Pedro the Lion - Only Reason I Feel Secure

List Price: $10.98
Our Price: $6.72
You Save: $4.26 (39%)
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Buy Used: from $3.94 (click here)
Category: Music CD
See more CD details

CD Details

Music reviews of Only Reason I Feel Secure

Music Review: Biased and Conscience Stricken
Rating: 5 Stars

The full name of this EP, of course, is "The Only Reason I Feel Secure...is because I'm validated by my peers." See? Even the title is great! However, the music is far more interesting than the title.

From the way I understand the lyrics, I would say that this EP has far more spiritual directness and openness than any of Bazan's previous releases - even to the point of including a hymn (Be Thou My Vision) on this release. The songs "Letter from a Concerned Follower," "Be Thou My Vision," and "Diamond Ring" all have a distinctly Christian message and with the exception of "Vision," they all reflect a superior writing style in their intelligent and heartfelt lyrics (not that Vision doesn't, but...well, Bazan didn't write it). The subtle sarcasm in "Concerned Follower" powerfully drives home a problem with contemporary philosophy and the secularizing power of information and technology while "Diamond Ring" fools listeners until the last verse when the audience is forced to recognize God as the narrator.

The other songs certainly can't be ignored - whether full of spiritual content or not. "Criticism as Inspiration" is a fantastic song about pride and moral superiority with a clever ending that partially turns the tables on the narrator. Following Criticism is "I am the one who always calls" which describes a seemingly failing long-distance and impersonal relationship that relies on the internet and phones...discussing modern methods of communication seems to be taboo in this genre of emo/folk, but Bazan's lyrics are unabashed and intelligent. The line: "my faith in zeros and ones / to host our romance" is obvious...but very original and descriptive. Bazan's lyrics, as usual, are fantastic.

The last couple of songs on this extra long EP are also not throw-aways. While they might not be original, Inventor and Big Trucks are still both fantastic Pedro songs and their inclusion as "rarities" is definitely worthwhile. I proudly give this EP 5 stars but I'm tempted to post this anonymously.

Description of Only Reason I Feel Secure

Alternative Rock CDs

• Music > Styles
• Pop
• Rock