Category Archives: dustin kensrue

House of 9’s Where I Belong

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I bought this album last week and meant to review it on Friday. Then I sprained two fingers and shit got real. I’m just kidding. It didn’t get real. I just like that phrase. But I did mangle my fingers pretty bad and typing just wasn’t in the cards.

I heard of this band, Everest, because an old pal from childhood actually did the album art. Yeah dude! Give some props to the wildly attractive and popular Desi Moore. Thankya.

This isn’t Everest’s first album or rodeo, but really, let’s pretend it is. They recorded Ghost Notes in 2007 when they had barely been a band for two weeks. They jumped on tour (with acts as notable as Neil Young, huzzah, and My Morning Jacket, of course) and got all set to record their second album. But a little something called SXSW happened, and before you know it, they sign with Warner Brothers instead. Mental note, prepare for an e-mail from the Web Sheriff du-du-doooo…

So May 11, On Approach was released and even though the band likes to say they don’t actually sound like other bands, well. Look. We’ve all accepted it by now. We are a product of our influences; we just are. I realize I am probably the only one who hears Exile in Track One, “Let Go” -and yes I mean Exile as in 1978, long hair and synthesizers – but then I doubt many other people grew up with the fully stocked juke box that I did. I hear “I Wanna Kiss You All Over” every time I hear this track:


Download Everest – Let Go

After that, I really don’t mean to make any other comparisons and I just want to get in to this chill album. But by the time I get to Track 8, “House of 9’s”, I am hearing Thrice – or at least Dustin Kensrue – through and through. Another listen through the album proves that if you like Thrice, you will really love Everest. They’re on a heavy-duty tour right now. I hope their van is holding up – go see them and buy some merch! Help them out! This is a solid, solid sound.

The band asks that you support your local record store, so why don’t you go ahead and do so. Browse around for Exile while you’re there too. Compare and appreciate the funky guitar sounds.

If you don’t have a local record store, try buying online here.

And storms will surely come

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There’s many who’ll tell you they’ll give you their love,
But when they say “give” they mean “take.”
They’ll hang ‘round just like vultures till push comes to shove.
They’ll take flight when the earth starts to shake.

Guitarist/lyricist/vocalist Dustin Kensrue has yet again provided a deep and resounding message in Thrice’s sixth studio album, Beggars. In fact, this time around, they tweeted the entire recording process. Watch this video and check out what qualified as their “studio” for this album.

Someone may say that they’ll always be true,
Then slip out the door ‘fore the dawn.
But I won’t leave you hanging on.
Another may stay till they find someone new,
Then before you know they’ll be gone.
But I won’t leave you hanging on;
No, I won’t be that someone.

Yes, this entire album is completely an observation of the human condition, and it takes several spins before it really hits you over the head. This. Is. A. Masterful. Album. In the video above, Dustin touches on the fact that they’ve done a hybrid between recording live and recording piece by piece. The end result absolutely glows with all the energy of a live performance.

And come what may, I won’t abandon you or leave you behind
Because love is a loyalty sworn, not a burning for a moment.
And come what may, I will be standing right here by your side;
I won’t run away, though the storm’s getting worse and there’s no end in sight.

Dustin’s voice carries a pure velocity. He means it. It just doesn’t get much better than this. Check out “The Weight”:

Download Thrice – The Weight

And what of the name of the album? I really enjoy the message he conveys through many of the tracks asking just who you think is in charge? Just what lies do you tell yourself so you won’t have to do the right thing? And hey… You never hurt anyone. This means you’ve led a good life, right?

“I think we are at most times deluded in thinking that we are totally responsible for our circumstances, but in the end almost everything is beyond our control to a high degree and we can’t even be sure we will wake up tomorrow. Whether you believe that God created you for a purpose, or that the world is governed by blind chance, everything in life is a gift at its core; we are beggars all.”

You must buy this album. It really hits the mark that Thrice has been trying to clobber all this time. I could write another entire post on the tracks “In Exile” and on “Doublespeak.” Nevermind the fact that the title track wraps the record up beautifully.