June 29, 2009 -- ACT III: LIFE AND DEATH, the highly anticipated second album from THE DEAR HUNTER--Casey Crescenzo (singer/pianist/guitarist/lyricist/multi-instrumentalist), Andy Wildrick (guitar), Erick Serna (guitar), Nick Crescenzo (drums), Nate Patterson (bass)—was released today on Triple Crown Records. The epic third chapter of the band’s six-chapter concept album project chronicles the latest endeavors of “the boy,” now a man, looking (and finding) love, loss and reinvention.
Produced by Casey Crescenzo, and with engineering duties behind the boards shared with Andy Wildrick, the opus was conceived, hashed out, and recorded entirely in the band's studio in Providence, Rhode Island. It was mixed by Mike Watts and mastered by Andy VanDette. The band pulled out every stop when it came to instrumentation, bringing in musicians to contribute live strings, woodwinds, horns, and even harps.
Fans who want to hear the album in its entirety can visit AOL’s website, which is offering a full album listening party at http://music.aol.com/new-releases-full-cds/#/13.

In touring and video news, THE DEAR HUNTER is criss-crossing the U.S. along with Mewithoutyou through July 11 in Boston. A new trek is on deck for August and will be announced in the coming weeks. Meanwhile, an animated video for “What It Means To be Alone” will hit TV and Internet airwaves in the coming months. The clip is currently being produced and directed by singer Casey Crescenzo.

ACT III is the follow-up to 2007’s ACT II: THE MEANING OF, & ALL THINGS REGARDING MS. LEADING, which was described by Alternative Press as an album that “...goes from haunting and otherworldly (‘The Oracles On The Delphi Express’) to utterly fantastic—‘The Bitter Suite 1 And 2: Meeting Ms. Leading’ is a chamber indie-pop masterpiece, complete with an instantly memorable piano line and a chorus as big as the song title.”

Rave reviews for ACT III are already pouring in:

“Successful concept albums work well as a cohesive whole but also have great songs that stand on their own, and that holds true on ACT III: LIFE AND DEATH. It's best to listen to this CD from start to finish in one sitting in order to get the concept album experience, but even if one isn't big on concept albums, tracks like ‘Life and Death,’ ‘The Poison Woman,’ and ‘Go Get Your Gun’ have no problem standing on their own. Crescenzo brings a wide variety of influences to this disc, ranging from Radiohead and Coldplay to Queen, the Beach Boys, and the Beatles; the result is an engaging alternative pop/rock effort that has a strong awareness of classic rock but without sounding overtly nostalgic. Crescenzo’s willingness to turn to different rock eras for creative inspiration yields excellent results on ACT III: LIFE AND DEATH.”

--Alex Henderson, All Music Guide,
June 22, 2009

“The third chapter in a six chapter story finds Casey Crescenzo and crew being even more elaborate than ever before, but also with more heart and soul than either of the previous releases. The album opens with one of the most intriguing beginnings of any album in 2009 and continues to lure the listener in with each and every track. The flow is phenomenal and Crescenzo has never written nor sounded better in his life. His voice bounces from light and angelic to gruff without once wavering from being completely compelling. The band has really expanded the scope of their sound to create soundtracks for every possible scene in life from fiestas (‘In Clauda Venenum’) to a ballroom blitz (‘Go Get Your Gun’) to even a dreary spring day (‘Father’).”

--James Shotwell, Underthegunreview.net,
May 25, 2009

“…ACT III is a powerful continuation of the beautiful and depressing story of ‘the dear hunter.’ It is kind of sad that the story is already half over. 4 out of 5 stars”

--Logan Broger, Decoymusic.com,
June 17, 2009

And in a live review of the band’s recent show at the Glass House in Pomona, CA, Beatcrave.com raved: “With each song, the band showed incredible control over the songs never rushing through a particular tune but, instead, letting the audience saturate in every aspect of the music, lyrics, tone and rhythm comprising a particular track…The Dear Hunter have a sound that is so distinct and superbly unique that they shone with a radiance during their entire time on stage. If you’ve yet to be afforded the fortune of seeing The Dear Hunter play live, go out of your way to find a venue housing them, buy a ticket and prepare yourself for a show like few others you’ve ever seen before.”

Check out THE DEAR HUNTER at any of the following stops: