Mars Hill Bellevue Worship Pastor, Dustin Kensrue, may be a familiar name for some due to his work with the post-hardcore/experimental rock quartet, Thrice. The California-based band went on hiatus in 2012 and the following year, Kensrue released his latest album, The Water & the Blood. Although it's his third solo album, it's his first designed for corporate worship.
He states, "You can have people that love Jesus and are doing great music as far as the actual music, but if the lyrics aren't constantly pointing to the sufficiency of Jesus, I think you can unwittingly be causing great harm." It was with this in mind that he wrote The Water and the Blood. This powerful recording, full of reverence for God, contains songs anchored in the theme of Christ's passion and suffering and death for us.
Kensrue opens the album with the engaging and rhythmically driving call to worship "Rejoice" followed by a remake of the classic hymn with a new chorus and bridge, "Rock of Ages." "Suffering Servant" lays out the passion of Jesus who left His throne and came from heaven to earth. The track is colorful with massive guitars and powerful organ pads. "Come Lord Jesus" voices a desire for Christ's return with the lyrics, "Come Lord Jesus, Come. Come again to claim your own. Come to reap what you have sown. All creation weeps and groans for you." The tracks overall can be described as more on the organic side with tones and acoustic instruments. The guitar tones are surely on the grungy Seattle side, which makes for a unique sound on the MultiTracks. Kensrue has released a great album with tracks that are both retro and current at the same time. Dustin Kensrue - The Water & the Blood
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