Travis just after an interview for TransAction
at the Girlie Action Publicists' offices in NYC.

photo: k.bernard

Travis'
Good Feeling
(Independiente / Epic)

by Michael Pelusi

At their worst, the Scottish quartet Travis sound like a less derivative, less obnoxious Oasis. At their best, they're pretty damn good. Harnessing catchy melodies with unabashed guitar-led rock-with-a-capital-'R' isn't the newest idea on the block, but Travis' humor and energy goes a long way in making their debut Good Feeling (Independiente) almost a breath of fresh air.

So, the opening track 'All I Want to Do is Rock''with its crawling tempo might on first listen seem ironic, on a second hearing an outdated, overeager anthem. Actually, it's neither; it's a genuine as can be, but the slow but driving beat and unfolding melody convey a desperation that's quite moving.

Travis -- who take their name from Harry Dean Stanton's character in Paris, Texas -- continue to show real promise on tracks where they display such 1997 rarities as an opinion and point of view. The infectious 'U16 Girls,' with its irresistible, raucous 'Na, na, na' backing vocals, pungently warns would-be Humbert Humberts to get a grip on themselves. Kinks-esque music-hall rock is evoked on both the witty commentary 'Tied to the Nineties' and the delightfully hedonistic title track. The band's hard-rocking tendencies dominates songs like 'Midsummer Nights Dreaming' and 'Happy' (no, not the Stones tune), where guitarist Andy Dunlop's hip-driven riffs add extra potency.

Harnessing catchy melodies with unabashed guitar-led rock-with-a-capital-'R' isn't the newest idea on the block, but Travis' humor and energy goes a long way in making their debut Good Feeling (Independiente) almost a breath of fresh air.

The latter part of Good Feeling becomes quite ballad-heavy, but rather than totally sinking the album, this gives it a real sense of depth. 'I Love You Anyways,' 'More Than Us,' 'Falling Down.' and 'Funny Things' are all genuine, atmospheric, and pretty, even if on 'Falling Down' lead singer/songwriter Fran Healy (an emotional lad as it is) veers dangerously close to Bono-like overkill.

Good Feeling -- which was produced by the legendary Steve Lillywhite (Talking Heads, Rolling Stones, Phish, and many, many, many more) -- probably won't go about changing anybody's life. However, as an adrenilized shot of fun and rock with the occasional insight into life, it certainly lives up to its title.