I gotta meet this J. Smith

Travis have come up with a fresher new sound than any other already established act this year. Their new album Ode to J. Smith is going to revolutionize the Travis concert experience and rejuvenate their mostly static career.

Ode to J. Smith totally revamps Travis’ sound with electricity and power while not jeopardizing the band’s catchy melodies and piano-tinged feel they are known for.

The plethora of unique sounds and instruments clashing together with Fran Healy’s genuine voice make Travis’ sixth album a must-listen and probably their all-together best album. 

As far as songs go, do not expect any big standout hits like “Love Will Come Through” or “Eyes.” This album is definitely more of a whole piece that must be listened to all at once. Nevertheless, the lack of shining singles doesn’t mean there aren’t songs here that impress substantially.

“Long Way Down,” the album’s opener, is absolutely the best track simply because of what Fran Healy does with his voice. Longtime fans of the band will be surprised, and newbies should embrace it fully.

If you were to listen to another important track here, it should be “J. Smith.”  At one point in this song, it sounds exactly like Sigur Ros vocalist Jon Thor Birgisson is rockin’ the mic, and it even has a bit of a Mars Volta-esque feel. If it seems hard to explain, it’s because the greatness is easy to get lost in.

Even after a few full-run listens to Ode J. Smith, there still remains an element that I cannot put my dirty critic finger on.

There are so many sounds here that sound familiar, yet completely new. There are too many influences running through the tracks to mention. And the album shows skill, maturity and development. Damn, I love Scottish bands.

Headphones will not do the album justice. Your first listen to Travis’ new album should be through high-quality surround sound speakers around 3 a.m. while letting yourself submit to the electricity radiating from this masterpiece.