Travis are back and they mean business. No they’re serious. We’re talking parental guidance sticker on album sleeve serious here. Although this brings about rather disturbing images of rebellious teenagers around the country locked away in their rooms secretly listening to their Travis albums. But anyway back to the record.
The first few tracks including quicksand and Re-offender offer flashes of inspired melodies not unlike those of 1999’s classic ‘The Man Who’. Unfortunately though, these moments are all to brief and we soon find ourselves back into mediocre middle of the road indie land. Maybe the departure of producer Nigel Godrich has taken away Travis’s mojo.
But overall I’m afraid the best I can come up with ‘12 Stories’ is that - its ok. I really am trying to find something worth shouting about on this record but there really are no great surprises. Travis fans will enjoy, anyone else don’t waste your money
