Travis
The Boy With No Name
(Sony)
At one time, with producer Nigel Godrich (OK Computer) on board, Travis was on its way to being the biggest band on the planet. Then its audience grew up (or got younger) and as soon as one could say The Man Who, the Glasgewian nice-guys were out of style. This is the Britpop quartet’s return to its signature sound, including Godrich back behind several tracks. “Closer” and “Selfish Jean” recall an era when we sensitively asked ourselves “Why Does it Always Rain On Me?” Although they may always be tied to the ’90s, there’s always room for rockers who wear their hearts on their sleeves in the way that the boys in Travis do.
Johnston Farrow