Reviews (page 4 of 9)
Good with one exceptional hit
There is nothing so bad about this album, but listening in 2025 it feels so ordinary and lacking in any particularly interesting features to warrant a 1001 listing. Anywho. After a weary start, once I actually settled in I could appreciate it as some fairly decent rock, nicely put together. No one element swamps the other but they do combine to create something a bit like a Twix extra chocolate bar. It’s alright, but I don’t need it, I wouldn’t have chosen it if better options were available and it doesn’t fill me with satisfaction.
I have no issue with the muscians (Or vocals) just the application. Some of the potential skill is excellent and the craft is clean. Its like a TikTok, it wont rot your brain but it is a quick flash of content but otherwise leaves you wanting. I had this album growing up (not sure if I purchased or was given). At the time not sure I would have declared this fact to anyone as it was never a happy companion of mine "guilty pleasure" or otherwise. Shame I or the person that gave it to me didnt have the sense to give me a (any) Radiohead album instead!
I remember this being a hit in the UK and it got a lot of play time in my house growing up. I wasn't particularly excited to listen to this again, though. It's perfectly inoffensive, boring, middle aged dinner party music that no longer holds my interest. It seemed a big deal at the time but it's popularity is probably just an indicator of it's blandness. Nice for a nostalgic listen from the end of the last century.
Not bad.
Decent. 3/5
Fine for background music, not interesting enough to warrant multiple plays
ok
Very good album.
Kind of a timeless sound. Some haunting guitars, but an alright journey of an album.
I thought the reviews calling this boring were exaggerating, but they nailed it. It’s not bad, just drags on far too long.
Cute little soft rock album that I surprisingly enjoyed. 3/5, simply because its not anything I haven't heard elsewhere, but its still an enjoyable listen. Feels like 2005-2010 soft rock, which I enjoy a lot.
some songs are great, but some are pretty forgettable. generally right in my ballpark!
First time listening. Enjoying the mellow dreamlike quality. Three to four stars.
Like if you want to listen to Radiohead but don’t want the intellectual challenge. Why Does it Always Rain on Me is a good song. Pretty mediocre otherwise.
Jamás se me habría ocurrido que podria haberme encontrado nada de Travis en la página esta, y me ha sorprendido para bien. Además con este álbum. Que bien. Esta debe de ser de las bandas más infravaloradas que se me ocurren. En su momento se les comparaba con Coldplay o Oasis, y no hate pero no me dan los brazos para alargarlos y representar la distancia a la que se encuentran estas bandas de Travis. A ver, a lo mejor me he pasado (si) pero son muy buenos, y con la de mierda que han sacado esos dos grupos desde entonces me sorprende que sigan manteniendo ese estatus. Bueno a lo que iba, el álbum mola mucho. Tiene momentos super distintos unos de otros, aun teniendo la misma instrumentación. La mitiquisima "Why does it always rain on me?" habla por si sola y otras canciones como "Luv" son dignas de mención. Esta chulo. Yo habría puesto quizás por calidad musical su álbum de 2007 "The boy with no name" pero entiendo que este es más representativo. venga, aqui me cuesta ponerle el 4 sobre 5, a pesar de que soy un glazer de la hostia. Pero se lo voy a poner igual.
Very cohesive album. Mood switcher so be careful. If u are resistant to Radioheads moods ur good to go and enjoy
Singer is on some Thom Yorke shit for sure. It's hard to hear anything else, not that there's a whole lot to listen to. Sounds like a diluted, safe take on Bends-era Radiohead. Very boring. Very white people-sounding.
Is the man who...Travis? And if so, Travis who? That mystery is more interesting than this album. Favorite Track: "Luv".
Discount Radiohead. Not bad, but why is it here?
Took me two attempts to finish this. A snoozefest.
I never heard of this band before but honestly made me a little angry listening to this, and hard not to skip most tracks - It seems like very safe music, designed to be inoffensive in all aspects which pisses me off because it feels safe, I am not even sure if it deserves "ok" 2 stars, possibly my 2nd 1 star here.
Not bad
Radiohead fra Temu?
Driftwood - really similar tune to Blur's 'The Universal' towards the end. Surprised Writing to Reach You wasn't more famous; I've played it on repeat for the last year or so. Turn and Why Does it Always Rain on Me? are of course great. Luv and Slide Show are very sweet - latter sounds really familiar.
Late 90s. Ok
This was a nice ride. For a second I was hanging out with my friends in the dorm room again.
I like the music and love the singer's voice, but the lyrics feel a bit forced. I'm not really into that kind of writing.
This sounds like Oasis tried to lift Radiohead's shtick. Like Travis are very clearly attempting to write a "sad" album here, and they won't let you forget it. This is just an onslaught of mopey alt rock/brit pop ballads that are trying a little too hard. Honestly, this reminds me of Stone Sour's ballads sometimes, which isn't *exactly* a good thing. Despite my many complaints with the broad concepts at play here and the ideas throughout this album, I will say that they manage to write a couple of good songs. I think Writing To Reach You, As You Are, and Luv are my favorites. But then you have songs like Why Does It Rain On Me, which I think are just obnoxious. Although honestly, the nicest thing I can say about The Man Who is that most of these songs are pretty good on their own, it's just that sequenced together, this is a slog. Edit: This is why you always listen to *everything*, I feel the need to mention that after a few minutes of silence, the bonus track Blue Flashing Light may be the album's best, however walling it behind minutes of silence is obnoxious enough that I'm keeping this at a 2.
I have not listened to this album in 25 years, half a lifetime ago, and I haven’t missed it. I thought it was good when it came out, but now looking at it with an additional 25 years of listening to a wide variety of music I can see just how derivative it is. That’s not to say it’s unlistenable, it’s not - the singles are generally ok, and Turn really is pretty good, but nothing is really new, or exciting. Absolutely didn’t hate it, but it is oh so very mid.
Entirely listenable, but contains all of the least enjoyable parts of Radiohead's sound
I didn't know there was something I could dislike more than Coldplay
Some well-warbled troubled man songs, like a mopier version of muse. Added bonus of some French to really communicate the melancholy. Best part was probably the surprise song on the final track, we love the anticipation of a secret track, and then we got our strongest language of the album! Quelle horreur!
I had the album at the time and there is a wishy-washy slightly boring nature to it and the band (at times) and I definitely didn't hold it in great regard (and had tried it again not so long ago). However, on relisten here it's really not so bad and is chock full of good songs. I imagine the rating from others here will be savage, for me it would be a 3.5 but I've got to lean and it's closer to a 3.
This is very nostalgic for me - the opening seconds gave me that feeling you only get from hearing something extremely familiar that you haven't heard for years. However, this album is indicative of that lull in the British alternative music scene between the end of Britpop and grunge (which culminated in some classic albums released in 97) and the arrival of The Strokes, The White Stripes and The Libertines (seemingly the "The" band period) from 2001. I'm not saying that period was full but the NME tried to coin the phrase "New Acoustic Movement" to get people excited about the likes of Turin Breaks. That's not to say this album is bad or not deserving of a place on the list - it was popular for a reason. But at most other points in music history there would have been a lot more competition. Also anything slightly cool or edgy about Travis (ooh, they diss Wonderwall) was lost the moment a teacher on a school trip after hearing a few tracks and asking who it was, announced: "I might have to get myself a Travis tape".
If the colour beige made an album, they'd call it "The Man Who". I feel bad shitting on Travis, because they seem like nice guys, but the music on this album is all very beige in colour. There's nothing particularly awful here, but there's nothing particularly exciting either. The best part of the album, is the "hidden" track at the end. Mainly because there's at least a bit of energy to it. Bland. Boring. Beige.
In this period there was an insatiable demand for Radiohead, and there just wasn’t enough Radiohead. The market responds by producing ersatz Radiohead to fill the gap. This is fine, it’s how fads work, time passes and the ersatz is forgotten. Except by our curator! Who apparently thinks the ersatz Radiohead era was significant actually. 200 records in I’m starting to suspect we’re not in good hands.
Very Radiohead meets Coldplay. Really shines as background music you actually don't want to pay attention to.
Nah
If the guy who always drags his acoustic guitar to a party made an album where he combined the worst elements of Oasis with Mazzy Star it would be more interesting than this
Actually liked the secret song on the end of the album most I think
Meh. Brit pop bores me. Extra star just for the line “what is a wonderwall anyhow?”
Does it sound bad? No, not at all, in fact I kind of like how it sounds. But man, is this album absolutely nothing. I am currently on track four as I am writing this and can not remember a single thing from the first three tracks. This album goes in one ear and out the other. Even the "hits" sound exactly like all the other nothing-burger songs. Not a "bad" album, but this makes no sense being on this list. Low 3.
sounded like a cross between radiohead and oasis to me. interesting.
Fucking woof.
Meh
Álbum ok de um estilo de rock/pop alternativo. Não me chamou atenção em nada especial. Tangzu Wan'er 2 Jade Dragon.
Who the heck is Travis? These tunes are terrific and the recording quality is crisp.
A staggering lack of sauce
fantastic, a precious discovery
I don’t like Travis.sorry
Very uninteresting
Album 897 of 1089 Travis - The Man Who (1999) Rating : 2.5 / 5 It had kind of a hazy, mellow feel from start to finish. Some soft, almost dreamlike rock that wasn’t an affront to the ear but stayed at the same level throughout. Nothing really offensive, nothing really remarkable - just a consistent, subdued listen. I can see why this album struck a chord in its time, but for me it was more background haze than something that grabbed hold.
the man who what? lol. no but really its a good album but like i think not "must hear before you die" kind of good
A couple songs were a little boring but I liked most of this album very much. Closer to a 4 than a 3.
Really close to a 4, may need another listen, decent!
eh, i really don't like their band name so i'm not gonna listen
Im convinced that this album is on this list because he thought you needed to know what the middle of the road sounds like. Like Radiohead if they had no guts. This probably had heavy rotation on Adult Contemporary Radio. (Station just above the Lite Radio station they play in dentists waiting rooms) The fact that this is so inoffensive makes it so damn offensive.
Most of these songs sound like Wonderwall rip-offs. Soft, really soft.
I was expecting something far worse when I saw the reviews absolutely tearing into this... but for what its worth, this is one of the best 1990s British rock albums on the list so far, reminds me of Radiohead (specifically "The Bends") as well as Inspiral Carpets' discography. I like this one quite a bit. I sang "Why Does It Always Rain On Me?" in primary school, and I've heard my Dad put on quite a lot of music from this album throughout the years -- so there is likely bias here, but I find the vocals and guitarwork very easy to wallow in and enjoy.
tromvis yorke
Ben said exactly what I was thinking. Multiple times I wanted to stop and play a radiohead song. This shit sounds like Radiohead without the battlepass
we have radiohead at home Fav song: As You Are
Album was ok but not really my type of music. I wouldn’t buy this album
Pleasant. Faint praise.
I feel like this should have been the 1001st album because it definitely puts you in an open-to-death mood. I owned a promo copy of this CD when I was 22 and in peak sad-guy music season and didn't care for it then either. But hey it's 90's brit-pop so I should have seen this one coming.
Ziemlich gut für vibe Autofahrten um abzuschalten.
Absolutely loved 'why does it always rain on me' when it came out. First time I listened to the whole album and I like it.
I don't have much to say about this except that it's competent but boring. I'm pretty sure I don't need to hear grocery store music like this before I die. I absolutely hated listening to this, in fact.
"Why does this sound like a lite Radiohead?" *checks who produced the album* "Ooohhh that makes sense...."
Oh hello, mediocre Britpop. It’s been a minute. Can’t really say I’ve missed you, though.
I've loved Travis ever since I first heard them when I was too young to have "lied when I was 17". I'm 39 now and this still sounds fantastic. I really do think people who complain about this being boring need to be babysat by their music.
I had this when it came out. Now I remember that I didn't listen to much of it at all. It's inoffensive but not my thing then and still not my thing then.
Completely forgettable
Kinda boring soft rock.
JHS Pedals brought me to this album about 5 or 6 years ago. Two things, I didn't realize how much Coldplay lifted from this band, and I don't understand why I'm fine with the vocals on this album but when I listen to Thom Yorkes whine singing it drives me up the wall. But anyway, I like this record. Solid mid tempo rock with a bit of melancholy is fine with me. This album deserves its place on the list.
Very much a forgettable album. Even the singles that I knew weren't really exciting to hear again.
Melodic and varried, mostly pretty
Mid
It’s like the ten different songs are ten different genres.
Truly great album, something to chill too.
I might've liked this album when I was 14. But you know who I hadn't listened to yet at 14? Radiohead! This band sounds exactly like they're trying to be Radiohead. But not just any iteration of Radiohead - like a milquetoast, bland, sometimes irritating version of Radiohead. I have no songs to highlight from this project, I wish it wasn't on this list that Radiohead is already on multiple times. Something between a total snoozer and a tragic attempt to sound vogue at its time. I have to give this album a 1/5 on principle. Please remove this from the list if we are so lucky to get another series of amendments.
This is the music they play in late 90s teen comedies when the main character is sad and having problems with his girlfriend.
2.6
Temu version of Radiohead and Coldplay's offspring.
3/5
TODAY IS GONNA BE THE DAY THAT THEYRE GONNA THROW IT BACK TO YOU!!@! Wait no I misread that, this is radiohead. Wait no now it's SOMEDAY YOU WILL FIND ME CAUGHT BENEATH THE LANDSLIDEEEEEE. Back to radiohead. The last song references Oasis like 5 times. oh wait a hidden track and it's awful wow. That's a horrific chorus. Final thoughts, this album is not the worst copy of what it's trying to copy but between this obviously ripping ideas from Radiohead and Oasis, some absolutely terrible lyrics, and then being pretty okay on top of that I can't give this more than a 2. Why does it always rain on me is it because I lied when I was seventeen is the worst lyric we've gotten this list. And that's their big hit!
I ended up liking most of this despite the bad artist and record name. Yes it does sound like combo oasis and Radiohead. What is a wonderwall anyway? Good question. 3/5
I didn't dislike this at all but didn't really like it that much either lol. I think that this kinda sounds like Hoobastank honestly but a little bit less interesting. This is kind of a more general note but I think since all of these albums are very highly rated and classics, I probably need to start being a little more critical, which is going to start here, was originally thinking 3, but going to go 2 here. Might edit some of my older ones if it lets me.
Earnest. Straightforward. Really, really enjoyed the album, front to back, even the multiple minutes of silence on the last track before the "secret song" at the end. Incredibly consistent in quality front to back. The dialogue with and/or reference to their contemporaries in an understated way - Beck, Oasis, Manic Street Preachers - was a great detail. As a long time fan of the British music scene, Travis weren't at any risk of landing poorly for me, but I was still pleasantly surprised with how much I enjoyed their music, esp the songwriting and soft instrumentals. Strong 4/5.
Solid, mellow, soft rock album. Feels very UK. Doesn't really feel like they're taking a lot of risks, but it's a really solid execution of the early 2000's soft rock archetype. Bonus track might be my favorite on the album, I wish it wasn't tied to a 10 minute 31 second mp3.
I was bored. I found myself wanting to skip multiple songs, it was like I had heard it all before but done better by other bands.
Travis? Really?? If you’re looking for an example of a desperately uninteresting, ‘vanilla’, background record, look no further. Utterly nondescript songs by a band whose only vague contribution to popular culture is a haircut. Up there with Dido in terms of lowest common denominator, coffee shop, blandness. It’s hard to listen to Travis without thinking that maybe pop is dead after all. If not dead, certainly pale, sickly and very, very tired.
Off the cuff remark: it's perhaps a bit unfair but to jump from Muddy Waters (last album) to this is a little bit like having your life sucked out of you and I'm not even that much of a Muddy Waters fan, there is just something so very lifeless about Travis. Sure they are lovely lads but... Standout track: the overplayed Why Does It Always Rain On Me nearly has some life, but only nearly Revisit:? I have no doubt my local radio station will play the aforementioned track at some point this is closer than I want to be to relistening to this
Desperate sappy Post-Britpop.
eh
Late 90s grunge/brit-pop is not usually my thing, but I can see the appeal with this album. It’s moody, but not in a way I typically find grating. Some really nice guitars, As You Are a standout for me
Spotify recommended Oasis. This is like low rent Oasis.
Nostalgic and harmless. Great and believable poetry that he thinks all bad things happen because he told a lie at 17.
There wasn't really anything memorable or offensive about this, just kind of plain boring bland music
Best Song: Driftwood There is a very fine line that many performers have to tip toe to go from good to whiny. Travis is 100% whiny. This might be someone's thing, but it sure isn't mine. 2/5.
Wasn't familiar with the artist. Did not hate. Got some early Thom Yorke vibes from the singer. 3/5 #160
Yeah this was interesting! Have never heard of it before but had some good songs. I'll give this a strong 3.
pretty good, last song had a weird break
Nice easy listening.
What a fantastic album maybe the poster album for the acoustic rock of the 90s that just strides the soulful and yet bobby mood.
Kinda boring.
freaking boring
Bland and boring
Var búin að gleyma hvað ég elskaði Travis, nostalgían í botni
It's a good album. It's not perfect, but the songs work well. I'd give it a four.
Yes, it's inoffensive alt-rock, but there's actually some pretty cool/unusual melody choices on this record that make it stand out for me. 3.5/5.0: Very Good
i hated this but it wasnt actively bad, just incredibly boring
This sounds like the late 90s coffee shop scene. Or some late 90s teen movie. This isn’t bad, but I’m not in a gram e if mind to enjoy it. “Writing to reach you” is a good track, but I can hear every popular 90s band within it. And sometimes I just don’t care about the 90s. “The fear” is already better. Still sounds like a Starbucks playlist, but better. “As you are” was essentially “Radiohead lite”. I like “driftwood”. “Luv” is definitely a Radiohead song. 😂 I don’t know for sure. I haven’t looked it up. But I seriously had to check and see if the album ended and a Radiohead song came on. It could also pass for the Beatles. The further this goes the more I like it. But they basically set out to make a Radiohead record. 😂 The 90s were all about hidden tracks. Nice hide at the end of “slide show”. Apple Music automatically played “while my guitar gently weeps” after this album ended which makes sense.
A little too slow and folk-y for me, personally. But a good one nonetheless! A great sonic capsule of 1999.
The Man Who...wished he was in Radiohead. I dunno, this just washes past without grabbing my attention. It's music for people who're not particularly interested in music but who buy into the latest big selling album.
Kuulostaa tylsältä Keanelta (vähemmän melodramaattiselta).
Marc's bedroom playing PS1 tea. It still holds up.
Mjög næs sánd. Nokkrir smellir. Hljóðið sem ég tengi við Travis. Settu benchmarkið fyrir aðra?
Nice album, good songs.
if kidsbop covered radiohead
Bought this at the time after hearing Writing to Reach You which is still a good song. 4 singles are still good but some of the album tracks are a bit dull near the end. Overall still a decent album.
Pas mon préféré de Travis
I expected to hate this. I remember getting the "Why Does It Always Rain On Me" song as a kid and hating it. I know then in with other sir like Coldplay. But now I'm old. I care less about people thinking im cool. So I'm going to admit it has some OK sounding songs, a pretty laid back, inoffensive vibe. Like a santised Radiohead. It was fine. Probs won't ever listen to it ever again, but it wasn't an ordeal.
Sounds like the early 2000s. Also a lot like Radiohead. Some sounded nice because they were so familiar but the rest were pretty boring. Also not a fan of long final songs, especially when parts of them are just silent. High 3.
4/10 - kind of strange album
Generally pleasant and inoffensive at the cost of being unoriginal and boring. Easy 3, but still a pleasant listen
Maybe 2 or 3 good songs at best, the rest is very mediocre
3/5
It feels a bit like Oasis and a bit like Radiohead, both bands that I like a good deal. It's also its own thing that I liked. So I enjoyed this!
Knockoff Radiohead
point7.
... on the plus side, as I am listening, I've now made it to the hit song without bigger issues and I will stick around for the last three plus one secret tracks. The groan I let out upon seeing the album pop up wasn't quite justified. But really, the only reason why you'd have to listen to this is out of an act of fairness amidst all the Oasis, Coldplay and Verve in here. I mean, it's yet another brit pop album with a nice production around servicable songs, with a sad boy post-[redacted comparison] flavour - it's not much worse. But then again, why is it? Here? Just look at this: https://www.albumoftheyear.org/1999/releases/ Three shrugs from me.
Great band I'd never heard before. Reminded me a bit of Damien Rice.
Blast from the past, they were big for a while (then Coldplay rocked up).
-album sounds depressing vibes so far (currently on song 3 of 10) -As You Are has "I'm not like all the other boys" as a line and I think thats funny -the "On the last day of the year" line in The Last Laugh Of The Laughter sounds familiar to me and it's really weird. it sounds like some Beatles song. or maybe a Christmas song? -update: im on song seven and the songs still have depressing vibes -if as you are is the "not like other boys" song She’s So Strange is the "not like other girls" song notes from after I finished the album -not exactly my cup of tea, too slow for my personal liking but i can understand why people would like it -it just made me feel sad, really
Sweet record with simple songs that take you to reflective places. A record to pass the time and feel everything in between.
For a Scottish band, they sound pretty American. I'm not complaining. They sound a lot like the band PFR, which is more creative, but being this is Travis' first album, it's pretty good. Pleasant vocals, pleasant music. But nothing earth shattering. BTW, it is such an irritating choice in the 90s and 00s to have a "surprise song" on the album, which is usually not released digitally separate from the previous single. Hate that. Nice to have a solid rock song at the end of the album, tho. 3/5
It had some really good moments but it felt like everything is in one tone so it was boring.
This was the most boring, limp-wristed, derivative, and uneventful pile of crap I've had to sit through. It should be renamed "The Man Who Died of Boredom" in my honor. Driftwood is ok but nowhere near enough to make up for the constantly annoying whiny British vocals. Seriously, why was this ever big, England? Please explain.
Kinda has a cleaner more folky Fray vibe. Solid tunes, nice vocals. Is this album one of the best ever? No. I liked it anyway.
this album kind of sucks
Muse, buckley and rock all in the same album whaaaaaaat
It was fine. Definitely sounded like early 2000s and apparently on here for being ground breaking in that style. So, there you go. 3 stars.
Watered down Radiohead. Favorite track: Why Does It Always Rain On Me?
Never heard of this group or album but this was an enjoyable listen. I think I liked most everything here except possibly the hidden track. "Writing to Reach You" makes a really good first impression. I was only able to get 2 of the 3 song references in "Slide Show" (didn't know "A Design for Life"). Anyway, here's some references to "Wonderwall."
Weird how the secret song at the end of the album is probably the best song. Very bland and background musicy. 2/5 could’ve done without
Имат як албум ама не е тоя
Gear: HEDD Audio HEDDphone Two Artwork: 🌨️🧥🔌 Production: 🎧😘🤌 Music: 🌧️😔✉️ Rating: ❄️❄️❄️/5
Highlight Song/s: Driftwood This is better than I was expecting. Especially because I saw the words 'britpop' and I thought it was going to be a bunch of slop; yeah it's not exactly the greatest but it's far from slop. Lots of the songs sound so sweet and the vocals are quite Radiohead-esque (early Radiohead.) I am not fan of the 3 minutes of silence on 'Slide Show', I get hidden tracks were all the rage in the 90s but they just didn't age well.
Someone here described this as "young adult series music" and they couldn't be anymore spot on Absolute shit lmfao
A good album, I liked Writing To Reach You, Driftwood and Why Does It Always Rain On Me the most.
Not bad, not great, not essential at all. It's not art, it's craft. Too safe. Unexciting. Not memorable at all. In one ear, out the other. I think it's really a 3 star album, but because it doesn't belong in the book at all, I give it 2. Favorite song: slideshow
Boring. Late 90s albums are either masterpieces or boring trash.
A few high points, like "The Fear" and the harmonica on "Luv." Pretty chill and inoffensive, reminds me of a moderately less-interesting Jump, Little Children.
Aggressively boring
Can’t believe how many hits this band had. It somehow sounds like the worst of late 90s Radiohead, oasis and Coldplay mixed together. I enjoyed it!
This album was a snooze.
Don't like this as much as their previous album, Good Feeling.
I liked this a lot when it first came out but I'm not sure it's aged quite as well as I remember. British guitar music took quite a melancholy turn in the late 90s with bands like Travis and Coldplay getting big but this one is very downbeat. I still liked it and Fran Healy has a beautiful voice, the second half in particular has some really strong tracks. But I can't give it 5*, with apologies to my 12 year old self
I've never heard of this album or artist before, but allow me to reflect on the fact that there's a Scottish band called Travis. What an interesting band name. Where did they get the idea to call the band Travis? I don't imagine that there are a lot of folks named Travis roaming around Scotland. Would the American equivalent be naming your band Eòghann? I remain mystified by this choice. Anyway, I really have no idea what to expect from this album, but I'm happy to listen to another new album and artist! The Man Who was a pretty pleasant surprise. I wasn’t blown away by this effort from Travis, but I thought this album had some pretty good songwriting, and the sound was really accessible. The music on this album wasn’t as catchy as someone like Coldplay, but there were some glimpses of The Bends era Radiohead on this album that I enjoyed. I can understand why some people found this album to be pretty bland, but I enjoyed the pleasant melodies here. Some notes on songs that stood out to me: -I absolutely loved the guitar playing on “Writing To Reach You.” It did such a good job of establishing the melancholy mood of the lyrics. I really loved that soft twang of the lead guitar that was in the background on the chorus. -“As You Are” was the track that reminded me the most of The Bends. I thought the vocals were great, especially on the chorus. The tone of the guitar was really great too, and I loved the shimmering distortion. -“Driftwood” was great. Once again, I loved the guitar tone, and I loved how the bright sound of the music contrasted so starkly with the criticism of the lyrics. This song reminded of Vampire Weekend’s “Taxi Cab,” which I really loved. -“Why Does It Always Rain On Me” is fantastic, and I found the lyrics really relatable. That feeling of trying to assign meaning or reasoning to the bad things that happen to us in life really landed with me; last night I was super sick, and that was the first thing that went through my head was trying to figure out what I’d done to deserve the awful headache I’d had. Overall, this was a pretty solid album. The biggest weakness this album had is that it was a bit of a one-trick-pony, and there wasn’t a lot of variation in the sound. I understand why this album was favorably viewed by critics, but I also understand how Travis got left in the dust by acts like Radiohead and Coldplay.
skipped around after it hit song 4, a lot of run on and on and on songs. downloaded for she’s so strange and why does it always rain on me for shits and giggles.
This album only made a tiny blip in the states with the single "Why Does It Always Rain On Me?" and then Travis disappeared into the sea of brit-pop bands that were no more than a flash in the pan for most of America. I, on the other hand, had this record and loved it, but admit that I've completely forgotten about it in the last 20+ years! I played the absolute shit out of this CD in my teens. This album still holds up for something that came out 26 years ago. Great song writing, performances and production, Fran's voice is smooth and dreamy. That said, this album is somehow both timeless and dated. The mix sounds full, fresh and modern, but some of the instrumentation is solidly late 90s coffee house rock. Maybe there's a bit of nostalgia influencing my rating, but I gotta give it a decent 4/5
Too mellow for me. Some tracks felt like knock off Radiohead
This wasn't terrible, but it was pretty boring. It was preferable to the music playing at my office today, though. This has a similar vibe to, yet not nearly as good as, Keane. Nothing stood out or moved me. 3.
A snooze fest.
They have some lovely melodies. I quite like their singer too. I'm just amused that I heard a few songs by them in the past week while I normally never hear them.
Absolutely stellar
This is my first listen to this. Very nice, introspective tracks. Kind of a bittersweet, resigned hopefulness to it. If I didn't know who was singing it I would have guessed Jeff Buckley or even Coldplay. This a very quietly powerful album and I think if I run across one in my hunts of record stores and estate sales I would definitely pick this up.
Writing to Reach You Driftwood Why Does It Always Rain on Me?
If I liked Oasis and their style of British alt pop or whatever, I’d probably like this more. I suppose it’s fairly melodic, but boring as all get out. The biggest thing it had going for it is that they’re not as whiney as Oasis. Would not listen again, but my ears didn’t bleed.
Not as painful as I thought it would be. Like Coldplay back when they were good. I enjoyed this when it came out and now I remember why.
Nice enough with a just a trace of the Beatles underlying the content. Feel free to argue that last bit, if you'd like.
Most of this sounded like a second-rate Radiohead approximation. Towards the end it grew some teeth, and the image of the man who Travis could have been started to emerge. But by then it was too late to rescue this album from a solid 2 star rating. Standout track: Turn
Came into this with an open mind, found it incredibly dull. Forced my way through it and occasionally caught a brief bright spark, but even then it just felt like a cheap imitation of radio head. 2/10
Coldplay meets Radiohead
It’s a fine alternative rock album. Nothing earth shattering here.
testing notes
Relaxing, atmospheric, unremarkable??? But would relisten
bland but sweet and soft
This was an alright album. Nothing amazing, but nothing particularly bad. I liked the last song a lot.
Nostalgia, reminds me of university! Would listen to it again
Starts off very whiney indie rock, I do not enjoy the vocals or lyrical content. Slow, with nothing unique to catch me in.
Travis sounds like if you told AI to make a whiny Britpop album. Despite that, it’s pretty good
I thoroughly enjoyed this. It was like folksy Radiohead at times.
Not bad, a bit whiny and not something I expect to listen to again, but not bad
Dollar store Radiohead
Decently entertaining. Some cool grooves. Got Radiohead vibes. Repetitive but not in a terribly awful way
Felt like another fake Muse band, but this one didn’t do as much for me
This album once again shows the creator’s interest in 90s alternative albums. This one was okay
Very beige, reminded me of knockoff Oasis and Radiohead. Relentlessly Forgettable.
De late Britpop-periode vind ik altijd een beetje ongemakkelijk. De schwung en de swag was weg, en wat overbleef was vooral generieke pop. Dit is natuurlijk ook gewoon de Schotse Raccoon. Ze hebben best wel een aantal aardige songs in hun loopbaan uitgebracht, maar een heel album aan dit geneuzel is niet voor mij weggelegd. 4,5/10
Net natgeregend op de fiets tijdens Why Doesn't Alway Rain On Me. Viel me eigenlijk niet tegen. Best leuk plaatje. 7/10 Highlights As Your Are
Pleasantly surprised. I like the vibe of this album. It was fun to listen to.
Od svih post brit pop post radiohead bendova oni su mi zapravo najsimpatičniji
Sounds like Radiohead and Oasis had a baby
I should have paid it more attention. I didn't mind it but it was background noise for the most part.
Early Radiohead meets Coldplay. Awful combo. Very dreary and boring, strum strum strummy.
I hadn’t heard of this band before. I really enjoyed this album!
No strong feelings about this album
Eh
Soft Radiohead for pussies. Well it just so happens that I'm a bit of a pussy.
Good group. Good sound, and music. Still putting out good music .
Feel like Travis are a good band who have made the decision to sound as bland as possible for mass appeal. The album tracks were better than the singles as they seemed less focused on having a lovely singalong chorus, though it might just be that I've heard the singles too much. Was quite surprised how much the bloke sounded like thom Yorke at times, like Travis were a blandie pop Radiohead. Wasn't bad but I'd be lying if I said it was good. 2.5.
Driftwood, Last Of The Laughter, and Why Does It Always Rain On Me are alright, but I'll be shocked if I could pick out any other individual tracks. They certainly have a specific sound, to be fair. Just not an interesting one - optimistic indie twanging guitars, miserable lyrics sung through the nose. Disappointed.
Remember this being pretty huge when it was released, my parents definitely played it a lot. Still recognised all the singles and knew all of the words. They aren't bad particularly, but Christ it's all pretty dull isn't it. Didn't remember it that way, but it hasn't aged well. I'm going to say 3 but I definitely won't be rushing back
I liked this, don't hate me
Mid
Molto simili agli Strokes
this was better than I thought it would be, was expecting to hate it! enjoyed it for the most part, really liked She's so strange - hadn't appreciated his vocal range before now
I’ve been very lucky with the list so far, but this album just felt so contrived, so offensively limp and devoid of life. By far the worst listen so far.
3.5 rounded to 4
The bridge between the post-britpop afterglow and Coldplay’s soft lad optimism rock. But it’s a more significant epitaph; ‘The Man Who’ is the last breath of British art school as a cultural force in the UK. Killed by sky high tuition fees, the emergence of the Brit-school as a machine, and the establishment reasserting control over the cultural industries. Now, the only class difference between British pop stars (and actors, and writers) is whether they were full boarders or day boys.
This was fine! I liked a little bit of Scottish musicians for once. It wasn’t extremely memorable, but I never disliked it.
Really boring alternative music. Like if Radiohead decided to never do anything interesting. At least it’s serviceable as background music.
Bangers
Yawn
Test
The same word rhyming makes me crazy, melody is okay though
I want to give this 3.5 stars but im probably going to round down. It hits me with a wave of nostalgia for a time when i was young and the singles were everywhere. They are good pop indie with real heart and charm, same as the band. But a relisten doesnt really offer much beyond the hits and there must be a reason i never came back to this over the last 20 years
Good enough as background music, but even listening to it twice, nothing stood out to me.
Okay. Not bad
I think it was like alt rock? Wasn't a vibe
Bag o shite
Boring
Quite boring.
Travis past perfect in het rijtje van Keane, Coldplay (latere periode) en Snow Patrol. Een soort van flauw afkooksel van rock. 1.5
I listened to Travis a lot in my early teenage years and I liked them. They had a couple of good songs, and very well made video clips (Why does it always rain on me, Turn, Driftwood) that were frequently on the music channels in the late 1990s, early 2000s. They have a distinctive melancholic sound. But the rest of the songs on this albums aren't on the same quality as the singles, they are a typically singles band. Also, I think their next album, The Invisible Band is the stronger one out of the two, as they had a more mature sound on it, so if they have only one album on this list, they should've included that album instead of The Man Who. My sense for nostalgia for these songs are strong but it deserves no more than a 3, I think.
Interesting vibe but nothing grabbed me
Solid
Just kind of bland.
If the only song I know from you is a horrifically boring and sad dirge it doesn’t bode well for the album as a whole
..
yawn
Bland, Boring, and uninteresting Best Song: Why Does it Always Rain on Me? Rating: 4.5/10 (Boring) Stars: 2/5
quite liked this album, but i felt there was nothing really holding it together. will relisten.
2.5 got worse as the album progressed
What's not to like?
I had never heard of this band or album. Surprisingly good! Quintessential 90s rock sound with clever lyrics. Will listen again.
Pouty sad boy generic music. The songwriting was not interesting and no tracks stood out.
I’m a fan. This is pretty twee and tightly produced. It reminds me so much of Belle and Sebastian, who came on the scene just five years prior in Glasgow. Couple earworms on this one. Standout Tracks are: Writing to Reach You and Why does it Always Rain On Me?
Just background noise - not objectionable but not memorable either.
This list should be renamed to "900 or so mediocre albums nobody remembers and 101 actually decent albums you should listen to before you die". This album falls under the 900 or so mediocre albums and honestly mediocre is being very generous here.
Soft mushy 90's rock.
5/10…Britpop
I like it
i like his voice
Owned this album for years, but never listened to the whole thing. I liked the late 90's/early 00's nostalgia. -Writing to Reach You -Driftwood -Why Does It Always Rain On Me?
Didn’t even recognise this band or album’s names, but I did recognise Why Does It Always Rain On Me? immediately - classic song. My immediate impression is that it’s a very “pretty” album, the melodies and instrumentals are very soft and airy and just… pretty. I've found a couple songs - the aforementioned, Turn and The Last Of The Laughter - coming back into my head, something that doesn't happen super often. However I did find about half the album fairly weak and straight up hated Slide Show. I don't care what your artistic intentions are, having a 10 minute song where a good third or more is just dead silence is an incredibly bad choice. The first half of that song is lovely, then the second (after the silence) is horrid. I get the point, heard the lyrics, but I don't want to listen to that at the tail end of an album that is, mostly, quite enjoyable, even if largely weak. I liked that album overall, but it definitely gives mum "rock" vibes. Giving it a 3 as it's saved by the stronger songs, but dragged down by the weaker. Most / Least Favourite Track(s): WDIAROM, with TLOTL in second / Slide Show by a wide margin, but didn't like Driftwood either.
A hidden gem that I started this project to find! Never heard of Travis before, but this was a perfect album for me today. Reminded me a lot of Radiohead, maybe a bit like the late Beatles.. really enjoyed, 5/5 will be looking more into their catalog
Google “Top Albums 1999”. This one is not even in the top 100 of the YEAR, much less 1001 albums I “need to hear”. More UK-centric bullshit from Dimtry. Did everyone in the whole wide-ass world miss this “masterpiece”. No, they didn’t. Hard Pass. This one truly makes me wonder why the hell I’m doing this project. Although probably better than a 1, I’m giving this a 1⭐️ to represent all the better albums that didn’t make this list.
I’m genuinely surprised by some of the harsh reviews for The Man Who by Travis. Seeing people rate it a 1 and dismiss it as boring feels a bit extreme—especially when there are far weaker entries on the 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die list. This is a pleasant, easy-listening indie pop record. While it's not groundbreaking, it certainly has its charms. There are a few standout tracks—"Driftwood," "Writing to Reach You," "Sing," and "Turn"—all of which deliver catchy melodies and well-crafted hooks. Sure, there’s some filler, but that’s true of many albums. Favourite song: I've always loved "Sing"—I can’t help but belt out the lyrics whenever it's on. Least favourite: The album loses steam after track 7. Songs like "Luv" and "She’s So Strange" feel like filler and lack the impact of the earlier tracks. Album artwork: A very cool cover—it looks like it was taken on a freezing day, which somehow suits the introspective mood of the album.
....Sold the world 🌍 by Bowie Ok so Travis didn't change the world, but neither did The Eagles (Burrito Band), Elvis (White version of black music) Eminem (same as previous brackets) very few bands genuinely change things. Just sit back and enjoy
This is like copy pasting a bunch of different bands and making something worse.
Fine
If there was a more “meh” album, I don’t want to hear it. This one doesn’t need to be on this list. It’s like if Radiohead was bad and didn’t care to be better.
Perfectly acceptable music, I enjoyed it, nothing memorable about any particular song, but was happy with my listening experience.
It was some ok easy listening. Nothing that really grabbed on to me.
Wow these all sound like the same boring song. If this is post-britpop, that means britpop just transitioned into this schmoopsy poopsy Coldplay sound that also lasted way longer than it should have. They seem to be trying to ape Radiohead, but no one can seem to pull that off and not sound overly earnest. There’s so much emotion forced into this over-produced schlock that it has no feeling.
Such an aggressively 3/5 album I’m tempted to give it a 2/5
Perfect pop rock mix with some good memories.
This would have been my jam in 2001/2002. Today it just seems like sad bastard jams.
Didn't move me
Dave Lee
mistook his life for this pap
The top reviews really summarize my feelings on this album. Something I got stuck listening to and forced myself to finish. Boring and uninspiring
Not memorable
Beatles-at-home/10
Gives me Radiohead vibes at points.
Dios mio no, no y no. Me aburro! Por qué tantos discos así habiendo tanto de donde elegir? Nota: 1.9
Nothing earth shattering here but I enjoyed it. I'm feeling a 3.5/5 but I'll round up because I enjoyed it more than most of the dreck that has been recommended here.
Lugn o trevlig
Not really for me
Pleasant enough that I listened to it twice
So good
I went in thinking this would totally suck, and sometimes the lyrics do suck, but I walked away from it loving the album. The songs really grasped me and spoke to me. Probably because I'm heartbroken like this guy sounds like
This falls firmly in the category of albums in the 1001 more or less only because the author is from the UK and the band is from the UK. It's not bad, but definitely isn't anything world changing.
No.
Cheesy, cloying: a cold fondue—curious what’s not working, as an enduringly proud fan of the 2000’s angst rock era popularized by Puddle of Mudd, Fuel etc.
Nothing groundbreaking, but liked this one. A little moody indie rock with notes of Radiohead.
The ingredients are pretty good, but somehow got assembled into a shit sandwich
Why would we need to listen to this? Juvenile and bad?
I’m insulted
Singer/Songwriter is pretty much my go-to genre and the music and writing on this are fine - but did he finish second in the Radiohead audition because his voice wasn't high-pitched and annoying enough?
So, if I've got this right, they thought to themselves "What if Radiohead but boring" and as a result we have a world with Coldplay in it?
Average album, the guys seemed to be going for the Radiohead sound which was made popular a few years back, but they just didn't bring the quality. The chord progressions are basic and uninventive. The vocals are pretty bland and uninteresting. Every now and again there comes a bit of a more interesting passage, but it usually proves to be short and the song just drags on with the same theme, over and over again. The lyrics are also pretty average and don't bring anything cool to the table. I don't think this kind of music is my preference. All in all, would not feel compeled to listen to it again.
Melodisk og sonisk behagelig, dog meget generisk. Dette er råkk fra noen skotter som jeg aldri har hørt om før. "Mannen Som" (eller "The Man Who", om du vil) av Travis er en fin liten overraskelse å nyte her med kaffekoppen min. Jeg vil ikke skryte for mye, siden albumet har tydelige preg av det som kalles uavhengig deponi musikk (eller "landfill indie", om du vil). Det er også lett å gjennomskue at Travis tar ekstremt mye inspirasjon fra Radiohode ("Radiohead", om du vil). Sangene hvor man hører dette tydeligst er også sangene jeg liker minst, morsomt nok. Samtidig foretrekker jeg muligens å høre på dette Travis albumet fremfor det meste jeg har hørt av Radiohode, for å være helt dønn ærlig. Men jeg begynner å innse at jeg ikke har gitt Radiohode nok anerkjennelse for hvor innflytelsesrike de har vært for mye av musikken som har kommet ut de siste tretti årene. Det sier vel litt at jeg ikke engang klarer å skrive om Travis i denne Travis anmeldelsen haha. Tipper at "Mannen Som" fort går i glemmeboka.
I just enjoyed it
I listened to this whole album and it's already disappeared from my brain.
Poprilično volim Travisa, na albumu ima odličnih pjesama, ali osim tih pjesama nije ništa posebno. Može se sve slušati ali definitivno nije nešto wow.
The definition of generic radio music - unoffensive and pleasant, but doesn't compel me to want to listen ever again.
Not what I expected. Did not hear one hit on this album. Would probably never listen to it again.
Meh.
Can't bring myself to care about this
# 458 : 15/04/2025 : The Man Who Not bad, a few decent songs and kind of like soft rock, catchy background music typical late 90's sound... Honourable mention for : Why Does It Always Rain On Me
.eh
It’s very much giving Ok Computer but idc, as an album it slaps and Travis can do no wrong in my ears
You can critique people for only liking white bread, but you can’t critique white bread for being white bread. Travis is white bread, existing somewhere in the post-everything adult contemporary of the 2000s between Coldplay and early late-era U2. Not as safe as the former, not as artful as the latter, the resulting The Man Who is like a Wal-Mart version of The Bends-era Radiohead, now appealing to Soccer Moms with a smoking habit instead of apathetic British lads with a smoking habit. That said, I’m not really against this record. There’s a little bit of stretch here, and that’s commendable! I think the rhythm section in particular is consistently intriguing, and the spaced-out ‘60s psych influences do add textures that make this less flat than I would’ve anticipated. The effects-pedal/synth flourishes on “The Fear,” the sitar strums and Hare Krishna chants of “The Last Of The Laughter,” the waltz of “Why Does It Always Rain On Me?,” the melody riffs leading into the chorus on “She’s So Strange”– it all shows a band who is able to take their white bread and make a mean grilled ham-and-cheese, and there’s a time and a place for that, for sure. It may not be as expansive as Radiohead, never as anthemic as U2, and not even as hook-laden as Coldplay (although in my opinion still better than Coldplay), but it’s got spunk and charm in its best moments. These moments are given a little something extra by the kooky lyricism; yes, it’s often trite, but it’s got some semblance of emotional depth that you can tolerate while driving between ballet, gymnastics, and pee-wee football while your husband “works late.” The problem is the parts of The Man Who that don’t stretch, that don’t try to be a little funky or different. Now, on something radio-friendly like “Writing To Reach You” or “Turn,” the hooks can make up for it, at least the first time you hear them. It’s the everything else….even, and especially, the dull wallflower moments on the songs listed above as evidence of stretch. Those bland moments are worse than a drag– they’re empty space. These moments are the ones that stand out. They’re so inoffensive, they become offensive! That makes the album feel like a chore, at least at first. I will say, multiple listens warmed me up to the nuance going on in the background, but it is still a palpable element to this album, and the only real lasting effect. Again, you can’t be mad at white bread for being white bread, and while I think you can critique someone who only likes white bread, we all sometimes need to enjoy a slice of white bread. I think the problem is that Travis acts like they’re more than white bread; they’re 100% organic, properly sourced, responsibly cared for, locally farmed….white bread. I could call it influential, sure. Again, Coldplay– and they’re not the only ones: Snow Patrol, The Fray, the entire VH1 video roulette circa 2006, Birdy, even down to what Larisha Paul recently dubbed ✨The Voice Audition Pop✨, with the likes of Benson Boone, Lewis Capaldi, and Teddy Swims. I think you could trace all that back to Travis, who are shockingly pre-9/11 despite their universal appeal to no one and everyone, but also unshockingly existed in an ecosystem devoid of a lot of competition. Add on the fact that their megastar, arena-sellout influences are both clear and more worthy of your time, and the limpness seems to override any compliments you were digging under your seat to find. You can clown on late-era U2 all you want, but “Beautiful Day” is influential and valuable; even when I try to defend The Man Who, in its best moments, it never produces anything close to the same fully-realized output with the same amount of substantive value. But again, for white bread, it’s solid and stable and as satisfying as I would’ve expected white bread to be. But it’s white bread. Empty carbs, girl, and you didn’t really need that, now did you?
Another that I had never heard of. Three songs in and I'm not really impressed. It's ok. Kind of slow and moody. A lot of people comparing them to Radiohead and I suppose I see that, though I don't really agree. I feel like I might struggle to stay awake for the whole 47 minutes of this album. There are some cool and good sounding guitar parts. Or maybe just meh guitar parts that come out of nowhere in otherwise boring music? I might have heard Why Does It Always Rain On Me before? That sounds like it was probably in a movie soundtrack at some point. I was glad when it ended, I needed something a little more interesting. Sometimes boring is worse than bad. I would be interested to hear their first album since it was apparently more of a rock album than this was. But listening to this didn't make me want to play that one right away afterwards. 2/5
very chill. very 90s