New Appleseed Cast Album On the Way

Since the Appleseed Cast began its journey 13 years ago, many a band has come and gone treading similar waters of spacey, delay-soaked guitar rock. Though occasionally lapsing into periods of pause, the Lawrence band will once again emerge from the foggy forests when its new album, Sagarmatha hits the streets February 17.

Initially rumored to be an instrumental album, the nine-song disc does feature some vocals, but as per tradition they’re buried underneath pummeling drums and canyon reverb. Two songs – “As the Little Things Go” and “Raise the Sails” – are currently streaming on MySpace, but any true believer knows how frustrating it can be to listen to “America’s closest answer to Radiohead” in crappy streaming mode (guitarist Aaron Pillar is equally as quick to bash MP3s).

A new-look Appleseed Cast featuring drummer John Momberg and bassist Nate Whitman begins its winter tour tonight in Ft. Worth. The group hits the Jackpot Saloon in Lawrence on May 7 with support from Cowboy Indian Bear and the Sailor Sequence.

Update: Stream “The Summer Before,” another new song from Sagamartha (that’s not on Appleseed’s MySpace) at AbsolutePunk.net

— Richard Gintowt