The Dear Hunter - The Color Spectrum: The Complete Collection (2011)

Ambitious undertakings such as this one have been known to often either suffer from their own emulation or turn out to be a huge triumph and landmark for the artist. Fortunately, you can mark 'The Color Spectrum: The Complete Collection' as the latter, as they accomplish exactly what they were going for with this record, a powerfully emotional record that is colorful in tone and emotion. Throughout the various EP's, this collection encompasses so many different shades and styles that a listener would probably find a song for any mood. That is the real magic of this release. The Dear Hunter took on a really ambitious project this time and succeeded with flying colors. (see what I did there)

'Black' showcases a very gritty, intense aspect of The Dear Hunter, but in a very different way than in their previous records. In the 'Act' albums, they most often rely on intense rock elements for the angrier, more aggressive songs, but for 'Black' the focus is more on crushing drum beats, subtle electronics, gritty and distorted vocals and aggressive melodies. In this way, 'Black' comes off as just about as intense as any of the heavier rock songs they have ever done. It's still very Dear Hunter, but in a very new way. A strong track from this EP is "Filth and Squalor", bubbling with subtle anger and fervor the whole way through.

'Red' and 'Orange' showcase more of the intensity that was heard in 'Black' in a more lively and fervent way. Both EP's take on the rocking style slightly reminiscent of certain tracks on their last record, 'Act III', but in a fierier, almost bluesy way. Driving power chords and gritty, shouting vocals characterize both. These are the two most similar EP's in the collection, but Red is noticeably more upbeat, while Orange is a slower and bluesier form of rock, while still just as intense. Standouts are We’ve Got a Score to Settle and A Sea of Solid Earth, from Red and then Orange, respectively.

After 3 EP's of some of the most intense music The Dear Hunter has released, the next 3 bring about a much more mellow approach. 'Yellow' takes the music in a bright and cheerful direction, having the feeling of being saturated in sunlight and warmth. It contains the most catchy song on the album, "She’s Always Singing", which could certainly grab one unfamiliar with the band instantly. The whole EP recalls The Beatles, particularly. Though it has one of the few weak tracks on the collection, "The Dead Don’t Starve", "Misplaced Devotion" is one of the very best on the album, encompassing the bright, happy moments of the album perfectly. It’s an absolutely wonderful song.

'Green' brings out a mellow, mostly happy, folky sound. The sound is very natural and acoustic, which fits perfectly with the respective color. "The Inheritance" is a particularly lovely song. Blue is the weakest of the EP's, but it is still full of fantastic moments. The general mood of it seems to bring about the ocean, particularly at nighttime. It seems like it’d be perfect for rowing out into the ocean on a canoe at midnight. "The Collapse of the Great Tide Cliffs" is the strongest track from it, with a wonderful majestic, oceanic sound brought about by delay-heavy electric guitars and a nice little organ.

'Indigo' is a definite highlight as far as EP's are concerned. Full of lush, beautiful electronic music, it shows another side of The Dear Hunter that hasn’t been explored. They do a fantastic job with electronic music for a band that has hardly dabbled in it. A favorite is “Progress”, with its lovely vocal harmonies, melodies, and quiet electronic beats.

'Violet' shows a very dramatic, almost theatrical style for The Dear Hunter, complete with supplementary strings and some fantastic vocals from Casey. The orchestral elements are a constant for this, and they really add to a lush, violety sound. "Look Away" is one of the best songs the collection has to offer, with its quirky melodies, heavenly harmonies, and one of Casey’s best vocal performances yet.

'White' is a beautiful ending to the album. With some of the simplest tunes on the album, it serves as a fantastic, mostly uplifting close to the collection. Each song embodies a floating, peaceful atmosphere, with the trademark angelic harmonies and crescendos common among Dear Hunter ballads. "Home" is one of the simplest songs on the album, but it might prove to be the strongest. 'White' is a perfect closing.

Overall, this project will serve as a landmark accomplishment for The Dear Hunter, and its ambition only paid off in the form of a unique collection of EP's that all present a different mood. The Dear Hunter have given us a collection of music that is thoroughly satisfying in quantity and quality.

TRACKLIST

'Black'
1. Never Forgive, Never Forget
2. Filth And Squalor
3. Take More Than You Need
4. This Body

'Red'
1. I Couldn't Do It Alone
2. A Curse of Cynicism
3. Deny It All
4. We've Got a Score to Settle

'Orange'
1. Echo
2. Stuck On a Wire, Out On the Fence
3. A Sea of Solid Earth
4. But There's Wolves?

'Yellow'
1. She's Always Singing
2. The Dead Don't Starve
3. A Sua Voz
4. Misplaced Devotion

'Green'
1. Things That Hide Away
2. The Canopy
3. Crow and Cackle
4. The Inheritance

'Blue'
1. Tripping In Triplets
2. Trapdoor
3. What You Said
4. The Collapse of the Great Tide Cliffs

'Indigo'
1. What Time Taught Us
2. Mandala
3. Progress
4. Therma

'Violet'
1. Mr. Malum
2. Lillian
3. Too Late
4. Look Away

'White'
1. Home
2. Fall and Flee
3. No God
4. Lost But Not All Gone