"Analyze the Artist - David Bazan"

An artist who I really enjoy and admire - David Bazan grew up in a Christian family. He was the leader of his first band "Pedro the Lion" which was a Christian indie rock band, until recently when he left the band and became a solo artist. He now claims that he is going through a "breakup with God" and that he is no longer a Christian who believes in God. Although he calls himself Agnostic as opposed to Atheist, his latest album "Curse Your Branches" strongly shows that he is struggling to believe in God and it is clear that he is searching for the truth.

When first listening to his new album, I was quite offended by some of the lyrics in some of the songs, but decided that I would still listen to his music. I was reminded of David Bazan when the first paper we read in class was "Meditation in a Toolshed", written by C.S. Lewis. When I was listening To David Bazan's new album and I was offended by the lyrics, I was only looking at him and his music and struggling to look along. Something inside me knew that I should not reject his music, and I now realize the reason. David Bazan is simply struggling with his beliefs and questioning the existence of God and the fact that he created the world. This is exactly what "Screwtape" wants for Bazan - to struggle with trusting in God. After all, Bazan is a well known artist and an influence to the society and especially his fans, so of course Satan wouldn't want him to tell the world that God is the way.

Below are the lyrics and a live version of the first song "Hard to Be" on his newest album. Take the time to listen to the whole song and follow along with the lyrics as him and his friend Casey sing. Remember to look along - from Bazan's perspective, and at - from an outside perspective in order to draw the right conclusions.



Hard To Be – David Bazan

You’ve heard the story you know how it goes
Once upon a garden we were lovers with no clothes
Fresh from the soil we were beautiful and true
In control of our emotions till we ate the poison fruit

And now its...

(chorus)
Hard to be
Hard to be
Hard to be
A decent human being

Wait just a minute
You expect me to believe
that all this misbehaving grew from one enchanted tree
And helpless to fight it we should all be satisfied
WIth this magical explanation for why the living die

And why it’s...

(chorus)

Childbirth is painful toil to grow our food
Ignorance made us hungry
Information made us no goo
Every burden misunderstood

I swung my tassel to the left side of my cap
Knowing after graduation there would be no going back
and no congratulations from my faithful family
some of whom are already fasting to intercede for me

Because it’s...

(chorus)