Many albums cannot meet the expectations that people have for them, and even fewer can surpass them; The Dear Hunter does not have this problem. Ever since Casey Crescenzo left The Receiving End of Sirens, his music has gotten progressively better. His band’s latest release The Color Spectrum proves yet again that he is a force to be reckoned with.

The record begins with its heaviest moment, “Filth and Squalor,” a dark and brooding track that makes brilliant use of electronics to create a background for a tale about the end of the world. The selection from the Red EP, “Deny It All,” immediately brought Manchester Orchestra to mind. It wasn’t until the second listen that it became obvious why: Andy Hull’s guest vocals fit wonderfully into a song that would be a standout on any Manchester Orchestra record.

“But There’s Wolves?” seems to serve as a transition between the heavier moments on the record and the lighter material. The guitar riff comfortably sways between alternative rock and a sort of funky jazz, allowing Casey’s voice to take center stage. The offering from the Yellow EP feels like something from the ’60s. A bright, sunny track that seems to bring the color yellow to life as well as make you wish that Casey had gotten Zooey Deschanel to sing a verse on it.

Both of the songs from the Green EP feel like spring, if such a thing is possible. Yet they seem to cover the very first days of the season and then the very last days. “Things That Hide Away” is fragile, in the very best sense of the word while “The Canopy” is a warm, twangy number that is ready to carry the listener into the summer sun. The tracks from Indigo, Violet, and White would easily fit on any of The Dear Hunter’s previous material. Lush orchestration and Crescenzo’s masterful vocals steer the record towards the finish line with ease. 

In the words of Dennis Green: “they are who we thought they were.” This record is exactly what it should have been; it is exactly what was expected of it. It manages to convey perfectly the emotions attached to these colors in a way that never feels forced or clichéd. While the break from the Act series was not exactly welcomed, 

The Color Spectrum proves that The Dear Hunter are not only one of the most ambitious bands in the industry, but one of the most talented as well.

★★★★☆

*This review was composed by Dan Beach