The Appleseed Cast: Sagarmatha (2009)

New Wax


When I interviewed Chris Crisci of The Appleseed Cast here on CO awhile back, he hinted that the band was working on an album that contained very minimal vocals. Sagarmatha was released today, and he wasn't kidding. Over the years, the Kansas band has evolved from the off-key wails of early-90's emo to a band with post-rock leanings. Sagarmatha takes that evolution a step further with its thick ambient textures and almost outright exclusion of vocals, or at least discernable vocals. The decision is a bit bittersweet for me because I like Crisci's voice and their melding of post-rock tendencies with singable verses satiated one of my curiosities: "What would bands like Explosions In The Sky and This Would Destroy You sound like with a singer?" This time around, you'd be hard-pressed to derive any intelligible lyrics from Sagarmatha. Crisci's voice isn't the primary focus. It's tinny and otherworldly and is utilized as merely another instrument in a complex tapestry of sound. While it might be difficult to stomach for some fans, once you accept the band's shift towards epic post-rock, Sagarmatha yields quality in spades. Take the grandeur of "As The Little Things Go," which clocks in at a whopping 8 minutes. The band's reverb-heavy guitar riffs are as infectious as ever. The powerful bass-drums interplay is at its strongest. Unexpected electronic touches and bells (is that xylophone?) add some powerful nuance. There are entrancing lulls, distortion-heavy peaks, and cathartic moments where the bottom drops out. Overall, Sagarmatha is an experience unfit for those with short attention spans but it's quite a ride for those willing to submit to its spell. -- Capt. Obvious

Listen:
MP3: The Appleseed Cast - As The Little Things Go
MP3: The Appleseed Cast - Raise The Sails

Tags: The Appleseed Cast, Sagarmatha, Review