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"This "Act V" vividly confirms all Casey Crescenzo's talent and is essential for any progressive rock music lover in the broadest sense."
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5/5
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For most of us, the name Casey Crescenzo doesn't (wrongly) mean much. Approached in 2004 by the Boston band The Receiving End of Sirens following the departure of their singer in 2004, he joined the band, participated in two albums and wrote a demo that he recorded in about ten copies. What started out as a side-project took the name Dear Hunter.
The Dear Hunter story (the life and death of a young man at the dawn of the 20th century) was put on hold for six years, used by Casey to develop a second concept ("The Colour Spectrum", 9 albums) and a "non-concept-album" ("The Migrant", 2013). In 2015, the combo grouped around its songwriter-multi-instrumentalist (vocals, keyboards, bass, guitar) released Act IV, followed in 2016 by an Act V "Hymns With The Devil In Confessional" recorded in the same vein.
The two albums are thus almost twins: not surprisingly, we find the same symphonic ambiences composed with extreme care and very finely orchestrated. If for some, the term "symphonism" is synonymous with boredom or mannerism, the beginning of this Act V will quickly and fully reassure them: the sequence of the magnificent vocal theme of 'Regress' and the superbly lyrical 'The Moon/Awake' crucifies the listener, taking him away like towards the land of shivers. But as the very offbeat ending of this doublet shows, Casey doesn't make the mistake of confining himself to the symphonic progressive rock style alone, but allows himself to take us on a tour of several landscapes and eras.
Revisiting the 50's ('The Most Cursed of Hands / Who Am I', started very southern country), 60's ('Mr Usher On His Way To Town', impeccable in its jazzy style with little girls' choirs), 70's ('Light', which could have been signed by Simon & Garfunkel), Sometimes very close to the musical ('The Haves Have Naught'), The Dear Hunter navigates with ease in the styles, without ever losing sight of a very catchy melodic side ('Melpomene').
The opus doesn't offer flamboyant solos or extended developments, but shines by its coherence and its sense of narrative, elements reinforced by particularly careful transitions, often orchestral, which are musical pieces in themselves. In this respect, we must underline the importance of the Awesöme Orchestra, the true sixth member of the group, which brings a very particular colouring to the universe of The Dear Hunter, a colouring supported by a remarkable choral work giving a rare depth to the ensemble. Casey Crescenzo's score at the microphone is wonderfull: without having a singular timbre or a breathtaking vocal range, his interpretation is extremely sincere and accurate, varying styles from the soft to the scoundrel - there's even Vincent Furnier in 'The Haves Have Naught'!
This "Act V" thus vividly confirms all Casey Crescenzo's talent to deliver an exciting work without any dead time, with an extremely personal signature, essential for any progressive rock music lover in the broadest sense. We'll have to look forward to Act 6, the last part of the adventure which, according to its creator, won't continue in the same rock format... - Official website
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TRACK LISTING:
01. Regress - 1:22
02. The Moon / Awake - 6:09
03. Cascade - 5:11
04. The Most Cursed of Hands / Who Am I - 6:42
05. The Revival - 5:00
06. Melpomene - 4:14
07. Mr. Usher (On His Way to Town) - 4:59
08. The Haves Have Naught - 4:12
09. Light - 4:02
10. Gloria - 5:16
11. The Flame (Is Gone) - 5:40
12. The Fire - 5:26
13. The March - 4:12
14. Blood - 4:33
15. A Beginning - 6:19
LINEUP:
Casey Crescenzo: Chant / Guitares
Maxwell Tousseau: Claviers
Nick Crescenzo : Batterie
Nick Sollecito: Basse
Robert Parr: Guitares
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READERS
4.3/5 (7 view(s))
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STAFF:
4.6/5 (7 view(s))
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