Album Review: The Dear Hunter - The Color Spectrum

Nobody could ever accuse Casey Cresenzo of resting on his laurels. From former band The Receiving End Of Sirens, whose underrated album 'Between The Heart And The Synapse' proudly bears his songwriting influence, to current endeavor The Dear Hunter, originally begun as an outlet for songs that didn't fit the sound of the aforementioned, the volume and quality of his work has been consistently impressive. Like contemporaries such as Coheed & Cambria and Thrice, Crecenzo knows the value of a well executed concept album and indeed the first three The Dear Hunter albums have taken the form of acts 1, 2 and 3 of an ambitiously grand six part story arc.

The band's latest concept (of course!) output, 'The Color Spectrum', however, comes in the form of nine simultaneously released EPs of four tracks each, all themed around the aforementioned spectrum and recorded as a 'break' from the acts 1-6 project. 'Break' is something of a misnomer though, as this 36 track offering is as ambitious and impressive an offering as anything that the band has done before.

Each of the color-coded EPs, all with four tracks apiece, sound as different as if they had been written by a different band entirely; a different Crescenzo-fronted band granted, but the effect is remarkable. Red opens with the angsty 'I couldn't do it alone', all fuzzy, overdriven guitars and uncomfortable atmosphere. The tracks steer clear of overdoing the classic 'red means anger' vibe but there is definitely dissatisfaction there, especially in the self-examining 'A Curse Of Cynicism'.

Orange presents a slightly different face, still warm-blooded and vital but more richly orchestrated and less antagonistic, while Indigo is vastly different in tone. First track 'What Time Taught Us' opens with soft pads before a relaxed break-beat adds momentum and layered synthesizers create an electronic soundscape that is expanded upon over the further tracks, 'Mandala' being a particular highlight with the addition of live drums and a killer chorus melody.

The Green EP is another total sonic departure, acoustic guitars this time taking the fore in a very much more country-influenced sound. The vocal melodies remaining as strong as ever, especially on 'The Canopy', where Crescenzo's voice intertwines with languid slide-guitar lines to mesmerizing effect but it’s all together more earthy and grounded.

Blue, the most delicate of the offerings, is the least reliant on pop hooks and its musical fragility makes it arguably the least compelling of the offerings even if it is by no means bad. Black, however, is a real highlight; the deep, dark, electronically augmented grooves of 'Never Forgive, Never Forget' and 'Filth And Squalor' providing memorable moments that would sit proudly in the canons of artists whose sole output is electronic music.

So it is with the remaining shades of the spectrum. The considered pop of the White EP plays off well against the summery 60s vibe of Yellow, while the over the over the top, musical-theatre influenced Violet (opening track 'Mr. Malum' in particular) only serves to strengthen the impression that Crescenzo and the rest of the band can turn their hands to pretty much anything. Far more personal in its nature than the band’s main story arc, 'The Color Spectrum' is a lyrical and musical insight into one of the most creative and talented musicians working at the moment.

What is perhaps most staggering is that there is so little 'filler' included across the rainbow. Some EPs, Violet, Black and Green in particular, stand out for the quality of the songs and the sheer sonic departures they represent but though tracks on the other EPs might not quite reach such heights, the lulls are are few and far between. In addition to this, the bite size natures of the individual EPs themselves lend themselves well to accessibility; unlike the band's other work, there is no barrier to entry in terms of having to understand the back story.

That Crescenzo is underrated is undeniable but with releases of this scope and quality
however, this surely cannot remain the case indefinitely. 'The Color Spectrum' is essential listening.

4.5/5

'The Color Spectrum' is out now on Triple Crown Records.

Nick Worpole