Lymbyc System has always given the impression of being directly related to Talkdemonic. Like Kevin O’Connor’s group, this instrumental duo places great emphasis on a hefty drum beat. This beat is as much in the forefront as the music that accompanies it – not typically the case in music, as percussion is often utilized as a support to everything else. The band’s latest album, Shutter Release, finds the band expanding in all areas of sound, a progression not expected from a mere duo.

Opening track “Trichromatic” introduces this inflated sound, built upon the foundation of Lymbyc System’s drum and synth origins. Often hypnotic, Lymbyc System’s familial pair Mike and Jared Bell dip their hypothetical feet into shoegaze in the mysteriously quiet “Interiors”, and aside from spacey guitars they aptly add volumes of echoing electronic noise, all of it pleasant. “Bedroom Anthem” begins softly but quickly blossoms into a loud, colorful track before giving way to the minimal “Kubrick”. And title track “Shutter Release” is an explosion of sound unto itself.

With Shutter Release, Lymbyc System adopts traits common to post-rock; those soft-loud-soft themes that begin dreamily before blasting into epical anthems just to climax and begin again. Adding post-rock sensibilities and elements of shoegaze has made Lymbyc Systym’s music all the more ethereal and uncanny. Sure, Love Your Abuser was more than solid, but it’s without hesitation that I declare the following: Shutter Release is Lymbyc Systym’s most accomplished work yet.

Lymbyc Systym: Ghost Clock [mp3]

Mush Records [CD, 2009]

1. Trichromatic
2. Ghost Clock
3. Interiors
4. Bedroom Anthem
5. Kubrick
6. Contemporary Art
7. T-Ball
8. Shutter Release
9. Teddy
10. Late Night Classic

Audiophiles have but a single cure—seeking out the best, most pleasing music for the ears to experience. Sometimes the cure comes in the form of placing that old jazz record on the turntable and giving it a good spin. Sometimes it comes in the form of placing a giant pair of headphones over your ears, closing your eyes, and letting the music surround you.

Jared and Michael Bell are Lymbyc Systym, the two primary forces behind the sound of percussion and keys. On their latest release, the cleverly titled Love Your Abuser, they added a few talented guests into the mix, most notably Dylan Christy from Mice Parade and Jimmy Lavelle from The Album Leaf. The result is headphone music reminiscent of a blended The Album Leaf / Talkdemonic mixed drink.

Like the aforementioned groups, Lymbyc Systym is experimental and instrumental, artistic and creative; a colorful array of sound that should never be taken for granted. The sound is epic, filling space and time so completely that it is astonishing only two men were behind its creation.

This review was originally published April 5, 2007 on the old version of FensePost.

Lymbyc Systym: Fall Bicycle [mp3]

Mush Records [CD, 2007]

1. Rest Easy / Age Kindly
2. Love Your Abuser
3. Astrology Days
4. Idle Wires
5. Fall Bicycle
6. Birds
7. A Day At The Beach
8. Truth Skull
9. Pittsburgh Left
10. …So We Can Sleep