So, Bring On Mixed Reviews

The Dear Hunter – Act III: Life And Death – Review

Release Date: June 23rd, 2009
Record Label: Triple Crown Records
Genre: Progressive Rock

The road that Casey Crescenzo (ex-The Receiving End Of Sirens) has paved on the last two efforts of The Dear Hunter have been a surreal experience. Breaking the mold of progressive rock, while making some of the most experimental and story-driven music out, TDH has garnered plenty of well deserved attention. So the band’s sophomore full-length, also the third part in a six-part series of efforts, “Act III: Life And Death,” was to stand as a monument to whether or not The Dear Hunter could shoulder the tremendous task of finishing each of their artistic six odyssey.

Well you can put your worries to bed, because not only does “Act III: Life And Death” tie neatly together with the already sturdy “Act I: The Lake South, The River North” and “Act II: The Meaning of, and All Things Regarding Ms. Leading,” it continues to experiment into even deeper literature and atmosphere. Sure it doesn’t have the sheer approach and impact that Act: II hit the scene with when it was released, Act: III has a story to tell all its own that ensures you will be swooned by its smooth music. And it won’t be too difficult to do since you have such a sophisticated and well intentioned effort, as we do here. Many loathed the ending of TREOS in favor of the ex-band members side projects, but Casey has truly delivered something very special in The Dear Hunter.

Even though I am usually not to accepting of releases from similar bands such as Portugal. The Man, which drown the listener in outsider-indie nuances, “Act III Life And Death” instills softer and conducive elements ala Kaddisfly as well as progressive rock centered tracks, like The Sound Of Animals Fighting. There is also more refined literary layers than you can shake a stick at. The accompaniment of classical instruments, acoustics, and all sorts of mind bending synthesized effects ensures that “Act III: Life And Death” will either blow your mind, or force it out your ears and into space.

The album’s packaging is also something to behold. The time and effort put into the old timey photos that double as track lyrics/notes, is simply amazing. If you have The Prize Fighter Inferno‘s album “My Brother’s Blood Machine” then you know what I am refering to — it returns my faith in the CD medium, which so many have abandoned for hollow digital downloads.

Either way however, you must hear The Dear Hunter‘s latest. Its strong story telling ability, mixed with Casey’s beautiful vocals, and some of the best progressive rock out, it makes for an honest and intellectual effort with boundless potential, even if it has a few dragging tracks. ~Staff

Score: 4.5/5

Track Listing:
1. Writing on a Wall
2. In Cauda Venenum
3. What It Means to be Alone
4. The Tank
5. The Poison Woman
6. The Thief
7. Mustard Gas
8. Saved
9. He Said He Had a Story
10. This Beautiful Life
11. Go Get Your Gun
12. Son
13. Father
14. Life and Death