Albums: L.A. Times

 

Released on 12 July 2024, "L.A. Times" is the tenth studio album by Scottish indie rock band Travis, under the production of Tony Hoffer, this album has spawned three singles so far "Gaslight", "Bus" & "Naked in New York City", the band seems to continue with their subtly experimentation but never missed their classical sound and it's more evidente on this record that apparently worked for the band. 

 

These sort of late/early of the century modern trobadours are going more eclectic and rich in sounds returning to their roots in the late 90's and early 2000s., the band went under the direction of Tony Hoffer in a studio near to a skid row in L.A. and called properly "L.A. Times", a far world away from their native Glasgow, the album opener "Bus" prepares the listener for the experiencie, baroque pop with smooth sounds, "Rabez The Bar", it's a sort of R&B with acoustic gently guitars with some influence of Americana Tom Petty style, then moves into a more gospel chorus tune, the sombre downbeat of "Live It All Again" is next sounding more familiar than ever and then prepares the mood to go into their Kinks sound-a-like hall tune in "Gaslight". 

 

Now the album is sounding more like the usual Travis with "Alive" and properly anthem created for arenas, and then "Naked In New York City" show us a more intimate Fran Healy in vocals, but taking some influence from Joni Mitchell acoustic sound, never lose the chance to cause a stir with the rare "I Hope That You Spntaneously Combust", with a dark pop sound and then moves into a something more like Bruce Springsteen in "The River", to close with the nice and honest tune "L.A. Times". 

 

Definitely a nice mixed example of what Travis sounds today, keeps the energy and emotional curiosity, and the empathetic vocal, and absolutely charmer, reviving the ambition and eager just like in their earlier days, maybe it could be their most personal and open record in their career.

 

L.A. Times Track List:

 

1. Bus

2. Raze The Bar

3. Live It All Again

4. Gaslight

5. Alive

6. Home

7. I Hope That You Spontaneously Combust

8. Naked In New York City

9. The River

10. L.A. Times