Dustin Kensrue, a member of the band Thrice, has released his fifth solo album, Desert Dreaming. This album highlights nature in a wistful way. This storytelling album is peaceful and sorrowful all in one.
The third song on the album, “Treasure in the West,” is a beautiful song about chasing a treasure through the desert. Kensrue describes the desert as he is making his journey to find the treasure, there is something sacred and glorified going on. He meets a girl — “she begged me stay with diamonds in her eyes,” and with this, the way that Kensrue views the world is eminent, as if everything is a precious treasure.
Leading into the fourth song, “Lift Your Eyes,” Kensrue gives us another melancholy number that builds up with suspenseful guitar progressions throughout the song while Kensrue’s voice stays consistent.
“The Heart of Sedona” is a heartwarming song about Sedona and how Kensrue has since left after growing up there. This song is connected to Sedona, and you can feel the connection he has with this place through his lyrics about being called home and the sentimental value Kensrue attaches to it.
“The Light of the Moon” is folk based, evident by the ways that the guitar is strumming and the winding tones in Kensrue’s vocals. This song brings a new perspective to simplicity and shows Kensrue’s observations of people while not knowing anything about them.
The ninth song on the album, “Leaving Tonight for Santa Fe,” is upbeat, while still carrying over the folksy sound. There are more upbeat drums and a different vocal register that gives an energetic sound. The final song, “Desert Dreaming,” has the subtle plucking of an acoustic guitar overlaying the rest of the production. This is a great song to close the album with as it puts it to rest in a soothing way.
This album is personal and whimsical. Desert Dreaming has something special that takes the listener into another world that Dustin Kensrue has created for his listeners. The cover art is also notable as it captures the bright colors and stories of the mountains in contrast with the night sky.
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