DAVID BAZAN For years, the former Pedro the Lion leader (well, pretty much just Pedro the Lion) penned vignettes that typically revolved around issues with his faith; usually a formula for flight for those of who shy away from Christian music. But Bazan, the son of a pastor, enjoyed a good sin session, and that provided quality tension in his music — reflected in slo-burn indie rock that occasionally ignited into conflagration. Then, in 2009, he chronicled his split with Christianity (welcome, fellow skeptic!) on his first solo release, Curse Your Branches, and his new one, Strange Negotiations, is a compelling examination — sonically reminiscent of Ray-era Lemonheads — of the fallout. (John Schacht)