Listening to: The Dear Hunter, Act 1 The Lake South The River North (Part 1)

The Dear Hunter comes to the channel, thanks to Andrew!
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[@JnK69]

There's nothing I love more than seeing people fall deeply in live with the band that changed my life for the better. Please, PLEASE, keep making these videos for all of their albums, I will watch every single one

[@JimNewstead]

I will!

[@andrewhamer2512]

Great choice. You're going to hate me but you need to listen to all 5 Acts. The quality doesn't flag. It just gets better and better. Brilliant songwriting!

[@JimNewstead]

There’s no way I’m gonna hate you! I want to listen to more! It’s fab 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

[@slamduncan4794]

@@eekay3545 absolutely, he's gained so much control over his voice over the span of the acts, it's quite a treat to experience.

[@maxmaidment96]

It's only like 6 hours all the way though, I've done it in one sitting a few times. Well worth it.

[@Theogvineofthedead]

​@@JimNewsteadyeah bro you gotta keep going. Every one of their albums in order it's worth it. And the world needs more TDH in their lives

[@natergater10]

Especially act 2. Possibly my favorite album ever!

[@CMHixen]

“Do you remember that moment when you feel yourself falling in love with a band?” Brother, the past 10 years I randomly search TDH reactions, and found you today. Have this sub/like/comment.

[@andrewbud]

As I'm sure most here will opine; these guys are one of the finest modern prog bands going (and one of the best bands in general). I'm afraid you've opened the best can of worms possible... Acts 4 and 5 (though all are fantastic) are regarded quite rightly as modern classics. Truly exemplary albums featuring some of the finest songcraft that modern music has to offer. What I would give to experience the acts again for the first time. Hopefully I can do it through you, Jim! Happy listening :)

[@JimNewstead]

Love a can of worms! I should rename the channel "Jim's Big Can-O-Worms!"

[@axelthesot]

I love your comments about it being proggy but without being flashy and overly technical. It's about as close to 70's and 80's prog as you can find today. Casey, the main brain of the project (singer, piano, guitar, etc), has said he's influenced heavily by later Beatles, ELO, Weather Report, etc.

[@Arrow2theACL]

Jim hit the nail on the head. Not overly flashy or technical, but proggy. Enjoy the music and be blown away and when you are done, come back and follow the story and get blown away again.

[@JimNewstead]

Interesting!

[@TimAyro]

I always knew about TDH, but only finally listened to Acts 1 thru 5 a month ago. Definitely do them all. You won't regret it. And each album gets better on relisten (especially Act 1) once you learn more and more of the story.

[@TemporalShrew]

Yeeeeeeeeeees. The more people listen to this band and the more they listen to it, the happier I become. They really do deserve every bit of attention they get (which really isn’t enough to begin with). Excited to hear your thoughts on this and perhaps more records of theirs! The Acts themselves are absolutely chock-full of reprises and running themes and motifs, and Casey's a pretty dang good lyricist, at that. Incidentally, most of this album was basically recorded in Casey Crescenzo (the frontman and Ideas Man here)'s basement, so it's very much a DIY project at this point, and the production is Pretty Okay, but not perfect. Mastering (very much) aside, it gets much better by Act III, and is absolutely *immaculate* in Acts IV and V. Really hoping you dig deep on these guys! Look forward to Space Funk by the time you hit The Indigo Child and Antimai, as well as their next album coming in 2024. : ) Almost all of the guest performances on this record (e.g. the female vocals and organ) are performed by members of Casey's family, a pattern which will persist throughout most of the band's discography! ... And the drummer is his brother, no less! There's also an INCREDIBLY good live performance of this album coming out very soon, which was recorded along with a very nice live video on the Patreon-esque platform they have an account on, called Pillar. Here's a track from that: kzbin.info/www/bejne/n2qZeXWEbrCrf8k&ab_channel=PillarMusic

[@savingpyro]

So, TDH have recently released a Live version of Act 1 they recorded in a modified sound stage, and it is amazing.

[@progrocker2112]

The Act 1 EP was just Casey, his brother on drums and his mom doing the female backing vocals, right? What a cool family.

[@deanwolfechannel]

The loyal dear hunter fans are just rabid for more reactions, I'm due for some

[@Arrow2theACL]

They just don't get enough love and fans quench for more people to hear it. It's just hard to get people to listen to because the only entry point to give them any justice to what they do is Act 1.

[@JimNewstead]

lol!

[@85Dragonball]

So absolutely awesome to watch your reaction to them! This is pretty much my favorite band and you should check out the bands Color Spektrum EP collection or the singers orchestral album right after the act series. But honestly act 4 and 5 are insane. 3 too but those last two are insanely produced

[@harrycoleman727]

Absoloutley cracking band! Outside of Kate Bush, Marillion, and Steven Wilson these guys might be my favourite band. All of their albums are great, but the "Acts" are something special (IV and V in particular are masterpieces of modern prog). The best part of them is reading through the lyrics and realising that certain things happening in the music reflects the story (eg. The weird break in the middle of City Escape represents Ms. Terri being swept away by The River North into the woods). Really hoping you continue with these, the leap in quality between Acts 1 and 2 is astounding, then again between 3 and 4, though theyre all fine albums. Also watch out for leitmotifs and reprises!

[@mariovrandecic5690]

Man, i didn't expect to like them so much! First time hearing and love it... and I was sceptical to click on it, but since there's no bad music on Jim's channel, I did click... Thanx Jim and Andrew!

[@Arrow2theACL]

Greatest theatrical prog band. The reoccurring themes and motifs throughout the entire story within the 5 Acts is unprecedented. At the same time it's difficult to get into and recommend TDH because there is no justifiable entry point to the band other than Act 1 song 1: Battesimo Del Fuoco. If anyone does not want to go headfirst into the Acts it is understandable, but they are missing out. However, I recommend Antimai to those people and everyone else as well because it is their latest release of a new Sci-fi story line. Fantastic start as a story line about the social structure of a region in a post apocalyptical society.

[@JimNewstead]

Well, call me old fashioned, but I like to follow a band's output chronologically, so the Acts will flow!

[@billnole2188]

Amazing, I have Act 2-5 plus 4 other albums from The Dear Hunter; BUT NOT ACT 1. Holy Crap! Thanks for playing it Jim. They are a really interesting band that I have seen live once at RosFest.

[@Capitaomac1]

Another one of my favorite bands. This is so awesome. And so rich musically. Keep going, i like it.

[@RanchElder]

So glad to see you getting into these albums, Jim. Of course everyone's right - they only get better, not just in terms of quality from one album to the next, but over time, as with each relisten of the collection you'll piece together the many references and storylines. A musical treasure.

[@Garamondable]

Everything this band does is so intentional. Every aspect feels like it’s placed in the song with a crazy amount of care. Amazing reaction! Thank you for doing this band, it’s amazing watching a first reaction to these guys. They hooked me instantly

[@kmburkhart]

A long time favorite for me, I find The Mars Volta comparison very valid, especially when those instruments kick in. Casey is awesome.

[@paulchilds1893]

My absolute favourite band, the evolution through the acts is honestly striking. So glad to see someone picking it up, especially after all this time!

[@kristoffer5771]

I love this band so much. Absolutely amazing band and you will love their next 2-3 albums aswell.

[@OTProd]

Speaking of pleasant surprises, one of my favorite music reaction channels listening to one of my all time favorite bands. I’m so stoked! 🎉

[@ADVENTHORIZONMUSIC]

Loved every second of this video! Can’t wait to see you do the later acts!

[@JimNewstead]

Thanks Rylee! Lovely to chat, looking forward to hearing lots more of your music for years to come!

[@icecreamgenius557]

I came to this video reaction from recomendation of Rylee. And I lovin' it so far. Cant wait to listen the other works of this band. Thanks guys!

[@jugglingfreak369]

I find you to be a very pleasant person and I really enjoyed this video a lot. I saw them perform this year's ago and it was wonderful. Thanks for taking me back to some great memories

[@stitchiz182]

First time watcher! Great first reactions! For me the Dear Hunter gets better and better, the more you listen to them

[@NathanOnShuffle]

So amazing to see you cover one of my all-time favorite bands and I can’t wait to see more!! I will echo the sentiments that you have to eventually go through all 5 acts, they just get more and more brilliant as they go! One of my favorite album series of all time 😊

[@AllMediaReviewsPodcast]

yeah he has a fun ride ahead of him. He may want to check out the Live Act I coming in a few months.

[@JimNewstead]

Can't wait! Really enjoying the music so far!

[@maxmaidment96]

you've done it again and picked one of my all time favourites

[@JimNewstead]

lol!

[@plini856]

What a pleasant surprise this was to see in my youtube inbox! First two acts are easily my least favourite of the five but they're still fantastic

[@DexterGrohl]

One of my all time favorite bands. The Acts only get better from here in my opinion. The evolution of the bands sound and production quality over the years is also great. Each act release you can hear the improvements. Act4 is my favorite… probably (it’s all great). Thanks for reacting!

[@Combat9259]

Love the dear hunter so much. Act 2 is especially wonderful. Hope you get to react to it one day!

[@JimNewstead]

I will!

[@XxRipStitchxX]

So you have to do all the Act albums now in order! The way they work together is beautiful! Casey is something else.

[@JimNewstead]

No worries, I will!

[@AllMediaReviewsPodcast]

You have a fun ride ahead of you. FYI- The band played all of Act I live a couple of years ago and it's being released officially including on Vinyl in a few months.

[@JimNewstead]

Exciting!

[@CarlosRodriguez-pv7rq]

at last !!!!

[@xlerb_again_to_music7908]

Verry Nice :) And, Sepia Madness! ...i'm sure that when I started, the vid was monochrome...

[@IllumeEltanin]

I quite enjoyed that. But I did hear some of their stuff on the Dreamsonic Tour, although I have no idea what it was. I’m looking forward to part 2.

[@Arrow2theACL]

Dreamsonic was Animals as Leaders, Devin Townsend and Dream Theater.

[@IllumeEltanin]

@@Arrow2theACL Ah, no wonder why it sounds very different.

[@Theogvineofthedead]

For context this album was written and performed exclusively by Casey Cresenzo and his brother Nick on drums with other friends and family. I met them both in high school in 2007 or 08 idk I have the photo on insta of casey. The show was like 30 people in Connecticut on Halloween and I remember being like a soft more seeing Nick with a girl on each arm 😂😂😂

[@2wayplebney]

Very cool. Unlike 70's prog bands, they do not seem to use synths. Gazpacho and Balmorhea do the same. I look forward to hearing more Dear Hunter.

[@dervorin3455]

Jim....follow this musical thread. Listen to everything. These guys are in the league of Devin Townsend. Incredibly creative, original, and refreshing. I know we would love to see you react to all of it, because the band just doesn't get that much mainstream attention. But most importantly: Enjoy the ride!!! =)))

[@AndrewClark5]

So stoked to finally see this!!! I hope you don’t mind but I do intend to continue requesting their albums. Please don’t do them any faster than you feel comfortable with because I am not interested in monopolizing your channel from you. The “no vinyl” thing honestly does not surprise me in the slightest, I am happy to settle for digital given the amount of competition for physical copies of most of their albums. Their subsequent albums only increase in quality from here, Casey Crescenzo is a crazy talented songwriter and The Acts series is a great way to see him perfect his craft. Acts 1&2 are very post-hardcore influenced, with a lot more grit to the production. Act 3 starts to polish up the sound a little bit, but then Act 4 is where Casey truly breaches into Masterwork territory with Act 5 following very close in quality. I look forward to seeing the rest of this album soon, as well as to someday see you explore further down The Dear Hunter’s career. They are truly a magical band.

[@JimNewstead]

Thank you so much for this Andrew, and thanks for your patience. There’s been a lot of music to work through before I was able to get here. This is fantastic! Absolutely falling in love with the band… stoked to hear that they just get better and better!

[@Theogvineofthedead]

Thank you for checking out the best band ever (yes I'm biased) keep reacting one album after the other. 😊😊😊😊

[@Theogvineofthedead]

I even turned on notifications for you and I never do that for anyone so please check out each album in orderrrrrrr please ❤❤❤❤❤

[@JimNewstead]

No problem!! I promise I will!!!!!

[@palantir135]

Good evening Jim, The only thing about the band’s name I recognize is that there’s a movie, I’ve watched long ago, with that title Totally different from what I normally would recognize as progressive rock; at least at the start. Indeed, it sounds like a sound track at the start. It’s a hodgepodge of styles. They’re great musicians and it’s fanciful but would I buy it…no. It’s a bit too far away from the sorts of music that I like most.

[@kenl2091]

Interesting! I've heard the name mentioned in two or three sources recently but didn't really know anything about the band - they sound very like The Mars Volta though a bit more approachable and certainly more varied. I can take some more of this. btw, terrible name for a band - looks like it's striving for meaning that just isn't there. Either that or they can't spell!

[@JoshuaDanial]

It's the story of a boy named Hunter. Think of it like his mother talking to him, "My dear Hunter, you're in for a troubled life."