Lesoir have just released their fifth album to plenty of acclaim from us here At The Barrier (check out our review). It represents all that is great about contemporary progressive music. High-quality listenable music and a clear distinct message which is relevant to all.

Ingo Dassen from Lesoir took the chance to write about one of his musical loves for us; American prog rockers, The Dear Hunter.

The Dear Hunter is an American progressive rock band originating in Providence, Rhode Island. It began as a side project of Casey Crescenzo when he was a member of The Receiving End of Sirens, before becoming his main band in 2006. The Dear Hunter was originally intended as a vehicle for music Crescenzo had written that didn’t fit with the sound of The Receiving End of Sirens. The band’s sound features a wide variety of instruments and styles.

Most of the band’s albums, starting with their 2006 debut album Act I: The Lake South, the River North, are concept albums and a part of a common story line planned to conclude with a sixth album. The most recent addition is 2016’s Act V: Hymns with the Devil in Confessional. Additionally, they have released albums unrelated to the Acts; The Color Spectrum in 2011, Migrant in 2013, the EP All Is As All Should Be in 2017 and The Fox And The Hunt in 2020.

I just love The Dear Hunter. Casey and his following create the most amazing prog-pop songs and for me, it’s the perfect mix between catchy melodies, crazy grooving and great lyrics. I discovered them on Spotify while diving deeper into the “artist similar section” via my other hero Steven Wilson.

At one point I was listening to the Color Spectrum and immediately bought the CD box (I always support the artist by buying their records when I dig it online). My work as a promoter for a venue and several festivals I got the chance to book The Dear Hunter for the first time in The Netherlands on the Bruis Festival in 2015. They performed an amazing show in the pouring rain and when they played ‘Home’; goosebumps all the way! That song you should definitely check, it’s a great introduction, then listen to the “Color Spectrum” and then dive into the several “act” albums. 

Their album designs are always pieces of storytelling, perfectly matching with the music. The use of classical and symphonic instruments are so cinematic you can easily visualise beautiful scenery while closing your eyes. That’s the power of The Dear Hunter, all the aspects of the creation (composition, arrangement, lyrics, vocal melodies and artwork) tell the story. And each time you listen, you discover new layers. It makes the music exciting and it’s never boring.

During a live performance the band breathes and plays with the right amount of jamming. It’s played perfectly but not too clean. It makes you feel the music, full dynamics.

In October they finally are returning to the Netherlands and I’m definitely going to see them again. 

You can check out The Dear Hunter’s tour dates here. As the global situation has seen a lot of tours cancelled, this one is still scheduled.

Many thanks to Ingo Dassen for writing about The Dear Hunter. Be sure to check out Mosaic, Lesoir’s latest album. If you’re a fan of Anathema, Porcupine Tree or A Perfect Circle (amongst others), then it will certainly be to your liking. Watch the video for the title track below.

Lesoir: Website / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram / YouTube