The Man Who (National Album Day 2024) vinyl

Travis' The Man Who marked a pivotal shift in British music when it arrived in 1999. At a time when Britpop had fizzled out and the music scene was grasping for a new direction, few would have predicted that a band like Travisiwho had delivered a fairly uninspired debut with Good Feelingiwould lead the way. Yet, The Man Who became the cornerstone of what would later be dubbed the "New Acoustic Movement." This isn't a record full of groundbreaking sonic experimentation or technical complexity. Instead, it's an album brimming with simple, poignant songs that resonated with a wide audience. Tracks like 'Why Does It Always Rain On Me?' became iconic, not just for its evocative lyrics but for the now-legendary Glastonbury performance where it began raining as the band played. Songs like 'Driftwood'. 'Turn' and 'Luv' showcased a direct emotionality, creating a soundtrack for a new era where sentiment and songcraft mattered more than image. Now reissued on white vinyl, The Man Who stands as a quietly influential record that reshaped the British musical landscape, paving the way for bands like Coldplay and Elbow.