David Bazan Article

[Spirit Flyer]

http://www.chicagoreader.com/chicago/the-passion-of-david-bazan/Content?oid=1169181

[cyclone]

The new album is pretty good.  I don't love it, but "Bless This Mess" (which had been in the works for a while titled "Weeds in the Wheat) is a big highlight.

[le_vainqueur]

When I read that article, I thought that the new album was going to be dramatically different thematically from anything he's done before.  When I gave I popped it in, however, it seemed just as agnostic as the later Pedro stuff.  It doesn't seem to openly dismiss the existence of a god, but rather continues to question the status quo.  There are a few lines such as the "riddle you knew they would fail" line which are quite bold, but not quite the over the top statements I was expecting.

Not a complaint, but not quite what I was expecting based on this article.  I think the album is solid.  The music is great and the lyrics are just as probing as usual.  They certainly make you think.

[unhappybirthday]

I agree about his music not being any different than usual. I do not see why such a big deal is being made by the media. So it really has taken them this long to finally notice him and his music? (Just a typical day for the media, I guess...especially mainstream. ) Where was all of this attention when Control and Achilles Heel were released? A lot of the content on those albums is essentially in the same direction as his newest.

It's a little annoying to me (acting like something is new when it isn't), but I'm sure the exposure is great for Bazan.

Edit: When I said Control I actually meant Winners Never Quit. I get those two mixed up occasionally. Very similar themes.

[Spirit Flyer]

I found the acoustic versions of the songs in concert to be more enjoyable than the versions on the album. It was more serious lyrics set to the music of the Achilles Heel era of PTL.

BTW, the article was pretty tame compared to the Q&A with J. Edward Keyes.

[le_vainqueur]

Do you have a link to the Keyes' interview?  I must have missed that one.

[Spirit Flyer]

Do you have a link to the Keyes' interview?  I must have missed that one.

Profanity alert...
http://www.emusic.com/features/spotlight/2009_200908-qa-bazan.html

[Keithy Huntington]

i was expecting lyrical lines like...

"god, i hate you. and i dont know why i believed. your a joke and i'm better off without your stupidness"

or "f- you god. f- you all the way to hell"

or other lines along that nature... but it seems just about the same as Achilles Hill. if hes really as bold as he says he is, grow a pair and say it! lol =D

Quote from: le_vainqueur on September 25, 2009, 03:35:34 PM
Do you have a link to the Keyes' interview?  I must have missed that one.

Profanity alert...
http://www.emusic.com/features/spotlight/2009_200908-qa-bazan.html

and furthermore, whats up with these christians guys turning on the faith? its not THAT hard to be a christian. i actually think it would be harder not being a christian. but even more, in my view being a christian is about having a relationship with god, and christ. its NOT about avoiding hell, as bazan pointed in that interview. if your whole faith is based on avoiding hell, then you need to get your priorites straightened out, IMO. it just irritates me reading bazan articles, cause i just see a moron who needs to look more to god and less to man. and now i see J. Keys in an athiest? what is it teh trendy thing to do now? denounce your faith? whos next on the bandwagon? ronnie martin?

sorry, i guess this could go in a differnt thread, because im sure i opened a whole can of worms... but it was related to the above link

[le_vainqueur]

I come away from reading that interview with a completely different view.  I really like the way Bazan approaches the question of belief.  He sincerely asks questions about the mainstream approach to Christianity, and lays out the reasons he disagrees with those systems of thought.  Thankfully, he also points out the reasons he still finds the good things that religion can offer.  So, in many ways, he's not trying to shatter people's faith, he's trying to get them moving in a more positive direction.  One of my favourite quotes from that interview was:

there came a certain point where I started to realize, "Oh, wait, I'm just dethroning a notion of God — it's not necessarily the same thing [as dethroning God]."

I think that pretty much sums up why I love Bazan's music.  There are a lot of things that the church needs to improve on, and that's the way it's always been.  Bazan does a lot to ask the right questions. 

I think it can be a fad to dismiss faith, but I don't think that Bazan is in that boat.  It seems quite clear to me that he's simply searching for truth as honestly as he can.  If that pursuit leads him to belief in God, then he will take the path whether it's the fashion or not. 

[unhappybirthday]

le_vainqueur, just about everything you wrote is how I've always taken Bazan's views. I completely agree with your observations.

Here is a talk that Bazan gave back in 2003. I think his views have probably changed a lot since he said these things, but it is still a very excellent, enlightening, and wonderful read.

http://www.catapultmagazine.com/music-sweet-music/feature/the-role-of-redemption

[KevanA]

It seems to me that he's given up on trying to work his way to heaven, which seems like that's what he seemed to think Christianity was all about. Maybe that's what his parents taught him. I've been through similar struggles. It's very difficult to understand that His (Christ's) grace is sufficient and our works cannot add anything to it. I hope that Bazan's family will be patient with him and to continiue to help him find his way back. Let's all keep praying for him

[unhappybirthday]

I hope that Bazan's family will be patient with him and to continiue to help him find his way back. Let's all keep praying for him

I've seen a lot of comments like this being made about Bazan lately. And I've to understand why it is people seem to think he is in need of help or prayer or whatever. Or that he is 'lost' and should find his way back. It seems that hardly anyone really takes him seriously about the stuff he is saying. It reminds me of the same type of dumbing down that is done to children. "That is real cute and everything, but it's time to stop playing around and get serious".
Personally, I would feel a little insulted and minimized if demeaning remarks like the above were the best most people could manage after I bothered to share something so deep and personal from within myself. Sort of a slap in the face.

[Keithy Huntington]

So what do you suggest we say then? Is it not true that his family should not be patie t and keep praying? Or should they just give up and wash their hands?

[Spirit Flyer]

I do feel bad for his wife and parents. It's too bad about his drinking problem too.

[le_vainqueur]

And I've to understand why it is people seem to think he is in need of help or prayer or whatever.

I agree with your sentiment here. I would think he needs help/prayer only in the same sense that I need help/prayer (to seek truth as honestly, sincerely, and humbly as possible).

Not being married, I don't have much of a perspective on how this would strain those family relationships.  If two parents are going in separate directions, I'm sure that would require a lot of patience for all parties involved.  Hopefully everyone in that situation (Bazan or otherwise) is able to be patient and honestly seek truth together.