Customer Reviews

The End Of The Ring Wars

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Music can change lives. Music can make a grown man cry, and music can make you feel right inside. Very few albums have changed my life in a drastic way. This is one of them...

The first time I listened to this CD, I cried within the first minute of the opening track "Marigold and Patchwork". Not because of the lyrics (because the singer doesn't kick in until after about a minute and a half) but because of the pure emotions this music stirred. Intricate yet simple guitars open the first song, the drums kick in, and the pure energy of the song is unleashed. The singer screams "Fall Down Marigold" and you just know that what he has to say is important. You know that there is real meaning and purpose to the song. When a song portrays beauty and emotion so vivdly through both the music and the vocals, a work of art has been created. 'The End of the Ring Wars' is a masterpiece.

Every single song on this album evokes emotion. The thick and loud guitars are complemented nicely by the drum and bass work that keeps the songs moving foward. The vocals may sound a little rough to some, but they are raw and true. Screams abound, although there is some singing thrown in when appropraite. The production is top notch, and the art work is a little disturbing but is great as well. What makes this album (and the band) stand out amongst its peers is the emotion. This is not your sterotypical emo record. No whining and no bulls***. This is real, heartfelt, inspirational, emotional music (what "real" (I hate saying that) emo is about).

The Appleseed Cast have been making music for years, and continue to today. They created the "Low Level Owl Vol. 1 & 2" series which garnered critical acclaim as they are masterpieces in their own right and showed a real growth and maturity in the band. As far as 'the End of the Ring Wars' goes, it is a true masterpiece that is beautiful and heartfelt, and is a testement to why music is important. This record may not change your life or affect you the way it has me, but it will rock you. Pick this up, it's a beautiful and rocking record.

Favorite Songs: Marigold & Patchwork - One of my favorite songs of all time, so amazing. Moment # 72 - rockin great song. Stars - has horns in intro, which is half the song, then vocals kick in, really beautiful, works very well. Dreamland - Rivals Marigold & Patchwork for my favorite song, amazing duel vocals in verse. Wow.

Its very hard to describe this amazing new band I've just discovered. Having listened to "Ring Wars" I immedietley sent out for Mare Vital and their latest Low Level Owl Vol. 1 which I also eagerly await to listen too. This is the kind of music that deserves time to really soak in what they are trying to do with their music. Its like RadioHead meets Nirvana. The lead singer Chris has a really in and out voice, that screams one minute and mumbles lyrics the next. Its hard to make out what he's saying half the time yet the WAY he says it makes you totally understand what hes saying. Their melodies are moving but not typical or pop. Soothing moments where singing doesn't come in for 2 minutes into the song, and the drum work is also amazing as heard in the last track which is an instrumental. I don't wanna rush into their other stuff TOO quickly because I want to truly appreciate each CD with care and awe. Their anything but mainstream and EVERYTHING you'd want in an indie-band. I grew up with Pearl Jam and Stone Temple Pilots and Tool. This is the kind of band that evolved from those days of music. Where innovation was more than adding a DJ. How about adding a saxaphone? In the early 90's lead singers sang from their soul, which leaked hatred and love like blood from a dying patient. I am proud to say, the legacy lives on and AppleSeed Cast is part of it. ~=)

Don't take my word for it, do what I did, just take a chance and dive in. Even if it frustrates you, at least they evoked SOME emotion. Which most music today doesn't even do.

At a first glance, this record would seem to the outside observer to be another one of those "emo/post-hardcore-type-things." After a listen, though, one cannot help to change their mind. The End of the Ring Wars is perhaps one of the most passionate recordings I have ever had a chance to listen to, let alone own.

Appleseed Cast has a tendency to perfectly mix the songs between sad, simple tunes and an emotional flurry of guitars and drums. This sometimes occurs within the same song as well, as illustrated by the first track, "Marigold & Patchwork." Christopher Crisci's voice is similar to Jeremy Enigk's from Sunny Day Real Estate; perfectly quiet, yet rattling on softer songs ("December 27, 1990") while at the same time abrasive ("Dreamland"), and capable of sending chills down your spine.

The thing that stands out most, however, is the fact that Appleseed Cast uses a saxaphone on some of their songs. The best example is "Untitled 1/2," a near perfect crecendo of jackhammer drumming, bass, sax and duel guitars. The only problem is that bassist Jason Wickersheim only pulls the saxaphone out on a few songs, leaving you thirsting for more. It is also worth mentioning that the drumming of Louie Ruiz is outstanding.

All in all, The End of the Ring Wars is a fabulous album. There are a few flaws (some of the songs tend to drag), but everything remains on the up and up.The best part is, the whole album could be considered a "concept album" (stop laughing). All joking aside, the basic outline is that though you may have problems dealing with a loss of a loved one, the best way to deal with it is to hit back with equal force. Isn't that advice we could all use?

when i heard this cd, i immediately thought 'whoa, sunny day real estate'. the lead singer has that same amazing voice that is hard to understand, but like, u know what the song is about, and what its meant to say. and then the instrumental part...whoa, this is such a great cd if sunny day real estate is in ur cd player at all.

beautiful. this was one of the first emo cd's i ever heard. i have heard many more since then, and this cd is still my favorite. when i listen to appleseed cast i can't help but close my eyes and move to it. this is the sort of cd that when it's being played somewhere, everybody has to shut up and listen. appleseed cast is one of the most innovative and musical emo bands i've heard. i got so spoiled by starting out listening to them... now it's hard for other bands to live up to the standard. one thing i think is really cool is that they do a lot of instrumental stuff... they don't always have to be saying something or making a point... and the music speaks for itself. "marigold & patchwork" is a song i don't think i could bear to go without hearing for more than a day or so at a time. same with the whole album. it's amazing. and they're great live, too.

Well I read some of the other "reviews" and decided to do one of my own. "End of The Ring Wars" is an excellent album and has been follwed up by an equaly excellent album "Mare Vitalis" I have seen them live twice and book them for Dec. They are an extremely talented group of individuals who pour their heart into what they do.The album blends stunning instrumentals with heartfelt lyrics in this story telling CD. Kiddie Rock I think not.... Buy it go see deepelm.com for more good music

Appleseed Cast truly defined their own sound on this album. Take on listen to the song "Stars" and I promise you will see colors dance in front of your eyes. They know when hold back, and also when to go full throttle, as on the first two tracks.

I'm just writing this because no one has so far and this is an amazing album. It's one of the earliest albums from the emo-rock outfit that would go on to write stuff like two conversations, but somewhere along the way they crossed a line.
The line is that traditional door that has led the likes of Sunny Day Real Estate and The Get Up Kids out of charming under-production into the big studios. The most attractive part of this CD is that it's level of underproduction feels raw and well - just more truthful than their later stuff. There's no fuzz or crappy balances to annoy, just enough to make it perfect. Chris' voice doesn't sound any better than in this album as his voice breaks more often into actual desperation. "Marigold & Patchwork" is easily the best appleseed song I've ever heard and this album is really worth the purchase.

Not as great as Mare Vitalis or any of the others, but definately worth picking up.

I must say that I somewhat "rediscovered" the beauty of this band after putting them away for a while. I finally went out to the record store and bought this album primarily because it has the song "Stars" and "Antihero" on them. This album is by no means lacking in passion. It is, however, immature. I have heard some of the bands newer stuff, and I would have to say that this album is not for beginners. The melodies, while good, are somewhat generic and repetetive. I know that they sing with every ounce of passion in them. I also enjoyed the use of the alto saxaphone. I felt that it gave the music a new dimension. The playing was actually pretty decent too. I can truly see how they became what they are now by listening to song such as "Stars" and really getting into the massive build up. I really have found myself more and more engulfed in the post-rock genre (to classify it) and I just see the more refined and mature musical explorations of this band on their newer albums. This album is raw and full of energy and excellent songwriting, regardless. I really do enjoy it.

3.5 out of 5 stars