The Dear Hunter 'Act III' Songs 8-14 | REACTION
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- Äas pĆidĂĄn 21. 07. 2024
- 00:00 Intro
01:45 Saved
06:36 He Said He Had a Good Story
10:15 This Beautiful Life
14:23 Go Get Your Gun
17:37 Son
19:54 Father
23:50 Life and Death
29:16 Final Thoughts
Neighbor Sue and I react to the second half of Act III: Life and Death by The Dear Hunter.
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If this had come out in the 60/70âs theyâd be just as big as The Beatles
Canât wait for Act 4 đ„đ
And this is where we really start to see the stakes and path of Hunter's life get set into place. The fun thing about this story in general is that a lot of the lyrics, and a lot of the song titles are really surprisingly literal, and they more-or-less describe exactly what happens within the story, while still containing incredibly deep wells of metaphors for life and experiences in general. I think the biggest struggle with determining the story is less the direct interpretation of the lyrics, and more piecing together the perspectives of the songs, especially within the first three albums. The perspective tends to shift drastically even within individual songs, and it can be tough to figure out who is saying what. However, I think Act IV, and Act V, along with so many other aspects that will become immediately clear upon listening, do a much better job at representing different characters with different sounds, styles of writing, and sonic profiles (Hunter, for example, is often self-reflective, and has a very dynamic, expansive vocabulary wherein he often speaks in metaphors or parables). Act III does a better job of it than Act I and Act II, but it is still pretty up-in-the-air most of the time until you get some clarification. You guys are gonna have a fun time when the conversation for this one rolls around.
He Said He Had a Story distinctly is so incredibly brutal. When I first listened to it, I had the same experience that basically everybody else describes, and that you guys exhibited here: it lures you in with remarkably catchy, stupendous instrumentation and fun vocals, but then you suddenly recognize what the lyrics are saying and what the situation is, and there is a sense of genuine horror from that point on, and it only gets worse as the song progresses, culminating in what I would describe as the most disgusting verse throughout the entire saga. Then, when you listen back to it in the future, you can hear the slimy malice and anger within Casey's voice as the character he is portraying, even from the start of the song. I have rarely encountered a song so simultaneously fun yet gut-wrenchingly nauseating. So straightforward and yet so impactful. I think it is one of the highlights of the Acts in terms of storytelling.
All in all, I believe every song on the album has its special quality, and it is really difficult to rank them individually, because every time you go back to them, there's something new you didn't notice in each one, or there is a new way of interpreting a metaphor that shows up that brings it back into the spotlight. I think the ones that consistently get high marks from me, however, are In Cauda Venenum, which very well could rest as my favorite song of all time for its writing so strongly reminiscent of real poems from World War I ("in the cradle, we are helpless, but on our feet, we are fatal"), tight production, and powerful performance; He Said He Had a Story, for the reasons I described earlier; This Beautiful Life, because the performances in the vocals are so dynamic, so smooth, and the writing in it is so bittersweetly inspiring; and Life and Death, for much the same reasons, on top of being an excellent send-off to the album in general. Writing on a Wall also stands tied with Battesimo Del Fuoco as my favorite opener to the albums. Hopefully, I'll catch the Act III Conversation when it's live, but if not, I will certainly still be here for when Act IV and Act V roll around. Keep doing what you're doing, guys!
This so much for this comment. I have to say, as Iâm gearing up for our Act III conversation, I completely agree with what youâve said here, especially concerning âhe said he had a story to tellâ. The more I learned about it, the more vile it became, and the more I heard it in Caseyâs voice.
Waiting, waiting to die!!! Chills every time. Really hoping to make the conversation. Tons to unpack from this album.
Oh my goodness, I am working through my interpretation of what's going on here and at three this morning and I am having epiphany after Epiphany I just have to giggle cause usually my epiphany don't match anybody else in the room but I cannot wait to have this discussion. Arrow I really look forward to hearing your interpretation of ours haha
I can now tell you all a bunch about WWI because of this. Iâm still down the rabbit hole. Almost none of it has much to do with the Acts. Lol. Itâs just all so brutal and fascinating to me.
@@secondhandreactions seriously, and history wasn't my strong point but I'm loving my research!!!
As a musician all my life, I feel the exact same way when i listen to these albums. You listen and you can literally hear the genius. Its SO obvious that this is songwriting on a different level than 95% of people doing it currently. There's just this abject amazement in thinking, I could never, ever do this. Casey Crecenzo is iconic, and so criminally underappreciated. Its a generational talent, full stop.
Act III may be the best of the acts. But its really hard to choose.
This is the perfect comment. For me, this is a perfect description of this band and Casey.
That first song got me all emotional, here we go!!!!!
I love how you guys didnât seem to pick up on any of the story (and donât feel bad about that because it is absolutely not clear at all). Because Act III convo is going to make your jaws drop.
Iâve been trying to piece together the story song by song based on lyrics since we did this reaction. Iâve also now referenced whatâs actually going on. I can say our Act III convo should be an interesting one. I canât wait to see what Sue has come up with.
@@secondhandreactionsme too haha!!!
Act III is the most cryptic to me honestly. All of the stuff with the son and father was really hard to pick up on the first time I listened.
@@davismorgan99 Yes! I struggled here too but once I was steered in the direction of understanding the father and son I accepted it hahah Act 4 songs have helped me to see the new dynamics better
A few weeks ago I started this "marathon" I called it, I planned on listening through all 5 acts while analyzing the songs like you guys are doing now. I've been a little confused about how the storyline of each song, or even how each act matches up with each other, and that's why I started it. ( Left off on Evicted from act 2) just yesterday I found you guys and it totally motivated me to follow along, last night I finished act 2 and I'm excited to listen through act 3 again (I haven't listened in like forever lol)
But anyways you guys are awesome!! Definitely underrated channelđ
@@redroses_player1019 hey thanks a lot for letting us know how you feel!!!!
Thatâs awesome. Glad youâre back on it. Itâs fun to dive into this story and music. The Dear Hunter is quickly becoming one of my favorite bands because of all this. Im psyched to talk to Sue and everyone about Act III. Weâre gonna do a livestream early next week about it. Iâm even more excited to keep going and dive into Act IV. As a music lover, itâs really hard not just listening to all of this. Lol. Itâs worth it though. I love reacting to it and having all these great conversation with everyone
So happy you guys seemed to love this album! I think you're right about the songs being so much more thought out here. Don't get me wrong, Act I and II are amazing in their own right but from Act III onwards things just feel a lot more weighty and mature to me. Honestly, the production helps a lot too. From Act III to IV there's a pretty big time gap IRL, in which Casey just casually wrote literally 9 EPs and another full album as side projects... so yeah, expect Act IV to come with even more maturity and songwriting practice hahaha
As for not catching on to the meanings, don't feel bad at all. You're already catching a lot more than I did on my first listen. A lot of this story comes with some pretty crazy twists that you can definitely see the 'hints' for in hindsight, but are super hard to understand on your own. I'm curious to see what you think about the (unofficial) 'official' agreed upon story of Act III so I'm hyped for your discussion!
Thanks Yak! Act III Conversation coming soon!
@@secondhandreactionsthis one is also a doozy
You two are hooked enough to absolutely enjoy the mastery they achieve in the next two albums. They took a break in between 3 and 4 and grew and changed the direction they were headed by doing another project separate from the acts.
Also, I love how you described how you have to be vulnerable to listen to this music. Couldnât agree more.
Hooked!!!
Got here just in time!
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Iâm so excited for the convo. This was the first album I was able to follow along with the album booklet, so the story seems the most âstraightforwardâ of all the albums to me. Without all of that context though Iâm so curious what youâll make of the story!! I have a feeling you guys will get closer to the agreed upon plot than anyone is expecting
Funny you say this. Iâve found the story hard to follow on this album. I think some of it was very on the nose, but other parts, particularly in the second half, I struggled with based on lyrics alone. I think the mistake we make on early listens is thinking the lyrics are the boyâs perceptive. Until you figure out whoâs eyes youâre looking though in each song, itâs all very cloudy and can lead to wild speculation that seems to fit. Iâve looked into the story now and can see how it all goes together with the lyrics, but Iâm gonna be really interested to see what Sue has come up with as sheâs not looking into the story at all. Act III convo livestream coming early next week.
Donated for Manchester Orchestra, but THD is my fav. Figured MO was more accessible, but glad you love TDH. So beautiful.
We liked Pale Black Eye - we gotta get back to more MO. I forgot all about that band until you mentioned them here. Thank you!
act 4 was my intro to TDH. simply canât wait for you to get to it
I feel like you guys will have your minds blown by Act IV. I discovered this band with that album almost 10 years ago and I still remember how amazed I was. One of my favorite albums still, and I'm much more of a metalhead now.
Iâm so psyched for it
i feel ya man. below was the comment i left on this video. the dear hunter may not be metal, but its super heavy.
"15 years after i first heard this album and as a metal head, it changed my entire way of thinking about music and what it could be. love watching your reactions and thank you for reminding me of what a perfect album this was... top 1 of 1 in my opinion"
@@onetofollow Hey OTF! - Theyâre awesome. This series has been so rewarding for us. Itâs adding so much great music into my life, and also given us a story to digest and interpret. Itâs so much fun to do this. Iâm glad youâre enjoying our videos!
@@secondhandreactions very much enjoying your videos! love them!
I enjoy listening to this album again with you guys!
Thanks nater!
Awesome
15 years after i first heard this album and as a metal head, it changed my entire way of thinking about music and what it could be. love watching your reactions and thank you for reminding me of what a perfect album this was... top 1 of 1 in my opinon.
This band is completely blowing my mind
music is a never ending adventure
Hidden track of this album on the deluxe version.
czcams.com/video/BcMfG317Idc/video.htmlsi=4DtDb0BZZqqmL_SW
If you donât do a full Color Spectrum, please pick a few of the most popular. Lillian is my fav.
I could see us going through the whole album. Weâre both enjoying TDH, but Iâm not sure what weâre gonna nice we finish Act V.
I loved Sue's reaction to He said he had a Story. The innocence of the Boy is gone.
I equally loved your input during our discussion!!!
Really enjoying following your trip through this brilliant sequence of albums. Hard to describe how significantly the experience improves with relistens as you continue to grasp the story, repeated motifs etc. I do a full Act I-V relisten regularly and am still catching new things years later. Can't wait to see the rest in the weeks to come. The connections between Acts IV-V, and the callbacks to the earlier albums, are masterfully done.
Iâm really happy we dove into this band and the Acts. Itâs added so much music to my life, and Iâm still I awe of Caseyâs talent all around
I agree, the second and third listen as I am trying to figure it out becomes more and more interesting and I hear subtle nuances and connections I missed...loving this