Pedro the Lion
Winners Never Quit
My Pal God Records
Release Date: March 6, 2000
Something about so-called "inspirational" works makes me cringe. Maybe it's the formulaic style of such "life-affirming" books. Or maybe it's the fact that the word automatically brings to mind generic any-occasion greeting cards. I just can't be inspired by some fictional tale from suburbia of the G-rated family who just knew they could overcome tragedy.
But when attempting to describe both the spirituality and the music on Pedro the Lion's Jade Tree debut, Winners Never Quit, "inspirational" is the one term that leaps into my head, even though it's not your average Christian rocker's sonic sentiment.
David Bazan, who is now, by himself, all of PtL, inspires by telling the truth. The songs on the record range from sad and introspective acoustic folk to emotional and heart-wrenching emotional purges. But its not Bazan's ability to easily overcome the complexities of life that inspires. His compelling songwriting moves the listener because within each lyrical story, you can feel the songwriter's struggles. Just as life's movements go through ups and downs, the same comes through Pedro the Lion's songs. Bazan elects to incorporate harder-edged songs with some downright angry singing on this record, more than on any of his earlier works, but intersperses them within his slower, sadder, Lou Barlow-inspired tracks to represent the phases of human existence..
The answers to life and its grandiose questions are not simple, and PtL never paints them as such. Pedro the Lion's world does not picture all of life's problems tied in a little bow at the end when we die in our sleep. Sometimes life is hard, sometimes decisions are difficult, and sometimes we question everything we believe.
After listening to his songs, it seems clear that Bazan has dealt with these difficulties. What is so inspiring is that he's still standing and still searching. And if he can so can I. Inspirational isnt it?
-- Miguel Banuelos
banuelos@outersound.com
