Carry the Fire (Dustin Kensrue album)
Carry the Fire is the third studio album by American musician Dustin Kensrue, released on April 21, 2015, through Vagrant Records. Kensrue, best known as the vocalist and guitarist of the rock band Thrice, conceived Carry the Fire as a roots rock and Americana-influenced project, diverging significantly from Thrice's post-hardcore and alternative rock sound.
The album's title is derived from Cormac McCarthy's post-apocalyptic novel The Road, a book that heavily influenced the lyrical themes and overall tone of the record. Carry the Fire explores themes of hope, perseverance, and the enduring human spirit amidst adversity. Many of the songs reflect on faith, family, and the search for meaning in a broken world.
The album features a blend of original compositions and covers. Notable covers include "Ruby" by the Kaiser Chiefs and "Of Crows and Crowns" by mewithoutYou. Kensrue's arrangements often reimagine the covered songs in a style consistent with the album's Americana aesthetic.
Carry the Fire received generally positive reviews, with critics praising Kensrue's songwriting, vocal performance, and the album's overall atmosphere. It is considered a significant departure from his work with Thrice and highlights Kensrue's versatility as a musician. The album has been praised for its introspective lyrics and its ability to evoke a sense of both melancholy and hope.