The Dear Hunter 'Act IV: Rebirth in Reprise' Songs 9-15 | REACTION

[@RealGuitarG]

"Wait" is one of the only songs off the acts that i will listen to on its own without the entire album. Absolutely works alone even without context. Such a damn good song.

[@axelthesot]

It's still Casey doing all the production. Keep in mind that between Act 3 and Act 4 they put out a full length album Migrant and a 36 song anthology in The Color Spectrum on top of some little EPs and one off songs. So he got a lot of practice between the albums 😂.

[@secondhandreactions]

Man, his brain cracked open in that time... this is so much broader

[@morgue_file]

He also worked with an orchestra to compose and release a symphony under his name, which was a big part of the compositional upgrade I think

[@axelthesot]

@@morgue_file Yeah I was throwing A&A under EPs but it really does deserve its own mention for the effect it probably had on his compositional skills.

[@RealGuitarG]

The color spectrum is so good

[@Arrow2theACL]

Clay: "I think he's going to be a murderer. More that he already is" Me: "No, worse. A Politician" lol

[@secondhandreactions]

fuck... a spoiler

[@darkphoenix2]

It's funny, I've always preferred heavier stuff even before I was a metalhead, so when I first listened to songs like The Old Haunt, Waves, and A Night on the Town, I thought I had some idea of what this band's sound was. Then I got to Wait and it was totally different and just heavy enough to be satisfying, and the lyrics were creative and sharp. It's not my favorite song of theirs, but I think that night when I listened to all of these songs, this was the one that took me from "wow this is really interesting" to "I'm buying this album ASAP"

[@secondhandreactions]

I've replayed the guitar solo in Is there anybody here like 1000 times now. It's so unique and creative. I think that solo alone, personally, would've made me run out to buy the album

[@Arrow2theACL]

When going through for the story. Keep in mind. He is now living his brother's life back in the city. I'll leave it there until the conversation.

[@NightwalkReal]

This is probably my favorite of the acts. I'd love to see a video from you guys picking your favorite songs from the albums/ranking the albums. Specifically, I love the old haunt, waves, Is there anybody here, bitter suite 6, and wait.

[@secondhandreactions]

Well we've been doing a livestream conversation about each act when we're done listening to each one. We'll do the same with this. Look for that to be posted soon. Sue and I just have to figure out when we can both get together for it

[@NightwalkReal]

@@secondhandreactions looking forward to it!

[@TheFamousYakTamer]

What makes this album amazing to me is piecing together the story. This and Act V feel really rewarding in that aspect and the story is super gripping to me. Without that context, and purely musically, I think Act V might be even more enjoyable. But nonetheless I'm so stoked to hear your theories and discoveries for this and the next one. Also listening along reminded me of what a weird kind of anticlimax Ouroboros is for this album. Still, narratively it's a gut punch...

[@secondhandreactions]

ok yea..at this point, I'm still trying to figure everything out, but I've been thinking that Ouroboros is a weird one to end on, especially compared to how the previous acts have ended so far...

[@wl110]

I have read that acts 4 & 5 were written at the same time, so this may have something to do with it like its not the end of this chapter of the boy's life but its more like a cliffhanger. I think it will make sense once you do the story and move on to Act 5.

[@dylandunn1642]

Would love to see you guys do a reaction to The Color Spectrum album at some point

[@secondhandreactions]

@@dylandunn1642 I just looked up the track list- holy! 36 songs! We did a reaction to ‘we’ve got a score to settle’ but I think that’s the only song we know off that album.

[@neighborsue]

Whoah 36!!!

[@RealGuitarG]

Im guessing this is an unpopular opinion, but i never felt like "king of swords" was a vibe. Hated it actually when i first heard it. Over time its grown on me as a stand alone song. But in terms of the acts as a whole the tone is just SO abruptly different it throws me off. Cant help it. I know it fits in and has its place. Just for me its a little tough to swallow Edit: "if all goes well" brings it back around so aggresively though 😂. One of my favorites on all of the albums.

[@secondhandreactions]

It is jarring... but my guess is it's intentional. Everything is so thought out. I felt this way about The Smiling Swine too. Both songs really grew on me, King of Swords took a bit longer, but I do love it now.

[@TimAyro]

As far as story goes, there’s a reason this album cover is quite different to the others, even Act V’s.

[@secondhandreactions]

Spanish flu? I was wondering about this...

[@dylandunn1642]

I know ya’ll had read that it’s a 6 act story, but I do have to brake it to you that according to Casey Act 5 is the last one and it won’t continue after that.

[@FergusonFiller]

did he say why act 5 is going to be the last?

[@secondhandreactions]

Someone mentioned somewhere along our journey that if there ever is an Act VI it might be a different medium, like maybe a short film or something like that...

[@dylandunn1642]

@@FergusonFiller He said something along the lines of it not being a rock album, so I suppose it’s possible it’s something different but I just don’t know.

[@RanchElder]

The shifts in perspective are definitely important in understanding the lyrics for Acts IV and V. Hard to catch at first though! Great work again, thanks for the consistent effort put into this series.

[@RanchElder]

Also, I'm so used to immediately hearing the beginning of Regress from Act V right after Ouroboros, how painful... :)

[@secondhandreactions]

I’d say this has been key for me across all the acts. I’m guessing it ramps up at the end.

[@secondhandreactions]

@@RanchElderlol Act 5 reaction coming Friday!

[@wl110]

Im always waiting for 'The Revival' to start when Ouroborus finishes haha...