The Dear Hunter Act 1 The Lake South The River North first listen. 

Casey is just a master orchestrator and it is such a journey to listen to his progression through the Acts. Truly a magical journey and the music just gets better and better without making you feel like you can't go back and still enjoy the earlier stuff. It's a rarity for bands to stay so enjoyable through all of their albums over such a long period of time. The way he is able to call back to melodies throughout all of the works is masterful. He must have an incredible understanding of music theory to get all of this to always work together so seamlessly. Then you add his vocals on top and BOY HOWDY, what a wonderful listening experience. Enjoy hearing your thoughts, keep em coming.

I don't have anything but pure excitement and joy for you, this video, and the journey you've embarked on. Not gonna lie, I let out a huge sigh of relief when you were into it early on because TDH, in my experience, can be very hit or miss to first time listeners, especially starting at the beginning. Will definitely link your video on the reddit if no one has once I'm off of work.

Second favorite band ever only second to coheed

You gained a sub here! The Dear Hunter is my all time favorite band and I can't wait to watch you experience all they have to offer. Enjoy!

Another awesome commentary. I'm so excited to see my favorite band get attention on your channel and I can't wait for more. As good as Act 1 is, it only gets better from here. Try to keep an ear out for reprises and repeated motifs going forward, these albums are loaded with them and noticing them really adds a lot to the experience. Can't wait to hear your thoughts on Act 2.

It just gets better from here on, man! It's a really strong debut for sure. And the emo vibe is just clearly present on their first two records, and I say that it's almost gone by act IV. I'd recommend checking The Color Spectrum 9EP collection once you're done with the acts, it's also well worth it. The amazing drumming is a constant with this band for sure, Nick Crescenzo is a really imaginative drummer, making even songs that aren't overtly complex sound interesting. I've been coming back to this album a lot as of late and I'm impressed by how much Casey sounds like Thom Yorke at the very start of The Inquiry of Ms. Terri (and how Radiohead-ish the whole beginning of the song is).

Hey Baldman, very excited for you to start The Dear Hunter acts! I started watching your videos with the Coheed series and was secretly hoping you would find your way over to The Dear Hunter. This is a dream come true!! Keep on doing what you do man, I always look forward to your videos

Instant like. Can't wait to see your further thoughts on the band. Also: Casey does all the recording and mixing himself.

I literally started crying during the inquiry of Ms Terri

I screamed when I got the notification. So glad you decided to do these! Thanks Baldman!

I remember the first time I heard this in 2006 as an 18 yr old in my first semester of college and it absolutely blew me away. A month hasn't gone by since then that I havent listened to either this or another of their albums. Despite that, watching you experience this for the first time made me experience it for the first time all over again. Thank you for that. You've got a new fan for sure.

Gaaaahhhh I'm so excited to hear your take on Act II. That was the one that made me a lifelong fan back in 2007 or 2008 and still my favorite to this day.

Yes!!!!

What's even more amazing about Act I is that most of this was made by Casey himself. I think his family helped him a bit (brother on drums, mother on background vocals) but Casey did almost all vocal parts, guitars, bass, piano/keyboards, and the production on this record.

I like how you cared to read up the context of the songs and it's story, nobody ever does that and makes a video on it

It's been a while since I've listened to this album in full. Great stuff.

Hell yeah we finally got someone reacting to the Acts! You are in for a journey my friend, you will have many more feels in the other acts as well.

Wonderful!! Thanks to Matthew for the write up!! Such a great band!!

Thank you for doing this! Can't wait until you finish the rest of the Acts and you gotta listen to their collection The Color Spectrum!!

Great vid can’t wait for the Act II video!

I loved watching your reactions. It brought me back to my first time listening to it. Thank you. I'm so excited for the next act

I'm so hyped for you to listen to these albums!!!

I just finished this video and I had to subscribe because you're doing The Dear Hunter the right way. I thank you for that. They simply cannot be done a random song at a time. Its an incredible experience. Changed my life musically. I can't wait for you to continue this journey. I'm looking forward to Act II.

So glad to see you diving into these. Like others have mentioned , these can be really hit or miss for some people , but I had an inkling that these would be ear candy for you, even though theyre a bit different than your normal listening. great commentary as always. onto the next!

The Dear Hunter are fucking excellent, you're in for a ride. I actually have a tattoo of all lyric from "What it Means to Be Alone" off of Act III, funnily enough. They're such a sonically interesting band, I love the way that they defy any sense of genre and simply play for emotional heft and atmosphere. The best part is that each album is better than the last, no joke. Casey Crescenzo is such a talented composer and frontman and the fact that this band doesn't have more exposure is criminal.

I’ve been wanting to check this band out for a while, what a better way than with Baldman?

Love watching/listening to these videos. I listen to these albums so much that I really enjoy just listening to your videos. I learn more each time so thank you for all your hard work. It’s greatly appreciated.

only a couple of songs in so far, but im loving your analysis. ive listened to this bands discography countless times and you are doing a great job of pointing out some of the parts which wash over me. its almost too seamless lol

They're amazing live, if you ever get the chance jump on it!!

Thanks Baldman!

This is why I subscribed several weeks back, and it did not disappoint! Can't *wait* for you to do Act II, which is tied with Act IV for my favorite album of theirs.

I'm a simple man. I see a TDH album reaction, I hit subscribe.

Casey mastered it and did all the instruments I think? Also his mom did the background vocals.

Thanks for reminding me that you’re never too in love with a work to treat it like your first listen. Liked and sub’d and so excited to relive the next four acts with you!

I’m so happy you chose to do this. It was my first listen as well. Literally made my week.

fuck yea man!! can’t wait for you to go through their discography!

I already love the album but seeing your reactions and hearing your comments made me appreciate some of the nuances more. I can't wait to see you move on to Act 2. The Dear Hunter has changed me musically more than any other band. Casey deserves a spotlight in the music world for his creations.

Yet another band that I love that I am enjoying you reacting to. I hope you do the remaining four albums from the “Acts” series.

The singer at about 19:00 is from a band named As Tall as Lions. Not casey singing FOR THE NIGHT.

Seriously excellent, attentive commentary! Please please please PLEASE do Thank You Scientist!

Can't say how much I appreciate this review. Casey's one of my favourite musicians, way underrated. Love your analysis. Act IV is the one I started off with, and never looked back. Would love to hear your thoughts on it.

I dont normally comment. I host a podcast with some friends, i wont try to promote that here but a friend of mine on that podcast recommended Act V to me from The Dear Hunter and I havent felt that way since I first got into coheed in high school. Act II changed my life. It is a true masterpiece of an album and I subbed to you just for this wonderful review of Act I, going forward I would love to see ALL of the Acts on this channel. Or at least Act II. Keep making these videos and Ill keep watching.

MORE PLZ :) subscribed waiting for the rest!

Thank you, thank you for taking such a serious look at this album such a breath of fresh air. I also love the dramatic and theatrical style and can't help wondering.. Have you ever heard Razias Shadow by forgive durden? If not it's an epic musical worthy of your channel

Also, if you do continue with TDH, I hope to see you do “The Color Spectrum” by them.

Hey man when are you gonna continue the Coheed an Cambria discography really love your reactions to them.

48:37 Would you say... You’re in a state of surprising euphoria?

LOLOL Don't use they when talking about the composition of the songs with the Dear Hunter LOL> IT IS ALL CASEY ^_^ The band members add their own flair but most everything is from his mind which is why da boiz my composition idol