... The Man Who combines both – excellent singles, which are still listenable after all this time, but with a quality that means the non-single tracks are never just 'fillers'.
I find myself making a comparison – and I apologise profusely: it seems everyone these days is compared ... Read review
The Man Who - Travis
The ultimate slow-burner, Travis's second album infused its way into the psyche of ... more
post-Radiohead Britain with an endearingly humble grace. It's not quite certain how Travis went from being the happy-clappy Britpop also-rans of their debut Good Feeling...
The Man Who - Travis
The ultimate slow-burner, Travis's second album infused its way into the psyche of ... more
post-Radiohead Britain with an endearingly humble grace. It's not quite certain how Travis went from being the happy-clappy Britpop also-rans of their debutGood Feelingt...
A review by Calypte on Man Who, The - Travis August 14th, 2001
Author's product rating:
Originality
Definitely a cut above the rest
Lyrics
Thought-provoking
Quality and consistency of tracks
Flawless
How does it compare to the artist's other releases
Outstanding
Value for Money
Advantages:
lasting appeal, good overall quality
Disadvantages:
none
Recommend to potential buyers:
yes
Full review
Oops – I made the mistake of writing this before looking at just how many opinions there are already for this album, hence the title. Still, overcrowded or not, I've written so I'm posting!! :)
It seems to me that a decent album should have an appeal that lasts beyond the appeal of the singles. In fact, I tend to find the well-known singles from an album, while making it easier to get into it to start with, can get quite grating through over-familiarity. So I tend to judge a lot of albums by the quality of the non-single tracks. The Man Who combines both – excellent singles, which are still listenable after all this time, but with a quality that means the non-single tracks are never just 'fillers'.
I find myself making a comparison – and I apologise profusely: it seems everyone these days is compared with Radiohead, but as someone pointed out, Radiohead are so diverse and complex, that just about anything you listen to will have something in common. With this, I think the acoustic guitars remind me of a few quieter Bends-era Radiohead tracks, and also the occasional moment in Fran Healy's singing. Partly the clean, high-ish pitch, I suppose, but there are also a few occasions on here where his voice becomes less a vocal and more just another instrument. Coincidently, this album was mixed by Nigel Godrich, who also works on Radiohead's albums (from The Bends onward). Also, I see a correlation between the both bands' first to second albums moving from an almost harsh rock sound, to something far more mellow and cohesive. And of course, they’re both favourite albums of mine!
Anyway, enough of my babbling about other bands – on to the tracks (number in brackets is highest chart positions):
(1) Writing to Reach You (#14) First single to be release from The Man Who, after almost a year of silence since the band's previous album. It got them on Top of the Pops for the first time!
(2) The Fear A definite favourite of mine. It's almost a surprise to find this is a love song, but a refreshingly un-saccarine one.
(3) As You Are I could imagine Thom Yorke (Radiohead) singing this – there's just such a beautiful snarl as Fran sings the line 'As You Are'. One of my favourites of this album.
(4) Driftwood (#13) Interesting fact: there's a line in the second verse "Pillars turn to butter". It's not really as cryptic as you might think. Fran Healy, looking for a match for the first verse's "Rivers turn to ocean" thought of caterpillars turning into butterflies – of course, that wouldn't scan, so he just lopped off a few syllabils and voila - pillars and butter! Second single to be release from the album.
(5) Last Laugh of the Laughter Just in case anyone doesn't know, the French in the song ("Sur la dernier page du chapitre") means "On the last page of the chapter". A very gentle little track.
(6) Turn (#8) Contains the worst line of the album – "And what's the moon? A big balloon" – a rhyme that still makes me cringe every time I hear it! Mind you, the rest of the song's not that much better lyrically – fairly good tune, though, so despite my lyrical misgivings I still like it! The last single release from the album.
(7) Why Does It Always Rain On Me? (#10) Because you live in Scotland, Francis. It rains on all of us here most of the time. Stop asking such silly questions!! Only kidding. However, this song is notorious for 'causing' the heavens to open when it was played at the Glastonbury festival. The third single from the album, this has attained something of an ‘anthem’ status, not undeservingly.
(8) Luv I think this song is absolutely lovely. A nice, gentle love song, with a harmonica thrown in for good measure.
(9) She's So Strange A rather whimsical song. If there's has to be a weakest track on the album, I think I'd pick this – which just goes to show the overall quality, as this is still a good song.
(10) Slide Show Another interesting thing: there are mentions in this track of three other songs – 'Devil's Haircut' by Beck, 'Wonderwall' by Oasis, and 'Design for Life' by the Manic Street Preachers. I've heard Fran Healy defend himself on this: it's not meant as a dig at any of those songs or bands, but means the way hearing a particular song can instantly conjure up memories of a period of your life. Now you know! Very slow, not quite sombre track, which I always feel gives something of a sleepy finish to the main part of the album.
(10+) Hidden track Hmm... wouldn't it be funny if a band ever actually called a song 'Hidden track'? Actually, I bet someone already has. Answers on a postcard, please. Anyway, this is a gem of a track, very dark. Kicks in about 6:50 on track 10. With the line, "Call me a name and I'll slap you again - You're a slut, you're a bitch, you're a whore", you might want to stop the CD before now if your granny is in the room. Ahem. This is sometimes known as 'Blue Flashing Light'.
Overall, this is quite a gentle, all-round 'nice' album. There's a good consistency in quality and content, meaning no song jumps out as outstandingly good or really bad. There's a very definite change in style from Good Feeling, the band's first album, to a more introspective, less harsh rock sound. It seems almost a pity that this album was SO successful, as a lot of people have since dismissed it - purely for being too popular, I think. In my opinion, this absolutely deserved to be the album of 1999, and will continue to hold a high place in my CD collection.
...band Travis came with “The Man Who” in 1999 as their second release. It found the Scottish band refining the sound of their music from more of a Rock sound to a much more mellow, mainstream-friendly Pop material (in comparison to their 1997 debut “Good Feeling” record). It features the same line-up who have gone on to produce a further four albums together with Francis Healey on lead vocals, Andrew Dunlop on the guitar, Douglas pain on bass and Neil ... ...The album kicks off with what was the lead single to the album and one which stood as one of the most popular cuts from the album as it finds them laying down a smooth cut where they are able to ease listeners in and give them a chance to get into their style as they perform a rather mild song which doesn’t really do anything particularly eventful to make you feel either strongly in favour or against it. **Two Stars** 2. “The Fear” Off some rather ...
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15.09.2009
Really Nice Review ofMan Who, The - Travisby
code_kev
Advantages: Relaxing, with some quality tunes Disadvantages: Some not quite up too par
Ok, you may have read my other cd reviews, and you can see I'm a metal fan, but I also like the softer stuff, so I guess it's fitting reviewing this fine cd, because it has some really nice relaxing songs on it.
The usual song by song thing I like too do!
Writing To Reach You. A really nice and relaxing song, well sung, it all sort of flows together in a really cool way. The Instruments sound strange but really suit the song down too a tee. It's ... ...Very different to the last, sounds jazzy and relaxed as hell. With soft washed out singing, and slow beat. It's a relaxing song, with a very nice chorus, well song too, but a bit bland in places. Nice lyrics 8/10
As you Are. Once again, really darn relaxing and slow, good to "cill" too. It's the normal travis stuff, good. Sounds a bit bland though. 7/10
Driftwood. The one everyone has heard, it deserved to do well, mainly becasue it's a thousand ...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
Advantages: great start, catchy, meaningful lyrics, wonderful voice, original techniques Disadvantages: Short Album, fades towards the end
The Man Who is the second album by the band Travis. I have to admit, I really didn't like their first album, I found it dull and boring, and was reluctant to listen to their second, but wow! They sure have come a long way in my opinion. From soft ballads to upbeat tunes, this album is fantastic!
Travis have been around since 1996, but only recently seem to have truly established themselves, with groovy tunes, a wonderful style, and meaningful lyrics. ... ...really touched me. Here's a breakdown of the tracks:
1. Writing to Reach You - they start the album with a musical masterpiece. The tones and chords they find in this are amazing; it has quite a simple and catchy rhythm, very light guitars and drumming, with quite a complicated and effective base line. The lyrics are quite touching, and I'd say this is a very effective start to a wonderful album.
2. The Fear - This song starts with a fairly simple ...
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01.03.2001
The band who Review ofMan Who, The - Travisby
shanecahill
Advantages: Fran's vocals Disadvantages: One or two weak links
...Good Feeling,
and this The Man Who. This one's da bomb with some of the best sing along songs ever. Let's start at the beginning, shall we?
Writing To Reach You, using the chords from Wonderwall, turned travis from a garage band into one of the best established bands in Britain. This one's amazing, especially if you've ever heard it acoustic.
The Fear is the next classic with stunning vocals and great music to support Fran Healy's dominant voice. ... ...Are sets new standards for the album with a 4 or 5 second guitar solo which makes the whole song. Sublime.
Driftwood is one of those songs that, love it or hate it, you've no choice but to sing along. Luckily for me, and most of the people who bought this album, we LUV it!
Last Laugh Of The Laughter sees Fran change from English to French in parts on this slow, smoochy song. Basically him backed up with an acoustic. Magnificent.
Turn was Travis' ...
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very helpful
24.06.2001
Simply Superb Review ofMan Who, The - Travisby
starry
Advantages: Travis at their best (so far) Disadvantages: None, in my opinion
I have to admit that this is one of my favourite albums of all time.
Fran Healy and Co. have had many hits from this including "Driftwood", "Writing To Reach You" and "Turn". It also contains the anthem "Why Does It Always Rain On Me" which, being from Glasgow myself, I can certainly understand why it was written as I find myself regularly reciting it when I get drenched on my way home from the pub!
However, along with the well known hits, the ... ...personal favourite "The Last Laugh Of The Laughter". This sees Fran mixing both French and English lyrics together to produce a very haunting song which is definitely one of the best tracks on the whole album in my opinion. It has been said that you should listen to this if you are looking for some serious music (along the lines of Radiohead) but I find that it is not all doom and gloom and the tracks are as easy to listen to as most other non-poppy ...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
Advantages: Excellent album, that has a very wide appeal. Some excellent singles and superb album tracks Disadvantages: It's perhaps too good that they raised the expectation too high for the rest of their albums
...One of the best albums of 1999, if not the 90?s as a whole was the second album from Scottish band Travis. They followed up Good Feeling with one of the best albums I?d heard in a long time. It took a very mellow vibe but certainly made it work for Fran and Co. As a result The ManWho has become one of those albums that most people own. If you like Indie then I?d say it?s almost a certainty that there is a copy of this album in your CD collection.
This was back in the times where NME didn?t pick up on every new band proclaiming them the new this or that. In fact the first album from the Scottish 4 piece was released in 1997 and slipped through virtually unnoticed. This second album would really herald the announcement that Travis had arrived. It was produced by Nigel Godrich, who can now include both Travis and Radiohead as bands he...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
Advantages: Every song is brilliant Disadvantages: None
...I have been fan of the British Indie scene for about 15 years, and this is by far the best album that I have heard from that genre in all that time. I never thought I would find myself saying that about an album, particular when compared to the stunning OK Computer (Radiohead), Urban Hymns (the Verve) and The ManWho (Travis). To say that the album rates alongside those greats would be praise indeed, so to surpass them (at least in my opinion) is one hell of an achievement. From the stomping "The Bartender and the Thief", to the haunting "Hurry Up and Wait", this album has everything. If you only buy one album this year, then make sure its this one....
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Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful
Advantages: Great band, great tunes Disadvantages: Midsummer Night's Dreamin' - the worst song they have ever done
...Okay.. you all know whoTravis are. Lovely bunch of Scottish guys, produced lovely best selling album 'The ManWho'; debut should sound quite similar, nice choruses and acoustic guitars. 50/50? Sorry mate, you're wrong.
I've been into Travis since the heady days of 1996' debut 'All I Want To Do Is Rock' and when this LP was released in '97 I rushed out to buy it and played it til my mates were sick to death of it; the crescedo and beauty of 'More Than Us' and 'Funny Thing' were my particular favourites, but I loved the singalongs of 'Tied To The '90s' and 'U16 Girls' as well. Having become totally hooked on Travis, it was a shame to see such songs disappear from thelive set; no-one can deny that 'the ManWho' is a classic LP, but there is no need to sacrifice your past.
Indeed, many Travis fans actually prefer this album to it...
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Label / Distributor: Independiente / Sony Music/Arvato Services
Producer: Nigel Godrich; Mike Hedges
Pieces in Set: 1
Studio / Live: Studio
Stereo: Stereo
Format: Performer
EAN: 5099749462427
Additional notes
Album Notes: Travis: Fran Healy, Dougie, Andy, Neil. Additional personnel includes: Sarah Wilson (cello). Engineers include: Gerard Navarro. THE MAN WHO was an astonishingly successful and critically praised follow-up to Travis's inconspicuous 1997 debut, GOOD FEELING. Amidst the upbeat but uninspired post-Britpop guitar scene, the Glaswegian four-piece refined the tender moments from the group's first album to produce a work of unexpected subtlety and confidence. The stunning first single and opening track "Writing to Reach You" sets the mood. The song evokes the fragility and lyrical ache of Radiohead's "High and Dry" and name-checks Oasis's "Wonderwall." From the claustrophobic "The Fear" to the mocking self-pity of "Why Does It Always Rain On Me?" to the somnolent "As You Are" and the mellow resignation of "Driftwood," Fran Healy and company wrest a range of emotions from the simplest of acoustic arrangements. Only the solitary stray into bombast of "Turn" disappoints, but it still serves to demonstrate how far the group has progressed.
Album Reviews: Rolling Stone (1/4/01, p.117) - Included in Rolling Stone's "Top 50 Albums of 2000". Entertainment Weekly (12/29/00, p.138) - Ranked #4 in EW's Top 10 Albums of 2000 - "...Wimpiness never sounded so honorable..." Q (6/00, p.69) - Ranked #54 in Q's "100 Greatest British Albums" - "...A succession of great moments stitched together with a craftman's care, sprinkled with a hint of lonliness..." Rolling Stone (4/27/00, p.66) - 3.5 stars out of 5 - "...Sentimental pub rock at its warmest, with gorgeous guitar hooks and boy-next-door sincerity....If you have any weakness for sad-eyed Celtic troubadour pop [this album] will feed your jones and invite you to stay for supper." Alternative Press (4/00, p.104) - 3 out of 5 - "...As ethereal post-Britpop goes, this is top-shelf material; the lyrics sound simultaneously hip and self-defeatist...and singer Fran Healy sounds suitably depressed..." CMJ (3/27/00, p.3) - "...rapturous melodies and a sense of hopeful radiance within an otherwise sad and gloomy art-pop framework....a compelling work of beauty...".
Titles on disc 1
1.: Writing To Reach You
2.: Fear
3.: As You Are
4.: Driftwood
5.: Last Laugh Of The Laugh
6.: Turn
7.: Why Does It Always Rain On Me
8.: Luv
9.: She's So Strange
10.: Slide Show
11.: Blue Flashing Light
12.: Writing To Reach You (LPL/mix)
13.: Driftwood (CDL)
14.: Writing To Reach You (CDL)
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