Message from Dean - May 8th 2007
I am currently testing out a new version of the APF Bridge Component - If you notice any errors within this demo store please drop me a line.
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Binding: Audio CD
EAN: 0044003997622
Label: Fontana Universal
Manufacturer: Fontana Universal
MPN: 7622
Number Of Discs: 1
Publisher: Fontana Universal
Release Date: November 04, 2008
Studio: Fontana Universal
Disc 1:- Chinese Blues
- J. Smith
- Something Anything
- Long Way Down
- Broken Mirror
- Last Words
- Quite Free
- Get Up
- Friends
- Song to Self
- Before You Were Young
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Editorial Review:
Album Description:
Ode To J. Smith by Travis is 11 tracks of their loudest, edgiest and most arresting record yet. The album was recorded at Rak Studios in London and produced by Emery Dobyns (Antony & The Johnsons, Patti Smith, Battles) and mixed at Electric Lady Studios in NY. Healy says this album was 'born out of a rush of creative urgency, a need to make a record; it has to be amazing...the most cohesive thing we've ever done. When you move so quickly, there is little time to reflect. You have to be decisive.' In 12 years, Travis has sold ten million records, numerous accolades, headlined festivals all over the world.
Average Rating: 
Rating:  -
Like most TRAVIS fans, I came in during the time of Good Feeling and The Man Who -- those two albums quite literally opened my eyes as I found the music and the band I've been craving.
The weird thing about "Ode to J. Smith" was that it didn't strike me as a TRAVIS album at first. Each album prior, even '12 Memories', was met with one listen being enough to say "yes, this is Travis and I love this band." "Ode to J.Smith" didn't do that for me. I had initial disappointments and said flat out that this was more or less the same, but just not as good.
But that said, the songs haunted me when they weren't being played. My ears were telling me to put that album back on again and really, I couldn't stop playing the record for days. It is indeed a fantastic album that is different but somehow familiar. You cannot simply say that this album is like "The Man Who" or "The Invisible Band" or "The Boy With No Name". It has a sound of its own and it shows that the ... Read More
Rating:  -
I was introduced to Travis by way of "Why Does It Always Rain On Me?" in early 2000. I rushed to buy "The Man Who" and was completely satisfied with that album. The following year I was first in line to get "The Invisible Band" and was equally, if not more, satisfied. I went back and got "Good Feelings" and was slightly disappointed. "12 Memories" was somewhat disappointing as was "The Boy With No Name".
So, here is "Ode To J. Smith", right on the heels of "The Boy With No Name" a year and a half ago. I'll admit this is a grower. On first listen nothing really grabbed me, but upon closer inspection, several songs began to sink their hooks into me like the album opener "Chinese Blues", "J. Smith", "Long Way Down", "Last Words", "Quite Free", "Song To Self" and "Before You Were Young". The rest I continue to struggle with just exactly how I feel about them.
The sound of this album isn't exactly a stretch for the band. In fact, they still sound maudlin and morose in ... Read More
Rating: -
Travis have never released a record on the same level as "Good Feeling" in terms of sheer rockiness. With the release and subsequent skyrocket to success of "The Man Who", Travis made their name as a Britpop quartet that put out unoffensive, melodically beautiful guitar songs, and with their follow up, "The Invisible Band", which housed the ever-popular track "Sing", they only secured their foothold in that musical niche. However, "12 Memories", which included some of Travis' darkest and most lyrically edgy material to date, suffered in record shops, and perhaps the entire reason behind that is because they diverted from their formula. After a four year hiatus, with their popularity continually on the downward decline as time passed, they returned with "The Boy with No Name", borrowing from "The Man Who" and "The Invisible Band" with happy, unoffensive tracks like "Closer" and "Selfish Jean" and even taking that to the next level with songs like "Under the Moonlight" and "My Eyes".
... Read More
Rating: -
I think this is Travis' weakest album..I don't know what all the hype was about. This has a little more rock to it..but most of the catchy hooks are obsolete. Supposedly , this one was written and recorded in two weeks..and it shows. I've always liked this band, though..and there's a subtle beauty that underlies the muisc. Good stuff..just not "GOOD FEELING" good.
Rating: -
It is doubtful that Travis will be able to replicate the top to bottom quality of the Man Who again. That said, this album is closer to their first two albums than to the more recent.
Some tracks are keepers like Something Anything, J. Smith, and but some are forgettable like Before You Were Young and Broken Mirrors. The rest are somewhere in between. Long Way Down could have been on Good Feeling, Get Up could have been on 12 Memories, Last Words on Invisible Band, and Friends sounds like some of their B-sides.
All in all the album does grow on you after a few listens, but it will not be remembered as one of their best... 3.5 stars
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