If you have a porch with a rocking chair on it, you get fifty bonus points for listening to this album on it. "Please Come Home" by Dustin Kensrue is Kensrue's solo project away from Thrice. Now, before you think, "Whoa, Thrice???" be assured that Kensrue is one versatile guy. This album is an acoustic set with a Southern feel (the album artwork contributes to the vintage feel of the whole set of songs). The lyrical excellence of Thrice is here, as is Kensrue's rock solid voice. I had the opportunity to see Kensrue perform most of this album live, and he sounds exactly the same live. In short, this guy's the real deal. Here we go!
1. "I Knew You Before" - This song begins with emphatically strummed acoustic guitar and the sweet southern twang of an electric guitar. The theme is potent and relevant as well. Kensrue singes of a young woman, who he used to know well, succumbing to society's pressures and using her body and other superficial things to get the attention of people. The lines of the chorus are especially blunt and well-written. They capture the change of the girl over time: "Oh, and all I can say is I knew you before you were beautiful back then; before you grew up, before you gave in."
2. "Pistol" - Break out the harmonica! "Pistol" is by far the most romantic song on the album, despite it's name. From what I've heard, Kensrue wrote this for his wife, and adoration for her is pouring out of the lyrics. However, it doesn't stray into the unoriginal love song formula. He compares his wife to a pistol who "shoots [him] straight and true." I picture a man serenading his love on the back porch; it's intimate, but accessible at the same time. In the ultimate profession of love, Kensrue declares "Time to lay down my life, honey I'd do it gladly for you." With guitar and harmonica trading off importance over the course of the song, this is easily one of my favorite songs on the album.
3. "I Believe" - This song is just a great, simple song that encourages both head bopping and foot-tapping. Kensrue sings that "It's safe to say, I really don't know a thing" but that he firmly believes there will always be more good things down the road. I can't say this was one of my favorite songs of the set because it was almost bare in terms of melody, but the lyrics are, as always, well-written and well-sung.
4. "Please Come Home" - This is another of my favorite songs on the album. It is a heartbreaking plea from a father for his son to come home. The son had apparently left home and gone his own way, hitting rock bottom along the way. Still, the father loves his son unconditionally, and waits for him, staring at the road with tears in his eyes. He assures his son: "Don't you know son that I love you, and I don't care where you've been." Piano and guitar emphasize Kensrue's anguish-filled lyrics in what is probably the most emotional song on the album.
5. "Blood and Wine" - Easily the most humorous song on the album (in a dark sort of way). The narrator of this song is, to put it lightly, not sitting atop the pinnacle of society. A womanizer and a drug user, this song is about his own unique view on life. Drums and guitar run along urgently with the lyrics, mirroring the same frantic nature that I'm sure pervades this young scoundrel's life. A quick, energetic, and fun song.
6. "Consider the Ravens" - Another great song about a man who has little but nature and faith (plus the title's just plain cool). The narrator is sick of the pressures that society places on him; money ain't his strong suit. He's content with what he has, though: "Between the river and the ravens I'm fed, between oblivion and blazes I'm led, Father give me faith, providence, and grace." A plunky piano solo adds exponentially to the song, in my opinion. Listening to this song, you might as well be sitting in a saloon in the Old West. Sit back and enjoy.
7. "Weary Saints" - Kensrue is a master of writing from the perspective of others. This song is no exception. Here, he rights from the perspective of who I assume are travelling saints - missionaries, maybe. In addition to the guitar, which runs persistently on with the same general rhythm (much like the steps of the traveling saints), the lyrics take the form of a continuous narrative, as opposed to a verse and chorus feel. Kensrue captures the confusion and faith that the saints would feel, and presents them not as ethereal messengers of God, but more as human men, just as liable to have doubts as anyone else.
8. "Blanket of Ghosts" - This song opens with organ-like synths, setting an almost church choir-like atmosphere for the song, though it's more of a personal reflection than a song praising God. This man is lost; it seems he tries to do what is right, but always seems to miss his chances. He wants to go to Heaven, but he's not sure he can. He asks to be buried in snow until he's worthy. He asks; "Wake me when it's Springtime in heaven." A beautiful song to close out the album.
This album is quite different from Kensrue's other band, Thrice, but most certainly not in a bad way. I've never been a particularly religious man, but I respect the raw faith and emotion that he infuses his songs with. His lyrics are always emotional and well-written, and his raw voice multiplies the power of his lyrics tenfold. At a half-hour, this album is a perfect one to listen to if you have some spare time. Alternately fun, sweet, and questioning, this is Kensrue in top form yet again.
Here's a link to his Myspace
http://www.myspace.com/dustinkensrue
Until next time, enjoy :)
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