Dark And Stormy

The Zoo Crew is spinning the hauntingly evocative track "Dark and Stormy" by Orion The Hunter from their 1984 self-titled album, a favorite among the Zoo Freaks tuning into THE ZOO radio station. This song, a poignant ballad, captures the raw emotion of love and loss, with lyrics like "You said love comes from the heart / When we said goodbye in the dark" painting a vivid picture of heartbreak against a stormy night. Fans on platforms like Amazon have praised its emotional depth, with one reviewer noting it "probably should've been all over the radio back then, but it wasn't to be." The track's atmospheric production, blending Fran Cosmo's soaring vocals with Barry Goudreau's intricate guitar work, creates a sound that feels both timeless and quintessentially '80s.

One intriguing piece of trivia about "Dark and Stormy" is its connection to the band’s Boston roots. While not a chart-topping single like "So You Ran," the song showcases the influence of Boston's polished, melodic rock style, particularly through Brad Delp’s backing vocals, which add a layer of harmonic richness. According to fan discussions on Last.fm, the song’s lyrical imagery of thunder, lightning, and rain was inspired by the band’s experiences touring through unpredictable New England weather, giving it a personal touch. Additionally, the track was a standout for its slower tempo compared to the album’s more upbeat rockers, making it a fan favorite for those who appreciated Orion The Hunter’s versatility.

Orion The Hunter was formed in the early 1980s as an offshoot of the iconic rock band Boston, spearheaded by guitarist Barry Goudreau. Goudreau, who had contributed to Boston’s first two albums, sought to explore a new creative direction during the long gap between Boston’s 1978 album Don’t Look Back and 1986’s Third Stage. He teamed up with vocalist Fran Cosmo, whose powerful voice would later earn him a spot as Boston’s lead singer in the 1990s. The lineup was rounded out by bassist Bruce Smith, former Heart drummer Michael DeRosier, and Boston’s former lead singer Brad Delp, who provided backing vocals and co-wrote several tracks, including the ballad "Joanne." Originally named simply Orion, the band changed their name to Orion The Hunter after pressure from Orion Pictures, as noted on Wikipedia. Their self-titled debut, released in 1984 on Portrait/CBS Records, reached #57 on Billboard’s Top 200 Albums chart, driven by the hit single "So You Ran."

The band’s formation was a natural evolution of Goudreau’s desire to step out from Boston’s shadow while maintaining the melodic, hard-rock sound that defined the era. Fran Cosmo, a relatively unknown vocalist at the time, was discovered by Goudreau through local Boston music circles, and his "sky-high vocals" became a defining feature of the band, as highlighted on AllMusic. Despite critical praise for their polished production and strong songwriting, Orion The Hunter disbanded after their debut due to lack of commercial success and internal shifts, with Cosmo and Smith later recording demos for a second album that never materialized, known as The Lost Demos of Cosmo/Smith. Fans still celebrate the band’s brief but impactful contribution to '80s rock.

For those looking to dive deeper into Orion The Hunter’s world, there is no official website currently active for the band, reflecting their status as a one-album project from the 1980s. Similarly, no official Facebook or Instagram accounts exist, as the band predates modern social media. However, fans can follow discussions and updates about the band on X, where enthusiasts occasionally share posts about Orion The Hunter under hashtags like #OrionTheHunter or #80sRock. For fan communities, the Last.fm page for Orion The Hunter is a hub for listener comments and track insights, while Discogs offers a space for collectors to explore vinyl and CD releases. Unfortunately, no dedicated Facebook groups specifically for Orion The Hunter fans were found, but Boston fan groups on the platform often include discussions about the band’s offshoots, including Orion The Hunter.