Customer Reviews

The Man Who

5 star:		(160)
4 star:		(52)
3 star:		(27)
2 star:		(12)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

A bought this album with no previous knowledge of Travis, but primarily after hearing of the success that it enjoyed in Britain, both critically and commercially. Thank God for hunches. Fran Healy's voice is simply angelic, occupying a nearly identical octave range as Thom York from Radiohead, minus York's always-present sense of panic. I would be hard-pressed not to pay top-billing to see them live with Oasis, and one has to wonder who may be opening for whom in the future. I would think that they are winking at both the listener and Oasis themselves by beginning "Writing to Reach You," with the same chord progression as "Wonderwall," but that is where the similarities cease between the two groups, and Travis sets out to achieve one of the most hypnotically beautiful and melodically stunning albums to come out of Britain, or any other country for that matter in many, many years. No real need for me to recommend it to everyone, because anyone who truly appreciates great music will have this album soon enough. Travis have truly opened up their own niche in the Brit-pop lexicon, combining professional musicianship and Fran Healy's devastating vocals and equally beautiful and heartfelt lyrics. Bliss. Enjoy.

I've been waiting for this album for a full year, holding off on buying it from the UK and paying through the nose. However, after hearing this latest from Travis, I'm kicking myself that I didn't do it earlier. Simply amazing is the only thing I can say. Every song, and I mean every single one, is a classic. I can see where the comparisons to Radiohead come from, but it's a different feeling entirely. Where as the melencholy associated with Radiohead is heavily depressing, what The Man Who does, is make you think of all the little moments in your life that in retrospect were the big moments. Like that girl you let get away, or wondering what if... Sad and dreamy but with a tinge of the kind of hope that everyone needs to keep going in their daily life. Grin and bear it... Standouts include Writing to Reach You, Driftwood, The Last Laugh of Laughter (which almost sounds like a lullaby) and She's so Strange, which is the perfect winsome, what if? song. Slide Show is a perfect ending to the proper tracks. The extra tracks are almost as good, but a little rough around the edges. Amazing work from these guys. Their last one, 1997's Good Feeling was great, but this is heads and shoulders above anything anyone had a right to expect. I doubt this one will ever be far from my cd player for the rest of my days. Haunting, beautiful, melodic, and dreamlike. Buy it, you will never regret it.

and now it carries me back. I'm pretty sure I made it through a year of school because of this album. The Man Who explores a wide variety of emotional themes. "Writing To Reach You" and "Why Does It Always Rain On Me?" are the standout tracks, but the whole thing is really a lyrical and instrumental tour de force. Buy this album so you, too, can listen to it compulsively for months, then remember those months of your life every time you return the CD to the player. Radiohead refuses to get this emotional, and Coldplay will do it, but usually arena-style. Both of those bands make good albums for other times, but you can play this in a quiet room and calmly soak it up. And who doesn't need an album like that?

Thanks to a strong recommendation from my brother, I didn't hesitate to pick up this second release by Travis. Upon first listen, I couldn't see why he felt this was such a great collection, but after 4 more spins, I was convinced. This is a fantastic album and a truly impressive one, given the fact that it's only their second.

Travis falls somewhere on the musical scale between Oasis and Radiohead. Granted, none of the tracks on The Man Who are as loud as some of those by the two aforementioned groups; but there are similarities. Musically, the 10 tracks on this cd fall somewhere between "Cast No Shadow" by Oasis and "Let Down" by Radiohead.

That's not to say that The Man Who isn't inviting. With the strong opening track "Writing To Reach You", the album opens extremely well. Above all, it showcases the band's ability to write great mid tempo pop songs and execute them flawlessly. Another bright spot of the album is "Driftwood", which picks up where "Writing" left off. The rest of the album seems to maintain a very laid back feel throughout, but it's far from boring. "She's So Strange" and "The Last Laugh Of The Laughter" demonstrate some of the bands more Beatle-esque qualities. Even the bonus tracks are memorable here.

All in all, this is an excellent collection of strong and accessible music. It's the perfect choice for anyone who enjoys Brit-pop, but isn't looking for something that will change the world. That having been said, it's still 100 times better then anything else on American radio right now (not that that's saying much).

Although some of the first Travis songs I ever heard came from The Invisible Band ("Sing", "Side"), I have to say that this CD is the superior one. Alas, there's no prominent hit like a "Sing" that haunts the radio waves, but unknown classics like "Why Does It Always Rain On Me?" and "Luv" prove more effectual; and in turn so does the entire album. If you've heard anything off The Invisible Band then you will certainly love The Man Who. This CD makes you think, relax and dance (want to, at least) all at the same time. Other reviews note that Travis works like a cross between heavyweights Oasis and Radiohead. That's very true. And that's okay. These songs are all great; and very memorable. Here's an overview of the ten tracks:

1. Writing To Reach You - 5/5 - a very catchy, up-beat song. And since there's not a lot of up-beat songs on The Man Who, it really stands out. The verse `the radio is playing all the usual / and what's a wonderwall anyway?' is great; and is an obvious nod to Oasis. Funny, but smart at the same time. A perfect start to the CD...

2. The Fear - 3.5/5 - although one of the weaker songs on the album, it is more mellow and laid back compared to the opener. It falls short of the depressing tones latter tracks offer, and is not quite cheery enough to stand out. Isolating, but good nonetheless.

3. As You Are - 4.5/5 - very simplistic lyrics seem to work wonders for this one. The singer's voice is almost too mellow for comfort. And yet you'll feel very contented listening to this. It's a song about being `different'; and the screeching midway through is certainly just that. Great solo as well (something Travis is not known for).

4. Driftwood - 4/5 - `home is where the heart is / but your heart had to roam': one of the great lines within the song. The guitar work here is excellent--some of the best on the CD--but the lyrics (minus the above line and a few more) are a bit more average.

5. The Last Laugh Of The Laughter - 4/5 - this entire song is very reminiscent of Radiohead. Sadly, the way they used the French sayings (`c'est la vie', `tout ma vie') didn't really seem to fit. But the way the singer sings the title makes up for it.

6. Turn - 5/5 - although released as a single (while still receiving a five-out-of-five), I believe there a few other songs that might outdo this one. It has all the qualifications of a hit single: a good beat, good lyrics, and an overall enjoyable sound. And the lyrics really stand out.

7. Why Does It Always Rain On Me? - 5/5 - this is probably my favorite song on The Man Who and of the band. The sound is very mellow at first, but picks up to become more up-beat and pop-ish (don't be deceived) in the chorus. When contemplating the title, the singer wonders: `was it because I lied when I was 17?'. Splendid!

8. Luv - 5/5 - I always enjoy when bands throw in a rarely used instrument in one of their songs. And the harmonica works beautifully on this track. In the song, the vocalist is speaking directly to Luv (maybe a person, maybe the feeling); which makes the song very likable. It's one of the more serene tracks on The Man Who.

9. She's So Strange - 3.5/5 - the one sounds more like it belongs on Good Feeling, Travis' almost-unknown debut. Its lyrics scream for attention, whereas the tune is as laid back as ever. Along with "The Fear", this is one of the weakest on the album. But again, still decent.

10. Slide Show - 4.5/5 - this is a rather typical closer for the type of CD this was. And that's perfectly fine. It brings certain amounts of depressing vibes while still managing to seem up-beat. It's diversity, though not its lyrics, are what make it so pleasing. The guitar work is also very alluring. The only reason it's not perfect is because the hidden track is about ten times better (exaggeration).

xx. Hidden Track - 5/5 - I think the title for it is "Blue Flashing Lights"; as if that makes a difference. Although all ten tracks have seemed to be diverse enough, this one is easily the most atypical, out-of-the-ordinary Travis song you'll ever hear. It's vulgar, coarse, and even features a few swear words. The lead singer seems to be letting go of some (choice word) overwhelming hostility. And that makes for my favorite song on the album. I always skip to this one first and THEN let the album play through. It's just that awesome. Do not overlook it!

Although The Man Who is very comparable to their beloved 2001 album, The Invisible Band, I will once more state that this album is better. It's just more well-rounded and so overly diverse that you can't ignore or dislike any of the songs. And the unchecked aggression that you hear on the hidden track makes it worth the purchase alone. It just shows how amazing the CD is as a whole. And timeless gems like "Why Does It Always Rain On Me?", "Luv", "Writing To Reach You", and "Turn" are all worthy of radio time, no doubt. If you own and enjoy The Invisible Band then I highly recommend this CD as well. And if you don't know much about Travis, just listen to the 30-second samples above. You can decide from there. This is a brilliant release from a band that doesn't get the attention or respect they deserve. Even if it seems they want to be invisible, don't let them.

Travis took a dramatic step from their previous album, "Good Feeling" and I adore both forms of this Brit-rock staple. I love all the songs on the cd, literally every single one. From the slightly incomprehensible "She's so Strange" to the simple but effective "Slide Show". Some of the songs are unmistakably tied to emotional times in my life, and "Why Does it always Rain on me" reminds me very strongly of three rainy but happy months I spent in Scotland. The extra tracks are also definitely worth a listen. "Blue Flashing Light" always scares me because I forget its there and I am usually dosing off at the end of the cd when this slightly disturbing hidden track comes on. But here Travis just shows their versatality. However, my the Man Who experience is highlighted by one of my favorite Travis songs of all time, "Writing to Reach You", a song that borrows from Oasis and comes out with something better. Fran Healy shows that simplicity is more poetic than any indecipherable metaphor Radiohead can come up with. I still love Radiohead; I just love Travis more.

I origianlly wrote a review of this when it was import-only. This disc is so good I decided to write another review for the domestic release. It is very true one can see a direct link between Radiohead and Travis, but I mainly attribute that to Fran's vocals and not much else. What Travis do so well is write beautiful songs with some simple, yet gorgeous melodies. This is not very experimental nor is it groundbreaking, just a wonderfully straight forward pop record. (after all, quadruple platinum in the U.K. must mean something) Those who were patient and waited for the domestic version get the extra bonus of 2 more songs that appear as the last hidden tracks. If you like what they do, I also suggest picking up their first, more up-tempo debut, "Good Feeling", as well as the single to "Turn", which has an awesome cover of the Brittney Spears hit, Baby One More Time. (You just gotta hear it, believe me)

Travis is currently touring the states, they put on an amazing live show, so go see them if you can.

Last summer, many music fans in the United Kingdom were astonished by Travis's unprecedented success, which commenced numerous weeks after the release of the band's sophomore album, The Man Who. Even after selling more than 2.5 million copies of the album and winning two Brit Awards (the U.K. equivalent of the Grammys) for Best Group and Best Album, the members of Travis are determined to keep their egos in check and to connect with audiences worldwide through honest lyrics and exquisite melodies.

The Man Who resonates in the hearts of its listeners because the songs express innate human truths. Fran Healy's (Travis's lyricist and singer) descriptions of love, loss, and desire immediately tap into the soul. Appropriately, Beck's and Radiohead's current producer, Nigel Godrich, helped arrange the album's delicate harmonies. The emotion and sensitivity in Healy's singing might even remind some of Radiohead's Thom Yorke, especially on the Beatles-esque "The Last Laugh of the Laughter."

Regardless, Healy's passionate, sincere words stand out; for example, the identifiable, ironic lyrics of the upbeat "Why Does It Always Rain On Me?" were arguably the catalyst for the album's success in Europe. In "Writing to Reach You" and "Slide Show," Healy alludes to "Wonderwall" by Oasis, a band to whom Travis has also been compared. As he explained during a U.S. promotional tour earlier this year, the latter tune is about how songs can spark images and memories in one's mind. Healy also added that the sweet "As You Are" is about the importance of lowering one's guard and taking off masks. On the domestic version of The Man Who, listeners are rewarded with three hidden songs at the end of the album: "Blue Flashing Light," "20," and "Only Molly Knows." The standout track, "20" is an introspective, acoustic tune about a person leaving behind the teenage years. The Man Who is a moving and addictive record. With Healy's considerable songwriting abilities and the musical talents of all its four members, Travis has a promising chance of reaching American audiences.

I bought this album a couple of months ago,expecting a couple of good hits and the rest fill-ins,but I was pleasantly surprised. Most of the songs are very good.'Writing to Reach You' is a wonderful track,with a beautiful chorus,my favourite of the album.'The Last Laugh of Laughter' reminds me of the Beatles' 'Michelle' with its French lyrics in the middle.I can never get tired of listening to it.'Turn' is the fastest song on the album, the closest they get to fast rock'n roll.I really like the way it starts up slow and then slowly gets faster.'Why does it always Rain on me' is the hit of the album,what made the band famous.'Driftwood' is a sweet song,with a catchy melody.The rest aren't as good as the ones I have just mentioned,bhut still round off the album well.The album can sometimes get frustrating, wishing that some of the songs were faster and harder.This is no OK Computer.Travis' songs are not as complex nor have as many mix ups.Radiohead are still on another level. But Healy's Yorke(from Radiohead) like voice is superb,and the album simply makes you feel good,not having to listen to anymore techno or rap.I strongly recommend it.

Travis's THE MAN WHO is an excellent sophomore effort from a band that is too little known in the States. It is a much softer and more coherent effort than their debut (GOOD FEELING), with a few real gems. Normally I wouldn't like a band that is so clearly derivative, but here the influences seem to improve upon the original.

The sound of this album is best described as a cross between Oasis and Radiohead (Travis has toured with Oasis; they share a producer with Radiohead). The songs are less angry than those of Oasis and more accessible than those of Radiohead. Lead singer Fran Healy has the quintessential voice for a star of the British rock band--just enough accent, just enough attitude.

The sound of the album is amazingly consistent; most of the songs are midtempo, a place where Travis seems to excel. Particularly strong tracks on the album include "Writing to Reach You," "Driftwood," "Why Does It Always Rain On Me?", and the hidden track "Blue Flashing Light." "Writing to Reach You" blatantly steals the opening chords from Oasis's "Wonderwall" (Healy has admitted this publicly), but it changes it up enough to make something original and quiet good; this song really showcases his voice. "Driftwood" is very poppy, light and bouncy. "Why Does Is Always Rain On Me?", the song which launched this album in the UK, has very amusing lyrics.

The hidden track "Blue Flashing Light" is a little different from the other songs on the album. It's louder and more defiant (it's a song about domestic abuse) and, pleasantly enough, it works. The sound of THE MAN WHO is so even that it often seems like a mood piece, something to put on when you're feeling a little blue. "Blue Flashing Light" suggests that Travis can truly rock when they want--and I'm personally looking forward to their next album (due in the spring, early summer 2001), which promises to deliver some more excellent midtempo songs (like "Coming Around", their latest UK single) as well as some more all-out rock songs.

Highly recommended to fans of early Oasis and Radiohead, as well as people with a general hankering for Britpop.