Appleseed Cast
Hurricane
08.04.2001

Review by Dave Casson

What is the earmark of a really good band? Do we look for innovation? Do we concentrate on the music or do we focus on the content, or a combination of both? When we leave a live show, what do we remember most? A bass line? A guitar solo? Solid drumming? Overall performance? Perhaps I'm digging a hole with a spoon. Perhaps none of these things are remembered, but we remember the band as a unit, as a whole, whose sound is so interesting that, when analyzed, well, all we say is 'damn, that is good'. Such is the Appleseed Cast.

Josh 'Cobra' Baruth (drums), Chris Crisci (Guitar/Vocals), Aaron Pillar (Guitar/Vocals), and Marc Young (Bass) played 45 minutes of really, really good quality music. What do we have here? We have music that is multi-dimensional and uniform, abstract and complex, pleasant and strong. Chris and Aaron play enormously well together. Combined, their melodies range over the whole spectrum of sound. Not one guitar dominates over the other, so that there isn't really a 'lead', which is very nice for a change. Instead, there are two guitars acting as one that produces a sound that can be described as 'condensed', a sound that squeezes the eardrum and forces the audience to pay attention: genuinely amazing. Then there is Marc whose bass playing isn't rough and bowel shaking but melodic and smooth. His playing reminded me of someone playing the electric guitar, a deep guitar that adds intensity and depth to the already apparent complex guitar symbiosis, adding chords here and there and heavier tones when necessary. Finally, there is Cobra, who is all over the place. And, upon adding the bass and both guitars, whatever little remaining space that needed to be filled, if any, is complimented by unbelievably strong and abstract rhythms. Josh spends very little time in one place with one or two beats. More specifically, little is repeated or overemphasized and much is given over to creativity and innovation. Did I mention vocals? Chris' voice carries over the core of drums and melodies, long notes that add another interesting dimension.

I enjoyed every song that they played, the only shortcoming being that their set was too short. Complete with Crescendo, Dimuendo, stops, starts, collective beginnings and endings, solo beginnings and endings (specifically "Mile Marker", where the song deliberately falls apart at the end, one instrument at a time), and unearthly timing, I see nothing but good things in the future for these fellows. You have one more chance to see Appleseed Cast at the Bottleneck on August 26th before their 10 day road trip. It is really an excellent show. Vis sit tecum, Appleseed Cast.