The Appleseed Cast
Intricate guitar patterns and nautical atmospheres that bridge the gap between midwest emo and expansive post-rock. Best for long drives and deep contemplation.
Intricate guitar patterns and nautical atmospheres that bridge the gap between midwest emo and expansive post-rock. Best for long drives and deep contemplation.
The Appleseed Cast sounds like the exact moment a storm clears over the ocean. Their music is built on a foundation of interlocking, shimmering guitar arpeggios that create a sense of constant, fluid motion. While they emerged from the raw intensity of the 90s emo scene, they quickly evolved into a more sophisticated, atmospheric beast, trading screeched vocals for breathy, submerged melodies and complex, jazz-inflected drumming.
What truly sets them apart is their mastery of the slow burn. They don't just play songs; they build environments. The guitars often sound like they are echoing from the bottom of a well, while the percussion provides a restless, polyrhythmic heartbeat that keeps the music from ever feeling stagnant. It is a sound that is simultaneously intimate and massive, capturing the feeling of being very small in a very large landscape.
Start with 'Low Level Owl: Volume I' to experience their peak experimental period, or 'Mare Vitalis' if you prefer a more driving, concept-driven rock approach. Both albums showcase their ability to turn the standard rock quartet into a generator of vast, oceanic soundscapes.
The Appleseed Cast is an American emo band from Lawrence, Kansas. It was founded in the early days of emo by singer-guitarist Christopher Crisci and drummer Louie Ruiz. The band has steadily evolved over the release of eight full-length albums, with Crisci serving as the main songwriter. It has a frequently rotating lineup, with Crisci being the only consistent member since the band's conception. Currently, the lineup includes Christopher Crisci, Ben Kimball, Nick Fredrickson and Sean Bergman. Major acclaim first came in the early 2000s that earned them a 9.0 from Pitchfork for their album set Low Level Owl Vol I and Vol II. The band received further acclaim for their work on Two Conversations, Peregrine, Illumination Ritual, and others.
Shares emo, post-rock, indie rock (subgenres); breathy, intense, gentle (vocal style)
Shares post-rock, emo, indie rock (subgenres); reverb heavy, layered dense, analog warmth (production style)
Shares post-rock, emo, indie rock (subgenres); melancholic, contemplative, wistful (moods)
Shares post-rock, emo, indie rock (subgenres); reverb heavy, layered dense, analog warmth (production style)
Shares reverb heavy, layered dense, analog warmth (production style); indie rock, post-rock, dream pop (subgenres)
Shares post-rock, emo, indie rock (subgenres); reverb heavy, layered dense, analog warmth (production style)
Shares reverb heavy, layered dense, analog warmth (production style); melancholic, contemplative, wistful (moods)
Shares reverb heavy, layered dense, analog warmth (production style); emo, indie rock, dream pop (subgenres)
Shares reverb heavy, layered dense, analog warmth (production style); melancholic, contemplative, wistful (moods)
Shares post-rock, math rock, emo, autumn walk (signature)
Shares post-rock, ocean, math rock, liquid (signature)
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