Divide & Dissolve : "Systemic"

This duo is trying to rage against a mystery machine, but their convictions overstep their grasp of their instruments.  My theory of sounds vs songs can not be more clearly displayed than what happens here. The reverb drenched drone of the first three songs creates a wash of sound that feels like it could all be one long song with “Blood Quantum” setting the stage after the ambient opening track. For every cool sound they capture an idea dies on the vine. At best they remind me of  Pink Floyd’s 1969 album “Ummaguma”. Those colonizers did they first and better. After all 54 years ago some British lads experimenting with drugs made music has influenced people of all races over five decades later. Pink Floyd sat in the upper tier of songwriters capable of making subversive social statements. They extended this message by infecting the airwaves with it, so that members of Parliament, both the band and the houses of government were singing for the teachers to leave those kids alone. 

 Post-rock has always been hipster stepchild of progressive rock yet on a song like “Derail” this band proves to only have a rude understanding of their instruments. For instrumental music needs more dynamics and musicianship than what is found on the plodding gloom of “Reproach”.  The symphonic elements we first hear back on “Blood Quantum” resurface on “Indignation” , which Godspeedyoublackemperor! has already done better. The monotony is broken in part by Minori Sanchiz Fung, who contributes spoken word to a backing of ambiance. Her words match the music in that they too go nowhere in mocking the pretense of being “art”. “Omnipotent” sounds like doom being deconstructed by middle schoolers discovering instruments.

 “Desire’ closes the album and makes it clear the flirtations with symphonic ambiance are what they are most skilled at. By stomping on the distortion pedals, things go array. The downtrodden nature of the music seems to resonate more than any darkness or explosive aggression that is an alien tongue when put into practice here. Hopefully making this album opens the door for the members of this project to find the self-awareness that will enable them to lean into a sonic current that resonates with who they are. Until that time they will likely continue to meander with stagnant ideas. The music feels like happenstance sounds being used as a vehicle for voices they have not found the proper outlet for. I will give this album a 3.5