Travis - Ode to J Smith
List Price:
Our Price: $10.36
You Save: $5.62 (35%)
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Buy Used: from $4.33 (click here)
Category: Music CD
See more new music releases
Buy this Music CD at online store in your country
Canadian Music Store
Canadian Music Store
Music CD Cover
Artist: TravisEdition: Music CD
Audio: English (Unknown)
Format: Import
CD Release Date: 2008-11-04
Music Label: Fontana Universal
Soundtracks:
- 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
Free Music Notes for Ode to J Smith
Free Music Review: A return to form and an ode to J. Smith
Hit: 5 Stars
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".
Well, Travis are back after merely over a year with a brand new album, and it seems like they are returning to the "Good Feeling" days. Think of "Ode to J. Smith" as a love-child between "Good Feeling" and "12 Memories" - two of the least popular Travis records. Combined with the fact that this was released on their own independent record label, Red Telephone Box (which implies that there would be a lack of giant record label-funded publicity), this album is almost destined to suffer in the charts. It's a shame, really. "Ode" is 11 tracks of magnetic energy, which tells the tale of a nameless character, in stark contrast to the introspective lyrics of past Travis outings. Whether it's the boundless energy of "Quite Free", or the frail darkness of "Broken Mirror" (which hearkens back to the 12 Memories track, "Paperclips"), the album starts off with a bang, and takes us through an eleven-track tour of the life of J. Smith, right up to the brilliantly climactic closing tracks "Song to Self" and "Before You Were Young".
The album is not without its more upbeat tracks, however - songs like the titular "J. Smith", "Something Anything", and "Long Way Down" are energetic enough to keep the album moving along at a good pace.
Of course, fans of the more "Sing"-esque tracks may want to find solace elsewhere, because a great majority of these tracks are more dark and edgy, if anything. But if taken for face value, Travis have accomplished something great, and that is a completely unexpected but absolutely brilliant album.
Ode to J Smith Poster
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.Alternative Rock Music CDs
Music Genres
Top music charts in Alternative Rock Music CDs
Bouncing Souls - Maniacal LaughterRelease date: 1996-01-26; Music CD
Best price: $30.00
Blondie - Parallel LinesRelease date: 1994-07-29; Music CD
Best price: $397.77
Doors - L.A. WomanRelease date: 1993-04-09; Music CD
Best price: $199.99
Amon Duul - Phallus DeiRelease date: 1997-04-08; Music CD
Price in other shops:
Tangerine Dream - MelroseRelease date: 1990-10-02; Music CD
Best price: $74.98
Tangerine Dream - Private Music of Tangerine DreamRelease date: 1992-11-10; Music CD
Best price: $8.00
Price in other shops:
![Ska Explosion [VHS] Image](/images/Ska-Explosion-VHS-6303381014-X.jpg){kind=small}
Ska Explosion [VHS]Cleopatra; Release date: 1995-02-28; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $14.99
Price in other shops:
![Little Earthquakes [VHS] Image](/images/Little-Earthquakes-VHS-6302488664-X.jpg){kind=small}
Little Earthquakes [VHS]Atlantic / Wea; Release date: 1992-11-10; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $7.00
Price in other shops:
Exileby Geoffrey Oryema
Music CD
Best price: $4.95
![Louder Than Live [VHS] Image](/images/Louder-Than-Live-VHS-6301627865-X.jpg){kind=small}
Soundgarden - Louder Than Live [VHS]A&M Video; Release date: 1991-07-01; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Price in other shops:
Top Rated Albums
Travis - SinglesRelease date: 2004-11-02; Music CD
Best price: $8.56
Price in other shops:
Keane - Under the Iron SeaRelease date: 2006-06-20; Music CD
Best price: $5.07
Price in other shops:
Radiohead - The King of LimbsRelease date: 2011-03-29; Music CD
Best price: $6.93
Price in other shops:
Travis At The Palace, Live at Alexandra PalaceWEA DES Moines Video; Release date: 2004-09-14; DVD
Best price: $4.73
Price in other shops:
Travis - Good FeelingRelease date: 1997-10-07; Music CD
Best price: $9.97
Price in other shops:
Travis - The Invisible BandRelease date: 2001-06-12; Music CD
Best price: $14.04
Travis - The Man WhoRelease date: 2000-04-04; Music CD
Best price: $9.94
Fran Healy - WreckorderRelease date: 2010-10-05; Music CD
Best price: $5.00
Price in other shops:
Travis - 12 MemoriesRelease date: 2009-12-16; Music CD
Best price: $2.92
Price in other shops:
Travis - The Boy With No NameRelease date: 2011-10-04; Music CD
Best price: $4.54
Price in other shops: