Solo projects can be a chance for someone to break free from the restraints of their band. Robbie Williams succumbed to his Britpop urges in his decision to leave Take That, and Carl Barat is seeking new pastures with his post-Libertines releases. Much further back, Michael Jackson and John Lennon left their respective bands to change their respective styles. From this debut solo release, Fran Healy’s name can’t be added to that list.
Healy will always be tragically stereotyped by the image of the melancholy frontman of Travis, and ‘Wreckorder’ does nothing to break away from this. In fact, casual listeners could mistake this for Travis’ first release since 2008’s ‘Ode To J. Smith’. The only difference though is the fact Healy features almost independently, save for a couple of contributions. And it is wonderfully built and produced.
‘In The Morning’ builds the momentum as a piano-driven opener, and ‘Anything’ sees Healy combine heavy violins and acoustic guitars to create an atmospheric ballad about love. ‘Fly In The Ointment’ is a wonderfully seductive lyric-based song, enticing from the off with a thought-provoking undertone and one of the highlights.
American singer-songwriter Neko Case duets with Healy on ‘Sing Me To Sleep’, with their dreamlike vocals combining well to give an alluring feel. And in a musical coup, Paul McCartney features on bass in ‘As It Comes’, a morbidly merry tale of a failing relationship. Healy reaches his most sombre mood in ‘Rocking Chair’; a story of grandchildren and memories, summed up by the lines ‘staring at the rising tide/where did all the time go by?’.
But as any hater of Travis will say, the style doesn’t change much and as you get to ‘Shadow Boxing’, a busy piano pacesetter, the soft-rock feel of the album is beginning to wear thin even for the most ardent Healy fans. Lead single ‘Buttercups’ could be a Travis single; the most radio-friendly song on the album but with sickly lyrics and a romantic rejection story behind it. ‘Holiday’ will probably follow as the next single, but again the bright and breezy chorus make it a little too radio-friendly and some of the album’s more intelligent songs should instead be released.
‘Moonshine’ serves brilliantly as an album-ender; a Healy song with a bit of a groove, it’s the only beat-driven toe-tapper on show and the atmospheric sing-along serves as a bit of relief after some enjoyable yet involving tracks.
Fran Healy is an underrated songwriter. With each song beautifully constructed and soulfully delivered, ‘Wreckorder’ is a very enjoyable listen and Healy once again shows himself to be a talented lyricist and musician. But the similar style of each track begins to tire towards the end, and anybody who doesn’t count Travis as one of their favourite bands, this one won’t be for you.
Enjoyable album, and I'm tied between two songs for my favourite track. 'Moonshine' is well worth a listen, but here's 'Fly In My Ointment' for your enjoyment.
NWR
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