When Pedro the Lion ceased to be and frontman David Bazan went solo, it seemed like an odd choice. This is because for most of the time of PtL’s existence the band was only Bazan. The unusual choice led to a similarly unusual, albeit interesting EP, Fewer Moving Parts. It is composed of five songs, each one done once as a full band, electric arrangement and done once just with Bazan and an acoustic guitar. This raises the question, which version of each song is the superior offering?
“Selling Advertising”
The first track serves as an attack on Pitchfork and music journalists in general. However, the lyrics aren’t sharp enough to pull off the desired effect. Other than Bazan’s vocals, the band version is very synthetic sounding. The acoustic side debuts the overproduction, especially on the doubling of vocals, that plagues Fewer Moving Parts.
Verdict: Electronic – For a song that is so angry, the vocals on the acoustic version just seem sleepy.
“How I Remember”
A swagger in instrumentals of the full band version is immediately clear, though the vocals don’t share the enthusiasm. The lyrics deal with a C.S. Lewis-like message of how we all have our own self-beneficial selective memory.
Verdict: Electronic – This is just one of those songs where there’s no doubt it’s meant to be played on an electric guitar with drums. It’s just tailored that way.
“Fewer Broken Pieces”
The track about going solo is a bright spot on the EP, both musically and lyrically. While Bazan says he began writing the song before Pedro the Lion’s demise, it’s hard for the track not to carry some added poignancy. The eclectic version has a distinct singly plucked notes base, while the acoustic focuses on fully strummed chords, and both succeed.
Verdict: Electronic – This is probably the toughest decision of all the songs because both versions are actually really good. Ironically, the full band sound wins out because it sounds so much like a great Pedro the Lion track.
“Cold Beer and Cigarettes”
The keys on the electric version of this song are completely wrong for the somber story that’s being told. It deals with a confused and lost man searching for female connections and failing. The song is better than it is presented on this album.
Verdict: Acoustic – The keys on the electric version detract from the message of the song. The best version of the song is not on this EP, it’s avalible (for free) as part of Bazan’s Daytrotter session. It can be found here. It’s actually stripped down fully, which is Bazan at his best.
“Backwoods Nation”
This track is easily the EP’s weakest. It is a wartime protest song that just seems forced (like playing on backwoods sounding similar to backwards). Bazan takes a couple shots at soldiers for being dumb, ignorant stereotypes, which seems petty at best. The electric version is driven constantly forward by a very simple beat, that doesn’t quite hit its emotional mark. The acoustic version is slower and almost scary, which offers a slightly different (and superior) take on the words he’s delivering.
Verdict: Acoustic – There’s something more sinister about this version, which makes for a more compelling protest song.
Here are the overarching themes of Fewer Moving Parts: The acoustic numbers are vastly overproduced, the full-band songs feature better, more emotive vocals, and the lyrics are not up to Bazan’s own standard. In this case, Fewer Moving Parts means fewer quality songs.
Review Score: 6.9
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