Based out of Boston, Massachusetts, The Dear Hunter is in a league of its own. Lyrically and instrumentally, the band infuses alternative sounds with progressive rock melodies, adding a wide variety of instrumentation to each and every song.

Sounding like a cross between a 2009 version of Queen and The Mars Volta, The Dear Hunter tells a story of a boy named The Dear Hunter and his fascinating journey through their albums titled “Act I: The Lake South, The River North,” “Act II: The Meaning of, and All Things Ms. Leading,” and finally, adding to their expertly orchestrated saga, “Act III: Life and Death.”

The musical development from their first album to their current speaks for itself. Casey Crescenzo, formerly a member of the post-hardcore band The Receiving End of Sirens, has an incredible gift for capturing the mood of The Dear Hunter through melody and atmosphere and has a great way of complementing that mood with powerful lyrics building onto the album’s story.

A good majority of The Dear Hunter’s songs stay true to its jazz/ragtime/emo/indo style, but this latest album, which was released June 23 of this year, shows the most musical progression I’ve seen so far.

While the songs does work beautifully in its intended order of telling the story, a lot of the tracks can stand out of the story and hold their own.

One thing that Crescenzo has done an amazing job accomplishing is the ability to grab the attention of any audience.

Music lovers can pick up a copy of any of The Dear Hunter’s albums, listen to it and still find something he or she likes about it, whether it be the powerful lyrics or its unique instrumental sound.

And as for fans of The Dear Hunter’s older work, it still maintains its distinct sound; the band definitely stays true to its roots.

One thing that was noticeably missing from “Act III: Life and Death” was a catchy single. “Act II” had “Smiling Swine,” “Dear Ms. Leading” and “Red Hands,” but for the follow up album there isn’t a single song that stood out to me aside from “Go Get Your Gun” which has a semi-catchy beat.

Currently on tour with The Fall of Troy, Thursday and The Annuals, in the past The Dear Hunter has toured with emo bands like Say Anything, Scary Kids Scaring Kids, Circa Survive and Boys Night Out.

The Dear Hunter’s soul devotion, according to their website, is “an addiction to melody and an ambition for beauty.” I think it’s safe to say The Dear Hunter’s music is a blessing from the high heavens.

Amber Wertman can be reached at [email protected]