Pitchfork

The Lawrence, Kansas-based "ambient-by-way-of-emo" band, the Appleseed Cast, released two separately sold discs on Deep Elm this fall, titled Low Level Owl, Vol. I and Low Level Owl Vol. II. It's like Use Your Illusion... with a diary! Unfortunately, the band does not challenge Pitchfork contributor Brent DiCrescenzo to "Get in the Ring" based on bad press given to their The End of the Ring Wars album.

The albums are helping Appleseed Cast escape their emo roots in favor of clean, ethereal "soundscapes" that have drawn comparisons to Radiohead, but it's speculated that this is primarily due to the similar release tactics of the Low Level Owl albums and Kid A and Amnesiac. However, this presumed effort to distance themselves from the waning world of emotional rock isn't helped by the fact that they just signed on to tour with the Get Up Kids. Surely, their chilling drones will get audiences "totally revved" for the whiny power-pop destined to follow.

12-07 Lawrence, KS - Liberty Hall (w/the Anniversary)
12-08 Madison, WI - Barrymore Theatre
12-09 Detroit, MI - Majestic Theatre
12-10 Pittsburgh, PA - Club Laga
12-11 Allentown, PA - Crocodile Rock Cafe
12-12 Philadelphia, PA - Trocadero
12-13 Philadelphia, PA - Trocadero
12-14 Lackawana, NY - Sideshow Music Hall
12-15 Worcester, MA - Pallidium (w/Alkaline Trio)
12-16 New York City, NY Irving Plaza (w/Alkaline Trio)
12-17 Washington D.C. - 9:30 Club