The fourth album by the Scottish band Travis was delayed for six months due to an accident by drummer Neil, in which he suffered serious back injuries. The first (forced) break for the band, which had been on the treadmill of success since their debut The Man Who (1999) and scored single hits with Why Does It Always Rain On Me (1999) and Sing (2001). Continuing without Neil was not an option, the
… group feeling of 'the invisible band' Travis is too great for that. Neil made a miraculous recovery and the band around singer and songwriter Fran Healey was more motivated than ever after this crisis. The much-lauded melodic richness is still present on 12 Memories, new are the heavier textual themes that Healy addresses, such as domestic violence in Re-Offender. Not that Travis suddenly makes top-heavy music; next to comparable generation peers like Radiohead and Coldplay, Travis still sounds quite light-hearted, but the obedience that lurks in wait for the time being makes up for the charming songs and the pleasant voice of Healey. (MS)more
