Strange Negotiations is out now on Barsuk Records

As a solo artist, David Bazan moves slowly. Not to fault the guy, he has a family to look after, but since his Pedro the Lion slash-and-burn in 2006, Bazan has only released two full lengths. His first, 2009’s Curse Your Branches, a searing secular statement against his former faith, took at least three years to write and record. The product was overwhelmingly cohesive. Bazan’s message of agnosticism bordering on atheism fueled by depression and alcohol is impossible to miss.

When he started promoting his new album in 2010, Bazan and the Undertow collective insisted that this time wouldn’t take as long. They started the “I Helped Bazan Make A Record” campaign, where the big man asked fans to donate to the recording of Strange Negotiations. Crazed Bazan fans (there are dozens of us!) came to aid the neckbeard, and he was able to release the finished product in less than two years since his last disc.

Conceptually, Strange Negotiations is strong. On the surface, Bazan has released a sort of “hard-times” diary; a collection of personal reflections on the crumbling nation and the crooked morality that led to its downfall. It’s almost like he had visions of Nebraska or Dust Bowl Ballads comparisons. Unfortunately, Strange Negotiations falls short of these goals. The album fuddles with its abstract themes, eventually botching the message. Luckily, as often with Bazan, there is much more to be found in Strange Negotiations beyond the surface. The truth is that Strange Negotiations is a product of the Great Recession in more ways than one.

David Bazan – Strange Negotiations

The album kicks off with “Wolves At Your Door,” a third party examination of the dangerous relationship between the public and private sectors. Bazan’s new gritty, garage rock sound works well with machine gun spray of convictions, framing his more devious lines with some serious fire and brimstone.

David Bazan – Wolves At Your Door

The album’s best track, however, is a bit more delicate than its peers. As a standalone track, “Virginia” is haunting, uplifting and reassuring all at the same time. Remembering a fallen friend from his school days, Bazan describes his time with his Virginia Slim smoking friend and his vivid dreams of their possible life together. One of the few moments on Strange Negotiations that recalls his more spiritual past, “Virginia” is proof that Bazan’s still got it. That said, it doesn’t exactly fit with the rest of the album.

David Bazan – Virginia

Despite being so ingrained in artists’ world through their work and media coverage, it’s often hard to think of them as ordinary citizens as well. Bazan’s strength has long been his honesty, humility and humanity, above all. While Strange Negotiations has some artistic high-water marks,  the released product feels rushed and skeletal, and I think I know why.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), approximately 14.087 million Americans are currently unemployed, which is a hell of a lot better than the 15.628 million just a year and a half ago. Another report is to be released this Friday, August 5^th. What will it say? How will Americans interpret that news? Most importantly, will it be good news? Whatever it may say, it is undeniable that Americans are hurting.

As evidenced by the economically themed lyrics, rushed product and fundraising efforts, it’s clear the Great Recession affected the Bazan family personally. While he hasn’t come out to say as much, it’s safe to assume he continues to struggle financially. Fringe artists like Bazan scrounge by on what they make on tours and to a lesser extent, their records. But it’s not like Bazan can tour all the time; that takes significant capital, not to mention time. And while there are devoted fans across the country, it’s doubtful every one of his tours is a success.

Basically, Bazan is hurting, as usual, I guess. Unfortunately this time around, his work hurts as well. But by being honest and open, Bazan has once again enlightened us on his life, and more importantly the life of a struggling artist and father. And isn’t that what songwriting is all about?

Peter Lillis is a staff writer for Frontier Psychiatrist. He will not let go of his love of David Bazan.