I have long been a fan of David Bazan, particularly in the earliest days of his old band, Pedro The Lion. My interest tapered off a bit after the 2000 concept album, Winners Never Quit, but I always lend an ear to his latest, and have rarely been disappointed. I’ve also found DB to consistently be a very thoughtful, cheery interview subject—always a plus in my book.

Bazan is releasing his debut solo record, Fewer Moving Parts, on June 13. This EP features two versions each (one acoustic, one with full band) of five new songs. One of them, “Backwoods Nation,” is currently available for preview here. I’m smitten with it, not so much because of the performance (which, personally, I wish was imbued with a bit more vitriol), but the scathing lyric. Neil Young ain’t the only pissed off musician these days.

BACKWOODS NATION

Calling all rednecks
To put down their sluggers
And turn their attention
From beating the buggers
Pick up machine guns
And kill camel-fucker

Backwoods nation

Calling all doctors
Of spin and the smokescreen
To whip the new hatriots
Into a frenzy
Of good versus evil
Ignoring the history

Of the backwoods nation

Ain’t it a shame
When due process
Stands in the way
Of swift justice

Calling all frat boys
To trade in their hazing
Their keggers and cocaine
And casual date-raping
For cabinet appointments
And rose garden tapings

Backwoods, backwoods, backwoods nation

Bazan will be touring solo later this summer. He is also playing select dates in Europe as part of a collaborative ensemble with Mark Eitzel, Vic Chesnutt, and Will Johnson (of Centro-Matic). Itineraries for both tours, additional CD details, etc. are online here.