Peregrine (Dig)

Appleseed Cast (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 21, 2006)
• Original Release Date: 2006
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Militia
• ASIN: B000EGDN4U
• In-Print Editions: Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #34,101 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

About the Artist

The Appleseed Cast started their musical experiments in the second half of the 90's, toured the world, put out 4 full-length albums, and now arrive at a precarious place in their career. They've been there... but they haven't done this yet.

The latest album by The Appleseed Cast, Peregrine, is: spacious, thick, brooding, joyful, explosive, and back and forth, yet somehow seamless at the same time. Peregrine carries tones and sounds (at times) as stormy and spooky as the album’s theme/storyline lends. All in 13 tracks, Peregrine significantly yields what the band’s last four albums offered striking glimpses of. Overcoming a reflective hiatus to their career-defining, long-awaited return, The Appleseed Cast reemerge-- living out their "Fight Songs" and "Mile Markers".

There is a road to travel, even crawl (black and blue and half drunk sometimes), before a band can reach their catharsis. Not the figurative one, not the one in which bands speak of because it sounds profound in interviews. I'm talking about the authentic, honest, and humbling experience of truly releasing everything in the bag to one distinct piece of work. It's cleansing, and an amazing province that The Appleseed Cast have saddled and made theirs from the beginning of the ride and will go on until the very last second.

Founding members Chris Crisci (vocals/guitar) and Aaron Pillar (guitar) continue this ride with Marc Young (bass), and the latest addition, drummer Nathan Richardson formerly of The Casket Lottery. With a new distinct sounding creative at the helm of percussion, the band is further driven to greatness, while carefully expanding on the music in the most original ways. There is a brand new driving line that is letting each individual build and build on. Experimental? Yes. Self-indulgent? Not on your life.

The Appleseed Cast’s Peregrine is, lyrically and musically, a haunting patchwork of images. A family separated, a daughter’s ghost, a once loving father racked with guilt, brutality manifesting like a shell around him, a son fighting against his enmity, and the avenging angel, the daughter, Peregrine.

The Appleseed Cast have always been one of Lawrence, Kansas' name brand exports. Their onstage energy, gentle personalities, and master execution of a story using sound and body language have always made them an experience that cannot be missed. With the coming of Peregrine, and execution of this new tale in a live setting, The Appleseed Cast will have done what is most important in the life of a band; they will have taken the beautiful pieces they have each individually acquired over the last 10 years, and placed them perfectly together as one mosaic to be aurally inhaled by the listener. They are here. This is it.

The Appleseed Cast is comprised of: Chris Crisci - vocals/guitar, Aaron Pillar – guitar, Marc Young – bass, and Nathan "Junior" Richardson - drums / percussion.

By Sean Ingram

Product Description

On Peregrine, the Kansas four-piece bangs out its staple brand of lavish instrument-thick rock, mashing airy guitar and samples with singer Chris Crisci's alluring, often off-kilter vocal smatterings. Beat master Nathan Jr. Richardson picks up where former drummer Josh Baruth left off, pinging and panging in the band's high-hat heavy style, while Aaron Pillar and Marc Young knock out The Appleseed Cast's characteristic swell. Militia Group. 2006.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Overall, their best to date . . ., September 27, 2006

By 

Paul Drager "garion333" (Colorado Springs, CO United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Peregrine (Dig) (Audio CD)

I find myself wanting to push past the first two songs, jump right into "We Are" and continue from there. But instead, I take a breath and listen to what the band wants us to hear. And I'm not dissapointed. Well, not completely.

"Ceremony" is what one may have expected to hear come first on the Appleseed Cast's last album, Two Conversations, a gritty instrumental track following the epic Low Level Owl albums. To me, Two Conversations wasn't a hiccup, but it didn't seem like a natural progression. LLO may have just been too high of a bar to set (as many have said). Now having digested Peregrine for a while, Two Conversations seems a natural progression for the band as it's relative simplicty and more straighforward songwriting has combined with all that came before into this fairly great album, Peregrine.

Is this album completely unique and mind blowing? Not really, if you've heard the Appleseed Cast before, but this is a damn good album. "Sunlit Ascending" and "Peregrine" are probably the two standout tracks for me, though I do like everything on this album. The weakest point comes from the second song "Woodland Hunter (Part 1)" as it seems a bit contrived, but "Part 2" saves it later in the album and giving the first part a purpose.

I have given this album to any number of people who have never heard of the Appleseed Cast and I have yet to find someone who dislikes it. Obviously, some are blown away and others jump around and hit the high points, but it is hard to call this a bad album. For the Appleseed Cast, Peregrine isn't completely original, but their songwriting is strong throughout resulting in what is probably their most accomplished and listenable album yet. Highly recommended.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Peregrine Flies High for The Appleseed Cast, May 2, 2006

By 

Introscape "Caduceus" (Milwaukee, WI) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Peregrine (Dig) (Audio CD)

Chris Crisci is an amazing song writer, as any fan would tell you just based off past works alone. Aaron Pillar is a prolific guitarist that will always leave you mesmerized as you listen to this album.

Adding a new drummer to the mix (Nathan Richardson - Casket Lottery) changes the sound dynamics created by the band a bit, but I think it's a solid move for the band. In addition to Nathan's new sound behind the kit you have John Congleton (The pAper chAse) producing the album in the famous Pachyderm Recording Studios. Going with John was a switch from their former producer in Ed Rose. John Managed to give their music a little thicker sound, but I feel he also managed to maintain the raw nature that the Appleseed Cast are known for.

The band should feel good about this album at this stage in their evolution, and I believe the fans will as well. Do yourself a favor and pick this album up! Now we can only hope that Cris decides to record another Old Canes record as well!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Awesome..., March 27, 2006

By 

M. Townsley - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Peregrine (Dig) (Audio CD)

Appleseed cast went a little bit more experimental with this album, and it turns out perfectly. They kept their amazing sound, yet altered it, and matured it, complete with mellow guitar riffs, and intense hooks. The only thing I didn't like about this album is that even though it's instrumental parts are amazing, there is extremely less emphasis with the vocals, one of the things that drew me into the band.
Overall, if you want something to really enjoy on a road trip, or while you're at your desk working, pick this up.