Track Listing

1. Quicksand
2. The Beautiful Occupation
3. Re-Offender
4. Peace the Fuck Out
5. How Many Hearts
6. Paperclips
7. Somewhere Else
8. Love Will Come Through
9. Mid-Life Krysis
10. Happy to Hang Around
11. Walking Down the Hill

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #17044 in Music
• Released on: 2003-10-13
• Number of discs: 1
• Format: Explicit Lyrics

Amazon.co.uk Review
Travis's self-produced fourth album, 12 Memories, is lush and gorgeous, drenched with strings and piano, which add a lazy, dreamlike quality to songs such as first single "Re-Offender" and opening track "Quicksand", and even the occasional bit of experimentation (a dog whining in the background of "Paperclips" is an appropriately creepy effect). But it's also lyrically their darkest album, even by Travis's standards.

Never the happiest of bands, at least on record (after all, they broke through by singing "Why Does It Always Rain on Me?"), they colour 12 Memories throughout with a morose (but, tellingly, never bitter) resignation (the aforementioned single "Re-Offender", about being trapped in an abusive relationship, is a perfect example of this). That's probably down to circumstances: in the two years since their last album (The Invisible Band), they nearly disintegrated when drummer Neil Primrose was badly injured in an accident. But he--and the band--have recovered, and are sounding better for it. Frontman Fran Healy, arguably one of the nicest men in popular music, manages to deliver an anti-war message on "Peace the Fuck Out" that's more pleading than angry, and all the more affecting. 12 Memories is exactly the sort of album that Radiohead should be making right now--it's accessible and poignant, with an undercurrent of real-world frustration and paranoia running throughout. Travis's best album to date is also their bravest, by some distance. --Robert Burrow

CD Description
'12 Memories' is the fourth album from Glaswegian four piece Travis. Recorded at the Real World studios in Bath and in their own makeshift studio in West Scotland, the album is lyrically darker than their previous work but the band still manage to keep hold of the acoustic rock sound that they are known for. The single 'Re-Offender' is also included.

Customer Reviews

Travis..with a twist
On a first listening, it's not the Travis die hard fans know and love, but give it chance and it won't be out of your cd player for a long time...I started off almost disliking this cd, thought it was bland and average, but it really does get inside your head, now i cant stop listening to it..
Opening with Quicksand and Beautiful Occupation both upbeat and quite commercial, the current single follows, then a brilliant track, Peace the F..k out, Fran at his endearing best! How Many Hearts and Somewhere Else (my favourite track) could be strong contenders for the next single, both really catchy, and most people will have already heard the wonderful Love Will Come Through, soundtrack to Moonlight Mile and available previously as a charity record after the drummer's spinal injury.I think the album has a couple of fillers, Paperclips and Walking down the Hill in particular. The cd finishes with the 'hidden' track, In the Church, a lovely laid back piano complimenting Fran's voice, really wonderful end to a brilliant 4th album for a band in Coldplay's league.

Travis traverse a much different path...
I couldn't wait for this album. I've been a fan of Travis from the get-go. Good Feeling (their first album - hunt it down, it's pretty good) was a bit poppy but had some real gems (Falling Down is very powerful) but with "The Man Who" they really hit the top spot and I still play it almost daily. I wasn't overly impressed with "The Invisible Band" as it seemed too commercial and a very poor cousin to Coldplay's "Parachutes".
12 Memories changes all that though. On the first listen I was shocked. I was expecting (and hoping) for something as easily accessible as "The Man Who" - instant and powerfully emotive; not so with this CD. What you get here is a very dark collection of tracks which reward you with each listen. Favourites include "Mid-Life Krysis" with a melody that refuses to leave you and you'll find yourself humming it for days to come. "Paperclips" is quite experimental and you'll be hard pushed to find a darker track.

Get the CD but if you're expecting "The Man Who Two" you'll be initially disappointed - but stick with it and you'll grow to love Travis' new sound and style.

a mature return
'The man who' has sold 8 platinum and 'the invisible band' has sold 4 platium. It's always hard to do a good follow-up especially after you have had massive success. However, because of Neil's accident, Travis had two years of rest during which Fran has come up with 12 brilliant memories. He has proved that he can do better.

The old formula has been wiped out. A more upbeat approach is used in certain songs. One can see the come back of the feeling of their debut 'good feeling'. Having said that, the lyrics has become gloomy. Yup, no more flowers. As everyone has seen, their first single 're-offender' has critised the problem of domestic violence. Although it might not be everyone's cup of tea, their political point view might not be agreed by everyone, but the memorable melody is definitely appealling to everyone.

If you are looking for 'why does it always rain on me' second, I am sorry, '12 memories' is not for you. If you are looking for an album seeing Travis exploring a more mature side, '12 memories' is definitely the choice to complete your CD collection. You will find 12 songs in different styles expressing different opinions which are worthwide to think about.