By- Travis  

Released- May 24, 1999  

Genre(s)- Alternative, Post-Britpop 

Length- 47:33  

Singles- “Why does it always rain on me?”, “Driftwood”, “Writing to reach you”, “Turn”  

 Travis are often referred to as “the invisible band” since many people have heard their most iconic songs but do not know which band performed it. Despite this, they are still beloved by millions of fans for the many great songs and albums they have produced over their near 30-year career. 

 “The Man Who” was released in May 1999, two years after their debut album “Good Feeling”. In that time, the famous Britpop movement had died out with the 1997 release of Oasis’ “Be here now” seen by many as its zenith. For “The Man Who”, Travis moved to a more melancholic and reflective style of song even though many of the album’s songs had been written even before the release of “Good Feeling”. For this the band was both praised and criticised by reviewers.  

 The songs themselves consist of stronger melodies and increased use of string instruments, such as a cello in the opening seconds of “Why does it always rain on me?”. They reflect on subjects such as both past and current relationships in tracks such as “Writing to reach you” and “Driftwood” along with situations many of us have, such as when we have a rather melancholic or even misanthropic view of the world at times (“Why does it always rain on me?”). Although, even if you aren’t fussed with some of those themes you can still enjoy the album for its pleasant composition and lyrics that many will sing along to after only a few plays.   

 “The Man Who”, along with being an album dedicated to director Stanley Kubrick of all people, is a great album that holds up well even without its most famous song that has become a Scottish album of sorts.  Despite being invisible in much of the public consciousness, Travis made themselves well-heard with this great album. 

 “The Man Who” is available on CD, Vinyl and streaming.