Drew Beringer
03/21/06, 10:17 AM
The Appleseed Cast (http://www.theappleseedcast.com) - Peregrine
Release Date: March 21, 2006
Record Label: The Militia Group (http://www.themilitiagroup.com)
It’s been three years since we have heard from the Lawrence, Kansas based quartet, The Appleseed Cast, and they’ve been greatly missed in a time of cliché pop-punk and an over saturation of the music scene. With their 5th and latest release, Peregrine, The Appleseed Cast is here to save us from musical purgatory. With a new label backing them (The Militia Group) and using their hiatus to reflect, TAC has come back refreshed and refocused, offering us 13 tracks that combine what previous releases gave glimpses of and incorporate it into this magnificent album. Produced by John Congleton (Explosions In The Sky, The Roots, Modest Mouse), Peregrine was recorded live and bursts with a dynamic energy that broods and elates throughout the album.
It is important to note that Peregrine, while not proclaimed as a concept album, does incorporate an underlying theme throughout the album. Musically and lyrically, this album is a haunting display of images. Peregrine touches on a family being separated, an once-loving father’s guilt and brutality beginning to encompass him, a daughter’s ghost, a son fighting against his own hate, and the avenging angel, the daughter.
“Ceremony,” a four-minute instrumental, sets the tone for the album; it is soaring and intimate, yet contains a dark underlining throughout. New drummer Nathan Richardson (formerly of Coalesce and The Casket Lottery) really shines on this track, displaying his skill as well as adding a new distinct sound at the percussion for TAC. “Woodland Hunter (Part I)” is the first standout track from Peregrine. Beginning with a gentle strumming of the guitar and Chris Crisci’s warm vocals, the song bursts into what sounds like the anthem of this album. Lyrically, Crisci is on top of the game, with this one being the climax of the song: “But cold is home and I am winter/blinding light and blasting horns/if you want warmth than I am summer/but choose the one you’re wanting more.” The next track, “Here We Are (Family In The Hallways),” is a somber song about a family that has been separated. Again, Crisci uses the emotion of his voice to match the mood of the track. “Silas’ Knife” is one of my favorite tracks, and will become a fan favorite. About a father in guilt, this song maintains an upbeat sound and the outburst of the instruments working together gives this song a meaning of hope. “Mountain Halo” begins with an industrial sound and continues in a dreary electronica path, giving this song a different feel than the previous few. “February” is another one of my favorite tracks, a mid-tempo paced track that uses the rhythm section of bassist Marc Young and Richardson to the fullest. Crisci and Aaron Pillar’s guitars add to the haunting sound this track possesses. Crisci’s vocals toward the end also gives me shivers. “Song 3” is an eerie track while the title track is a softer song that uses the bass to full effect once again. “A Fate Delivered” is a dark and fast track that’ll leave a lasting impression on you. About an avenging angel, lyrics such as “The one that you love/the one that will hurt you/the one up above/now a cold wind blows/it’s breaking down the line” make this song great. Peregrine, just as it opened, closes with a beautiful instrumental, showing us once again that Crisci, Pillar, Young, and Richardson are masters at their instruments and can write some amazing music.
With Peregrine, The Appleseed Cast have written their most complete album to date, and is on par with, or dare I say, even better than, the spectacular “Two Conversations.” The Appleseed Cast has taken what they have learned and acquired in the ten years as a band and have put them together to create the first true great release of 2006. Those of you who are diehard fans may view this album as a disappointment upon first listen, but the more you listen, the more you will realize what the band has accomplished. Peregrine has the potential to be the best indie/post-rock release and one of the best overall albums of 2006. Don’t miss out on this exciting time in The Appleseed Cast’s career, because, as vocalist/guitarist Chris Crisci says, “this is just the beginning.”
Release Date: March 21, 2006
Record Label: The Militia Group (http://www.themilitiagroup.com)
It’s been three years since we have heard from the Lawrence, Kansas based quartet, The Appleseed Cast, and they’ve been greatly missed in a time of cliché pop-punk and an over saturation of the music scene. With their 5th and latest release, Peregrine, The Appleseed Cast is here to save us from musical purgatory. With a new label backing them (The Militia Group) and using their hiatus to reflect, TAC has come back refreshed and refocused, offering us 13 tracks that combine what previous releases gave glimpses of and incorporate it into this magnificent album. Produced by John Congleton (Explosions In The Sky, The Roots, Modest Mouse), Peregrine was recorded live and bursts with a dynamic energy that broods and elates throughout the album.
It is important to note that Peregrine, while not proclaimed as a concept album, does incorporate an underlying theme throughout the album. Musically and lyrically, this album is a haunting display of images. Peregrine touches on a family being separated, an once-loving father’s guilt and brutality beginning to encompass him, a daughter’s ghost, a son fighting against his own hate, and the avenging angel, the daughter.
“Ceremony,” a four-minute instrumental, sets the tone for the album; it is soaring and intimate, yet contains a dark underlining throughout. New drummer Nathan Richardson (formerly of Coalesce and The Casket Lottery) really shines on this track, displaying his skill as well as adding a new distinct sound at the percussion for TAC. “Woodland Hunter (Part I)” is the first standout track from Peregrine. Beginning with a gentle strumming of the guitar and Chris Crisci’s warm vocals, the song bursts into what sounds like the anthem of this album. Lyrically, Crisci is on top of the game, with this one being the climax of the song: “But cold is home and I am winter/blinding light and blasting horns/if you want warmth than I am summer/but choose the one you’re wanting more.” The next track, “Here We Are (Family In The Hallways),” is a somber song about a family that has been separated. Again, Crisci uses the emotion of his voice to match the mood of the track. “Silas’ Knife” is one of my favorite tracks, and will become a fan favorite. About a father in guilt, this song maintains an upbeat sound and the outburst of the instruments working together gives this song a meaning of hope. “Mountain Halo” begins with an industrial sound and continues in a dreary electronica path, giving this song a different feel than the previous few. “February” is another one of my favorite tracks, a mid-tempo paced track that uses the rhythm section of bassist Marc Young and Richardson to the fullest. Crisci and Aaron Pillar’s guitars add to the haunting sound this track possesses. Crisci’s vocals toward the end also gives me shivers. “Song 3” is an eerie track while the title track is a softer song that uses the bass to full effect once again. “A Fate Delivered” is a dark and fast track that’ll leave a lasting impression on you. About an avenging angel, lyrics such as “The one that you love/the one that will hurt you/the one up above/now a cold wind blows/it’s breaking down the line” make this song great. Peregrine, just as it opened, closes with a beautiful instrumental, showing us once again that Crisci, Pillar, Young, and Richardson are masters at their instruments and can write some amazing music.
With Peregrine, The Appleseed Cast have written their most complete album to date, and is on par with, or dare I say, even better than, the spectacular “Two Conversations.” The Appleseed Cast has taken what they have learned and acquired in the ten years as a band and have put them together to create the first true great release of 2006. Those of you who are diehard fans may view this album as a disappointment upon first listen, but the more you listen, the more you will realize what the band has accomplished. Peregrine has the potential to be the best indie/post-rock release and one of the best overall albums of 2006. Don’t miss out on this exciting time in The Appleseed Cast’s career, because, as vocalist/guitarist Chris Crisci says, “this is just the beginning.”