Invisible Band [Import]

Editorial Reviews
Album Description
Japanese edition of the Scottish indie act's third album, includes 3 bonus tracks. Two of which appear on the US edition, 'Ring Out The Bell' & 'You Don't Know What I'm Like' along with the Japanese exclusive bonus track, 'Beautiful'. 15 tracks in all including the first single, 'Sing'. Please note that all of the bonus tracks are culled from the b-sides that graced the UK two-part single to 'Sing'. 2001 release.

Tracks:

3 Times And You Lose
Selfish Jean
Closer
Big Chair
Battleships
Eyes Wide Open
My Eyes
One Night
Under The Moonlight
Out In Space
Colder
New Amsterdam

Amazon.com

Travis seemingly disappeared after the arguably forgettable 12 Memories but the sound of the Scottish group's daydream-pretty guitar rock endured thanks to Keane, Snow Patrol, and especially Coldplay. More than three years later, Travis is playing catch-up with their fifth studio album, The Boy with No Name. Predictably, it's a well-crafted affair, bursting to life with tunes that celebrate life's minor victories such as "Closer," "Battleships," and "My Eyes." But as a comeback effort it feels flawed, let down by both melodies that disappear into the ether as quickly as they come out of the speakers ("One Night," "3 Times You Lose") and those that clumsily attempt to tweak the formula ("Eyes Wide Open," "Selfish Jean"). --Aidin Vaziri

Customer Reviews:

A Great Band WIth A Simple Name...........2007-07-25

Melodic.....Melodic....Melodic....and simply melodic....This album is so good , anyone with a decent, intelligent taste in post-punk indie rock or brit-alternative pop would love this...Don't listen to those who have given this album low rating because they just don't seem familiar with how Travis do things!! To me this band is much better than Wilco and definitely deserves much more recognition...Get this album now!!

Welcome back Travis.......2007-07-17

Travis has never received the recognition it deserves in the states. I love all of their albums for different reasons (yes, even 12 Memories) and this one did not disappoint me. Gorgeous melodies, Fran's lovely voice, Andy tearing it up on the guitar, backed by Dougie's great bass lines, and Neil's superb drumming. If you're a fan you've probably already purchased this after having to wait 3 years. If not, please buy it and support a talented band. And go see them live because they are incredible.

Say It Ain't So.......2007-07-01

Well, I guess it had to happen eventually. They released four great albums in a row, but the streak is over. I just don't know where this came from. After hearing "Walking In The Sun" from Singles I assumed the Travis dynasty would be prosperous for years to come. I listened to this entire album and almost felt like weeping (not in a good way).

The best word to describe this album is definitely "filler". Think of every Travis song you never really cared for. What did they all have in common? Less than impressive singing? Uneventful choruses? Overall drab music that doesn't stand out? All of these things describe this album in my opinion. I remember listening to previous albums and being greeted by wonderful melodies, catchy rhythms and unforgetable lyrics. This album really lacks a clear direction and passion. You can't honestly tell me Fran is singing these songs from his heart. It sounds like these songs were recorded right after one of his family members died. Most of these songs aren't very well written to begin with, but the ones that are just aren't done justice. I hope these sound better when played live or there's going to be some pissed concert goers.

The one shining light off in the distance is "My Eyes". The sound isn't exactly rehash from previous years, but the energy is definitely more like traditional Travis. I enjoy listening to this song and it actually sounds like they enjoy playing it. I can't say it enough, they just don't deliver on the rest of this album.

I don't think the old Travis is lost and gone forever. This release does feel a little forced but eventually they'll come back with something they really love and you'll love it just the same.

the original travis sound !.......2007-06-29

The smooth fresh sound of travis. It's the original.. It's the travis we know.. And it's the Travis we've been waiting for.. two thumbs up !..

Disappointing.......2007-06-27

Too much of Franny being the minstrel and not enough of the band doing what they do best. After waiting a long time for the follow-up to 12 Memories, The Boy with No Name is a monumental disappointment.

Average customer rating:

A pretty solid effort by Travis - it's not a great album, but you'll probably like it if you're a genre fan
the invisible everything
A tremendous sophomore effort
Travis, sensational prodigy band
Almost The Man Who, Part 2

The Invisible Band
Travis
Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Britpop | British Alternative | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Indie Rock | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

4-for-3 Alternative Rock | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music

4-for-3 Pop | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music

4-for-3 Rock | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music

4-for-3 All Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

The Man Who
12 Memories
Good Feeling
The Boy with No Name
Singles

ASIN: B00005JGI6
Release Date: 2001-06-12

Tracks:

Sing
Dear Diary
Side
Pipe Dreams
Flowers In The Window
The Cage
Safe
Follow The Light
Last Train
Afterglow
Indefinitely
The Humpty Dumpty Love Song

Amazon.com

The Invisible Band marks no major change in direction for Travis, but this is no bad thing. That Travis are the most simplistic of the post-Radiohead groups may not sound like the heartiest of compliments, but it undoubtedly accounts for their massive appeal. The Man Who became one of the most popular indie-rock records of the 1990s by virtue of its cheery accessibility and its way with a simple weather metaphor, and judging by the lyrics of "Side"--"The grass is always greener on the other side / The neighbor's got a new car that you wanna drive"--it's immediately obvious that come their third full-length album, Travis have figured out that their fans are not waiting for a brave sonic crusade. Which doesn't matter a bit, because The Invisible Band is such a natural, instantly lovable, and thoroughly unforced record, it seems completely churlish to knock it. The opening "Sing" sounds like, since their inception, all Travis have been missing is a banjo; the florid "Flowers in the Window" harks back to McCartney's finest Beatles compositions; and the synth-led "Humpty Dumpty Love Song" lays Travis's sentimental heart bare. "I'd pray to God if there were heaven," sings Fran Healy on "Pipe Dreams," "But heaven sounds so very far from here..." And that's exactly why Travis are so popular; they're the humble down-to-earth boys from next door, still singing the simplest songs, still making the mundane sound beautiful. --Louis Pattison

Customer Reviews:

A pretty solid effort by Travis - it's not a great album, but you'll probably like it if you're a genre fan.......2006-01-08

I would argue that "The Invisible Band" is Travis' best album, though it's not "great" per se. Every song here is fun and catchy, even if the singer is a little questionable and the lyrics are usually not that interesting (they can be at times, however). The songs are usually pretty energetic and feature some lesser-used instruments (like the banjo on the first track), but sometimes they slow down a bit like on "Dear Diary". The best song here is easily "Side" which has "hit" written all over it. This is essentially the song that got me into this album. The instrumentation is pretty good, although it's not necessarily new. The singer's reminiscent of My Morning Jacker's Jim James at times. It's slightly a guilty pleasure, but not by a great measure. Overall, if you like pop rock then chances are you'll like this CD. Recommended!

Highlights include:
the entire album!

the invisible everything.......2005-08-23

This album has exactly what you are looking for: addictive melodies, great voice and inspired songwriting. Travis has a lot of soul. With recent interest in bands like Coldplay, Keane and Snow Patrol, (all of whom I think are wonderful), one cannot but feel that Travis implements the best of all worlds into their tableau.

A tremendous sophomore effort.......2005-08-02

Travis, sensational prodigy band.......2005-06-28

Travis is my favorite band. I love them even more than the shins and keane and weezer. I know all the words to all the songs and have all the albums, so I think i can call myself a travis expert. When I was looking at the reviews for this album, I was shocked to see the numerous four star reviews. Four stars?!?!? that's it? With all due respect, I believe this album deserve more than five stars!
The Invisible Band should probably be just called THE MAN WHO, PART TWO, because it really does pick up right where that album left off. For people who like to see bands evolve, they will of course be disappointed. But for those of us who craved more MAN WHO like material, this CD is brilliant. But I would like to take the time to clean a few things up, which have been overlooked.
I think some of the more obvious singles have eclisped the other songs, which are all polished works of art. SING is a great song, and the banjo is a great touch. But everyone knows about that song, so what about DEAR DIARY? DEAR DIARY is personally, my favorite song on the album. I'm usually not much of a slow song kind of person, but this song is simply amazing. The lyrics are very Travis-like, and sad, and fit right in on the album, and I love how the chorus is so melodious. They didn't even need to say the words and you could understand them, thats the kind of emotion on this piece. SIDE is of course a classic, portraying the frustration of 'the grass is always greener on the other side' kind of attitude. But the clever lyrics fit along the music so well, this song is a masterpiece. PIPE DREAMS: many people mentioned this song as one of their favorites. Personally, I think it is the weakest song on the album. At the beginning, it sounds really awesome and you are drawn in by the catchy melody. But i think after a while, it gets kind of repetitve. FLOWERS IN THE WINDOW is another general favorite. Everyone likes this song, but I don't think it compares to songs like DEAR DIARY. It does show the happier side of Travis, which makes it more interesting. THE CAGE is a song that most people don't like. I confess I didn't like it either, until one day I found myself humming the songs catchy tune. On first listen, it seems like it kind of sucks. But once you get to the chorus, you'll love it. SAFE is one of the strongest songs on the album. The song itself is great, but I challenge people to listen for the harmonic guitar in the background during the chorus. This song is really good. FOLLOW THE LIGHT is definantly the most solid song on the album. It's easy to listen too, and the lyrics are great, because everyone can get something out of them, and the song is really assuring...it makes you relax and it's the kind of song that makes you happy just listening to it, and if an artist can create a song like that, then they are brilliant. LAST TRAIN is a good song, I didn't love it at first because I thought it boring, but then I soon came back to it. The lyrics have the kind of hopeless sadness in them that make you feel so sad but keep coming back. AFTERGLOW is a good song, with a cool riff too. The chorus is safe and easy to listen too, this song doesn't challenge listeners, but it's still an excellent song. INDEFINITELY is one of the best songs on the album, one of the best travis songs ever, and the lyrics are sad but simply amazing. The pleading voice is so pleasing to the ear that this song will always be a favorite of mine. Lastly is the HUMPTY DUMPTY LOVE SONG. Many people raise questions about the strange title, but humpty dumpty is actually a simile for the guy's broken heart. This song gets especially great at the end and is a great song to listen to and fall asleep too. The extra hidden tracks in it are quite good as well.
Overall, every song on this CD is worth a listen and I want everyone to know that is CD is a five star CD, not a four!

Almost The Man Who, Part 2.......2005-06-14

Travis followed up their best album, The Man Who, with The Invisible Band. This cd is very similar to The Man Who, with almost the exact same feel to it.

Just like TMW, this album is quite solid, and can be played from start to finish quite easily, whether you're driving in your car, or just listening to this as background music around the house. In fact, my little 5 year old daughter absolutely loves 2 or 3 of the songs on this disc. It's a very friendly cd for all ages.

I do applaud Travis' effort here, they have created another great album. For anyone who loves The Man Who, and does not own this, buy it! This album is much better than their newest cd, 12 Memories. Travis does best when they keep their music simple, and melodic, and this is a perfect example of both. Fran Healy has one of the best voices in the biz!

Average customer rating:

A pretty solid effort by Travis - it's not a great album, but you'll probably like it if you're a genre fan
the invisible everything
A tremendous sophomore effort
Travis, sensational prodigy band
Almost The Man Who, Part 2