David Bazan: Curse Your Branches
Posted by Troy | Filed under Faith, Music
There is a lot being written right now about David Bazan losing faith (like here, here, here, etc)… so I don’t really need to add to the mix.
His band Pedro the Lion was pumping out lo-fi indie rock saturated with Christian themes a decade before Sufjan Stevens. They received tons of critical acclaim and mainstream Christian audiences did their best to try to embrace him… but of course he never really fit in those circles.
Not only was the music itself too challenging, but David’s transparency in doubt is something that a lot of Christians don’t really want to think about, let alone listen to over and over. ..
On the last Pedro the Lion album, Bazan seemed to almost be intentionally trying to cut ties with the Christian music industry while simultaneously writing some of his best and most brutally honest work. One particular lyric from that album grabbed my attention immediately and has stuck with me for the past few years:
you were too busy steering the conversation toward the Lord
to hear the voice of the Spirit saying shut the f— up
you thought it must be the devil trying to make you go astray
besides it couldn’t have been the Lord because you don’t believe He talks that way
On his first full-length solo album Curse Your Branches, he seems to have more clarity in his personal belief, but his faith may have been left as a casualty along the way.
The upbeat melodies are uncharacteristic for him and are an almost eerie companion to the dark lyrics.
But it works. This may be his best work ever.
Even if he may have “lost” his faith along the way… at least he is moving…
He’s on a journey… facing his fears, facing himself, expressing his frustrations and feelings to God, and seeking truth…
A journey on which most “Christians” never have the faith to embark.
Right now you can listen to the whole album on Relevant.
4 Responses to “David Bazan: Curse Your Branches”
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Paul K Says:
September 3rd, 2009 at 6:19 pmYou used a word that I was thinking of when you called David Bazan transparent. If questioning God means losing your faith then I’ll get in line. It’s probably closer to say that he’s losing his religion which I’m definitely in line for. I can’t wait to hear the new album.
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Troy Says:
September 4th, 2009 at 9:09 amGood thoughts Paul.
I thought it only appropriate to add a song to the playlist after a comment like that. -
tim clark Says:
September 4th, 2009 at 7:23 pmPeople who are honest about their doubts and wrestle with God over them, end up having the strongest faith. Honesty is crucial for genuine faith. So, what does this say about the “Christians” who don’t want to hear this honest struggle? Either they’re too busy, too indifferent, or to afraid to face their own doubts. I fear greatly for them.
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Troy Says:
September 5th, 2009 at 6:32 pmthe thing is… I’d often have to include myself in that list of those too fearful for real honesty… brutal honesty is hard, really hard… but always better.
