They were an exciting and vibrant band, but with this their second album, I wonder if they have tried to mature too soon. They first got together in the early 90's but more for main man Fran Healy to develop his songwriting skills, rather than actually perform as a band. When that was released the following year, the popular music press seemed divided amongst the 'best new band' camp, and the 'highly over-rated' alternative viewpoint. Certainly there seemed to be great promise in the songs they created, but having now come back with the historically 'difficult' second album, they appeared to have made a major mood change in direction before fully developing the one they had before.
Ballads are fine, but without the more upbeat pop tracks, they can all sound the same.
I remember asking Noel Gallagher at a press conference just prior to the Oasis HK gig in 1998, which band he was playing on his walkman. He replied that Travis was one of his faves of the time. Peer worship perhaps, but somewhat overdone. Writing To Reach You 2. The Fear 3.