Search - Pedro the Lion :: Control

The Best, (if not depressing) Record of 2002

Skyline 99 | Chicago, IL | 04/17/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Again and again David Bazan and Pedro the Lion have produced some of the most memorable and thoughtful songs known to the world of indie rock.I had been counting down the days unitl this CD came out and personally it was one of my highlights for the month of April. Looking back, it's odd how I was looking forward to something so depressing. After hearing some of Pedro's new songs live in February, I couldn't wait to hear a "heavier" version of David Bazan and company. This observation holds true throughout the recording, from more use of electric guitars to more layering and synthesizer use. Without listening to the lyrics the first time I heard the songs, I could have sworn the songs seemed more upbeat. While it is an amazing recording, it is now hard not to listeing to the album without a conscience . As usual, Bazan uses his songs to tell a story. This time the tale revolves around a faltering marriage and the eventual outcome. Bazan spins out the lyrics of a businessman who is unfaithful to his wife and uncaring about his children. His wife has to put of with the childrens' obnoxiousness and her husband's drinking problem while secretly suspecting of his infidelity. No longer able to tolerate being second best, the wife finally resorts to one final desperate, desptrucive act. The final song "Rejoice" leaves the listener pondering the closing pessimistic message. Neverthess, Bazan's writing is incredible, and contributions from Casey Foubert, as well as TW Walsh and Aaron Sprinkle make "Control" an extremely solid album. Not only is the story told by a cold narration in third person that is scattered throughout the countless acts of mistrust and despair, but also through the minds of the husband and the wife. A prime example of this is "Options" (husband) and "Unoriginal" (wife.) Like a good novel, certain lyrcis in the song hint of things to come as well as give the album a dark, almost sinister underlying message. As in previous fashion, this album is not for everyone, and does contain a lot of adult content coupled with the overall theme of the story. Unfortunately, "Control" is like a double edged sword: listen to it while you're depressed and you might go over the edge; listen to it when you're happy and you'll probably get bummed. But in the end, this all doesn't matter. "Control" should be listened to, almost must be. Pedro the Lion has never kept any listener swimming in their comfort zone, and this is one of the reasons they are such an incredible band. Standout songs include "Options", "Penetration", "Magazine", and "Priests and Paramedics." Still, every song on "Control" is excellent, and hardly any of the lyrics seemed out of place when viewing the whole scope of the story. A highly recommended, if not depressing album, Pedro the Lion's "Control" is by far their best work to date and possibly the best album of 2002 so far."

I'm Biased

Peter Swift | Cogan Station, PA United States | 04/08/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I've been a Pedro the Lion fan for many years, so I was bound to like this album a lot to begin with. I suppose that tarnishes any objectivity that I have, but I still have to include this album in my top ten. The album tells the story of an unfaithful husband and a resentful wife and culminates in the murder of the husband by the wife. The story is quite sad, but it resonates home to just about any listener. The opening song, options, already shows the breaking down of the relationship and the following infidelity on track two (Rapture) gives us a voyeouristic view of the affair. The listener is given a bird's eye view of the entire situation - seeing it from both the husband's and the wife's and ultimately a third party seeing the situation from afar. The lyrics aren't just emotional and moving, they're also very well crafted. The opening verse in "magazine" is simply a fantastic wordplay that goes from a very broad principle to a very specific situation. This song was definitely a standout on the album the first few times I listened to it.Musically the album doesn't seem to be anything new or different, but it is definitely solid and enjoyable. Bazan's singing definitely stands out on the song "Second Best" (which, coincidentally, is my second favorite song on the album...) and the song seems to be taking Bazan's voice to another level - beyond his standard fare. I feel no guilt in giving this album my full 5 stars and I heartily recommend it to anyone. The storytelling and the music is fantastic. If you like Pedro the Lion, I also recommend listening to Roadside Monument (with Jonathan Ford - formerly of Pedro the Lion), Damion Jurado (past collaborator), and Chris Staples solo work (of twothirtyeight)."

One of the best rock albums out there

Hans Larson | Chicago, IL USA | 01/21/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"First off, let me start this review by saying that I am a Christian and have a very real, intimite relationship with God. I say this because there have been a number of negative responses to this album by people who say they are Christian. David Bazan (frontman for Pedro) is a Christain artist, and yes, some of his songs are quite profane, at least on the surface. There's even a song on this album with chorus lyrics of: "Oh my sweet rapture, I hear Jesus calling me." This is all fine and well, except for the fact that these are the words exclaimed by an unfaithful husband in the middle a very explicit love affair. Many would read that as blasphemous. But if one understands the subtext of the album and the violent sarcasm of many of the songs, everything makes overwhelmingly beautiful sense. The disc needs to be listened to with an open ear and an alert mind. But enough about the meanings: I'll leave you to determine them for yourselves once you buy this phenomenal release. On to the musicianship. Many have criticized Bazan's vocals as monotonic, drab, and ultimately lifeless. For some songs this is true, however, on others it is not. He wails an absolutely crushing refrain on Second Best, for example. I personally love Bazan's vocal character. The sense of disconnect that it often lends to the songs fits perfectly with the form of the album and the meanings: the apathy in his voice is the apathy of humanity, surrounded by countless ills and vices, broken reltationships and broken people. Putting aside for a moment the emotional character of David's voice, let me say that sonically it is wonderful: pure and simple, yet rich and thick. The guitar work is absolutely wonderful: really fat and meaty crunch distortions, along with soaring and screaming lines. There is a beautiful range of technique and tempo, and the guitar parts fit the form of the song. The accompanying drums are also stellar: confident and sure-footed in the slower songs, and full and robust for the more upbeat numbers. One personal opinion of mine is that the cymbals are not used enough by drummers today: too often they are used to punctuate certain moments in music, when they need to be one of the driving forces. I love the cymbal playing on this album. It is almost brain-numbing at times, the way the drummer rides them. Throw in simple but melodic, quirky bass lines, and you have yourself one heck of a musical production. The parts blend seamlessly and yet surprisingly. Oh, and did I mention that the songwriting is absolutely phenomenal as well?? Simple and straightforward yet bone-cutting lyrics, wonderful musical form, and intelligent, sophisticated chord progressions and voicings. An absolute masterpiece. Do yourself a favor and buy it now, and remember the redemption undertones to all the depressing tracks."