Search - Appleseed Cast :: Two Conversations

The Cast Return in another great Production

S. Alix | NYC | 08/11/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"4 1/2After my glowing reviews for their last two records,Low Level Owl I & II, I find myself almost at a loss for words to further describe this amazing band called The Appleseed Cast. In the past I have given them the utmost praise for their ability to create music with such craftsmanship and detail that to listen to their music is as amazing as listening to Beethoven or Mozart.
Two Conversations is their 6th studio album on their new label, tiger style records. This is there first record without one single instrumental. It is a fitting choice since LLO I and II were filled to the brink with them. This record returns to the Mare Vitalis sound but it smoothes the rougher edges of that record and is much more poignant and sad. It tells the story (or rather two stories) of a couple, the details are still blurry to my mind, but it's obvious alot is going on between them. The lyrics never stray and keep the ideas about these two flowing constantly. Their is a mist of poetry in their music that I do not find other bands possess. Not just in the lyrics but in the song arrangement, and over all album construction. The Record ends on a surprisingly happy note and left me wanting much more. Its their shortest record to date at only 41 minutes, but you gotta give em a break after their almost two hour masterpiece LLO I & II, they probably did not want to do another mammoth record.This record is a simple joy, one of life's few remaining pleasures. Highly recommended for fans of RadioHead, Sunny Day Real Estate, Foo Fighters, or Dashboard Confessional. They sound nothing like those other bands, but it gives you an idea of sorts. I hope this record gets the CAST some much deserved recognition. Get in on the ground floor now, you'll never regret it."

Beautiful, Melancholy, and Brilliant

Nathan Pierce | Lebanon, IL United States | 04/02/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The Appleseed Cast does it again. I need to say from the outset that many people think that Low Level Owl is the pinnacle of the
Cast's work, and with good reason. It was truly groundbreaking. But just like Pink Floyd after Dark Side of the Moon, or Radiohead after OK Computer - how does a band make a smart follow up to a brilliant work without riding in on the coat tails of the previous album's success? Wish You Were Here. Kid A. Two Conversations.
Thematically this record borders on "concept album" status. What we have here is a tour de force through the thoughts and actions of a boy and a girl through the different phases of their relationship. What is so poignant about this design is that each song musically makes you feel what the characters are feeling. The standout track, Fight Song, chronicles the screeching halt in the relationship when each character, fingers pointed, admit their unfaithfulness. The music to this song sounds exactly like a breakup. The chorus is so intense it makes you want to cry: "As the lies come out it's the end. As the tears flow out it's the end." The next track, Sinking, is an unbearably slow, angry, post-breakup dirge and The Page picks up a little bit, but then next album standout is Innocent Vigilant Ordinary, in which one character admits he was wrong, asks for forgiveness and restates his love.
Musically this album is top notch. The production is nothing short of amazing. While the quiet, buried vocals of Low Level Owl were intriguing, Chris Crisci's crisp, soothing vocals are one of the outstanding points of this record. Josh's drumming is another definite high point. The production of the guitars is flawless and amazing: they still rock, but the overdrive is so smoothed over with delay that it creates a completely other-worldy sound that suits the mood of the record perfectly.
For those who like emo, get over your Low Level Owl fascination and give this album a listen for what it is. For those who just like good rock/indie music you will appreciate this album as well. The Appleseed Cast have come a long way, and this record is proof. Brilliant, Brilliant, Brilliant."

This would get 4 - 1/2, if there was a way.

R. S. Haven | Townsend, TN United States | 11/15/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Like many others, I heard TAC while browsing in a local Disc Exchange. They were playing Low Level Owl I, and in the short time I was there, I had figured out that I wasn't leaving without finding out who it was.

LLO I & II are great. But so is, Two Conversations. If you are familiar with the earlier works, you can tell right away that Crisci's voice is more forefront, but his voice is also one of the reasons I started liking them to start with... along with the drums, guitars and spacey sounds.

People find it hard to let bands evolve, but this is a prime example of a band evolving but keeping their original sound.

The songs are somewhat shorter, but I think they will appeal to a larger audience.

If you like their other albums, definitely buy this one.



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