Reviews (page 4 of 8)
Good album. Very mellow. No bad songs. They have a nice sound reminiscent of Radiohead.
This is another album which you can guarantee will be on the CD racks of UK charity shops for sale cheap. An indication perhaps that it was once a popular album but owners quickly tired of it. Bit like me because I still have the CD. Back in 1999 when having relationship problems the track Why Does It Rain On Me? was adopted by me as a song I could really relate to. A fact not only still remembered by me but also some work mates who regularly remind me now in a jovial way. I haven’t played the complete CD since then until today. I now feel detached from it so it was like listening for the first time. Unlike a lot of others apparently, I won’t be donating the CD to charity as that track does still have some poignancy to me. 3/5 20/12/25
Pretty good, would listen to more
Decent
Lovely, but unremarkable.
3 out of 5. Literally a middle of the road album for me.
2.7 The phrase "old sad bastard music" from High Fidelity springs to mind. I actually remember this coming out, I absolutely loved Why Does it Always Rain On Me as a 10 year old for some reason and had the single on cassette tape. Quite a few other songs sound very familiar so I wonder if they were on the same single or if they were repeatedly played on Radio 1. Anyway, listening back 26 years later (jesus) I'm quite disappointed. At best it's the dreary side of Radiohead, at worst it's pretty inconsequential and forgetful music from yet another 90s Brit rock act that appears on this list.
*Not bad but nothing that got me overly excited. Became too slow and depressing towards the end.
Und da taucht plötzlich ein Album aus meiner Sammlung auf und ich frage mich wieso es plötzlich auf mich niederregnet. Und warum dieses und nicht die anderen, besseren in dieser Sammlung landeten.
Quand tu lis "pop rock alternative independant", tu sais que tu vas écouter un truc globalement mou et très mid.
There’s a parallel world where Fran Healy marries Gwyneth Paltrow and ends up doing terrible pop songs with the Chainsmokers. Alas, there was only room for 1 on the beige megastar train. I will however defend Driftwood as pop-rock perfection.
Very listenable, but not particularly inspiring.
Quite nice, perfectly inoffensive, I kept getting distracted during it. The definition of a three.
It's like if Coldplay didn't suck.
This is a rock album… yeah it had some great moments throughout it but none of it is anything rememberable ? Nothing bad tho
Pretty good. Some standout moments but not really my cup of tea. I'd rather listen to Radiohead.
Paint drying
Scottish Oasis? Genuinely enjoyed this album, and it was funny that they mentioned " a wonderwall" in the track "Slide Show". Track picks for me are: "As You Are", "Driftwood", "Luv", and "Slide Show"
I really like what the instruments are doing on this album. The very beginning of The Fear has a cool synth(?) sound, the harmonica on Luv is sweet, and I like the contrast between the two sections of Slide Show. Honestly solid instrumentals on every song. The vocals don't feel super original/inspired (both in terms of vocal tone and lyrics) though, so this album isn't a home run for me, though I did enjoy it. Several of the songs remind me of Radiohead and Keane, two bands I'm a fan of, so I'm not mad about that. 7/10.
This a comfort album for me. Heartfelt jangly guitar pop. Yes, it's heavily indebted to Radiohead for its style and sound, but much less intense.
It’s not remarkable, but it’s not nearly as bad as the initial reviewers suggest. It’s like a real watered down Radiohead or Coldplay.
Some good tracks but doesn’t really engage me
Really good 3/5 album probably the most 3/5 out there
3.5
A very nice brit-pop band with chill alternative sound. The song "Why Does It Always Rain On Me" is very good and I've added it to my playlist. The album as a whole is good coffeeshop vibes. I disassociated through most of it while I worked but I don't have anything negative to say about it. It deserves a solid 6/10.
this album was painfully average for me. nothing bad about it at all, but nothing that particularly stands out either. i’ll likely revisit it every once in a while but to me it just sounds like a typical alternative record from the late 90’s/early 00’s. but sometimes that’s exactly what i need, so i guess mission accomplished?
Sounds good once you get past the one hit song. I like the hidden track
This was really, really pleasant to listen to -- but, I'm realizing that that's sort of the point. Sort of a more mass-appealing Radiohead vibe, which I guess is why I like it -- but, thinking about it more, I don't know if there's enough going on here to rate it much higher. Superb vocals, though. Fave tracks: - Writing To Reach You - The Fear - As You Are - Turn - Why Does It Always Rain On Me? - Luv - She's So Strange
You know those house sales websites (RightMove, Zoople, Zillow, etc), and a majority of houses are in greige? That weird mix of grey and beige that is totally not offensive, but tried to avoid scare the buyers with the possibility of a colour that a viewer might hate. In everyone of those greige houses, Travis' "The Man Who" is playing. Same reason. Indifference and inoffensiveness turned up to up to 12.
Partly really nice. And then simply holes in between.
Obligatory statement that this is very much one of the 600 or so albums that are on this list due to being released in the UK between 1995 and 2015 because Robert Dimery. I'm hearing the first track and I think to myself "They took just the first 3/4ths of Wonderwall here and then the audacity for the lyrics to say "what is a wonderwall anyway?". Then I hear the track 'As You Are' and am thinking about how this came out only two years after OK Computer. Come on now. Maybe it's a personal hangup that I expect bands on the list to occupy their own discrete space, like expectation that there is no redundancy since the real estate of 1001 is so limited. This album is very competently constructed and engineered but it just gives off vibes of 'We Have Radiohead At Home'
Decent. Kinda bland.
gives radiohead vibes Would I listen again: no Deserves to be on this list: maybe 3.4
It was fine
Before Coldplay, Muse, Doves, Snow Patrol, Starsailor, Embrace, or Keane, Travis were the probably the first post-Radiohead band. Focusing on slower and more instrospective songs, with more emphasis on pianos and string arrangements, rather than riffs or solos. Definitely not the best of this genre of bands, but not the worst either. Some great songs here, particularly the genre-defining ballad "Turn". Key tracks: Driftwood Turn Why Does It Always Rain on Me?
Not bad but not what I would usually listen to.
I like this, but honestly there's a sense that they had 2 or 3 really solid tracks, and tried to improvise the rest of an album. First 2 tracks are solid, but then there's a huge dropoff until the end.
Melancholic medium drama guitar pop. Sounded a bit Coldplay in places but generally a listenable Travis album
I enjoyed it. I hear some Beatles, some early Radiohead. All with lesser song-writing than those, but it's a good sound.
mid
Me lembrou um pouco o Radiohead, e dizem que parece Keane, mas não consegui sentir. Mas achei legal Driftwood, Luv e She's So Strange
3+ Stars (9/15)
Kind of a sleeper band, a little bland but some nice (if not predictable) chord progessions. Not much to really love or really hate here.
Cover 6 Not very memorable, at least after first listen. All the songs kinda melded together.
There are parts that are fantastic. Some songs are just meh.
***An ok album. Easy listening
Day656 - i will always associate travis with coldplay. i heard yellow and why does it always rain on me around the same time
Pretty solid - flirting with a 4. Really like the rain song
Good with one exceptional hit
Not bad.
Decent. 3/5
Kind of a timeless sound. Some haunting guitars, but an alright journey of an album.
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!
Not bad
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.
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.
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
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".
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.
Meh
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
Really close to a 4, may need another listen, decent!
Pleasant. Faint praise.
"Why does this sound like a lite Radiohead?" *checks who produced the album* "Ooohhh that makes sense...."
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.
Kinda boring soft rock.
Mid
It’s like the ten different songs are ten different genres.
2.6
3/5
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
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.
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.
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.
Nice album, good songs.
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.
Generally pleasant and inoffensive at the cost of being unoriginal and boring. Easy 3, but still a pleasant listen
3/5
... 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.
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
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.
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?
Имат як албум ама не е тоя
Gear: HEDD Audio HEDDphone Two Artwork: 🌨️🧥🔌 Production: 🎧😘🤌 Music: 🌧️😔✉️ Rating: ❄️❄️❄️/5
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
testing notes
Relaxing, atmospheric, unremarkable??? But would relisten
This was an alright album. Nothing amazing, but nothing particularly bad. I liked the last song a lot.
Not bad, a bit whiny and not something I expect to listen to again, but not bad
Decently entertaining. Some cool grooves. Got Radiohead vibes. Repetitive but not in a terribly awful way
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
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.
No strong feelings about this album
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.
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
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
This was fine! I liked a little bit of Scottish musicians for once. It wasn’t extremely memorable, but I never disliked it.
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
Okay. Not bad
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.
yawn
quite liked this album, but i felt there was nothing really holding it together. will relisten.
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.
5/10…Britpop
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.
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.
Fine
It was some ok easy listening. Nothing that really grabbed on to me.
Such an aggressively 3/5 album I’m tempted to give it a 2/5
This would have been my jam in 2001/2002. Today it just seems like sad bastard jams.
Beatles-at-home/10
Gives me Radiohead vibes at points.
Lugn o trevlig
Pleasant enough that I listened to it twice
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.
Nothing groundbreaking, but liked this one. A little moody indie rock with notes of Radiohead.
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.
Meh.
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?
It was fine, but mostly forgettable. Enjoy the mellow last song "Slide Show" the most I think. Did not like the songs that sounded the most like Radiohead. When it ended nothing played next... then I realized 'hidden track!' In the most 90s CD possible way with like 5 minutes of silence on the last track and then another song. I liked it! Not just for the nostalgia reasons, but it was a good song.
Does this album resemble a more radio-friendly version of Radiohead or a tamer version of Oasis (they even name drop Wonderwall on two separate songs)? Yes. Did I have it on constant rotation when it came out? Also yes. I totally understand if people find this album bland and uninteresting. I remember my own mother once asking if I could put on something else because this album was making her sleepy lol. I probably wouldn't include it on a list of albums you absolutely must listen to in your life — it's a competent album, but it's not really innovative or influential. But damn it, I love it anyway. This album reminds me of the folkier aspects of 70's acts like George Harrison or Cat Stevens. Even if it's derivative of better albums that came before it, I'm a sucker for jangly guitars and harmonies. I don't know why Travis spoke to me when so many similar bands didn't. But for whatever reason, this album and their next album, The Invisible Band, are some of the few I've kept in my personal music collection for over twenty years, and I still dig them. I'd take Travis over Oasis or Coldplay any day — if nothing else, Fran is the strongest singer out of the three. Sometimes you just like what you like and you can't explain why. "Driftwood" and "Turn" are and will always be bangers, and that's a hill I'll die on. This album is also cool because it included a secret track at the end, which was always a fun easter egg in the CD era (it's also a much darker and heavier song than anything else on the album). Personally, this is a 4/5 for me. Trying to be objective about it, I'd give this a 3/5. It's a good album with repeat playability (in my opinion at least), but I agree with people who don't think it belongs on this list. Therefore, I'll give it a neutral rating. And I'll continue to listen to my boring, beige music, thank you very much.
Boring, could have died without hearing.
Enjoyed the space this album put me in, comparisons to a sort of coldplay are apt. I enjoyed the last track a lot, slide show. Good album
very cliche indie/acoustic sound. Feel like some of Coldplay’s songs at times. I just googled it and Coldplay were influenced by them, so.. makes sense.
I've been excited to hear this one as I've heard a lot of positive reviews and I know it was produced by frequent Radiohead collaborator Nigel Godrich. I have to confess that I wasn't blown away though. I see the appeal but it's not a top one for me. It sounds like what Radiohead could have sounded like if they wanted to play it safe. And that's completely fine, just less interesting than I'd hoped for. "Why Does it Always Rain on Me?" is certainly an earworm but not in a great way.
I could never hear the connection between muse and Radiohead until the third song of this album started. Because he's clearly trying to sing like thom Yorke but sounding like the lead singer of muse. It's wild how there is a whole subgenre of bands that tried to rip off the sound of the bends when no one really liked that album outside of England. I feel like this was an album that was advertised everywhere but I never actually heard a single song off this album. I'm a sucker for yearning voices but I don't know how relevant this is as an album
78% Best: Writing To Reach You; Driftwood; Why Does It Always Rain On Me? Must-Hear? Not quite
Another "reprieve" album - something that's easy going and likeable. I'm very stingy with the albums that I consider to be reprieving, so I can't actually remember the last album I bestowed the moniker to. I guess "Melody A.M." from 10 albums ago, though I don't think that album qualifies because I genuinely like it. The reprieve album before that was "Heartbreaker", which was 23 albums ago. I'm well overdue for a break. I can commend this album for being ahead of the curve. The sweeter parts of this album are very reminiscent of the sickly-sweet acoustic pop/rock ballads that became popular throughout the 2000s. The electronic sounds that underscore some parts of the album were quite pleasant and nice. I genuinely quite like "Writing to Reach You" and "Why Does It always Rain On Me?". While I did appreciate this, I think the album loses itself somewhere down the middle. The more lively tracks on here (especially the hidden bonus track on the closer) didn't hook me. I'll see if I'm open to revisiting this in the future. I would say that I have no idea how this album landed on the list, but in the time since I last busted out that line I have upped my game by obtaining a legal copy of the 1001 Albums book that I robbed from the digital book store. Let's see. Produced by Nigel Godrich. The band started out in Britpop (a genre I have been absolutely inundated with as of late). Apparently it was the best-selling album from a British band in the UK in the year of 1999. That's the reason, bucko. The people on this site really aren't lying when they complain about the strong English bias. I would close out this review by reflecting on my experience and ruminating on the journey ahead, but I actually know what's in store for me, at least as far as the next 30 or so albums go. In Utero is two albums away. I vowed to give Nevermind a relisten when I got to the next Nirvana album, though I think I'll pass while I get my backlog in order. Two albums after that is Electric Ladyland. My first Jimi record. I'm curious to hear what one of the most iconic guitarists sounds like. Neon Bible. I listened to Funeral by Arcade Fire in my own time and really did not like that album, though I'm always open to second chances. Revolver. One of the Beatles albums that I'm less enthusiastic about. I'm keen to give it another evaluation. Paranoid by Black Sabbath. My second Elvis Costello album. A whole lot of nothing. Looking forward to it.
It was ok, the tracks that were released as singles were definitely the best tracks on the albums
Nothing to see hear (geddit?)
. . . fine. This era of British rock is okay.
Oasis ass kissers
3.5
So this is obviously not revolutionary, and all the reviews calling this Keane does The Bends are pretty accurate, but it is mostly pleasant and listenable. I'm not upset by it.
Nice mellow style. Lead has beautiful voice
Love this band.
the first song makes me lol cause there's a wonderwall reference, but today isn't gonna be the day that i feel something in this album. and they even got nigel godrich for the production. ok, so now that's some radiohead like stuff going on. maybe there's gonna be some people who like it, but after all, i'd like go back to wonderwall and the bends. old britpop is the best britpop. 3/5
It... is.
It’s very funny having a connection with this album, having bought it based on a video I saw for “Turn” on impulse. There’s nothing grand or incredible about this record, but that’s kinda ok. The songwriting is good, and when Coldplay burst on the scene in 2000 I remember feeling like they were just copying Travis. “Driftwood” and “Turn” are hits for a reason, and “Slide Show” is a gorgeous tune at the end. Nothing great, but also nothing terrible. Solid 3.
A perfectly decent album nothing about it screams "this is amazing"
Solid Meh
I like it more years ago
The rain song is a 90’s masterpiece. The rest of the album is filler but it’s listenable filler.
This is what I would call "Bob" music, after my friend Bob who likes this exact type of music. 90s British Alt. This is the 90iest Brit-alt of all 90s brit alt. Also, I imagined guys from Glasgow would have stronger accents when they sing, but they don't. There's some good tunes in here though. I didn't dislike the album, but overall it was pretty mid. The series of references to other songs in Slide Show was fun though.
A couple of top notch songs but mostly sounds like a Radiohead cover band
5/10
Fantastic 90s alternative soft rock. Radiohead after a rejuvenating and sentimental adult summer camp. Some U2 elements as well, but much better.
Very Radiohead inspired and I feel like there must be a few other bands mixed into their inspiration. Ben Folds? Not sure. Certainly some big hits on this one. Album is goodish.
Never heard of these guy. But being a 99 album there might be hope. There are lots of times this guys voice sounds like the radiohead guy. Awe Luv was really cute. I like what I've heard. But there is a bit of monotony through out. I'm giving this one 3 stars. Oh wow there's a hidden track lol. So 90s.
Dreamy pop that fades as it plays. A coupe of songs I like on here, but “Slide Show” is a farce of an album capper.
Reminds me of oasis. Not here or there, but I would introduce someone to it if they were down that road. Still nothing to buy a shirt over.
Fine. Boring. Listenable. Inoffensive. Inessential. 3/5
Don’t think it will ever be my favourite album but contains a number of great songs
Even though the album is bland, unoriginal and rather boring most of the time, it has a good production, and none of the songs are bad, per se. There are even a couple of nice songs, not including Why Does it Always Rain on Me.
There's a generous version of me that gives 4 here. Pleasant album, good singles, and especially decent in the context of the barrrn wasteland of British music in 1999 but I probably won't return to the album as a whole so it's 3 from me.
Pleasant enough as background music but it didn't blow me away
I was familiar with their big hit "Why Does It Always Rain on Me?", but apart from that I hadn't really listened to Travis. Sort of cross between Coldplay, Radiohead, and The Beatles. Not very cheerful, but not actually depressing, which seems to be normal for the the late 1990s.
Solid album with a couple stand out tracks
Nice “Slide Show” really wants the 90’s to end, paraphrasing Manic Street Preachers, Beck and Oasis one after another Of course it’s produced by Nigel Godrich- that’s why I kept getting the feeling I was listening to a gentler, slower, alternate-universe The Bends I heard a lot of sadboi alt-lite growing up, but never Travis. Actually, maybe I heard the rain song on some movie or commercial. 3 stars for now. I guess you just had to be at Glastonbury in 1999 HL: “Writing to Reach You”, "Driftwood", "As You Are"
Not as bad as the Stereophonics.
Another one that I had and haven't listened to in forever. 3.5
Another album that reminds me of my best friend. Very soothing and relaxing. Oh snap, I forgot Blue Flashing Light was a hidden track on this album! I had some angsty times with this song.
Never heard of these guys. Love the title (from the book "The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat). I suspect if I listened to it several times I'd dig it even more. Some groovy tunes.
Interesting sounds and style, very 90s, reminded me of Radiohead.
I expected to hate this solely based on the band name Travis alone. Like, if I’m naming a band just a generic name I’m not going Travis, I’m probably going Bruce but only before Springsteen bc I wouldn’t want confusion. I suppose Hank works ok too. The more I think about it, if I could name a band, I probably wouldn’t give it a generic dumb name to begin with. Travis is such a dumb name to give your band. This album was fine I suppose. 3 Hanks
En weer kan ik een recente rating van mijzelf kopiëren en plakken. Weer moet een plaat van mijn reisgenote afgezet worden wegens tergende saaiheid. En weer ben ik het wel met haar eens. De zeurstem heeft daarbij een flinke rol. Maar ook in dit geval is dit puur een kwestie van smaak. Het is gewoon niet mijn ding. Tegelijk is het ook wel relatief. Ten opzichte van andere Britse zeurende lui valt dit wat in het niet. O ja, een bonusnummer na een lange stilte. Het moet eigenlijk een strafpunt opleveren. Super irritant in de auto. Valt nog mee dat het er niet ineens in knalt. 2,5 ster
Bij het horen van Travis was ik een beetje bang dat we 10 van die oorwurmen als "Why does it always rain on me" zouden krijgen. Maar het valt me alles mee. De rest van de nummers zit absoluut in hetzelfde straatje, namelijk vrij rustige britpop die niet zou misstaan op skyradio uit de 90s. Het zit verder vrij degelijk in elkaar, al is het behoorlijk traag allemaal. Ik vind het gitaarspel wel fijn, dat houdt me wakker. De stem doet me af en toe denken aan Rufus Wainwright (enorme hekel, aanstellerij), maar gelukkig ook wat aan bands als Saybia. Dat luister ik op zich niet heel vaak, maar die hebben wel een aantal prachtige nummers. Het geheel is een beetje suf soms, maar ik had veel erger verwacht. Dus dan valt het alleszins mee. Prima om de vroege ochtend mee op te starten, al is het net niet goed en enerverend genoeg voor een hoger cijfer dan een vergeetbare 3.
mid
Yeah, ok I suppose
Jaha hyvää musiikki amutta hidden track saatana niin paskaa ainakun on hidden track heh PASKAAA!
“Need” is a strong word for this album. It’s good, not exactly memorable.
This was fine. A bit dull at times, but generally ok. I liked the hidden bonus track idea even though it doesn’t work for streaming. I imagine that would’ve been cool to discover back in the day
Ok no great shakes
Great vocals and fun album
This was an OK album. It has that classic 90s british sound that so many of the bands from that era have. This could just as easily be a Snow Patrol or Keane album. I don't love it, but it's only OK for me. It feels dated. 6/10
Radioleg 😭
This is ONLY interesting because I really like Keane and Keane very clearly was inspired by this. For that, I will give it 3 stars. But only because it managed to let something else better come out of it.
A new band to me. First song my reaction was “wow that sounds just like some other band”… finally decided that one was like the Goo Goo dolls. A later song sounded like a Paul McCartney tune. In other words, the music is not groundbreaking. There are some really weak rhyming schemes in the lyrics which were cringeworthy. Unfortunately the lyrics got more smarmy in the later tracks. Despite all that it wasn’t painful to listen to. The music was generic but ok. Would give the music a 3 and the lyrics a 2.
I’d like it more if the rest of the songs were more like the hidden track. It was ok but I’m not sure I needed to listen to it and I probably won’t again.
Generic pop rock. Nothing bad but nothing great.
There wasn't much separating ColdPlay and Travis when this came out. It's pleasant enough but really just bland, and years later just doesn't standout among the sea of similar late 90s Brit acts.
I’m sorry, but in what world does this compete with What’s the Story (Morning Glory) as a seminal British album? It’s good, but it’s not THAT good.
Well my favorite song was the hidden track "Flashing Blue Lights" the only track on this that kinds rocked it out a bit... The rest just reminded me of that kind of mopy post-Brit pop kind of in the likes of Keane (which I hope I don't jynx us and summon them up in our randomizer) It's fine, I kinda like it, but it's a light 3½. (7.2) ★★★½
Very nice pleasant album. 3.5 stars but 3 for this site.
I've always wondered why Travis weren't bigger than they were. They're much better than some of the other bands from that period and that similar sound (I'm looking at you, Coldplay). This is a nice album, it feels coherent throughout, with very hummable tunes and a lovely relaxing vocal. An enjoyable, if pretty uneventful, listen.
Kind of Oasis-y, dreamy emo rock. Hadn't heard them before yet it is familiar and listenable.
I preferred the Edinburgh Gay Men's Chorus' version of Why Does It Always Rain On Me? Seriously, this was fine and inoffensive. Will always be a fan of Scottish representation in these things Think the secret song was maybe the most interesting!
Britpop had its moment in the 90s and Travis here is a little late for the train. So he waits on the platform for the radiohead express. He does Brit-pop better than the vast majority of the other hog water but pales in comparison to radiohead (he wants to be them so bad) 6/10 Fav tracks - As You Are, The Last Laugh of the Laughter, Slide Show Least Fav - None really
Inoffensive paint-by-numbers music. This is probably some Gen X consultant's favourite band. The music here is very well-played, the arrangement and production is good and the vocals are good. That's all I can really say about this album is that it's good. Highlights here for me are Turn and Slide Show. 7/10 don't think I would go out of my way to listen to this. (Also not sure if I would recognise a track from this if you played it to me in a week)
It was fine. I like Travis. They make nice music. Is it world-changing? No. Three stars.
"Mom, can we get Radiohead?" "Billy, we have Radiohead at home." Radiohead at home:
Streaming releases of albums with hidden tracks should separate the track and remove the three minutes of silence. I’m not trying to add the song to a playlist and listen to my thoughts for three minutes. Album was enjoyable enough, but it was nothing I haven’t heard before done better. “We have The Bends at home” seems about right. Favorite songs were Writing To Reach You, Driftwood, and The Last Laugh Of The Laughter.
Brit rock
Not bad! Didn’t mind it
This is decent - some songs sound like Walmart Oasis but it's a nice listen generally.
This is ok. Definitely some good stuff
Not bad, but really comes across as store-brand Radiohead.
6.5/10
A little one-note but decent. The hidden track is one of the best.
This album really only partially holds itself up thanks to the catchy song Why Does It Always Rain On Me? which I knew quite well. I was hoping the rest of the material would also standout, but unfortunately it didn’t. I mean it’s all fine, but I felt like I was listening to a Radiohead knock-off band filtered through the band Keane with a bit of Oasis peppered in. And then my hunch was proven when I saw the album was produced by Nigel Godrich, longtime collaborator/producer of Radiohead.
This was a nice surprise. I actually really enjoyed this and that thom yorke sound mofo. Some of it is forgettable but enough substance to bump this up a lil. 3.5
Another reviewer described this album as “eating saltines dipped in skim milk,” and I tend to agree. I mean, nothing inherently wrong with saltines and skim milk. I enjoy them both. But you need a little peanut butter on the saltines. Pour skim milk over a tasty cereal. This album is fine but boring. 2.75/5
ganz süß, aber fad auf dauer
Interesting in parts. But only in parts, the majority of it is generic britpop (which I, apparently, do fancy) First song sounds a bit like Wonderwall. Not as good, of course. The vibes are there, quite melancholic. Good music
Never really listened to this band before but they're surprisingly really good, fells like shittier Radiohead but in a good way
Fades away into the background.
decent rock album, didn't seem overly distinctive.
Very late-90s British. Lead single was played a lot back then. Somewhat boring in parts, but with some decent songs as well.
this makes me proud to be british 4/10
Bland. Not offensive, just blah.
Enjoyable. A mix of Radiohead and Keane with a splash of Coldplay. Good background music for a coffee shop or gourmet sandwich shop.
Late 90s early 00s threw out some mediocre indie like Travis and Snow Patrol, Keane and Coldplay. It’s like IKEA furniture. Bland but functional. Seems cruel to hate on it.
Writing to Reach You is really good and I liked some other songs as well, but there's also a lot of corny moments (that song with the chorus sung in french genuinely made me laugh in the worst possible way. I guess I just don't get British humour.
3.3 1x catchup 11/14/24
1. reach you - 1 2. the fear - 1 3. you are - 2 4. driftuuood - 1 5. laughter - 1.5 6. turn - 1.5 7. uuhy - 1.5 8. luv - 1 9. ztrange - 1.5 10. zhouu - 2
Would have preferred more Oasis and less Radiohead in their sound.
I was expecting to hate it but I didn't. A few songs are good, most are a bit too bland.
Okay album carried by 3 exceptional songs
Something in between Oasis and Radiohead. No special alarm. Why on the 1001?
Imagine talking shit on Wonderwall and Oasis for your entire album despite basically copying them and then you lose best British album of the past 30 years to the Wonderwall album. Fucking hilarious also the music was completely uninteresting except maybe the first song.
2-3
Hm.
This is a late-90s British alt-rock album, and you can clearly hear the departure from the Britpop sound to something that's starting to feel distinctly "early 2000s". On one hand, they probably were a bit ahead of their time on this. Coldplay's Parachutes would come out a year later, and then you get a whole list of artists shortly after that kind of have a similar sound (OneRepublic, Keane, Snow Patrol, etc.). On the other hand, this just consistently fell a bit flat to me. It just feels a little tame and uninspired overall. There's a few really good songs on here for sure. "Writing To Reach You" is a strong start, and "Why Does It Always Rain On Me?" is really the song that put them on the map, but on the whole the mid-tempo melodic slightly sad songs blend into one another a bit. This feels like something I should like a lot, but something about it is just a bit lacking to me. Perfectly solid, but that's it. Favorite song: Writing To Reach You Other: As You Are, Driftwood, Why Does It Always Rain On Me? 7/2/24
Jeepers, haven't listened to this for over 20 years. There is probably a reason for that. I think, on reflection, that this was actually very good album in the 90s. It has a merit, in a morose, over-romantic sort of way. Maybe it's because I loved it as a teenager, and am slightly reminiscent of being youthful and less cynical, but I didn't dislike it as much as I thought I was going to. I'd even go as far as to say that some of it was actually pretty good to listen to! Ultimately it was an incredibly influential album, not in a particularly good way in that it very much paved the way for utterly abysmal artists and bands that took the morose feeling of this but mixed it up with the self-important grandiosity that Fran Healy displayed in real life, but not particularly in his music. I'm talking about the Interpols and the Elbows. The true horrors of early-2000s shitpop. That's really not a good thing.
some incredible duds on here. 🌼🌧🪔🚲🥏 highlights: the sitar on the last laugh of the laughter. see also: poses (rufus wainwright, 2001); starshaped (matthew longfellow, 1993); wonderwall.
Definitely of its time. Some cracking tunes but probably miss the boat on this one.
Sometimes music needs to be fun. This is it: fun music. And I loved the album, even if it's not the most complicated thing in the world (and maybe a little too sad in the sense of lyrics)
It's good background music, but this isn't something I'd want to sit down and listen to on it's own again.
Yet another group and album I had not heard of prior to it showing up on my project home page. A very uneven album. I added a couple of songs to my playlist but other songs not memorable. The lead singer repetitive at times. Good songs included "Driftwood", "Turn" and "Why Does it Always Rain on Me". Hidden song not worth the wait...
Coldplay is a little too hardcore for me. This is nice.
Extraordinarily ordinary.
The blandness of this doesn't upset me like some here, but it doesn't move me either. I caught myself spacing out while listening to this a lot. This is just sort of there music. Which I guess is better than awful music.
A blast from the (recent) past with a really nice hit, but otherwise an average album to round this off. Okay vocal, okay music, but nothing that I will remember in a day or two.
seems like this was produced to have no edges, no teeth. underlying music is okay; I'll bet they're pretty good live. oh, these guys sing "why does it always rain on me" . . . it was quite popular at the turn of the century.
I didn't think I had ever heard of Travis, but it turns out I know -- and like -- one of the songs on this album. The whole thing has a very Oasis vibe, but I prefer Travis because they're quieter. Tim summed it up as "Someone has been studying their Oasis studying their Beatles."
It's alright, I'd give it 3.5. There's nothing bad about it but nothing memorable either.
The bends but bland
The Man Who is really hit and miss; the singles are all pleasant and largely memorable, Turn in particular is a bit of a classic, and then As You Are is quite good too. The rest is a bit dreary and Fran Healy's voice grates the higher it goes; he's a more effective and interesting listen when he's in a lower register, otherwise it becomes a little warbly and pitchy and lost. The strength of the highs outweighs the annoyance of the lows, it's a high 3 I think.
Fond memories of this from my childhood - this is towards the end of the era (that started with Pulp and Oasis) when my dad got back into new music and had this on in the car a lot. Haven't listened to it in ages, definitely over a decade and probably a fair bit longer than that. Listening back to it now, there are some songs that stand up on their own, some that stand up with the benefit of nostalgia, and some that don't stand up at all really. Writing To Reach You, As You Are, and Why Does It Always Rain On Me are really quite good, I like Driftwood as well, and the rest is pretty ropey. 3/5.
Bad band name, solid album
Listened to part of it. Never heard of this group. Interesting.
Sing is one of my all-time favorite songs, but it's not in this one. As you are sounds a ton like Thom Yorke. This is ok, kind of meh. Enjoyable enough, but to me is proto-other-albums-I-like. Not sure why it deserved to be on this list. I want to give it a 2.5, since it's the kind of sound I enjoy but not that good. There's a secret track at the end, which feels like something form a bygone era. Highlights: turn
Mellow. Understated. Reminds me of early 2000's ...like Radiohead or something, or a long lost descendant of U2. It all sounds really samey. Singer sounds like he's singing the same song the whole album. He tone is almost a whisper sing and it verges on getting under my skin the whole time. Even with all these drawbacks this album isn't too bad. These guys are better than Coldplay. 3/5
A bit of a poor man's radiohead. Not my favourite. Easy to listen to though and some catchy tunes.
3/5. Feels like a poor man's Radiohead or Coldplay.
Not bad but I've heard it all so many times for so many years it's hard to love it.
I liked it alright but I don't see myself remembering this a month from now. Woulda missed the last tune if I wasn't lazy.
I'd never heard of them before. Like a proto-coldplay. I kept hoping they would break into a really good song--they always seemed on the verge but then never quite there.
There are moments I clicked with, but found myself being pretty disappointed by a watered down version of Radiohead / Oasis / Keane. 2.5/5
pretty simple but effective late 90s, radiohead/coldplay esque guitar rock
The charms of these nice Scottish lads grew on me as I got farther into the album. However, the notion that these nice Scottish lads also write some of the most pedestrian lyrics on either side of the pond.
Despite that the first half of this album is significantly more interesting than the second half, overall I really enjoyed this a good amount. I just wish the whole album kept up that initial level of quality - the first portion was so good that it unfortunately made the second leg of the album feel sort of drab and uninteresting by comparison
I was all set to give this a 4 as an album i loved as a teenager. Unfortunately, I dont think it holds up well enough now.
Kind of mellow Radiohead Oasis vibes for me. Its ok.Thanks for introducing me to them!
Interesting album - vaguely conjures some Radiohead, a consistently dreary tone to the album. Given how I like the sound and production overall, my reaction to this album is pretty muted. I didn't notice the initial chord progression of the first song Writing to Reach You is the same as Wonderwall until a second listen, and he even references Wonderwall in the lyrics (!) I do like the melodic composition, but I'll have to chalk it to songwriting; but this album might grow on me over time. My favorite ended up being the hidden track, Flashing Blue Light.
Better than I thought it would be
This kind of sounds like what Muse would have done before amping up their sound. Another middle of the road one, pleasant enough for a Sunday.
Great Value Radiohead. Favorite tracks: The Last Laugh of Laughter, Writing to Reach You. Album art: Reminds me of that Bloc Party album cover from a few years later, just some guys outstanding in their field. Which one is Travis? 3/5
Meh. Not a lot of variety between songs.
Meh.
2-3
I'm surprised to see this one on the list. I would never have thought about this band since I haven't heard about them since "Why Does It Always Rain On Me?" came out. I like the album, but this one is another head scratcher as to why it's on the list.
A bit too long and melancholy for me but I didnt hate it
I can see why younger me liked this. Not so much these days; listenable but not particularly interesting
I’ve never listened to this as a whole album but have likely listened to most of this just over time as singles and at peoples houses/in cars/radios etc. Overall it’s a bit too soft but I find turn to be an all time great track.
Soft rock elevator music. It's fine... I didn't skip any songs or anything, but nothing hit me as great. 3/5
This was fine but so generic as to have me wondering how much I've heard before.
Run of mill mopey guitar. It was just okay.
Quite meh really. Completely inoffensive, but middle of the road. I could have it on in the background and not really notice that I've listened to it. Definitely didn't hate it, but quite generic.
Ehhhhh, whiny boy music
Not a bad indie sound for this Scottish rock band from the late 90s. I give this 3 stars.
3,5 Sterne Brit Pop Album. Insgesamt nicht genug Hits für mehr. Etwas zu eintönig. 1 mal gehört.
This album was kind to my ears. Relaxing and enjoyable.
There were some good songs but also some that were a bore
I can understand why anyone who wasn't in the UK around this time would completely not *get* this album.
I didn’t have much a chance to listen to it since I was celebrating my birthday. Overall I thought what I listened to was pretty ok I’ll need to give it a listen. I’ll give it 3 starts
It was ok. Pretty melancholy