The Appleseed Cast
Sagarmatha
The Militia Group
By Kevin Hakansson
Active since the late '90s, The Appleseed Cast has seen it all. They've been based out of numerous locales across the country, originally forming in Southern California. They've recorded for a variety of labels, from Deep Elm, to Tiger Style, to their current home at The Militia Group. Originally seen as influenced by the early '90s emo boom, they've developed into one of the more progressive experimental rock bands around. The band has seen its fair share of members come and go, but on the strength of founding members Christopher Crisci and Aaron Pillar, the Appleseed Cast continues to make music their way.
On their latest offering, Crisci and company may be at their most experimental. Sagarmatha is a largely instrumental trip, a ten song record that is a study in intricate guitar work, precise drumming, and the kind of musical symbiosis that can only be achieved through a longstanding partnership like that of Crisci and Pillar.
After just one listen, it's easy to segment Sagarmatha a bit. The Appleseed Cast dedicates the album's first three tracks almost entirely to their instruments. "As the Little Things Go" opens things humbly enough, a reverb drenched guitar lead line backed by what sounds like soft strokes on a vibraphone. The band goes softer than you'd think possible before opening things up around the five minute mark of this eight minute jaunt. Crisci and Pillar stepping on their distortions peddles and letting loose.
What's interesting about the opening track, though, is that vocalist Crisci's voice isn't heard 'til six minutes in, and even then, his lyrics certainly aren't intelligible behind a serious vocal distortion effect. "A Bright Light" isn't all that much different; we hear from Crisci a bit earlier, but the focus here, once again, is on the instrumental ambience. "The Road West" is the final of the intimidating initial three. This one doesn't have any vocals at all, and feels like it'd have fit nicely on Boards of Canada's The Campfire Headphase.
After these first few tracks, it almost feels as though the Cast close one door and open another. From here, things get a bit more conventional. "The Summer Before" is about as close any tune here will get to a pop single, Crisci's vocals as clear as you'll find on Sagarmatha. It's got U2 influence written all over it, as does "South Col."
Of course, the relative buttoned-down nature of the album's second half isn't to say that The Appleseed Cast leave the instrumentals behind. "One Reminder, An Empty Room" is a tear-jerking, two-minute haunt, depending largely on a sensitive acoustic guitar and melodic set of bells, while the closing "An Army of Fireflies" is a study in progressive rock. Crisci abandons his vocal chords once again, but this tune's a little more accessible than its instrumental predecessors, the distorted guitar lines melodic and inviting.
Now based out of Lawrence, KS, The Appleseed Cast have seen bands come and go, reform and breakup. And despite the relative volatility of the music industry, these Jayhawks have managed to survive playing a style of music that's hardly popular, yet, it would seem, artistically rewarding. To top it all off, the Appleseed Cast are not only surviving; as Sagarmatha proves, they are downright thriving.
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