Album Review: I Refute Technology by Jared Bartman
I Refute Technology, the new EP from Peoria musician Jared Bartman, is an innovative exploration of how far the boundaries of a song can go. It’s important to note that the four track disc, recorded with Mark Rubel at Pogo Studios, isn’t a four song disc. Bartman and his collaborators retell the same song in three drastically different ways. The fourth track combines sounds from the previous songs into a concluding noise collage.
The concept sounds redundant on paper, but the sonic product is anything but. “I Refute Technology (Hypocrite Version)” opens up the EP. Electronic buzzing surrounds a simple beat box rhythm. A distorted bass line enters in a Flaming Lips fashion. The swirling Korg lines and synthesizer purrs also evoke Flaming Lips’ electronic folk sounds. Bartman does this, however, while still sounding original.
The “Hypocrite Version” creates such a complex and layered sound that headphones are almost mandatory. If you don’t, you might miss the cello pieces peppered in or not truly appreciate when the acoustic guitar comes in. On the opening track, Bartman shows he has an ear for little details that push a mediocre song into the memorable category.
“I Refute Technology (Disembodied Voices Version)” reimagines the opening track by thematically focusing on the line “genderless, disembodied voices/ instruct passengers of public transportation.” This wordless composition features operatic female vocals harmonizing with a singing saw. The eerie but beautiful song is just as captivating as the more traditional track that it follows. Another dense but rich recording, everything from a vibraphone to a Bundt Cake Pan are played.
The third track, “Je Refute La Technologie,” features Bartman singing a French translation of “I Refute Technology” backed by a classy jazz band. This song features Bartman and his collaborators, E.C. Juhl and Aaron Kavelman, flexing their compositional muscles. The track, looking past lines that mention PDAs and CD-Rs, has a timeless feel. The clarinet solos make it the most enjoyable song on the track.
I Refute Technology clocks in right around 15 minutes, and it feels even shorter. Though three very similar songs follow one after the other, nothing on this inventive album seems tired. An excellent piece of recorded music, Bartman’s EP left me anxious to hear more.
Jared Bartman will perform tonight at the Canopy Club. Show starts at 8 p.m. and tickets are $5.
3 comments
Matt
Well said sir. Jared and his band mates are some of the most creative talented people to come out of Bradley University, or Peoria for that matter. I’m glad to see a nice review for the latest release.
Dan
Knowing the percussionist for this collaboration personally I am a bit biased and I fully agree with the review. I’m lovin’ this record and I have the new album on it’s way as we speak.
Jared played this on WEFT Sessions in September 2008, and in a year mistechtrophic songs I think this was my favorite of the year—this simple version of “I_Refute_Technology.mp3“ with acoustic guitar, electric bass, and two voices, it’s a good song. Musician, cover thyself!
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