Act II: The Meaning of, and All Things Regarding Ms. Leading
Encyclopedia
Act II: The Meaning of, and All Things Regarding Ms. Leading is the second release and first full-length studio album
by American progressive rock
band The Dear Hunter
, released on May 22, 2007 through Triple Crown Records
.
The album is the second part of a six-act story. Act II begins with the death of the innominate main character's mother, Ms. Terri. Following her death, he travels to a nearby bordello in the hopes of learning more about his mother and the life she lived as a prostitute, as he himself was the product of her profession. He eventually finds love in a prostitute named Ms. Leading, but the relationship eventually falls apart due to his inability to cope with her chosen profession.
According to an interview with Casey Crescenzo for music website AbsolutePunk, the band wrote 120 minutes worth of music for the album, but managed to trim it down to just under 80 minutes to avoid having to do a double-disc release.
The album features numerous re-recorded tracks from the Dear Ms. Leading
demos. Although Casey based much of the demo's lyrics on personal experiences, he has stated that the arc of falling in love with a prostitute is not based on any experience he's actually had.
In June 2007, artist Kent St. John was selected to illustrate a book based on the story of Act II. The progress of his contributions can be seen at his personal blog. The site was recently taken down, possibly due to the project being completed. The deluxe edition of The Dear Hunter's third album includes a 32 page booklet complete with illustrations.
Luke Dent – Piano, Organ, Vocals
Sam Dent – Drums, Percussion, Glockenspiel
Erick Serna – Acoustic and Electric Guitar
Matt Tobin – Violin
Philip Wolf – Cello
Jason Belcher – Trumpet, French horn
Krysten Keches – Harp
Brandon Brooks – Cello
Studio album
A studio album is an album made up of tracks recorded in the controlled environment of a recording studio. A studio album contains newly written and recorded or previously unreleased or remixed material, distinguishing itself from a compilation or reissue album of previously recorded material, or...
by American progressive rock
Progressive rock
Progressive rock is a subgenre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s as part of a "mostly British attempt to elevate rock music to new levels of artistic credibility." John Covach, in Contemporary Music Review, says that many thought it would not just "succeed the pop of...
band The Dear Hunter
The Dear Hunter
The Dear Hunter is an indie rock band originating in Providence, Rhode Island. It began as a side project of Casey Crescenzo, formerly of post-hardcore band The Receiving End of Sirens...
, released on May 22, 2007 through Triple Crown Records
Triple Crown Records
Triple Crown Records is a New York-based record label. It is home to Hit the Lights, The Receiving End of Sirens, The Dear Hunter, Moving Mountains, and As Tall as Lions, among others...
.
The album is the second part of a six-act story. Act II begins with the death of the innominate main character's mother, Ms. Terri. Following her death, he travels to a nearby bordello in the hopes of learning more about his mother and the life she lived as a prostitute, as he himself was the product of her profession. He eventually finds love in a prostitute named Ms. Leading, but the relationship eventually falls apart due to his inability to cope with her chosen profession.
According to an interview with Casey Crescenzo for music website AbsolutePunk, the band wrote 120 minutes worth of music for the album, but managed to trim it down to just under 80 minutes to avoid having to do a double-disc release.
The album features numerous re-recorded tracks from the Dear Ms. Leading
Dear Ms. Leading
Dear Ms. Leading is the first album by The Dear Hunter. It was recorded entirely by Casey Crescenzo, formerly of The Receiving End of Sirens. The album was created as a demo but is nevertheless a standalone work.-Track listing:#"Overture" – 2:57...
demos. Although Casey based much of the demo's lyrics on personal experiences, he has stated that the arc of falling in love with a prostitute is not based on any experience he's actually had.
In June 2007, artist Kent St. John was selected to illustrate a book based on the story of Act II. The progress of his contributions can be seen at his personal blog. The site was recently taken down, possibly due to the project being completed. The deluxe edition of The Dear Hunter's third album includes a 32 page booklet complete with illustrations.
Track listing
- "The Death and the Berth" – 0:38
- "The Procession" – 4:59
- "The Lake and the River" – 9:29
- "The Oracles on the Delphi Express" – 4:18
- "The Church and The Dime" – 4:57
- "The Bitter Suite 1 and 2: Meeting Ms. Leading and Through the Dime" – 6:06
- "The Bitter Suite 3: Embrace" – 7:46
- "Smiling Swine" – 4:45
- "Evicted" – 3:44
- "Blood of the Rose" – 3:48
- "Red Hands" – 6:07
- "Where the Road Parts" – 4:29
- "Dear Ms. Leading" – 4:28
- "Black Sandy Beaches" – 4:13
- "Vital Vessel Vindicates" – 7:09
- Track 9 and tracks 11-14 originally appeared on Dear Ms. LeadingDear Ms. LeadingDear Ms. Leading is the first album by The Dear Hunter. It was recorded entirely by Casey Crescenzo, formerly of The Receiving End of Sirens. The album was created as a demo but is nevertheless a standalone work.-Track listing:#"Overture" – 2:57...
.
Personnel
Casey Crescenzo – Vocals, Guitar, Bass, Keyboards, OrganLuke Dent – Piano, Organ, Vocals
Sam Dent – Drums, Percussion, Glockenspiel
Erick Serna – Acoustic and Electric Guitar
Additional personnel
Phil Crescenzo – BanjoMatt Tobin – Violin
Philip Wolf – Cello
Jason Belcher – Trumpet, French horn
Krysten Keches – Harp
Brandon Brooks – Cello