David Bazan has seemingly escaped the dark shadow of Pedro The Lion. Bazan was always the mastermind of the band but took a big step forward in using his own and name and now is a couple albums and EPs into a “solo” career.

The 2013 Spring Tour EP is an art print with a digital download code the back. The collection of 5 cover songs make a pretty striking collection and the tracks are very sought after by Bazan die-hards because he has performed them periodically live over the last few years. Bob Dylan’s “The Man In Me” is a focal point with Bazan’s gentle delivery and his take on Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah” seems to fit his style perfectly. He dramatically changes the Radiohead song “Packt Like Sardines In A Crushed Tin Can” to completely alter the vibe of the song to where it is almost unrecognizable. The originally very electronic song is stripped down to a singer/songwriter skeleton highlighting aspects of the song that may have passed you by thee first time you heard it.

The true gem of the 5 tracks however is a cover of Vic Chesnutt’s “Flirted With You All My Life.” The Chesnutt penned song is essentially a love note to death and was originally performed by Bazan as a tribute to his recently departed friend. The song is one of the most personal and heartbreaking songs you will hear and it is great that it will find a larger audience thanks to this cover version.

Key Tracks: “Flirted With You All My Life” “The Man In Me”