best Travis cd and better than anything Radiohead has ever done. It's not poppy and overly melodramatic as some of their By far the best Travis cd and better than anything Radiohead has ever done. It's not poppy and overly melodramatic as some of their others. The sound of a band progressing.…Expand
There have been a lot of mixed reviews for this CD with most of them being on either extreme ends... A lot of the complaints about 12 There have been a lot of mixed reviews for this CD with most of them being on either extreme ends... A lot of the complaints about 12 memories is that it doesn't stand up to the Man Who or is not as upbeat as previous Travis Albums...I think comparing the album to their previous ones is a complete mistake cause if you want an album that sounds like the Man Who then listen to the Man Who...You should accept the new Travis Album for what it is and give them credit for attempting to create an album that is incredibly different from their previous three... If you are a true Travis fan, you'll love this CD cause it contains unique songs that catch on to you quickly and which I loved on my first listen. Definitely worth the money. …Expand
At first I was unhappy and uncertain about the new direction that Travis went with this album but after repeated listens, I have come to love At first I was unhappy and uncertain about the new direction that Travis went with this album but after repeated listens, I have come to love 12 Memories as much, if not more, than their previous efforts. Almost every song has the brilliant melody associated with everything than Fran Healy's writes. Highlights for me include Some Sad Song, Paperclips, Re-Offender, Happy To Hang Around and Mid Life Krysis. Amazing!…Expand
This is a good album. It lacks the charm of the earlier work, but it is a definite departure from the common English Trad-rock they laid out This is a good album. It lacks the charm of the earlier work, but it is a definite departure from the common English Trad-rock they laid out in previous, less sophisticated, but preferable albums.…Expand
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.…Expand
A little bit disappointing for me since I really like all three of their previous albums, but especially the last two. The anti-war stuff is A little bit disappointing for me since I really like all three of their previous albums, but especially the last two. The anti-war stuff is a little overdone for my taste. Still, some good stuff that Travis fans will like. I like Peace the F*** out the best. …Expand
You may call 2 harsh, but not once you've heard this album. I could feel my insides cringing and only listened to the first two songs You may call 2 harsh, but not once you've heard this album. I could feel my insides cringing and only listened to the first two songs all the way through. As a Travis fan I'm incredibly diappointed; the CD is excruciatingly boring. Whereas I really enjoyed 'The Invisible Band', the music on their latest album could induce chronic stomach cramps, and even that is more fun than listening that tripe. Travis - What have you done?!…Expand
