The Appleseed Cast – ‘February’

The Appleseed Cast’s 2006 album ‘Peregrine’ wasn’t career-defining in any sense, but it more than satisfied fans of theirs, both new and old. With a new album and tour on the horizon, songs such as “February” slip under the radar as the band sheds its radio-friendly accessibility and core members.

The fast-paced guitar work of Aaron Pillar perfectly counters the swarming, symbol-clashing drumming of Nathan Richardson. Lead singer Chris Crisci’s vocals, on the other hand, are rather forgettable as they merely complement the instrumentations, which are the main focus of the track. Undeniably, this one belongs to Pillar and Richardson.

But vocals are about eighth or ninth on the list of reasons to listen to The Appleseed Cast. On top of the group’s beautiful, intricate melodies is it’s ability to tell a story. The lyrical content hints back to their earlier records, which many consider to be “emo” or other buzzwords tossed about by music elitists. “It’s February / you’re two years gone and I am lost / It’s February / I can feel your hand / And here I come.”

In short, “February” is as short as it is snappy and as bitter as it is breathtaking, befitting both the month and season it represents. Though the vocals come secondary, the emotional drum and guitar parts throughout bring it to life, giving the other players a chance to shine.