20th Century Pop! is a podcast where hosts Bob and Tim take a sociological look at the pop culture of the '80s and '90s.
Travis's album THE MAN WHO is now old enough to drink. It's also Bob’s favorite album which is odd as Tim does not remember it from their turn of century apartment. So today they are traveling track by track to uncover why its so meaningful to one and mistaken for Radiohead outtakes by the other (as well as Oasis b-sides and anything released by Wilco).
POP NOTES
THE MAN WHO was released on Monday May 24th 1999, the same day as Mike Oldfield’s GUITARS and Jimmy Buffet’s BEACH HOUSE ON THE MOON. It was Travis’s second release following their 1997 debut GOOD FEELING.
Its title is derived from THE MAN WHO MISTOOK HIS WIFE FOR A HAT AND OTHER CLINICAL TALES (1985) by neurologist Oliver Sacks. The book is a psychological study on both both aberrant and extraordinary aspects of brain functions.
The album was produced by Nigel Goodrich, who had previously produced Radiohead’s OK COMPUTER and would go on to work with such acts as Pavement, REM and Beck.
“Why Does It Always Rain On Me” was released as the album’s third single on August 2nd 1999. It is considered their breakthrough song responsible for elevating them to world-wide popularity. Its music video was directed by John. Hardwick who would go on to helm the cult tv comedy THE INCREASINGLY POOR DECISIONS OF TODD MARGARET (2010).
Founding members Fran Henley and Neil Primrose first played together in the band Glass Onion, releasing the GLASS ONION EP in 1993. It included an early version of “Whenever She Comes Around” which Travis would eventually re-record as a b-side for their 1997 single “Tied To The 90s.”
MANIC MEDIA
See the band who recorded THE MAN WHO with the OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO FOR WHY DOES IT ALWAYS RAIN ON ME.
Or, skip to the 00:34 second mark to avoid the obnoxious Craig Kilborne and watch TRAVIS PERFORM WHY DOES IT ALWAYS RAIN ON ME LIVE ON THE LATE LATE SHOW
Challenge Tim’s comparisons to Radiohead and Oasis with STANDING IN THE SHADOW OF GIANTS, Ian Cohen’s look at Travis’s rise to prominence as originally posted in The Ringer.com.
Hear Conan O’Brien talk up Tim’s 1995 birthday gift to Bob with this LIVE PERFORMANCE OF “MOLLY” BY SPONGE WITH GUEST VOCALIST KAY HANELY.
Read what two decades have wrought with this THE MAN WHO TURNS 20 retrospective by Ian King as featured last year on STEREOGUM.
Hear what the band has to say with WRITING TO REACH YOU: TRAVIS REFLECT ON “THE MAN WHO” by Martyn Young of CLASH.com.
Hear this band who one more time with TRAVIS’S COVER OF “HIT ME BABY ONE MORE TIME” FROM VH-1 STORYTELLERS.
And, finally, remind yourself that this was “HEY, SOUL SISTER” BY TRAIN.”
The use of audio and video clips linked from YOUTUBE are for educational purposes and without the expressed permission of their legal holding companies. All rights remain with with their original distributor.
CLOSING CREDITS
This episode of 20TH CENTURY POP! was recorded by CAST, an online audio platform that lets you create and record a multi-guest podcast straight from your web-browser.
It was then mastered by AUPHONIC, a web-based post-production service that makes it sound like Bob and Tim are worth listening to. Check out both sights for trial and subscription information.
MUSIC FEATURED IN TODAY’S EPISODE:
“Super Poupi ” (opening theme) and "Poupi Great Adventures: The Arcade Game" (closing theme) performed by Komiku from the 2018 album POUPI'S INCREDIBLE ADVENTURES available at Freemusicarchives.org. Cleared for public domain use through Creative Commons under a CCO 1.0 Universal License.
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20TH CENTURY POP! will return in two weeks … but about what? And with who?
