Kensrue Finds New 'Home' As Solo Artist

"Please Come Home," Dustin Kensrue's first solo offering, might strike longtime fans of the artist as a bit odd. Instead of producing a sound similar to that of his main project Thrice, Kensrue instead decides to experiment and try his hand in the blues country-folk arena. Kensrue has stated in interviews that while Thrice remains his main project and focus, he felt it necessary to provide a home for songs that did not fit the Thrice vibe. The result is a scant eight-track album with varying results.

The music and lyrics invoke a ghost-town quality and a saloon-style sound. The acoustic guitar is at the forefront of this solo offering although the record makes full use of drums, harmonica, and organ, as opposed to the frenetic sounds offered by Thrice. However, Thrice began to experiment with their hardcore sound on "Vheissu" their last album with a focus on atmosphere, making Kensrue's further experimentation with a different style somewhat expected.

Kensrue's vocals are extremely raw and, on the whole, the album is extremely stripped down. The vocals are polarizing - they may draw in an audience with their honesty or be criticized for lack of overproduction. Kensrue's voice cracks and strains, but this seems to be his intent on the entire record which in turn gives it a somewhat haunting ambiance. The lyrics themselves are somewhat trite and weak and can at times even be cringe-inducing, especially if the listener is used to Kensrue's Thrice offerings. On "Pistol" Kensrue swoons, "You're the girl of my dreams / and a pistol it seems / but you shoot me straight and true / Time to lay down my bets / I put all my money on you." Despite this treacly track, Kensrue also offers songs condemning the self-debasement of women "I Knew You Before", love "Pistol" and redemption "I Believe". The darkest song on the album, "Blood & Wine," is also one of the best, clocking in at just under two minutes. The song begins with simple, slow strumming before hurdling into lyrics such as "I'd sell my own mother for that sweet heroin" and "I turn lead into gold / I'll cure original sin."

Much like the idea of a person strumming an acoustic guitar, informing the world of their woe, Kensrue does not offer anything dynamically different or revolutionary on this collection of songs. However, when compared to his other band Thrice, it is apparent that Kensrue is aiming to establish himself as a dynamic and flexible singer-songwriter. The fact that "Please Come Home" was recorded while Thrice was recording their follow-up to "Vheissu," a planned four-disc album with the elements fire, earth, wind, and water as the centerpiece of each disc, makes Kensrue's effort that much more noticeable. While "Please Come Home" isn't for everyone, it might please fans of Thrice or others in straightforward, honest songwriting as an alternative to overproduction.