ACT IV: REBIRTH IN REPRISE

I am completely blown away. I have been on a relentless prog and rock search for something new that absorbs me into the music like Rush, Ayreon, Porcupine Tree, and other such classics have done. Wilson's new album was great, and there's been a few others. But the resemblance to Porcupine Tree/Blackfield, still left me hungry. I found Jolly, they were fun, Leprous was brooding but kinda new. But I couldn't find a soulful music that really sang for me. Enter The Dear Hunter.

When I came across Act IV: Rebirth in Reprise, I was expecting heavy synthesizer and quirky carnival like music--thanks to the album cover. But Rebirth, the musical sounding intro, grabbed me, I was moved by Waves, and by the end of this lengthy album I bought it. There was not a song on this album that I did not think "that was great too!" One could argue maybe Remembered as the weakest song, but even that song contains compelling acoustics, just as a slight awkward rhythm for me.

Compared to other 2015 releases this quickly took the cake for my favorite. And that's saying something competing against "Hand. Cannot. Erase." It's soulful, layered, complex, unique and Dear Hunter's best works from what I've now listened. From emotional tracks like Waves to funky soul songs like Kind of Swords and brooding songs like Wait, Crescenzo, with rich and powerful vocals, delves through many layers of emotion and musical composition to a paint a complex scene on life, death, and I guess Rebirth and Reprise. I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys art rock, but also likes to dip into a more progressive scene that still keeps an accessible mainstream feel. Every time I listen to this album I appreciate the sound more and more.

Crescenzo has done a great job with this project, and I'd say this album should belong on everyone's music library. Everyone should at least give the album a listen. This is indeed a masterpiece, not only within The Dear Hunter's discography, but also among the collective prog and rock history. It's an incredible gem not many know about. 5 Stars, a beauty.