Travistan

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Travistan
Studio album by Travis Morrison
Released	30 September 2004
Recorded	2003-2004
Genre	Indie rock
Length	42:12
Label	Barsuk
Producer(s)	Chris Walla, Don Zientara
Professional reviews
Pitchfork Media (0.0/10) 9/28/04

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 Morrison rode in during his former band The Dismemberment Plan's last tour ^{[citation needed]}.

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 steers largely clear of the funk, soul and hip-hop influences ubiquitous with the Plan.

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 it had previously given full-throated support to. Pitchfork's vehement dislike for Travistan is often cited as the lone factor that created a cool commercial reception for the album, marking a turning point in Pitchfork's influence. The album was one of the rare albums to get a 0.0 rating on the website.

[edit] Track listing

1. "Get Me Off This Coin A"
2. "Change"
3. "Born in '72"
4. "My Two Front Teeth, Parts 2 and 3"
5. "Get Me Off This Coin B"
6. "People Die"
7. "Song For The Orca"
8. "Any Open Door"
9. "Get Me Off This Coin C"
10. "Che Guevara Poster"
11. "The Word Cop"
12. "Angry Angel"
13. "Get me Off This Coin D"
14. Hidden Track ("Represent")

[edit] Facts

• "The Word Cop," "Born in '72," "Angry Angel," "People Die" and "Change" were all written to be Dismemberment Plan songs. Some were performed by the band before they broke up in 2003.

• The album was the fifth to receive a 0.0 rating from Pitchfork Media. The others are The Flaming Lips' Zaireeka, Sonic Youth's NYC Ghosts & Flowers, John Frusciante's Smile From the Streets You Hold, and Liz Phair's self-titled album.

• The album features appearances by Mike Dugan and Death Cab for Cutie members Jason McGerr and Chris Walla, who also co-produced the album with Down By Law member and longtime Dismemberment Plan studio engineer Don Zientara.