Travistan

For ten years, Morrison was the lead singer and lyricist of the DC art-rock quartet The Dismemberment Plan, who brought samplers, hip-hop, and fun to underground rock. This solo effort is a political, dark, and booty shaking release recorded by Chris Walla (Death Cab For Cutie, Decemberists, Velvet Teen) and Don Zientara (Fugazi, Bad Brains). It matches video game noises and synth beds with intricate funk and hip-hop-inspired cut-and-paste structures, all rubbing against a warm acoustic soundscape that swings from Steely Dan smoothness to full orchestral string arrangements to piano-driven post-punk rave-ups. And his lyrics are on par with Lou Reed, digging deeper to contemplate the personal and metaphorical melancholy that pulse under this country's current anger and distrust.