David Bazan — Curse Your Branches

David Bazan's output has been sparse at best since the demise of his Pedro The Lion outfit. Aside from a live DVD, he's produced just one disc — 2006's Fewer Moving Parts. The aims of that EP were decidedly cynical, with Bazan railing against admen, music critics, his former bandmates and himself.

Much of that jaded attitude has carried over to Curse Your Branches in the form of alcoholism, family dysfunction and personal and cultural downward spirals.

As usual for Bazan, faith also plays a prominent role in Curse Your Branches' lyrics. Much ado has been made over the last few years of the once Christian rocker's breakup with God — he has reportedly been alternating between atheism and agnosticism — and he certainly doesn't shy away from his skeptical side on this full-length. Curse Your Branches isn't exactly an exercise in denying God's existence, but it's more of an examination of the reasons why it's hard to be a believer.

Bazan's distinctive voice causes this, of course, to sound a lot like Pedro The Lion (circa Achilles Heel). If you liked Bazan in a band, you'll like him on his own, too.

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