Released 30 September 2004 Length 42:12 Artist Travis Morrison Label Barsuk Records Producers Chris Walla, Don Zientara | Recorded 2003-2004 Travistan
(2004) All Y'All
(2007) Release date 28 September 2004 Genre Indie rock | |
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Similar All Y'all, Emergency & I, The Dismemberment Plan Is Te, NYC Ghosts & Flowers, Zaireeka | ||
Travistan is Travis Morrison's solo debut album, released in 2004 (see 2004 in music) by Barsuk Records. The record is named after the van that Morrison rode in during his former band The Dismemberment Plan's last tour.
Contents
Unlike the last two Dismemberment Plan albums, Travistan's lyrics rely mainly on wit rather than introspection. The album's musical themes tend to meld familiar indie rock textures and more unusual Frank Zappaesque ideas. It largely steers clear of the funk, soul and hip-hop influences of his previous work with The Dismemberment Plan.
Reception
Travistan has received mixed reviews. It currently has a 56 out of 100 on the review aggregate site Metacritic, indicating "Mixed or average reviews."
The album is often noted in discussions of Pitchfork Media, as it marked one of the first moments when, after establishing itself as a critical powerhouse, the e-zine turned on an artist to whom it had previously given enthusiastic support. The album was one of the rare albums to get a 0.0 rating, with reviewer Chris Dahlen describing the album as "one of the most colossal trainwrecks in indie rock history." Barsuk Records co-founder Josh Rosenfeld described the effects of the review "immediate and disastrous"; Pitchfork's managing editor later said that the site had become more careful in issuing very negative reviews as a result.
Responding to Pitchfork Media's review, Morrison said:
In addition to Pitchfork Media, other reviewers gave Travistan negative reviews. Some reviewers compared the album negatively to work of Morrison's previous band The Dismemberment Plan. Zeth Lundy of Popmatters wrote "This is quite literally as disappointing as records get, made all the more so by Morrison’s solid resume with the Dismemberment Plan." Lundy singled out the tracks "Get Me off This Coin," “My Two Front Teeth, Parts 2 and 3" and "Song for the Orca" for criticism. Tiny Mix Tapes wrote "Consequently, the elements that made Dismemberment Plan so engaging are glaringly absent..."
Not all reviews were negative, though. Noel Murray of The A.V. Club wrote "Travistan is odd but oddly listenable, with a bright mood sparked by Morrison's spirit of discovery. It's one extended, refreshing 'Why not?'" Stylus Magazine's Anthony Miccio, in response to the album's criticism, wrote "After hearing the crap people have said about this album I’m bummed that people are so quick to reject what doesn’t fit their immediate logic. It’s ironic that folks would get off on shredding an album that’s about trying to be kind and honest at the same time."
Personnel
Credits adapted from AllMusic.
Songs
1Get Me off This Coin A1:01
2Change2:25
3Born in '723:14