A Round of Sound

In 1998, David Bazan released It’s Hard to Find a Friend, the 1st of four LP’s under the Pedro the Lion moniker.  The album introduced Bazan’s songwriting which carried a strong Christian influence but also had a unique viewpoint on Christianity not seen from most “Christian” artists.  One such song, “Secret of the Easy Yoke”, an almost 7 minute long critique on Christianity, is to this day is still an anthem for the “disenfranchised and alienated Christian”, as Dave puts it.   Bazan is quick to point out that 11 or 12 years later, those same critiques remain, only this time, his perspective is from the other side of the fence as Dave’s highly publicized “breakup with God” is the inspiration behind the aptly titled Curse Your Branches, the first full-length album under David Bazan’s name.

The name Pedro the Lion was retired after the group’s final tour and album, Achilles Heel, in 2004, ending years of Bazan being the posterboy for crossover Christian/secular artists.  For whatever reason, Pedro the Lion always took the lion’s share (no pun intended) of controversy from the evangelical public who just couldn’t quite wrap their head’s around such a genre.  While never actually claiming to be a Christian band, Bazan did indeed wear his faith on his sleeve, while at the same time covering subjects ranging from his aforementioned critiques on the Church, to his stories of corrupt politicians, murderers, and other Bazan parables (See all of Winners Never Quit or Control, and tracks such as “Transcontinental” or “Discretion”) that held a different perspective on humanity than many wouldn’t expect from a Christian artist.  At just about every one of Bazan’s Pedro shows, during one of his patented exchanges with the audience in between songs there would be that one guy who would without fail ask “So…are you really a Christian?”.  With the subject matter that Bazan covered up to this point in his career, it was clear that he had questions and concerns and why it should really come as no surprise that his doubts finally led to a falling away from God.

With Curse Your Branches, Bazan has written his most personal album yet, one that delves deeply into the issues that led to Dave to question his faith and eventually leave the Church.  He still speaks of God and The Bible, oftentimes speaking in a first person perspective, so it’s clear that he hasn’t necessarily cut all ties with the God he followed his entire life, but he now leans more toward agnosticism, but by no means is an atheist.  Bazan’s lyrics have always been the focal point of his music, however, they have rarely, if ever, captured such deep insight into the demons that have plagued him throughout the years.  Musically, Curse Your Branches does not offer anything new to the Bazan catalog.  The songs still contain their acoustic and at times folky stylings, with a bit of his synth influences from his lone Headphones album thrown in, most evident in opening tracks “Hard to Be” and “Bless This Mess”.  The songs are probably not as catchy or instantly memorable as in the past, but this is an album where it seems Bazan made sure the music takes a back seat to what he has to say.  Many longtime (and Christian) fans of David Bazan will certainly feel betrayed by Dave’s change of heart, and will probably stay away from Curse Your Branches for fear of hearing the arguments Bazan is making.  But those that give it a try will hear a very interesting album full of songs that examine the issues every person, Christian or not, should be asking themselves.  One thing is for sure after listening to Curse Your Branches…there will be a whole new set of questions for Bazan to answer at his shows, but the “Christian or not?” question shouldn’t come up, he’s answered that in full.

[“Bless This Mess” – Curse Your Branches]