The Travelling Band ‘Screaming is Something’ (Album Review)
Thursday, 16 June 2011
Written by Rob Sleigh
Coming from Manchester, The Travelling Band have got a lot to live up to and you may be forgiven for anticipating another mouthy bunch of swaggering, parka-wearing gentlemen again on this occasion. However, The Travelling Band are not the usual group of indie-rock upstarts that we’ve come to expect from that particular part of the country. But on the other hand, they may certainly fit in with the standard of music that England’s fountain of “all things pop” has kindly given us over the years. Sidestepping the city’s usual brand of brash guitar rock, The Travelling Band end up in a place much more rewarding in terms of its musical progression. ‘Screaming is Something’ is an album of such awe-inspiring diversity and ability, that it at first seems difficult to imagine them amongst the ranks of other English indie bands at all.
Mumford and Sons are possibly the closest recent example that The Travelling Band could be compared to upon a first visit to this, the group’s second album, which follows their 2008 debut ‘Under the Pavement’. However, unlike the Mumfords, The Travelling Band have reached much further beyond the usual boundaries of traditional English folk music. Tracks like album opener ‘Fairweather Friends’ and ‘Sundial’ come with a vague hint of a certain African influences, enveloped in the unusual background chanting that accompanies the music. On the latter example in particular, faint rings of Paul Simon’s ‘Graceland’ can even be heard amongst the string-accompanied rhythms.
Elsewhere, on several songs, the album encompasses a much more American-style folk rock sound, which will hardly come as a surprise to anyone that recognises the band’s name as the title of a Creedence Clearwater Revival number. However, the vocals help to maintain the authenticity of a group that wear their Englishness proudly, while embracing the sounds of alternative international music. A fine example of the US inspiration is a track called ‘Under the Pavement’, which also happens to be the name of The Travelling Band’s first album. The song employs elements of American roots rock in a manner not completely dissimilar to what Dire Straits once did. However, the track also merges into the realms of Floydian psychedelic blues, while drifting into a much more Celtic folk influence later on.
A track called ‘Horizon Me and You’ provides the most anthemic folk rock moment on ‘Screaming is Something’ and is probably the closest thing to anything that could even slightly resemble straightforward indie music. All in all, this a wonderful album that makes The Travelling Band a welcome addition to the growing world of English folk music. The marvel that is Mancunian rock lives on and The Travelling Band are its new unsung heroes.
Stereoboard Rating: 8/10
The Travelling Band UK & Ireland Tour Dates are as follows:
Fri June 17th 2011 - KU BAR, STOCKTON ON TEES
Sun June 19th 2011 - King Tuts Wah Wah Hut, Glasgow
Sun July 10th 2011 - Leigh Road Recreation Ground, Eastleigh
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Mumford and Sons are possibly the closest recent example that The Travelling Band could be compared to upon a first visit to this, the group’s second album, which follows their 2008 debut ‘Under the Pavement’. However, unlike the Mumfords, The Travelling Band have reached much further beyond the usual boundaries of traditional English folk music. Tracks like album opener ‘Fairweather Friends’ and ‘Sundial’ come with a vague hint of a certain African influences, enveloped in the unusual background chanting that accompanies the music. On the latter example in particular, faint rings of Paul Simon’s ‘Graceland’ can even be heard amongst the string-accompanied rhythms. 
