The Appleseed Cast - The Fleeting Light Of Impermanence (2019)

After more than two decades of touring and recording, The Appleseed Cast have slowly transformed themselves from emo new-comers to indie-rock elder-statesmen. The Fleeting Light of Impermanence, the band’s first release since 2013’s Illumination Ritual, finds the Kansas-based band once again putting a fresh spin on their trademark heart-on-your-sleeve anthems.

While there have been numerous line-up changes over the years, the Appleseed Cast has always revolved around singer/guitarist Christopher Crisci’s ever-emotive vocals and adventurous songwriting, and in that regard, The Fleeting Light of Impermanence is clearly a labor of love. Culled from over seventy songs, Crisci not only re-connects with the band’s guitar-centric roots but also continues to push their sound into post-rock territory.

While the record was written over a five-year period, much of The Fleeting Light of Impermanence was recorded ‘live on the floor’ during a six-day recording session - a move that pays dividends from the get-go. The album-opener “Chaotic Waves’ nearly leaps from the speakers as wistful arpeggios give way to an absolutely huge drum sound.

“Petition” continues the trend, riding a thundering drum part to a fever-pitch before collapsing into a syrupy synth-interlude. At over six minutes each, the next three tracks (“Time the Destroyer,” “Collision,” and “The Journey”) mark the emotional and musical centerpiece of the album. The three tracks are a prog-tinged tour-de-force, moving from one melodic motif to another while Crisci drops carefully placed vocals. The final three tracks continue the aural assault, slowly building towards the climactic “Last Words,” tying together what is an impressively realized piece of music.

While it’s readily apparent that a ton of thought went into the writing and recording of The Fleeting Light of Impermanence, the album rarely sounds belabored. And for his part, Crisci’s lyrics continue to mine the ever-familiar topics of love and heartache, albeit, from a more experienced point of view. No longer a bunch of punks in their early twenties, the Appleseed Cast now exude an air of hard-earned confidence.

Longtime fans will undoubtedly rejoice at their return, but the true success of this record lies in the way it serves as a perfect introduction for anyone interested in checking out this veteran act. The bottom line is this: The Fleeting Light of Impermanence is an incredibly solid collection of songs that easily stands among the Appleseed Cast’s best work.
~ by James Weiskittel



Track List:
1. Chaotic Waves 04:09
2. Petition 04:57
3. Time the Destroyer 06:32
4. Collision 06:24
5. The Journey 06:48
6. Asking the Fire for Medicine 04:12
7. Reaching the Forest 05:58
8. Last Words and Final Celebrations 04:31

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