Labels: Damaged Goods – Incoming
Review by: Ian Cavell
Travis Cut – one of those obscure indie bands you’ll hear about now and again. The question is – are they actually any good? Well – if you heard the excellent ‘Asmuchas’ track from Snakebite City 7 then you’ll be disappointed. Why? Firstly because this track is not on the album. ‘Serial Incompetence’ has been out for quite some time now. And secondly because the material that is here doesn’t really match up quality wise.
Travis Cut make tunes that bear a striking resemblance to the tuneful pop-punk that bands such as China Drum and Midget consistently churn out. Although there is definitely a more ‘indie’ feel to the band. You might draw comparisons with bands such as Idlewild as the vocals (and style of song) are not dissimilar in places. It could also have something do with the production of the album. If the band are ever going to achieve critical acclaim then they are going to need to write a few songs that sound a little more ‘polished’.
Variation might also be in order. Almost every track bar the two bonus tracks sticks rigidly to the 2 minute, fast paced guitars, punk-pop formula. Taking each song individually this isn’t a problem but after a whole album’s worth of songs in a similar vain – it does prove a little hard to digest. The bonus track(s) – is number 68 if you interested (OK – why 68 tracks. Why not just say that you’re actually buying 14 tracks and not 12. Is their anything else more stupid in music?) Anyway – the bonus tracks (the first one in particular) – may be the saving grace of the album. Both are slow paced acoustic efforts that prove that Travis Cut are not just a one tune band. While punk-pop may well be their forte hopefully the newer material will see Travis Cut experiment a little.