Sagarmatha is the seventh studio album from Lawrence, Kansas-based indie rock/emo band The Appleseed Cast. Originally intended as an instrumental EP, they expanded it and added some singing every once in a while. Unfortunately, the singer’s contrasting vocals have always been the band’s strong point, and although they managed to create some interesting instrumental tracks in their Low-Level Owl albums (most about a minute long each), these instrumentals are neither interesting, nor short (most about 5 minutes long).
For a band that helped pioneer the late 90′s emo sound, this is a ridiculously conventional album. The drumming (from what I could glean from their website, they have a new drummer and bassist) is really predictable, and there are very few catchy, melodic guitar hooks/riffs. The singing sounds restrained and bored, which just about sums the whole thing up. This album comes out next week, and I would recommend getting any of their first five albums instead.
Russ Crandall:
Tyler Miller:
Steve McKay:
Giang Cao:
That’s a bit disappointing as The Appleseed Cast are one of my favourite bands. I’ll still check the album out though.
To be fair though, The Appleseed Cast haven’t been as good since they left Deep Elm Records (after their fifth album), and I’ve felt their albums since then have been a little lack-lustre. I find it funny that Chris Crisci’s side project, Old Canes (thanks for the recommendation Russ), is awesome, and definitely the best thing they’ve done in years.
I agree, two conversations was their last good album. “fight song” may be one of their best songs ever written.