Bazan's New Band Lo Tom: Guitar Rock Returns

David Bazan has launched a new band named Lo Tom, collaborating with T.W. Walsh and musicians from Starflyer 59. This new venture signifies Bazan's shift back to a more direct guitar rock sound, a departure from the electronic, bedroom-pop style of his recent solo work, Blanco and Care. The album features songs like "Overboard" and "Covered Wagon," described as among Bazan's most aerodynamic and hooky since 2004's Achilles Heel. These tracks exhibit a creative process rooted in grunge riffs and consistent rhythms.

Despite the energy and accessibility of Lo Tom's material, the collection is noted for a lack of variety, leading to redundancy even within its short runtime. Songs such as "Covered Wagon" offer a critical, albeit lighthearted, commentary on societal decline, while "Bad Luck Charm" distills complex relationship dynamics into a concise narrative. However, the overall stakes feel less significant compared to Bazan's previous projects, presenting a more laid-back approach to rock music.