The Man Who

Performer: Travis (UK)
Producer: Ian Grimble; Mike Hedges; Nigel Godrich
Distributor: Sony Music Distribution (

Notes: Travis: Fran Healy, Dougie, Andy, Neil. Additional personnel includes: Sarah Wilson (cello). Engineers include: Gerard Navarro. Personnel: Sara Wilson (cello). Audio Mixer: Nigel Godrich. Recording information: Rak Studios (09/1998). 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.

Rolling Stone (1/4/01, p.117) - Included in Rolling Stone's "Top 50 Albums of 2000". 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." 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..." 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...".

Glasgow, Scotland's Travis started off as an alt-rock band in 1997 (look no further than the early track "All I Want To Do Is Rock"), but transformed into Britpop songcrafters for their massive sophomore release, THE MAN WHO. Praised by Oasis' Noel Gallagher, Travis became one of the most popular European groups of the early 21st century. Their gentle, melodic approach became a hallmark of the latter-day Britpop sound.

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