Fran Healy: Wreckorder

Fran Healy
Wreckorder
Rykodisc [2010]









Fire Note Says: Travis frontman Fran Healy goes solo and presents a very melodic introspective piece of work that is all his own!

Album Review:
It would have been easy for Travis frontman Fran Healy to make another "band" record but after 13 years, he finally felt that now was the perfect time in order for him to artistically reflect a more singular and personal vision with his solo debut Wreckorder. Healy admittedly was concerned that a solo record would sound too much like Travis and would have most fans and critics alike asking "what for"? Creating separation was actually a very tough task, considering Healy is the primary singer and songwriter for the band but Wreckorder is proof that it could be accomplished with its more simple folk-oriented and acoustic vibe, while being firmly supported by Fran's charming vocals and attention grabbing melodies. This venture also opened up opportunities for Healy, like playing nearly all the instruments himself, except for bass that was handled by Sam Dixon (Sia, Duffy, Corrine Bailey Rae) and the one and only Sir Paul McCartney on “As It Comes.” Fran also snagged Canadian siren Neko Case (New Pornographers) for a duet on one of the albums best tracks "Sing Me To Sleep". Their voices just blend perfectly and really should encourage a completely diffident side project. Overall, Wreckorder will be adored by Travis fans with its recognizable simplicity and the way Healy's tracks just know how to stick with you. This record probably still won't launch Healy to a massive new audience but Wreckorder provides a new path for him and one that proves that if anything ever happened to Travis, he would be just fine.

Key Tracks: "Sing Me To Sleep (w/ Neko Case)", "Buttercups", "As It Comes"

Bands With Similar Fire:
Brandon Flowers
Chris Martin
Noel Gallagher

Travis: Ode To J. Smith [Fire Note Review 11/14/08]
Travis: The Boy With No Name [Fire Note Review 5/9/07]

Fran Healy Website
Fran Healy MySpace
Fran Healy Facebook
Rykodisc
Travis Website

-Reviewed by Christopher Anthony