The Dear Hunter - "The Acts" (Box Set)

3/15/19

Act VI will be a Movie. A screenplay was written. When may it come? it sounds up in the air, per it may be 10 or more years from now, per it would need to be made in Casey's vision, which I totally follow.

A little like Porcupine Tree's Deadwing? (remember the SCREENPLAY SW and a friend wrote for it..some 15+ years ago. I would still love for that to be made someday).

Video on Facebook

Video on Instragram 3/15/19
therealtdh
I think enough time has passed while trying to do this thing in secret that it’s probably okay to admit to its creatively induced coma.
There’s a space in the box set for a record Id really love to make, but it’s possible that I won’t get that opportunity—and I’d rather close the book than finish something the wrong way.
All things considered, you may have the only piece of art that will be released from Act VI... I dunno. Kinda cool? Maybe. Like I said, I dunno.

3/12/19
The whole Acts series in a Box Set (Boxed Set) and then "The Fox and the Hunt"

I own all the albums in multiple formats, in some cases, multiples. I don't know if my house-hunting budget allows me to afford the $180, but I wish it did. And I'm sure other fans will need it.

The other part is the write-up about it below, almost feels like it is the end of "The Acts" for The Dear Hunter.

But Act VI? the plan was since I got into them, for them to make 6 Acts to tell the story.

And awhile back I remember Casey saying stuff about Act VI when asked, that (I'm paraphrasing) 
"it has a chance to be something unique/special/different"

I can't find the quote, but I did find another interview here 

Have you had an opportunity to look beyond Act VI and consider what might be on the horizon for the Dear Hunter?
I actually do have an idea for a record that I’ve already been kicking around. Whether or not it comes around before whatever Act VI is going to be, I’m not entirely sure, but I will say that I know what album I’m going to be making next and already started kicking around some songs for it. There are future releases in the pipeline that are not very far off at all—like next year, hopefully early next year. I think I’m okay with finally stepping away from the traditional record cycle, and having the studio and the team that I trust, why would I allow the years to just roll on without doing the thing that I love doing? 

Film, Play, Interactive Website, Orchestral versions of many of the tunes? 

Or a big massive Graphic Novel?..maybe to come after all the 5 Acts Graphic Novels have come out? (which will likely take some time..like YEARS). 

So I imagine more information could be coming around or after the Box Set is released. Even just about those other albums (Indigo-themed record? and there was another concept or type of album or someone I thought Casey mentioning wanting work with (beyond Kimbra and even say Jessy Ribordy again).

Facebook video


THE DEAR HUNTER PRESENTS THE ACTS (www.thedearhunter.com)

It’s difficult to pick which detail I should divulge first, but I will begin by announcing “The Acts”, a comprehensive collection of my band, The Dear Hunter’s record series of the same name.

I’ve wanted to compile these records into a single collection since the release of Act V, but there was one missing link, which leads to the next part of the puzzle.

At the time of recording Acts IV and V, I had the privilege to work with Conductor David Möeshler and his Awesöme Orchestra. Prior to our initial recording, I was introduced to the work of the composer Brian Adam McCune, who also works with David as an orchestrator and arranger for the various collaborations and musical experiments of AÖ.

Brian and I developed an immediate musical kinship, and in discussing the forthcoming recordings, I told him the hope I had of focusing the orchestration/arrangement on a dual purpose—both as a featured element of our albums, and as an isolated listening experience.

This meant writing and arrangement elements that would not be used at the time of Act IV/V’s release—the result of which is “The Fox & the Hunt”.

At roughly 57 minutes long, “The Fox & the Hunt” holds a strong tether to its parent pieces, but is meant to be experienced on its own, and we are so excited to share it with you as part of this comprehensive collection.

While “The Fox & the Hunt” is meant to serve a dual purpose, it was vital that we made this collection feel cohesive- and I am so excited to say we have enlisted the incredible artistry of Nicky Barkla, who painted the covers of Acts IV and V.

While the visual side of this musical story has always been a top priority, Nicky’s work represents a different level of inspired creation that was vital to incorporate in the albums which predates her involvement, and so, she has created 3 new covers for Acts I-III, building upon the inspired intrigue and beauty she brought to Acts IV and V.

With that, the collection finally feels complete, and of a singular identity. I look back on these 5 albums in disbelief of the journey I have taken- and it has been due, in no small part, to the loving ear you have all lent to this music, and the endless support and belief you have shown me, and my band.

Thank you all. I hope you enjoy.



Preorder Link 

Foals - Everything Not Saved Will Be Lost Part 2 (2018-2019)

Just posting this along with some more stuff about Part 1.

I don't have my vinyl copy yet of ENSWBLP Part 1, but given payday is Friday, I will try and find a copy in retail (Cheapo, or maybe Barely Bros?). But I guess inside it shows that cover art for ENSWBLP Part 2 and says it's coming in September.

There's some confirmed tracks included on the Wiki page linked below.



Enemy
Wiki


To follow-up, I finally got to hear all of Part 1 yesterday and here's a comment I left on rym:


last 2 mins of Syrups is gold.

These guys are incredibly consistent. Almost unmatched within the last decade.

New stripped down/raw video for "White Onions"..but yeah these guys keep doing their thing and their thing really works well. I'm not sure if/when that will not happen, but I am a happy Foals fan still with this 1st new album, and the 2nd one coming in September I am naturally just as excited for. Perhaps they can buck the trend of bands releasing 2 or double albums in 1 year and both not working. Although Ours also may buck that trend later this year as well.

And I can probably give Foals and Ours the top spots on my AOTY race already.

Kevin Gilbert - Big Heart

I've loved this tune ever since it was included in the Deluxe edition of Thud back in 2015.

Nice video, which I take it is from a Silent Film of some kind.

I honestly wonder how some clips of (from) the  Tin Man would work with this track.

Regardless, very well done.

Also to note, this tune was written by Kevin's Giraffe band-mate Robert Ferris.

And I know you're gonna tear my great big heart apart.

Local Natives - Violet Street (2018-2019)

So this was announced on Friday and I never got around to sharing the details of the 4th proper record from Local Natives, Violet Street, coming out on April 26th.

The 1st single "Cafe Amarillo" I shared a little while ago, and the 2nd single/video "When am I Gonna Lose You" is below.

I'm kind of indifferent to both of those tunes. Not bad, a little more funky/groove-oriented. Some nice vocal parts, but I'm not fully attached.

But these guys have yet to release an album I was disappointed with, so I'm not assuming anything based on those 1st 2 tracks. Sunlit Youth, Hummingbird, Gorilla Manor are all among the best record over the last decade.

https://www.thelocalnatives.com/




1. Vogue
2. When am I Gonna Lose You
3. Cafe Amarillo
4. Munich II
5. Megaton Mile
6. Someday Now
7. Shy
8. Garden of Elysian
9. Gulf Shores
10. Tap Dancer

Meaningful Songs: Amanda Palmer - Want it Back

Amanda Palmer - Want it Back

In thinking about Amanda with her new album, I was reading back about her 2 other records I enjoyed so much, and among a large handful of tunes, this one is one of the standouts.

It's just so bloody catchy and the energy is infectious.

She gets wordy or rather sings a lot of words quickly, which can often be difficult to master, but it somehow fits in-time, on this tune.

And the little floating/dreamy synths part I forgot how that part is such a goose-bump-worthy little bit.

Her new album I don't find has anything like this in that way, which is fine, but I can't help but yearn for more tunes like this again from Amanda.

Jimmy Gnecco w/ Royston Langdon @ 7th Street Entry 3/7/19

This is I count the 8th time I've seen Jimmy Gnecco live, and only the 2nd Solo. The 1st Solo as a quasi-Headliner in the "Someone to Die For" tour.

The other being when he opened for Greg Laswell which oddly, I believe was the last time I saw him, at The 7th Street Entry as well in 2013? I think it was.

Just Jimmy and April Bauer, no full-band. Jimmy on Acoustic guitar and April played on a number of tunes, adding synths (mellotron patches?).

Royston aka Leeds joined Jimmy for a couple of David Bowie tunes which were fun, although I would have enjoyed Jimmy singing some on Life on Mars?

But it was pretty epic, and the set list and length was not planned.

A lot of crowd interaction and storytelling, some maybe I might try to edit-in that I don't have time right now for.

the New Age Heroine stuff was great, Fly even more stripped down, was still the epic piece that it is. And the title track.

Even Made to Love, which is 1 of the tunes I'm only luke warm about on the record, was quite moving live.


The song on setlist.fm that is "Unknown" I think I know, but am not certain if it's unreleased or a song off 1 of the versions of The Heart (The Bells?)..The Bells is 1 of my favorites and has this cool busy guitar outro, which Jimmy played on the tune that I believe is marked "Unknown."

Anyway, time is not on my side, but yeah, another epic show from Jimmy.

There's some stuff he mentioned about Spectacular Sight and other anecdotes that would be worth sharing soon, hopefully in due time.

Also a shout-out to Rachel and Beth, 2 other Ours fans who remembered me from many shows I attended in the past. Local-Ours fanatics like myself.

Red Colored Stars (Ours song)
Here Is the Light (Ours song)
I'm a Monster (Ours song)
Mystery
Fly
Bleed (Ours song)
Ashes to Ashes (David Bowie cover) (with Royston Langdon)
Life on Mars? (David Bowie cover) (with Royston Langdon)
(Unknown, The Bells?)
The Heart
Made to Love
Sometimes (Ours song)
Medication (Ours song) (Partial; straight into next song)
Dizzy (Ours song)
I Heard You Singing
Across the Clouds
New Age Heroine
The Worst Things Beautiful (Ours song)
Places (Ours song)

Native Construct: Indefinite Hiatus

I really liked their debut album from 2015, Quiet World. But this does not exactly come as a shock given the slowness of their 2nd album.



Facebook

Hey folks,

It's finally time for us to give a definitive update on the status of Native Construct. *tl;dr at the end*

First, I want to acknowledge how long it's taken us to do this. Our intention was to make sure everything was 100% certain and worked out behind the scenes before making any official statements, and the timeline on that got way out of hand. You were all left hanging and wondering and speculating for far too long, and I honestly feel awful about that. Maybe we should have been more open about what was going on with us in real time. It's still hard to know what the optimal approach would have been, but this has definitely been a learning experience.

Anyway, I'm telling you today that the rumors are true: Native Construct is on an indefinite hiatus.

I know this isn't the news many of you wanted to hear, and I know this may be surprising considering all the teasing we had been doing for the second album. For whomever may be interested, I'll try to explain as clearly as possible how we arrived here.

We made the first Native Construct album while we were in college, when life was much simpler. Since then, we graduated and entered the real world. We started the second album during a time of great uncertainty in all our lives. We originally intended to dedicate most of our time and energy to NC #2, but it turns out that was pretty naive. To put it lightly, Native Construct was never a cash-cow for us. As recent college graduates, we were facing the realities of needing to pay the bills, start developing reliable careers, build savings, etc. As Native Construct got pushed lower and lower on the list of priorities, we gradually came to the realization that dedicating our lives to this band was a bad move, nor was it what we wanted.

We changed a lot as people and as musicians during these transitional years, and to be honest, most of us became less interested in metal music. The material we were working on for the second album is completely different from Quiet World. It sounds like a different band. So, another factor in the decision to put NC to bed was the realization that we were trying to fit a square peg into a round hole by pulling such a dramatic left turn with the musical direction of this project.

The good news is that we've all found other things to focus on for the time being, and are doing well! In case anyone's interested, I'll give a brief description of what all the band members are up to:

-Poh Hock is teaching guitar, and has a killer solo album coming out TOMORROW (March 8 ). You can also hear more of his shredz with a band called Replacire.
-Max is working in the game industry as a sound designer.
-Rob is also pursuing a career in sound design, along with private vocal instruction. You can keep up with him on his (WIP) website here: rwedens.wixsite.com/website
-Jake was drumming all over the world on a cruise ship, and just recently moved to LA to continue his career as a drummer, playing with various artists. @jakedickdrums on Instagram if you wanna keep up with him.
-I, Myles, am focusing on teaching music theory/composition in private lessons and as a YouTuber: MusicWithMyles.com. I'll be putting out original music in the future, too (some of this unreleased NC #2 stuff may even see the light of day in some form).

Anywhoosles...I just want to talk for a sec about how wild of a ride this has been for us. It would have been completely crazy for anyone to expect the amount of love we were to receive after putting out one little album recorded in my bedroom. The whole Native Construct phenomenon has been just astonishing. Truly. We've gotten to meet and work with some awesome people, tour with some of our favorite bands, and see tons of cities across North America. And most importantly, we've gotten to hear from countless strangers who have found some genuine joy in our music. It's an incredible thing. We'll never forget all the love you nerds have given us. To anyone who has ever listened to one of our tunes, worked with us, or supported us in any way: we love you, and we thank you.

ttfn
-NC

tl;dr: the band's dead, everything is fine, thx 4 the memories <3 span="">

The Pneumatic Transit - Chordae Tendineae (2018-2019)

So Jeff Zampillo of the instrumental jazz-rock/fusion/prog band The Pneumatic Transit got in touch with me on Facebook the other day and told me about the 2nd TPT album coming out soon.

And in order to create buzz (however I can), he sent me the information about access to hear this 2nd LP Chordae Tendineae which is looking to come out sometime this Spring (May/June).

Concerto for Double Moon was one of my favorite records when it came out in 2015 and one of the better instrumental albums of the 2010's. Although I'll confess to not listened to it all that much since that year, but I really enjoyed back then and should revisit it soon, especially after hearing this new/follow up album.

I can say this, all 4 pieces have moments to enjoy, I think largely the 1st half-2/3 of each track.

The 1st track "Atriums" early on here, I probably found myself lost in the 2nd half where a lot of it sounds quite improvised. The Sax solo specifically; which almost sounds more Free-Jazz in a way.

"Casino Mouse" is quite good, energetic and catchy at points. Could the title could be taken from Al Di Meola + Chick/RTF? (Casino is a Di Meola record, and "Senor Mouse" from Chick). The trumpet work stands out on this one certainly.

"Residual Sentience" I think worked the best among all of these tracks start-to-finish

"The Fountain and the Feather" has some sections that remind me of The Mars Volta, from the Frances the Mute period. The groove works really well and the math-rock phrases really make parts of it.

This album has some different instrumentation to Concerto for Double Moon; saxophone, trumpet among some others,.

the cover art is intentionally blurry by the way.

1. Atriums 12:55
2. Casino Mouse 13:08
3. Residual Sentience 9:46
4. The Fountains and the Feather 12:44

Local Natives - Cafe Amarillo [1B] (2019)

new video and Tune for Local Natives.

Will listen/watch soon, but I was without wifi last night at 'rents doing laundry (out of town, no wifi).

Guess it's kind of funky from some comments.

They're upcoming tour is titled the "Spiral Choir Tour" which suggests the new album could be titled "Spiral Choir" but I haven't seen anything that confirms that at this point.

Evan Konrad (Bed of Stars) - Long Way Out [1B] (2019)

New song from Evan Konrad released under his own name. I'm not sure what it means for "Bed of Stars" but Evan Konrad signed with Lava Records recently.

Musically? this sounds more dense and almost electronic sounding, compared to the Bed of Stars stuff.

of course Daniel Victor I would say would be 1 of if not THEE one who sort of "discovered" him. And Evan appears on 2 songs on the last Neverending White Lights album from 2012.

Anyway, when more comes up, I'll have to add more or post something new about it. Good for Evan!

The Claypool Lennon Delirium - South of Reality (2018-2019)

So the other day some discussion about early year favorite albums for the year on the dreamtheaterforums, this album was recommended to me.

It was released just a few weeks ago on February 22, 2019.

I remember hearing about this band a few years ago prior to even their 1st EP came out. And South of Reality is their 2nd proper full length album.

I can't claim to have heard any of their actual music before checking this out the other day, but my thoughts previously was assuming it would resemble much of Les Claypool's other work; Primus and the bass-driven comedic/goofy/quirky very Zappa-inspired, especially the vocals.

And Sean Lennon? well I like some of Julian's work.

Anyway, this album and I am presuming some of their previous/debut record is not exactly like that.

Some of it is there, but more I would compare to a few groups.

King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard and even Pepe Deluxe.

Sort of Channeling the classic Psych-Rock style/period of the late 60's and 70's, but still having modern production.

Plus the latter Psychadelic-Beatles.

Some of it is proggy (the analog synths remind me of Yes or many other groups).

It's more melodic, having enough guitar and vocal use, while still being creative. Some of it is almost space-rock in a way, maybe in a Gong-sort of way.

I'm going to have to spend some more time with this of course, but I will have to check out Monolith of Phobos, TCLD debut record from 2016.




1. Little Fishes 6:06
2. Blood and Rockets: Movement I/Saga of Jack Parsons/Movement II/Too the Moon 6:29
3. South of Reality 3:27
4. Boriska 5:25
5. Easily Charmed By Fools 5:10
6. Amethyst Realm 7:47
7. Toady Man's Hour 3:12
8. Cricket Chronicles Revisited: Pt. 1, Ask Your Doctor/Pt. 2, Psyde Effects 6:23
9. Like Fleas 3:31

Amanda Palmer - There Will Be No Intermission (2018-2019)

3/3/19

Release date is this coming friday, but the whole thing is already streaming:

NPR's Stream Link


I'll have to give it a go tomorrow at work (assuming I have time, I have 2 meetings scheduled).

Or I may have to pull my flash drive out of my car and try and check it out there and/or at home tonight if time allows.

I still think this may be a sleeper, although I hope I don't get the feeling I and others got after big hopes for the Typhoon album Offerings from last year.

12/13/18
This thing is being released on March 8, 2019.

Her email from the email list was a novel, but that's par for the course for Amanda.

I could quote some of it; maybe later.

I will just say, it sounds like a very well-thought-out, reworked, played live, demo-ed, etc labored-over record.

her most emotional yet of course.

AMBITION may be the key work with it.

Theatre is Evil was awesome and Who Killed Amanda Palmer had many songs I loved.

This sucker may be as great as she talked about in that email.

20 tracks, 10 instrumentals, and 77 minutes. A concept album I imagine?

As I posted in the 2018-2019 preview..a bit of another sleeper...that is until now, since I know about and have large hopes for it now.


1. All the Things 1:23
2. The Ride 10:13
3. Congratulations 0:37
4. Drowning in the Sound 5:45
5. Hold on Tight, Darling 0:40
6. The Thing About Things 5:35
7. Life's Such a Bitch Isn't It 0:33
8. Judy Blume 6:45
9. Feeding the Dark 0:20
10. Bigger on the Inside 8:29
11. There Will Be No Intermission 1:01
12. Machete 6:09
13. You Know the Statistics 0:38
14. Voicemail for Jill 5:34
15. You'd Think I'd Shot Their Chicken 1:43
16. A Mother's Confession 10:37
17. They're Saying Not to Panic 0:27
18. Look Mummy, No Hands 5:30
19. Intermission Is Relative 0:54
20. Death Thing 5:00

Meaningful Songs: Genesis - Back in N.Y.C. (+ 2 Covers)

Genesis - Back in N.Y.C.

Ever since getting into Genesis and not long after, Kevin Gilbert, I've loved this tune. I don't put it #1 among the Genesis song list, but it's damn close (top 5 for sure).

The dynamics and crying out vocal performance is off the charts. Some of Gabriel's best vocal lines and lyrics (despite the subject matter..the metaphors are kind of genius).

But then hearing Kevin Gilbert do his own, magical interpretation, it went up there into the stratosphere as a Goose-bump staple tune.

The metaphor of masturbation "cuddling the porcupine" just in terms of the build and crescendo and *climax* just fits/works. Even though I don't necessarily think about that from this tune, I can totally follow how it came to be.

It just works and fits that feeling perfectly.

And this latest interpretation I just came across tonight from District 97 and Leslie Hunt live at ROS Fest a few years ago, brought another wonderful rendition to this. Another take, yet still maintaining the brilliance of this song. The comment about Joan Jett I can sort of follow, but Leslie really came up with something on it.

No time for romantic escapes..fluffy heart is ready for...




Kevin Gilbert's studio version




District 97's live cover at ROSFest a few years back. Featuring of course vocalist Leslie Hunt.

1 MILLION HITS

Per my time right now (I gotta go to work this morning), the long-winded, hyperbolic, self-indulgent, self-congratulatory entry that talks about history, bottled-up frustration and commentary, along with future plans in here will be delayed at least until the end of this weekend,

But given THEE or *THAT* Milestone has been found (regardless of however it was), early this morning (2 or 3AM? I stayed up but eventually dozed off with 37 hits left to find).

But in the short term, Congratu-fucking-lations to me, the non-professional/amateur obscure progressive rock internet pro-bono journalist/editorial-ist/opinion-ist.

I'd like to see someone else get 1 million fucking hits doing this as a hobby, even if it takes 12 years and 3 months.

Meaningful Songs: Savatage - Chance (+Circle II Circle Acoustic)

Savatage - Chance

So I recently saw a live Acoustic version shared on Social Media the other day, and I've decided to share it in here.

Chance has been and probably always will be my favorite track from Savatage (who have many, probably many others could find the "Meaningful Songs" category).

It's a masterwork in studio tracking multi-layered vocals. And Zak Stevens along with hired-gun Alex Skolnick create some of the most perfected kind of progressive metal.

Or think like Queen doing prog metal in some ways.

The dynamics are so well crafted. The emotion just cries out throughout.

I know some if not purely the inspiration came from the loss of the great Criss Oliva, and I know the Handful of Rain album did and was kind of Savatage at their darkest or bleakest point.

But of course with sadness can come some of the greatest art work.

I really can't say enough things about this piece, which has totally stood the test of time some nearly 25 years later.

If you have never heard it or Savatage, it may well be totally worth your time.