For a moment the British Travis seemed to be a very big band. Around the turn of the millennium, the band around singer Fran Healey scored a number of big hits, including Why Does It Always Rain On Me? was the best known. But with their melodic, sweet guitar pop, they soon lost connection with the new batch of fierce, energetic bands like Arctic Monkeys and Franz Ferdinand. On the new album Ode To
… J. Smith the band makes a bold attempt at a more powerful and raw sound. In sweet songs like Quite Free and Friends the group sounds in its element. Many other songs sound a bit forced; the strengths of the band are then oppressed. And so Travis grapples with the dilemma that every band sooner or later encounters. A certain development is indispensable to continue to stimulate the public. At the same time, their own identity must be preserved in order to remain credible. With this album Travis makes a valiant attempt to get out of this impasse, but unfortunately does not convince. (MS)more
