Known for his tenure performing as Pedro the Lion, songwriter David Bazan has retired the band name to continue making music under his own name. "FEWER MOVING PARTS" finds Bazan going back to his creative roots by performi... more »ng and recording everything himself in his home studio. But Bazan has expanded his sonic canvas. His signature songwriting, voice, and melodies are framed in layered harmonies, multi-tracked guitars, analog keyboards, and intricate production he was never able to fully realize with Pedro The Lion. The EP includes two different versions of five new Bazan songs. One version will be stripped down acoustic and another version will have full-instrumentation. Acclaimed graphic novelist, Zak Sally created new original artwork for the EP. "FEWER MOVING PARTS" is David Bazan's finest work to date. www.davidbazan.com« less
Known for his tenure performing as Pedro the Lion, songwriter David Bazan has retired the band name to continue making music under his own name. "FEWER MOVING PARTS" finds Bazan going back to his creative roots by performing and recording everything himself in his home studio. But Bazan has expanded his sonic canvas. His signature songwriting, voice, and melodies are framed in layered harmonies, multi-tracked guitars, analog keyboards, and intricate production he was never able to fully realize with Pedro The Lion. The EP includes two different versions of five new Bazan songs. One version will be stripped down acoustic and another version will have full-instrumentation. Acclaimed graphic novelist, Zak Sally created new original artwork for the EP. "FEWER MOVING PARTS" is David Bazan's finest work to date. www.davidbazan.com
"Dave's back to work on this EP. A very different approach to recording than he has used on any other record. Dave recorded everything so the arrangements are more complex. If you don't break into a smile when the synth parts come in on Selling Advertising and How I Remember you must not have any teeth. It's good. Really good. Buy it."
Bazan the Lion
Travis Aschemeyer | CA, USA | 08/12/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"David Bazan dropped the Pedro the Lion name, but the lyrics and music are still the same old Pedro. And definitely a step up from Achilles Heel. Cold Beer and Cigarettes has to be one of the best songs David has ever written. The album's sound seems like a mix of Headphones and Control. Which makes this album a winner. And that makes Dave the winner. And I'm glad he didn't quit making music, because winners never quit.
Oh well. My pizza's done and I hate writing reviews so I'll just say that Fewer Moving Parts kicks *** and that Bob and Dave *didn't* put me up to this. I swear."
Less of the same
Samuel Powers | OK, USA | 08/11/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"if you like pedro the lion or headphones, "fewer moving parts" should be right up your ally. the sound is still familiar, but david bazan has decided to take a new approach to his music; he has a new freedom. though the timbre varies from song to song, the music is consistently well written. as always, mr. bazan has given us an album that will undoubtedly be underrated."
It's Pedro The Lion without the cute and cuddly moniker.
CosmicDoor | buffalo, ny | 07/31/2006
(3 out of 5 stars)
"If the cover art had "Pedro The Lion" stamped on it instead of "David Bazan", fans might never know the difference. This is David Bazan's first release since dropping the "Pedro The Lion" moniker and becoming a solo effort. "Pedro The Lion" was basically just David Bazan anyway, with a rotating cast backing him on records and at shows.
The best way to describe this EP is that it combines elements of Control, Achilles Heel, and David Bazan's electronic side project "Headphones". The result is 5 indie rock songs that follow the logical progression of sound for Pedro The Lion. All the songs are fairly catchy and singable, with "Cold Beer and Cigarettes" being the stand-out track. It's true that the songs tend to sound a bit bland after a while, and repeated listens tend to dwindle in just a short time. I think this EP is a must for Pedro/Bazan fans, but it won't win fans or break any new ground.
Anyone that was bummed about Pedro The Lion breaking up has absolutely no need to break out the anti-depressants. "Fewer Moving Parts" delivers everything that a Pedro The Lion record could, except the cute and cuddly name.