BARR - Summary (2007)
BARR (aka Brendan Fowler) makes minimalistic, self-referential, autobiographical, motivational, self-help, spoken word rock. It’s hard to really convey what that means, and I was going to post some lyrics here, but that won’t convey it either. Because it’s the music (and the tone in Fowler’s voice) that really imbues those words with emotion and makes them a lot more than just some art school kid, fed on critical theory, thinking out loud and over-analyzing his life and his relationships.
Almost exactly a year ago, I wrote about BARR’s track “The Song Is The Single.” At the time, that was really the only track on this album that I enjoyed. I think when you’re first confronted with these songs, it’s hard to get past Fowler’s dry intellectualism and allow yourself to feel the naked sincerity underneath. This is “post-modern” music, yeah, but its definitely not ironic. And I don’t think its contrived or pretentious either. Even with all the art-theory-speak and intellectualizing of everything, Fowler always sounds conversational, like this is just how he talks about stuff all the time. And even if it’s not, I’m sure it’s how he thinks about everything. And I guess I can relate to that.
I feel like in order to really appreciate this album, you have to be going through some heavy shit, or be close to someone who’s going through some heavy shit. If you’re in a certain head space, and you’re willing to let your guard down a bit and give it a chance, this album can be the most uplifting, re-assuring, life affirming thing ever. Brendan Fowler is my fucking life coach.
If you just want a taste, listen to the track I linked to in the second paragraph. If you like that, I’d say give the album a chance.
BARR - Summary (2007)
1. First (2:31)
2. The Song Is The Single (4:06)
3. Summary (3:24)
4. Complete Consumption Of Us Both (5:06)
5. Untitled (3:55)
6. Half Of Two Times Two (Newer Version) (2:34)
7. Was I? Are You? (2:09)
8. Piled on Piles on Head (2:24)
9. Context Ender (5:05)
