Album Reviews: David Bazan – Strange Negotiations
David Bazan is a singer-songwriter known for his solo debut Curse Your Branches, but more stigmatized was his work in Pedro the Lion. I have seen this man in concert during his Branches tour and was really impressed. I was a big Pedro the Lion fan and I also grabbed onto his solo material like it was a gift from the gods. However, I can’t help but be perplexed by this constant religious battle that rages within his fan base. I really don’t care if he is a Christian, Atheist, Muslim, or Scientologist. You can’t help those who feel very affected by his conversion – like he turned his back on them. He immediately spits on some faces, and then dribbles onto his own bib.
The Opener
Wolves At The Door by David Bazan
Pros
The album opens with “Wolves At The Door” as Bazan defiantly spouts off “You’re a goddamn fool, but I love you” x12. He chose a very interesting way to introduce the album. Is he trying to scare his loyal religious listeners into adopting the new world order of Bazan? Either way, it was a thought-provoking song, but definitely an anthem of rebellion. “Level With Yourself” is on par with his first release’s second track. He likes to hammer in a nail with his intros and jump into jubilee on the second track. Others like “Virginia” and “Don’t Change” are heavy on Pedro (perhaps attributed to his backing band) with the same introverted lyrical symbolism. This is enjoyable if you really like his songwriting style or still need your Pedro fix. I have always preferred his more abrasive and poetic tracks. “Hard To Be” off of Curse Your Branches was one of my favorites from his debut for this reason – his lyricism matched the melancholy mood and it played through like a confession. It was bewildering and gorgeous. I will say that the title track, “Strange Negotiations” has elements that I really liked. His lyric scheme on it is a funky and dreary mix that breaks the monotony up a little bit. Sorry Bazanians, but the time has come. Set your Americano down, bookmark your Bukowski, and hear me out.
Cons
Instrumentally speaking, the album is a flat-line. The melancholy bridges from Curse Your Branches weren’t prominent and the emotion wasn’t there. I set such high standards for Bazan because I know what he is capable of. Curse Your Branches was 402’s Album Of The Year in 2009. His follow-up is noticeably weaker. When listening, I try to let the album wash over me and listen without even opening an eye. I let him tell his tale and then respond based upon that sensory experience. Curse Your Branches was an emotional album full of poetic landscapes and soul wrenching lyrics. Strange Negotiations isn’t a powerhouse. This year I have heard amazing folk from artists like Blake Mills (who I mention a lot this year for good reason). I have a lot of respect for artists who can tell a story or even translate abstractions into the musical medium in a “real” way. As I said earlier, “Wolves At The Door” serves as a great provocative intro, but the following tracks just let me down more and more as the 40 minutes ticked down. Even the closing track “Won’t Let Go” sang me out into an abyss – in this case, one that didn’t stare back at me. After giving the tracks multiple listens, I have come to the same conclusion: they don’t feel genuine.
Verdict
David Bazan is a very interesting artist. It seems like he wants to be a poet more than an actual storyteller, which is fine. Then he throws these curve-balls at his audience with profane tracks like “Wolves At The Door”. I’m not religious by any means, but it was distracting considering his past and the struggles he has had with Christians questioning his stance. David Bazan can be whoever he wants to be. Is he a freedom fighter for critical thinking? A provocateur? I suppose that is what makes him such an interesting person. He shrouds himself in mystery and rides the fine line of religiosity and being a self-indulgent spectacle. I am not making any judgment calls, and neither should you. I can say this: after a few rotations of his new album, I don’t think you will find what you’re looking for. This isn’t Curse Your Branches, nor is it artistic evolution. This is just a really shallow representation of what he is capable of. I left empty-handed and very disappointed. If you can find something to hold onto, good for you. I will try to forget he followed up such a beautiful album with such blandness. Everyone knows he can do better than this. Hell, David Bazan knows he can do better than this.











