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PEDRO THE LION
LINKS
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PEDRO THE LION: Whole
The cover artwork of this charming release
is a drawing of a lion sitting on patch of grass. Much like the story of
Ferdinand The Bull (the bull who had no interest in going up against a matador),
Pedro The Lion (the band) seems more content to think about things than to
immerse itself in the ugliness of conflict. These thoughts are not depressing
but they are weighty, as lyricist David Bazan and his band innocently search
for their place in the whole big mess known as life: "I want to..do it my
way, I want to fly" ("Nothing"). It's a haiku-like ode to relevance that
finds this youngish band (many of whose members are in their first band),
gently supporting Bazan in a simple, yet graceful manner. For this six-song
EP, the fateful sting of the bee (which set off Ferdinand) comes in the form
of drugs. Bazan writes about people who find themselves addicted ("Fix")
or wrapped up in the search for that promised narcotized feeling of fulfillment
that comes out of the business end of a syringe ("Almost There" and "Whole").
After those three songs, Pedro casts aside urban imagery for "Lullaby."
Here, Bazan declares that he will faithfully remain at the side of a friend
and, like the uplifting "Nothing," the music fulfills the earnest promise
of the affirming lyrics. Pedro The Lion, like Ferdinand, is a clandestine
soul-searching juggernaut, but both persevere because of their steadfast
belief in themselves.
- Tad Hendrickson: CMJ New Music Report Issue: 517 - Apr 14, 1997
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