Pitchfork

David Bazan tries to build a house of cards with tissue paper on Winners Never Quit. Here's a quick rundown of the pieces Bazan erroneously wishes to stack:

1. He is a Christian rocker.
2. Winners Never Quit is a concept album telling the story of the corruption and redemption of a politician.
3. Yet this conceptual "moral story" lasts an epic 30 minutes and 8 songs.
4. The first words bellowed on the record are, "All the way to Grandma's house."
5. He has a neckbeard.
6. He sounds like Hayden and writes like Lou Barlow.
7. His band is called "Pedro the Lion."

Thus it is impressive that Bazan manages to make the entire affair serviceably banal. Wrapped fittingly in pure white packaging with thin, uncolored inkings, Winners Never Quit plugs along on two gears-- the "ballad" and the "rocker." The ballads rely on obvious signifiers like acoustic guitars, brushed cymbals, and pianos. Moody! "Simple Economics," "A Mind of Her Own," and "Never Leave a Job Half Done" raise the EQ level above typical Pedro fare, but never really live up to the "Lion" name. It sounds more like the Foo Fighters. With Hayden singing. A heavy malaise thickens the viscous mope-pop.

Which is where the ironic aspect of Pedro the Lion comes in. Why is this Christian so down? Jesus died for your sins, David! Lighten up! The book "Chicken Soup for the Christian Soul" always seemed a little silly and unnecessary, but Bazan could use a copy. It's not the Christianity factor that bogs down the record, though. "The good Lord smiled" and "Jesus takes my hand" are standard lyrics for any folk or gospel song-- Al Green put "grandma" and "Jesus" in a song that would shake your ass and break your heart. But quality moral music has always come with a soulful flavor. A pinch of "hallelujah" inspires. Come to think of it, gloom and capitalism forced Martin Luther to go punk.

Winners Never Quit even ends on an echoing pipe organ. The sound burns out like losing consciousness. Just like the church pew, it may be uncomfortable, but it'll still lull you to sleep. Save your tithe for another album.