STAFF PICKS
By Sara Jacobsen
IV Leader Columnist, Feb. 17, 2011
I don’t know about you, but personally, I’ve always been a
fan of bands that incorporate animals into their names. Why, you ask? I don’t
actually know. Fortunately, that’s not even close to the point! The point is
that The Dear Hunter is awesome, and I want everyone to love them as much as I
do.
The Dear Hunter is a five-person progressive rock group from
Boston whose strong melodic vocals and sensual lyrics can literally make one go
weak in the knees. Lead singer, Casey Crescenzo, began The Dear Hunter as a sort
of vehicle for music he had written that did not exactly “fit” into the heavier
style of his previous band, The Receiving End of Sirens. However, after
recording their first demo, Dear Ms. Leading, Crescenzo left The Receiving End
of Sirens to focus his music career on The Dear Hunter.
The Dear Hunter’s first full-length album, Act I: The Lake
South, The River North, is the first of an eventual six act story about the
birth, life, and sudden death of a young boy. Flawless vocals and harmonies that
are far beyond brilliant are just part of what makes The Dear Hunter such an
alluring musical experience. The lyrics that Casey Crescenzo writes provide
listeners with a feeling of sensuality that is not often felt when listening to
many other bands.
The band’s second and third full-length albums, Act II: The
Meaning of & All Things Regarding Ms. Leading and Act III: Life and Death, are
both equally as phenomenal as Act I. The albums continue to get better and
better as the band progresses with their career and I hold high hopes for future
releases. While Act III is my personal favorite, it is honestly an extremely
difficult choice as each album displays nothing but pure, raw, musical talent.
Although there not been much information released in regards
to The Dear Hunter’s Act IV, it has been stated that it is on its way. However,
do not fret! The band has not left us completely empty handed. For those of us
who are fans of good music as well as the popular television series “LOST”,
there is always The Branches EP. Branches is a three song EP that is included as
part of a $125 exclusive fan club package offered on the band’s website.
However, if you’re anything like me, you have alternative (and likely cheaper)
ways of bulking up your music collection.
Assuming I have peaked your interest in this band at all, I
suggest everyone be on the lookout for The Colors EP. Although a release date is
not yet set in stone, it is scheduled to be out sometime this year. Assuming I
have not peaked your interest in this band at all, then you probably stopped
reading this a long time ago and therefore this entire sentence is irrelevant.