The fact that David Bazan christened the first Pedro The Lion album since 2004 Phoenix, refers both to the place where he grew up and to the mythical creature that is reborn from its own ashes over and over again. However, there is little question here of a resurrection; Bazan just noticed that the name Pedro The Lion triggered more than his own. And the Seattle guitar band has always been all about
… one man. This time his band mates are called Erik Walters (guitar) and Sean Lane, a session drummer who previously worked solo with Bazan. It all has few consequences for the band sound. Bazan still sings about his doubts like a drawling melancholy, and Pedro The Lion still sounds like the depressed half-brother of . For fans of previous Pedro albums like of , these are recommendations by the way. They therefore do not fall for Phoenix, which adds at least one gem (the heart-rending Quietest Friend) to the oeuvre. (RME)more
