Customer Reviews

Peregrine (Dig)

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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!

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.

One finds themselves in a difficult place when having to review a brand new Appleseed Cast album. I find that every record has something new to offer and the Cast always breaks out of what they did on the last record but they do it in such a way that never betrays who they are as a band and how far they've come as musicians. How does one tackle such consistent quality? If the last record sucked I could go on and on about how they are back to form on this one, but thats not the case. My only criticism is that the band set the bar far too high with Low LeveL Owl (I & II) but that is hardly fair to them since one cannot simply just stop making music. I can say one thing for sure and that is that any fan of The Cast will not be dissapointed and far from that you will be unbelievably pleased with the cohesive work found in this piece. Hints of electronic bleeps find thier way into the mix along with various layers of vocal use by leading man Christopher. The lyrics tell a story although not as straight forward as they were on "Two Conversations".

I don't want to repeat myself as I've given all their past albums glowing reviews so I'll just say that they continue to bring a joy to my life with their music. They find the most subtle hooks and just take you away into their world. Peregrine is the daughter...the saving grace of this broken family...it is also a saving grace in the world of music. Music as an Art form, as it rightfully should be.

Despite what different people feel about this album, I think everyone can agree on this, Appleseed Cast has evolved, albeit not in a way that alot of fans particularly care for. Honestly, I love the logical progression this band has made through the years, and just as none of their past albums should be/can be compared to any of the others, I will not even try to compare or mention any of their past works in this review. It just wouldn't be fair. Besides, if you pick up a band's new album thinking 'hmm, if this sounds like that one album they did, it should be great', you're missing the point in the first place. A band's purpose is to express themselves and put their blood, heart and soul into each album, not simply create extensions of the same sound. Even if Appleseed Cast put out a rap album with their next release, I know I could buy it with confidence, simply because I know what kind of effort Chris Crisci and Co. is going to put into an album. True, this album is more electronic and the new drummer DEFINITELY puts a new spin on things (honestly I do like the cymbal heavy sound of the old drummer quite a bit more), and at times, some of the songs can sound a little like typical indie music, but the Cast feel is still there, making almost every song sound like a galaxy in a marble, so epic and terrifyingly spacious, and yet so intimate and unassuming.

Overall, if you honestly enjoy music and the expression that can be felt from it, and you appreciate Appleseed Cast's evolution and emotional output, by all means, buy this CD, you will love it, however, if you just want to hear a reissue of something they've already done, go back to your cradle and pop LLO in for the 400th time already.

Masterpiece! Beautiful, atmosperic. Intelligent lyrics, catchy hooks. Woodland Hunter part I&II pure brilliance, well that goes for nearly all tracks on Peregrine. This album will shortly be completely worn out at my place

Argh, i love this album. You need to buy it, and listen a few times to "get it". That's all i have to say, buy it now.

Standouts: Silas Knife, Sunlit Ascending, Woodland Hunter (Part 2)

I first heard the track "February" on my friends myspace page and was really impressed by it, so I decided to give this band a chance and bought the album the song was from (which just so happened to be this album). I didn't expect much at first when I popped it in my computer, but halfway through the first song I just stopped what I was doing completely, turned the volume up to high and surrendered my full attention to the wonderful sounds being played through my speakers. I seriously haven't heard a artistic/concept/prog/post rock album this good since I heard Dredg's "El Cielo" or Mew's "...And the Glass Handed Kites"! To me every song is just so colorful and full of flavor, yet challenging and full of meaning. The sound texture of the singers voice complements the songs very well. What's also worth mentioning are the guitars, keyboards and samples, which are tastefully expressed in the mix to create lound, and subtle ear pleasing sounds and haunting effects... And the drumming!? simply amazing. The Appleseed Cast's "Peregrine" is all praise from this reviewer...all I can say now is that it's a real treat in life to still be finding records out there like this, and i'm definitely a new fan of this band now.

One of my favorite bands for a while. This is a bit of a disapointment. I'll give it a 3 & 1/2. I miss drummer Josh Baruth! Wow!! Still a great band; I hope the next is better.

Appleseed Cast is a pillar in great music. I dont think that they have ever put out an album that is not great. I just saw them live and was amazed at their performance. They were able to play so many instrumental songs and still totally engage the listner, hard thing to pull of live. Plus I have never seen a band tune so much in my life, after every song. I also saw the Life and Times which were unreal live, check them out for sure.