The Dear Hunter "The Color Spectrum" a review.

The Color Spectrum was released last spring and has been out for a while now. It is composed of 9 EPs, each with 4 songs, each EP representing a color of the spectrum with black and white as book ends. The work is impressive in scale and even more impressive in execution. The Dear Hunter has put together something really special here.

Each EP is so distinct in sound and flavor yet strangely still very Dear Hunter. They move deftly and confidently through territory they have never even hinted at before and yet nail it. Listening to all 36 songs in order, starting with black and ending with white, is an incredible journey and I recommend it to anyone who has the time on their hands.

There is so much music that it is not until now, a half year later, that I feel comfortable reviewing it. What I will do here is play my two favorite games with this work: rank the colors and rank the songs. I will rank all of the colors 9-1 with reviews, then cover the top five songs also with short reviews.

9. Orange - This EP has a real 70's rock quality to it and there are some great grooves in all of the songs. Unfortunately it is otherwise not very memorable. There are no real highlights and most of the songs seem to kind of bleed into each other. Every time it tries to rock it just seems to fall a little short of kicking ass. Perhaps it is that it comes after the most aggressive color (and maybe even song) on the album that just leaves the songs falling by the wayside. There is still some great song construction here and a couple great builds (especially in 'Echo'). The main riff in 'But There's Wolves' makes me think of my favorite 70's prog rock bands. These are good songs. It's just the other EPs are better.

8. Yellow - Don't kill me. Listen to my reasoning for a second. 'Misplaced Devotion' may be the best song out of the entire 36, I am well aware. It's just the other 3 fall short. There are some nice atmospheres here in the other songs. However, some parts throw me off a little. I'm still not sure how I feel about the almost 'Sweet Caroline' reference in 'The Dead Don't Starve.' And I've still not gotten used to the tempo change in the verse of 'She's Always Singing' that goes from Phil Specter to beach dance party. I do like the hazy summer feel these songs have. 'A Sua Voz' probably represents that atmosphere the most. However, in general, they lack that punch that make the other EPs stick out. Except for 'Misplaced Devotion', of course.

7. Violet - We've heard this style from The Dear Hunter before and it is a lot of fun. 'Mr. Malum' comes out the gates rockin' with those goofy vaudeville verses and soaring catchy choruses. Each song is a dramatic story told in a way only The Dear Hunter could tell it. This is familiar territory and it is easy to tell they feel comfortable with this sound. Perhaps I rank this color low because it is too familiar, but I have other legitimate reasons. Sometimes I think he overdoes it with the lyrics. When its part of the big story, I seem to notice it less and let it slide, but with these songs I feel that he's almost trying to jam every little note with some lyric. It really bothers me in 'Lilian' when he says 'but don't get stuck in something you hate.' It just makes me think "...duh?". Also, it might just be me, but 'Look Away' just wierds me out. I feel like I'm at some Vegas freakshow. Yeah. Ultimately, however, this EP is very fun. Fans of the Acts should enjoy these.

6.Green - This is some pretty cool territory for these guys. I love the honesty of the folk country sound and they really do it justice here. These songs range from catchy to fun to insightful. There are some really nice lyrics in 'The Inheritance' and 'Crow and Cackle.' 'The Canopy' is so free and whimsical. The only real issue I have with Green is 'Things That Hide Away.' Too many whiny "Whys." I'm sorry, it's just obnoxious. The rest of green is quite wonderful.

5. Black - The heavy one. This is a great way to open the album. It's different from your average Dear Hunter, it makes a big statement. You won't find Miss Leading here, (well maybe in violet, but not in black!). They do an excellent job with this dark brooding style. 'Never Forgive Never Forget' and 'Filth and Squalor' offer some great catchy choruses and some cool work with the lyrics. 'This Body' is so genuinely dark and desperate that it is compelling and not just whiny. With 'Take More Than You Need,' they may have bitten off more than they could chew, but I do like the vocal counterpoint on the chorus. Black really makes for a great introduction.

4. Blue - This is some cool compelling stuff. You won't get it on your first listen through and maybe not even your second, but these songs are ripe with incredible music. There are some epic soundscapes here with twinkling guitars, reverberating vocals and some really nice drums. The style is like that of an era lost to history. It evokes a nostalgia of the music that eventually evolved into rock and roll and mixes with a post rock construction. The only knock on it is that it is the only color that has no catchy parts to it. There are plenty of memorable moments, Casey's crooning in 'Tripping in Triplets', the explosion of "Love" in 'Trapdoor', and the epic twinkling melody that builds in 'The Collapse of the Great Tide Cliffs'. But you can't really sing along to any of these parts. I'll also admit 'What You Said' is a little weak. Still, give this color time, it is outstanding.

3. Red - This is easily the most rockin' EP of them all. Wow does it kick ass. Each song is strong and catchy with that punk energy giving them an edge. There is no holding back here, this is rock at its finest. It just pushes all the right buttons. 'I Could Do It Alone' sets the tone with its abrupt start and mix of fuzzy and wailing guitars. 'A Curse of Cynicism' pushes the tempo while 'Deny It All' offers interesting textures and catchy tunes. 'We've Got a Score To Settle' features Casey going nuts vocals, sing-a-longs and general bad assery. Damn this EP is sweet.

2. Indigo - Huh? Yup. The synth pop one. It's amazing. But really it's a lot more than synth pop isn't it? Everything here is perfect. It's just weird because, The Dear Hunter has never done anything like this before. Really I haven't heard much like this before, even among electronic music. However, the soundscapes are so beautiful, the lyrics are easily the best out of any of the EPs and Therma, the instrumental song, the only one on the entire Color Spectrum, is better than every song on Orange (sorry Orange). 'Mandala' is like a musical puzzle with all its interweaving and 'What Time Has Taught Us' is just damn cool. 'Progress' blew me away from day one. Indigo is so strange, but so good and comfortable in that strangeness. It is warm and atmospheric. Excellent.

1. White - While violet felt like comfortable territory White is the Dear Hunter. If their sound was purified in a lab, it would come out like this. These songs are emotional, personal, touching and effective. They are catchy and intelligent rock songs. I normally don't like songs with a message, but 'No God' is really touching to me. I know it would not connect with your average religious person, but the lyrics are absolutely brilliant. 'Fall and Flee' is full of clever hooks that take advantage of the way the lyrics work with the music and the neat little arrangements just make it work. 'Home' is such a solid song on a multitude of levels. 'Lost But Not All Gone' just wraps everything up perfectly, it makes an excellent finale to a wild journey of 36 songs. White is the reason we like the Dear Hunter, the reason we love the Dear Hunter.


Now for the songs! I know this is getting long, I'll be quick!

5. Trapdoor - This song gets better with every listen. It begins so unassuming and yet ends so gloriously. The climax is perfect. Perhaps of the most effective and yet subtle gestures of this song are the dynamics. The rise and fall of the music is what turns this from a nice song to an incredible one.

4. We've Got a Score To Settle - This song is not background music. Every gesture grabs your attention, forcefully. It is probably Casey's best vocal performance on the whole Spectrum, he certainly goes all out. From the pounding drums to the noisy guitar to the wicked vocals, this song rocks.

3. Home - This is just a really good song. I think one of its best qualities is its balance. The lyrics are compelling, but not over the top. The song structure is simple and yet there are little gestures here and there to keep it interesting. One of the most impressive balances is the way it manages to be positive and inspiring without being cheesy. It's not fancy, just excellent.

2. Progress - What a song. It has beautiful soundscapes, catchy clever melodies and it is just unique. It is warm, smart and touching. The way the lyrics work with the music is just so natural and yet different and I love all the neat layers. The atmosphere, the sounds, the vocals, they are pleasing to the ear. What more could you want?

1. Misplaced Devotion - This is a silly song. It is simple, clever and cute, but why the hell is it number one? The answer is: you will never have more fun listening to a song in your life. From the jangling guitars, to the mischievous chorus, to the way it plays with the audiences expectations, this song is a blast. It is catchy and whimsical and you should probably go listen to it now.

The Color Spectrum is an incredible journey in music. Thank you Dear Hunter, for always keeping it interesting and rocking my socks off. That's my take.

-Charlie