Most of the band's albums, starting with their 2006 debut album Act I: The Lake South, the River North, are concept albums and a part of a common storyline, planned to conclude with a sixth album. The most recent addition is 2016's Act V: Hymns with the Devil in Confessional. Additionally, they have released albums unrelated to the Acts; The Color Spectrum in 2011, Migrant in 2013, and the EP All Is As All Should Be in 2017.
The band began as a side project of Casey Crescenzo when he was a full-time member of The Receiving End of Sirens. The Dear Hunter was originally intended as a vehicle for music Crescenzo had written that didn't fit with the sound of The Receiving End of Sirens. In the winter of 2005 Casey recorded the Dear Ms. Leading demos. He created 10 copies on burned CDs that were circulated amongst his friends and posted online for download. While elements and characters featured on the demos would reappear on the subsequent Acts, Crescenzo has confirmed that there was a transformation in how he represented these themes and persons; while the story had its origins in his personal life, the Acts removed most autobiographical elements in favor of fiction.
The Inquiry of Ms. Terri
The Dear Hunter Lyrics
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The priest and the rosary
The book and the bond between he and me has long since broken
A boy who's grown, too short to see
A tale unfold, too tall to be
A life once lived behind closed doors
The irony of the pensive whore.
Feel it ripping me down
Reprise, two times, the dime
Burn it to the ground.
The inquiry of Ms. Terri
The expiry of misery
The table turns, the sun along
The riverbed, and he's alone
Her object of affection
Conflicted by convictions of indecency, sorority
Corrupted by impropriety
The cavalier, she hopes of him
In dissonance with experience
The boy who grows, with knife in hand
To fend for her, becomes a man
While she plays fake affection
And carefully lacks objection
To her gentleman caller's twisted desire.
Touch, taste
Feel it ripping me down
Reprise, two times, the dime
Burn it to the ground.
We dance around the room
My love, I'll carry you
And I'll teach you how to treat that leading lady that you'll meet
We dance around the truth, my dear
I lie for you, and when I lie down, I'm simply lying to them too.
"The Inquiry of Ms. Terri" is a song that depicts a complex and tumultuous relationship between two individuals, Ms. Terri and a young boy who grows up to become a man. The song lyrically navigates themes of corruption, indecency, and twisted desires. Ms. Terri is initially presented as a pensive "whore," who is conflicted by her feelings for the boy and her convictions of indecency. The boy, in turn, grows up to fend for her and becomes a man, while Ms. Terri plays fake affection and carefully lacks objection to her gentleman caller's twisted desires.
The lyrics are powerful and layered with meaning, each verse and chorus adding another layer of depth to the story. The chorus, in particular, is hauntingly beautiful and reflects the internal pain and turmoil that the characters are experiencing. The repetition of "touch, taste, feel it ripping me down," emphasizes the overwhelming nature of their emotions, and when paired with "burn it to the ground," it hints at a deep sense of anger and desire for destruction.
Overall, "The Inquiry of Ms. Terri" is a complex and thought-provoking song that delves into the darker aspects of human relationships.
Line by Line Meaning
A home removed, a life resumed right here
Here, Ms. Terri seems to be trying to start over with her life in a new location after leaving a previous home for some undisclosed reason.
The priest and the rosary
Ms. Terri has sought comfort and guidance from a religious figure with a rosary, indicating her spiritual struggles.
The book and the bond between he and me has long since broken
The bond between Ms. Terri and a brother or father figure, represented by a book, has been broken, possibly due to some conflict or tragedy in the past.
A boy who's grown, too short to see
Ms. Terri cares for a young man who is still naive and inexperienced, but is beginning to grow up and come into his own.
A tale unfold, too tall to be
The events in Ms. Terri's life are so dramatic and complicated that they almost seem too incredible to be true.
A life once lived behind closed doors
Ms. Terri has kept her past and personal life hidden and private, suggesting there may be some secrets or regrets she wishes to keep hidden.
The irony of the pensive whore.
Ms. Terri, who is introspective and contemplative, is also involved in sex work, a profession often associated with vice or lack of morality, creating a sense of irony.
Touch, taste
Feel it ripping me down
Reprise, two times, the dime
Burn it to the ground.
These lines suggest the emotional and possibly physical toll that Ms. Terri's life and work have taken on her. She may be using drugs, and may also feel conflicted about her lifestyle.
The inquiry of Ms. Terri
The expiry of misery
Ms. Terri is questioning her own life and existence, wondering if her misery and struggles will ever come to an end.
The table turns, the sun along
The riverbed, and he's alone
Ms. Terri's young companion is alone and struggling, possibly as a result of her own actions or influence.
Her object of affection
Conflicted by convictions of indecency, sorority
Corrupted by impropriety
Ms. Terri has developed feelings for someone, but it is complicated by society's expectations and her own moral codes, as well as the corrupt environment she is surrounded by.
The cavalier, she hopes of him
In dissonance with experience
The boy who grows, with knife in hand
To fend for her, becomes a man
While she plays fake affection
And carefully lacks objection
To her gentleman caller's twisted desire.
Ms. Terri hopes for a chivalrous and romantic relationship, but the reality is that she must rely on her young companion to protect her in dangerous situations, while also faking affection and ignoring disturbing desires from her clients.
We dance around the room
My love, I'll carry you
And I'll teach you how to treat that leading lady that you'll meet
We dance around the truth, my dear
I lie for you, and when I lie down, I'm simply lying to them too.
Ms. Terri speaks to the young man she cares for, promising to teach him how to treat women with respect and care, while also admitting that she must lie both to him and to her clients to survive.
Contributed by Adeline S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.