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The Invisible Band
Generally favorable reviews
Based on 17 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?
Based on 33 votes
Read user comments
Rate this album >
Album Info
Label: Epic
Release Date: 12 June 2001
Discs: 1 disc
Genre(s): Alternative, Rock
Summary
The follow-up to 2000's hit 'The Man Who,' 'Invisible Band' contains similar-sounding guitar pop from the Scottish rockers. The album was produced by Nigel Godrich, who worked with Radiohead on 'Kid A' and 'OK Computer.'
Also By This Artist: 12 Memories Ode To J. Smith The Boy With No Name The Man Who
Also On The Web: Official Travis Site
What The Critics Said
All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...
Entertainment Weekly
A gorgeous mosaic of shimmering guitar pop that caresses the eardrums like fine chenille.
Read Full Review >Billboard
The Scottish quartet offers guitar-rich tunes that are as remarkably literate as they are emotionally challenging.
Read Full Review >New Musical Express
It feels self-consciously downbeat and rustic, with a Gomez-style, recorded-in-a-shed sheen which belies Nigel Godrich's pristine, state-of-the-art production.
Read Full Review >Q Magazine
While the wheel remains un-reinvented, The Invisible Band finds its mark with unerring accuracy.
Read Full Review >Mojo
It's a mellow, meditative and mid-paced work... TIB is still a strong record, which fans will grow to enjoy immensely. [Jul 2001, p.94]
Launch.com
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.
Read Full Review >Spin Cycle
Its touchy-feely lyrics maintain the brooding undercurrent that runs beneath the bulk of the band's catalogue.
Read Full Review >Playlouder
As smooth and comforting as an afternoon on an old leather sofa that fits you like your own skin.
Read Full Review >Sonicnet
The album would have benefited from a few less midtempo grooves; the closest drummer Neil Primrose and bassist Dougie Payne get to really rocking is on the peppier rhythms of "Follow the Light" and "Flowers in the Window" -- not surprisingly, two of the album's highlights.
Read Full Review >Rolling Stone
Lacking any dramatic innovations or departures from last year's The Man Who, The Invisible Band succeeds by approximating - via warm melodies, textures and sincerity - Simon and Garfunkel fronting U2.
Read Full Review >Pitchfork
The tracks here are supported by a fuller sound and more complex arrangements than on either of Travis' first two albums.... They're all competently played, but never really inspiring.
Read Full Review >Dot Music
Creatively however, it's not moved forward from 'The Man Who' enough to convince those of us who were already getting bored with the setlist at Glastonbury last year.
Read Full Review >Alternative Press
The Invisible Band has more layers, more moods than ever before, and more tunes as well. [July 2001, p.88]
Spin
An L.A. album in all senses of the term -- pretty, temperate, and incredibly surface. [Aug 2001, p.138]
The Onion (A.V. Club)
If it didn't follow an album with so many sweetly anthemic, sing-along classics, The Invisible Band would warrant wholehearted recommendation as a pleasant, pneumatic summer trifle. Under the weight of heightened expectations, it's a disappointment.
Read Full Review >Austin Chronicle
This album is so lightweight and airy, it often consigns itself to the background.
Read Full Review >CDNow
Travis' knack for making saccharine songs is both a blessing and a curse; one doesn't know whether to feel the love or scream bloody murder.
Read Full Review >What Our Users Said
The average user rating for this album is 9.1 (out of 10) based on 33 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.
DD DD gave it a10:
I can't understand. Why some critic must be always so overlooking, consider their forecast and hopes as what shall, or better MUST, happen? This album is simply fantastic.
Tony A gave it a9:
Just a really quality album from start to finish. Each song brings its own unique thing, and you can tell that they spend a lot of time with all of their songs. Lyrically and musically their songs are all very good. Best way to describe them is a poor mans coldplay, but in some songs they eclipse coldplay. It amazes me that for the most part these guys remain unheard of.
amy gave it a10:
!!! BRILLIANT !!! they get beta and beta i cant wait for their next album!!!!!
tony b gave it a10:
brilliant. fantastic, amazing.
Neil C gave it a10:
This album rocked! ordered it before it even came out. Travis will always be indie legends
jim c gave it a9:
This is a must-have album-- "Sing", "Pipe Dreams", "Indefinitely", and --especially--"Side", are all absolutely amazing songs. "Side" is astonishing, really. It is true that this album slows down--around tracks 6-10, I believe--but no bad songs. Must-see live show, as well.
OMar F gave it a 10:
One of the best Cd I've ever heard.
