A TravIsty Of Sorts...
A few days ago I was delighted to open my mailbox to see a kind treat waiting for me. To my astonishment, entangled among the overgrowth of junk mail that ranged from bushels of grocery advertisements and leaflets of pizza coupons, was a simple enough postal package addressed ever so carefully with handwritten labels. Having glanced at the return address label, I instantly knew what I was about to feverishly open before I headed back to my very humble abode. I pulled at the ripcord-like tab on the parcel...and voila!...my suspicions were correct. Concealed within was the latest CD and DVD from one of the best songwriting bands currently around...Travis!
Having already released four wonderfully-crafted CDs along with a plethora of equally-stunning singles and B-sides, Travis has put together a collection of all their singles and an accompanying DVD showcasing the music videos for each single. The DVD also features many extras such as rare live performances, “making of” vignettes for several videos, hilarious commentary on a handful of videos, “behind-the-scenes” footage to preface each video, and a couple “Easter egg” nuggets for DVD menu aficionados to locate (I won’t tell you because finding them is half the fun!).
I am very familiar with the songs, but the videos I am not. Only recently have I begun to watch the idiot box with some regularity, and my refusal to pay for cable television has hindered me from catching what I immediately found out to be promotional gems. I have been so enamored with the DVD that it has yet to exit my DVD player! Similar in strong songwriting, memorable melodies, catchy hooks, and energetic live shows, why have Travis been unable to prolong their moment in the sun in the U.S. as Coldplay currently reigns supreme as “THE” band from the British Isles? It would truly be sad if Travis was considered another “Flavor of the Month” from the U.K. In my opinion, this statement is completely off-base, unfounded, and just plain wrong. There certainly is no shame in flying under the radar as Travis seemingly does. Both Travis and Coldplay have forged a pathway for other similar bands to gain a small foothold in the fickle music industry of the U.S. such as Keane, Snow Patrol, and The Thrills.
If you are unfamiliar with Travis, I suggest you try and sample some of their music. The task should be as easy as logging onto the internet (dial-up customers may take a bit longer). What can it hurt, right? Trying something new should be exciting!
This same day, the Republican know as George W. Bush was elected for another term in office. “Four More Years” are the cries...excuse me...cheers, heard around the nation. Call this mantra the new “Shot Heard Around The World!” As my parents dance in the street with the other minions, I’ve decided to sit this one out. All I’ve got to say is, “If there is a GOD, please help us all.”
Mr. W, this song is for you. Count your blessings that this country is infested with an aging population who don’t know any better and are afraid of change.
Don’t just stand there watching it happening...
I can’t stand it; don’t feel it...
Something telling me...
Don’t wanna go out this way...
But have a nice day, then...
Read it in the headlines...
Watch it on the TV...
Put it in the background...
Stick it in the back, stick it in the back...
For the beautiful occupation.
The beautiful occupation.
You don’t need an invitation...
To drop in upon a nation...
I’m too cynical...
I’m just sitting here...
I’m just wasting my time...
Half a million civilians gonna die today...
But look the wrong way, then...
Read it in the headlines...
Watch it on the TV...
Put it in the background...
Stick it in the back, stick it in the back...
For the beautiful occupation.
The beautiful occupation.
You don’t need an invitation...
To drop in upon a nation...
Don’t just stand there...
Watching it happening...
I can’t feel it...
Don’t need this...
Something telling me...
Don’t wanna go out this way...
But have a nice day, then...
Read it in the headlines...
Watch it on the TV...
Put it in the background...
Stick it in the back, stick it in the back...
For the beautiful occupation.
The beautiful occupation.
You don’t need an invitation...
To drop in upon a nation...
The beautiful occupation.
The beautiful occupation.
So much for an intervention...
Don’t call the United Nations.
Having already released four wonderfully-crafted CDs along with a plethora of equally-stunning singles and B-sides, Travis has put together a collection of all their singles and an accompanying DVD showcasing the music videos for each single. The DVD also features many extras such as rare live performances, “making of” vignettes for several videos, hilarious commentary on a handful of videos, “behind-the-scenes” footage to preface each video, and a couple “Easter egg” nuggets for DVD menu aficionados to locate (I won’t tell you because finding them is half the fun!).
I am very familiar with the songs, but the videos I am not. Only recently have I begun to watch the idiot box with some regularity, and my refusal to pay for cable television has hindered me from catching what I immediately found out to be promotional gems. I have been so enamored with the DVD that it has yet to exit my DVD player! Similar in strong songwriting, memorable melodies, catchy hooks, and energetic live shows, why have Travis been unable to prolong their moment in the sun in the U.S. as Coldplay currently reigns supreme as “THE” band from the British Isles? It would truly be sad if Travis was considered another “Flavor of the Month” from the U.K. In my opinion, this statement is completely off-base, unfounded, and just plain wrong. There certainly is no shame in flying under the radar as Travis seemingly does. Both Travis and Coldplay have forged a pathway for other similar bands to gain a small foothold in the fickle music industry of the U.S. such as Keane, Snow Patrol, and The Thrills.
If you are unfamiliar with Travis, I suggest you try and sample some of their music. The task should be as easy as logging onto the internet (dial-up customers may take a bit longer). What can it hurt, right? Trying something new should be exciting!
This same day, the Republican know as George W. Bush was elected for another term in office. “Four More Years” are the cries...excuse me...cheers, heard around the nation. Call this mantra the new “Shot Heard Around The World!” As my parents dance in the street with the other minions, I’ve decided to sit this one out. All I’ve got to say is, “If there is a GOD, please help us all.”
Mr. W, this song is for you. Count your blessings that this country is infested with an aging population who don’t know any better and are afraid of change.
Don’t just stand there watching it happening...
I can’t stand it; don’t feel it...
Something telling me...
Don’t wanna go out this way...
But have a nice day, then...
Read it in the headlines...
Watch it on the TV...
Put it in the background...
Stick it in the back, stick it in the back...
For the beautiful occupation.
The beautiful occupation.
You don’t need an invitation...
To drop in upon a nation...
I’m too cynical...
I’m just sitting here...
I’m just wasting my time...
Half a million civilians gonna die today...
But look the wrong way, then...
Read it in the headlines...
Watch it on the TV...
Put it in the background...
Stick it in the back, stick it in the back...
For the beautiful occupation.
The beautiful occupation.
You don’t need an invitation...
To drop in upon a nation...
Don’t just stand there...
Watching it happening...
I can’t feel it...
Don’t need this...
Something telling me...
Don’t wanna go out this way...
But have a nice day, then...
Read it in the headlines...
Watch it on the TV...
Put it in the background...
Stick it in the back, stick it in the back...
For the beautiful occupation.
The beautiful occupation.
You don’t need an invitation...
To drop in upon a nation...
The beautiful occupation.
The beautiful occupation.
So much for an intervention...
Don’t call the United Nations.