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Once considered the melodic understudy for Radiohead as that band ventured into the experimental ether, Travis remain dedicated to the straight-forward melodic Brit-Pop that Radiohead have forever foregone. This modesty means a focus on the basics: tight guitar chops, amiable harmonies, earnest, swooning melodies, and lots of ethereal textures just underneath the sound to massage the stereo speakers. The band spent five weeks writing the album and two recording it, so the writing is carefully considered while the performances are caught in action. This keeps a notable enthusiasm coursing through the guitar lines that slash (“J. Smith”) and twist (“Something Anything”) and provide singer Fran Healy with his toughest backing support to date. “Chinese Blues” opens as a sober meditation reminiscent of New Zealand’s Chills but it serves primarily as a delicate intro for the mayhem ahead. “Broken Mirror” adds squalls of feedback to its slowly grifting beat that most closely resembles the Travis of old, while “Last Words” heads for the country with mandolin and banjo in tow.