Dustin Kensrue - Please Come Home

[Tony Pascarella]

Dustin Kensrue – Please Come Home
Release Date: January 23, 2007
Record Label: Equal Vision Records

Please Come Home is the freewheeling solo debut of Thrice frontman Dustin Kensrue. Kensrue's folk-country labor of love has finally taken shape with a minimalist 8-song release featuring Thrice axe-man Teppei Teranishi and the band's guitar tech, Chris Jones.

The album kicks off with a double-time acoustic number called "I Knew You Before." Kensrue sends a scathing message with sharp lyrics aimed at the degradation of women. Interesting fare, for sure, and it proves quite the compelling opener for Please Come Home. The title track is a rather unexpected ballad that stands proud although at times seemingly scattered. The arrangements feel a little off until Kensrue hits the chorus for the first time, and then he finds his groove. "Blanket of Ghosts" is the surefire sleeper song on the album. Sounding as though Kensrue decided to channel Counting Crows frontman Adam Duritz, the song meanders along with an organ-heavy accompaniment (courtesy of Thrice's Teranishi). Many listeners may skip this song, but it reminds me a lot of Duritz's "A Long December," with its slick lyrics, extended solos, and pleasing tone.

The devout singer is not above seemingly confessional songs. "Blood & Wine" is a perfect example, with its dark imagery and lamentations about womanizing and drug abuse serving as a stark warning to all those who may be tempted. The song starts out slow, but eventually speeds along at breakneck pace before finishing just shy of two minutes in length. Short and sweet, just the way Kensrue wanted the album to be. His music dances between light and dark, moral and immoral, fast and slow with effortless poise.

Don't hastily write off Dustin Kensrue because of the religious themes touched upon in this record. Instead, settle down into a comfortable chair and let his smooth vocal delivery and moving lyrics speak to you. Different people will uncover different messages within the songs on this record, and that is the mark of a truly strong, contemplative CD. Avoiding the alt-country stigma, Please Come Home certainly is no "neighbor shot my dog, screwed my girlfriend, and stole my tractor" hell-raiser of a record. Instead, this pleasant, introspective album retains its integrity. Rising above the ashes of his contemporaries, Dustin Kensrue has achieved his dream in a way that few thought possible.

Buy Dustin Kensrue's Please Come Home on iTunes (http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/stat?id=PjIvm57kicI&offerid=78941&type=3&subid=0&tmpid=1826&RD_PARM1=http%253A%252F%252Fphobos. apple.com%252FWebObjects%252FMZStor e.woa%252Fwa%252FviewAlbum%253Fi%25 3D207315027%2526id%253D207315021%25 26s%253D143441%2526partnerId%253D30 )

01. I Knew You Before
02. Pistol
03. I Believe
04. Please Come Home
05. Blood & Wine
06. Consider the Ravens
07. Weary Saints
08. Blanket of GhostsAP.net Profile (http://www.absolutepunk.net/dustinkensrue) | Myspace (http://www.myspace.com/dustinkensrue) | Official Site (http://www.dustinkensrue.com)

[ArTkY_]

I'm pretty sure Blood & Wine isn't about Dustin, Tony!

That aside, this is a pretty good review. :appl:

[xTJx]

My only complaint about this cd is that it's short.

[Drew Beringer]

Nice review, very fine album.

[Broken Parachute]

Love this album, it's growing on me even more each time I listen.

[Tony Pascarella]

I'm pretty sure Blood & Wine isn't about Dustin, Tony!

That aside, this is a pretty good review. :appl:I fixed that before the site went down. My wording was screwy so it read that it was about him, which wasn't what I meant. Anyway, it's fixed.

Glad you guys like it so far.

[CLARIFY THIS]

Great review.Short and to the point,just like the album.

[trindaddy]

great review, great album

[notoaststereo]

i love this album

[Tom Good]

Great review Tony, I definitely agree with a lot of what you say and the score.

[Tony Pascarella]

My only complaint about this cd is that it's short.It's supposed to be; there's a paragraph or two on Dustin's Myspace explaining why, and I thought that was fairly interesting.

[chanmander]

this is currently the best album of 2k7, and i can only think of 3 or 4 cds that will possibly come close // eclipse it. 'pistol' is a fucking incredible song, a plain and simple love-song, but done SO well. the harmonica adds such a vibe to it.

i am oh so eager to see this shit in person.

It's supposed to be; there's a paragraph or two on Dustin's Myspace explaining why, and I thought that was fairly interesting.

i found his reasoning behind the 8 song // 29:31 running time quite interesting as well. it really adds to the essence and meaning of the disc, shows he really put a lot of himself into the record.

[zerock]

great review, and great album! :)

[onxpoint]

this line totally invalidated the review for me

"Avoiding the alt-country stigma, Please Come Home certainly is no "neighbor shot my dog, screwed my girlfriend, and stole my tractor" hell-raiser of a record."

how many alt-country records can you name with this kind of lyrical content? moreover, how many mainstream country records can you name with said content? that kind of stigma being attached to country music is really a huge annoyance of mine.

"i listen to everything but rap and country"

that being said, this record is really really good. "pistol" is perfect mixtape material.

[JohnDorian]

'Blanket Of Ghosts' is possibly the best song on the album, how could anyone skip it?

[thebrowncoat]

I really love this album - anyone who hasn't should definitely check it out.

[polock]

I'm pretty sure Blood & Wine isn't about Dustin, Tony!

That aside, this is a pretty good review. :appl:

hahaha, since hes such a coke head

[Tony Pascarella]

this line totally invalidated the review for me

"Avoiding the alt-country stigma, Please Come Home certainly is no "neighbor shot my dog, screwed my girlfriend, and stole my tractor" hell-raiser of a record."

how many alt-country records can you name with this kind of lyrical content? moreover, how many mainstream country records can you name with said content? that kind of stigma being attached to country music is really a huge annoyance of mine.

"i listen to everything but rap and country"

that being said, this record is really really good. "pistol" is perfect mixtape material.It's a joke. Get over it.

The idea behind the statement still stands; this is not along the lines of what people generally think when they hear "country" mentioned in a music description. If one line invalidates the entire review for you, you most likely didn't read the whole thing. :shrug:

Is it possible to disagree with a line in a review? Of course. But to allow that line to invalidate an entire review? There's something wrong with that picture.

[hxchairstylist]

well, if one guys misinterpretation of a line "invalidated" the review, i'll say this: Your review made me even more excited to pick this up tomorrow. Good review.

[Steve Henderson]

This is so far from what I expected from Kensrue, but I love it. In fact, it even gives me a greater level of respect for Thrice's music when I can see how diverse and deep Dustin can be.

[petey536]

awesome review, i cant wait to pick this up

[Throwback]

Pistol is an amazing song. I love the whole record as well though.

[Moira Amiss]

i have a really early version of "I Knew You Before" that I stumbled upon four years ago while searching for really early Thrice stuff . . . this version sounds completely different. I think the older version hits harder, just Dustin's voice and his guitar. That's all he'll ever need for me to enjoy his music.

[Scott Weber]

I don't think this is a bad release per say, but I do think that if this wasn't Dustin Kensrue and his Thrice association, virtually nobody on this site would notice this album or even care. I would probably give this a 6.8 or so, I like the lyrics and I think there are some really solid songs, but it's nothing new - it's only something "new" in this genre.

[Tony Pascarella]

I don't think this is a bad release per say, but I do think that if this wasn't Dustin Kensrue and his Thrice association, virtually nobody on this site would notice this album or even care. I would probably give this a 6.8 or so, I like the lyrics and I think there are some really solid songs, but it's nothing new - it's only something "new" in this genre.Hmm. I like it a lot, but here's how I feel. I probably wouldn't have checked it out if there was no Thrice association, but I think I would have enjoyed it as much as I do now. So I see where you're coming from, and I half-agree.

[bradyreier]

good review. i cannot wait to pick this up tomorrow!

[Steve Henderson]

Hmm. I like it a lot, but here's how I feel. I probably wouldn't have checked it out if there was no Thrice association, but I think I would have enjoyed it as much as I do now. So I see where you're coming from, and I half-agree.

Same goes for me.

[FatJordan]

I've never liked Thrice, but this album was still reccommended to me.

It's excellent.

[decrescendo27]

dustin rules

nuff said

[kirbs84]

excellent album...this is more of what I wanted Greg Graffin's last solo album to sound like.

[ashesofapril234]

This is an amazing album, it grows on me more and more after every listen.

[TranscendTrends]

great review, great album.

i'm so glad that i got into thrice back in the day, about 4-5 years ago. their musical progression has been amazing, and this album from dustin is only another testament to this fact.

[Adrianduh]

i cant wait till i get this. Its going to be refreshing and according to you and everyone else, its a great cd.

[WakingTheMisery]

I put this album and the live songs on a cd and just play throught the whole thing. Much love.

[TastyBeverage]

definitely picking this one up. What I've heard from it so far really shows Dustin's talents.

[TomAce]

I don't think this is a bad release per say, but I do think that if this wasn't Dustin Kensrue and his Thrice association, virtually nobody on this site would notice this album or even care. I would probably give this a 6.8 or so, I like the lyrics and I think there are some really solid songs, but it's nothing new - it's only something "new" in this genre.

I disagree whole heartedly cuz I dont really care for Thrice, while this cd has absolutely floored me. Like the overall simplicity and intimacy of it are brilliant. Like he uses his chorus' so well and effectively, deffinitly worth more than a 6.8 to me. But I dunno, I am just a man, as are you, and we both have oppinions, blah, blah, blah.

[astaticvendetta]

nice review...great album!!!

[[Mike]]

Great CD, only wish it was longer.

[swizzle]

good review!

i love this album, i can put my hand on my heart and say its going to be in my top 10 of the year

[Prestonxsmith]

I thought this was an amazing album. I was disappointed that it was only 8 tracks. I hope some of the stuff on the Earth CD comes out like this.

[dingy]

Good Review.

[elvis2x]

I liked it. I didn't expect it to be so dynamic, for lack of a better word.

[Stupendous_Man]

I just got this album and I love it. I was expecting just a plain ol' acoustic side project like I Can Make A Mess or something and this was a pleasant surprise.

[dillonzach86]

Great, great album. The title track is my favorite.

[Jason Tate]

'Blanket Of Ghosts' is possibly the best song on the album, how could anyone skip it?
Agree.

[Short-Lived]

Great review. I can't stop listening to this record.

[drudo182]

Just picked it up. I love it.

Great review. Great album.

[Chris Fallon]

This album has definitely been one I have likened to a lot since first hearing it. I love his lyrics. Great review, Tony. I agree with you on everything.

[lushintransit]

Length is my only problem with this CD. Otherwise, it's stunning.

[focustempochamp]

'Blanket Of Ghosts' is possibly the best song on the album, how could anyone skip it?
i couldnt agree with you more. this album is fantastic

[AMAAS]

My only complaint about this cd is that it's short.

agreed, 2 more tracks wouldve made this CD feel a lot better, but it seems as soon as I start it, it's already over

[Kid B]

fantastic album.

[brook183]

who the hell would skip "blanket of ghosts?" love this record, that track and "please come home" are my favs