Pedro the Lion are the brainchild of David Bazan, who proves himself to be a thought-provoking, ambitious songwriter. He even makes a "concept" album about the machinations of a scheming, self-righteous politician and his drunkard of a brother sound like an intimate confession of personal tragedies and foibles. His voice is full of a tangible world-weariness, and his metaphorical lyrics jump out with real power. The band's music is spartan, as Bazan arranges many songs for only his ...  [+]