Travis

It looked like 2003’s 12 Memories, Travis’s "difficult” fourth album, might have spelled the end to the band’s popularity. The record’s dark mood meant it wasn’t welcomed as warmly as its predecessors and their place was taken on the charts by the likes of Keane and other bands that were out-wussing them. Then the release of their greatest hits CD hinted that it might be all over but the Glasgow band have returned and sound better than ever. The Boy With No Name is a return to form and the band’s most accomplished album to date. They’ve shaken off the doom and gloom, for the most part, and have re-embraced the beautiful melancholy that made The Man Who such a great record. Yet this is an album that possesses more depth than anything the band have done before. The gentle acoustic songs are still there (opener "3 Times And You Lose” is particularly wonderful) but there are more upbeat moments, such as the stomp on "Selfish Jean.” But the cement that holds it all together is Fran Healy’s vocals, which are as lovely as ever. Even at this early point in 2007, The Boy With No Name is standing out as one of the best albums of its ilk. There’s no reason to think this won’t be the album that returns Travis to the spotlight.

(Independiente. www.independiente.co.uk)