Travis Morrison -- Travistan

4/10

Pitchfork famously gave Travistan, Travis Morrison's 2004 solo debut album, a 0.0/10, effectively tanking his album support tour, and essentially his solo career. I railed against the lack of quality in Pitchfork's critical theories for years, but I haven't done so in a while, simply because Pitchfork has not been relevant in years. Unfortunately, the slow slide into irrelevance for Pitchfork does little to help the essentially musically retired Morrison.
Yes, the Dismemberment Plan frontman's debut album is a disappointment. It's tough to argue otherwise. Is it a zero? No, that's ridiculous. Most of the album's back half is solid enough, featuring some legitimately good songs, and the front half has a couple decent moments. Does he bring The Dismemberment Plan's burgeoning best elements with him? No. That funky rhythm section isn't here, and Morrison often goes for a more sardonic, off-putting sense of humor here than he does in his more relatable Dismemberment Plan, Xennial-spokesman persona. Instead, Travistan is an off-the-wall indie rock album that unfortunately misses more than hits, but does hit a few times. The man didn't deserve to be crucified for this. It's been 16 years, but whatever's left of Pitchfork should still be ashamed.

Here is a great, pretty heartbreaking article about Pitchfork's power to destroy, which includes quotes from Morrison. Glad they don't have that undeserved power anymore.


2004 Barsuk
1. Get Me Off This Coin A 1:00
2. Change 2:25
3. Born in '72 3:13
4. My Two Front Teeth, Parts 2 and 3 5:18
5. Get Me Off This Coin B 0:45
6. People Die 4:22
7. Song for the Orca 3:12
8. Any Open Door 3:53
9. Get Me Off This Coin C 0:57
10. Che Guevara Poster 4:17
11. The Word Cop 2:50
12. Angry Angel 3:32
13. Get Me Off This Coin D 1:44
14. Represent 4:45