The fourth solo outing for
Thrice frontman
Dustin Kensrue, 2015's
Carry the Fire finds the Christian singer/songwriter delivering more of his heartfelt and melodic faith-based rock. The album follows up his 2013 effort, Water & the Blood, and showcases a similar mix of electric and acoustic instrumentation.
Carry the Fire also comes on the heels of
Kensrue's break with Washington-based Mars Hill Church, for which he worked as worship pastor from 2012 until 2014, when actions of church leadership (including misappropriation of funds) came under scrutiny. Although
Kensrue had nothing to do with the controversy, he nonetheless felt compelled to leave the church and relocate his family back to his hometown in Orange County, California. In many ways,
Carry the Fire represents
Kensrue's return to playing music full-time, as well as his reconnection to his Christian faith. Recorded largely on his own,
Kensrue's
Carry the Fire is a heartfelt, soulful album that carries the idealistic post-hardcore passion of
Thrice while retaining all of the intimate, sophisticated beauty of his previous solo work. Included on
Carry the Fire are the singles "Of Crows and Crowns" and "Back to Back." ~ Matt Collar