Split recordings are almost always unique projects in some aspect or manner; I particularly enjoy them when there is an artist involved that I'm not too familiar with. Field Studies is one of those occasions. The two parties represented - This Will Destroy You and Lymbyc Systym - came up with the idea for this recording while on tour together, so they had a pre-existing connection prior to putting this album together. The bands' relationship is evident in how their sounds play off each other with great ease.
The recording begins with This Will Destroy You's two songs. Leading it off is "Brutalism & The Worship of the Machine," an eleven-minute masterpiece that exhibits exactly why the band is considered to be at the forefront of the post-rock craze. The sweeping movements of lush guitars and fluid drumming result in an aural bliss one can't help but enjoy. In addition to the traditional songwriting there are often found many layers of added instrumentation; there is always something new to hear with each listen. Further accenting the band's songs is the inclusions of small cello and violin parts - just noticeable enough to add more texture and personality to the sound. "Freedom Blade" is equally as impressive even as it is much more subdued and minimal compared to the preceding track. Even with its shorter length - only four minutes - the band demonstrates that this style of music doesn't always have to be daunting mega-opuses of buildings, climaxes, and resolutions.
Arizona-based duo Lymbyc Systym offer up three pieces to their part of the recording. While generally speaking they are in a similar class to their partners here, the duo instead ops for a more electronic-based approach: one member mans a keyboard and snyths while the other sits behind the kit. "Processed Spirits" features traditional keyboards with hints of synthesized sounds in the background; meanwhile softly played drumming and carefully strummed guitars melodies complete the sound. It's hard to pinpoint a sound here, it's just relaxed flowing music with a slightly rock vibe
I guess that is what we call post-rock these days. The best comparison I can come up with is if Andrew WK mellowed out and jammed with Radiohead. "Notations" moves in a similar style but has an interesting addition with the use of the trumpet; the resulting sound reminds me of
Trail of Dead's material. Closer "Narita" gives a nice spirited closing to the affair with its merger of programmed beats, uplifting guitar noodling, and low-end bellowing provided by the addition of a cello.
Field Studies is an impressive display of the direction in which the post-rock world can reinvent itself, if it so desires. There are no limitations and both This Will Destroy You and Lymbyc Systym demonstrate this with great innovation and skill. Generally speaking, this recording should help hold over fans of This Will Destroy You until their next long-player comes as well as help introduce previously unaware listeners to Lymbyc Systym.
