culture. ish. page two

“I get a little heady with the Thrice songs. And I like doing that—I think people like engaging in that—but I wanted these to be more folky, in the sense that this is music coming from a natural place.” Thrice frontman Dustin Kensrue’s newly released solo album came about this way, as an outlet for his songwriting outside of his band.

Please Come Home is an eight track album that pulls from a variety of musical directions. Kensrue and guitarist Teppei Teranishi crafted this album using heavy folk, country and blues tones while adding a driving beat that leads you through the song. The first ten seconds of the CD begin with a fast guitar while the last ten seconds of the CD end with a slow drumming and quiet cymbals. Kensrue reaches to each of those rustic genres in individual songs in addition to fraternizing them; this combination is done with his use of guitar, drums, bass, organ and harmonica.

Many of his songs deal with girls, drinking, bars and cars. While Kensrue is a Christian--but not an exclusively "Christian artist"--his lyrics show a clear witness of Kensrue coming to grips with his faith. His voice in Please Come Home is harsh and similar to that of Gavin DeGraw, moreso than his work with Thrice.

The transition from the vocalist of an emocore band to a rough folk singer may seem to be unnatural, but Kensrue presents it effortlessly.

Labels: dustin kensrue, md, music, number eighteen