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Wreckorder is the sound of a songwriter firmly embodying the spirit of Britpop and testing himself. "Sing Me To Sleep," and "As It Comes," also point towards signs of maturation that were never seen in the Travis back catalog.
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Oct 22, 2010Sure, the sound is still post-Britpop, but Fran Healy isn't turning any corners or wrecking any orders here. However, the effortless craftsmanship and wide range on Wreckorder's ten tracks somehow work to perfection.
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In spite of the throwaway moments, however, Wreckorder proves to be Healy's most thoughtful work since Travis' The Invisible Band.
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Yes, he's got Paul McCartney playing slurpy bass on As It Comes, and Neko Case pops up on the countrified duet Sing Me to Sleep, but there's no escaping the sound of his past. Nor any sense that it's a past that needs to be escaped from.
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Wreckorder is a hand-picked gift reminding us that it's the thought that counts. And to look down your nose at it would make you a snob.
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Alternative PressAside from a few dud lyrics--rhyming "ointment" with "appointment"--Wreckorder is a worthy debut. [Nov 2010, p.112]
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Under The RadarOct 26, 2010Wreckorder fluctuates between orchestral and acoustic. Healy changes his tone and style from song to song without a hint of disparity. [Fall 2010, p.61]
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Healy's yearning, earthy croon is well intact here, and although he doesn't try to upstage his main band's act, longtime Travis fans and anybody in the mood for heartfelt, smartly crafted folk-pop should find much to enjoy on Wreckorder.
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The rest of the album plods along nicely, Healy's lullaby vocals soothing their way through single Buttercups and sure-to-be follow-up single Anything, which will sit quite happily alongside the likes of Driftwood and Sing.
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Clocking in at a brisk 34 minutes, there isn't enough time for Wreckorder to falter. But on the other hand, Healy can't seem to find the time to amply spread his wings either.
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UncutWreckorder;s main virtues--decent songs, solidly played--are also its downfall, and you end up wondering why Healy bothered taking a vacation only to stay at home. [Nov 2010, p.90]
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Given Healy's winsome vocals and his good-guy image, the grab at gravitas doesn't always connect.
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Q MagazineLyrically, though, he's got strangely little of interest to say, no a particularly distinctive way of saying it. [Nov 2010, p.111]