This stalwart Lawrence, Kansas band returns with 28 minutes of what it does best, namely swath the listener in a dreamlike haze. Fifteen years into its career, the Cast delivers one of its most vital tracks to date with “Middle States”, which highlights the chiming guitars of Chris Crisci and Aaron Pillar plus the acumen of the Nate Whitman (bass)/John Momberg (drums) rhythm section. The 14-minute closer “Three Rivers” is a long and winding piece that is as fascinating as the other two fully realized tracks here. Only the noise-intensive “Interlude” seems unnecessary on a release that reminds us that the Appleseed Cast is a vital and important band that still has a brave future ahead of it.