Dreamin’

The Zoo Crew is spinning the dreamy track "Dreamin’" by Orion The Hunter, a standout from their 1984 self-titled album, and the Zoo Freaks are surely vibing to its lush, melodic rock vibes. This song, clocking in at over five minutes, captures the quintessential '80s AOR sound with its soaring vocals and polished production. According to a review on Get Ready to ROCK!, "Dreamin’" is noted for its professional craftsmanship, though some critics, like AllMusic’s Doug Stone, felt it came off a bit "cold" despite its nostalgic charm. Interestingly, the song was part of a vinyl single release alongside the band’s hit "So You Ran," as listed on Discogs, showing its prominence in the band’s catalog. While specific interviews about "Dreamin’" are scarce, the track’s lyrical themes, as shared on Genius, touch on longing and distance with lines like "The road is long / Seven thousand miles," hinting at a soldier’s journey or a metaphorical quest, which resonates with the era’s emotive storytelling.

Orion The Hunter’s formation is deeply tied to the iconic band Boston, making their origin story a fascinating chapter in rock history. The band was spearheaded by guitarist Barry Goudreau, who had left Boston after their 1978 album Don’t Look Back. During Boston’s long hiatus before their 1986 release Third Stage, Goudreau formed Orion The Hunter, initially just called Orion, until legal pressure from Orion Pictures prompted the name change, as noted on Wikipedia. Goudreau recruited Fran Cosmo, a vocalist who’d worked with him on his 1980 solo album, and whose sky-high vocals on tracks like "Dreamin’" later earned him a spot as Boston’s lead singer in the ‘90s. The lineup was rounded out by bassist Bruce Smith, drummer Michael DeRosier (formerly of Heart), and Boston’s Brad Delp, who contributed backing vocals and co-wrote four songs, including the ballad "Joanne." Their self-titled album, released on Portrait/CBS Records, peaked at #57 on Billboard’s Top 200, with "Dreamin’" being a fan favorite for its emotive depth, as highlighted on Apple Music.

Despite their promising debut, Orion The Hunter never released a second album, though demos for a follow-up, known as The Lost Demos of Cosmo/Smith, exist, as mentioned on thirdstage.ca. The band’s brief run didn’t diminish their cult status among AOR enthusiasts, with fans still celebrating their work on platforms like Rate Your Music. Unfortunately, Orion The Hunter doesn’t maintain an official website or active social media presence, likely due to their short-lived career and the passing of key members like Brad Delp in 2007. However, fans can connect through related Boston-centric communities, such as the Boston Fanatics Facebook Group, where Orion The Hunter’s legacy is often discussed. For more on the band’s discography, check out Discogs, and for album reviews, visit AllMusic. While there’s no official Facebook, Instagram, or X for Orion The Hunter, fans keep the spirit alive on sites like 80’s AOR & Melodic Rock Music, a blog dedicated to the genre.