Music - April 2010
Rock Adult Contemporary
10,000 Things
Cristen Grey and the Moving Dunes
Play "I Want the World"
from 10,000 Things
Story by Emily Drabanski
Cristen Grey worked diligently for three years recording her sophomore CD, 10,000 Things. It was worth the wait.
Grey writes clever, heartfelt lyrics, and sings them with clarity and conviction. She energetically performs on a variety of instruments, and writes melodies with unforgettable hooks. Her singing of mellow, reflective ballads—such as her own “So Much Better” here—is eloquent. But when Grey cuts loose on “I Want the World,” “Out of Control,” and “Bad Emotion,” she can really rock out, both vocally and instrumentally. Perhaps that’s because, about a decade ago, Grey was a guitarist for the Albuquerque metal band All Eyes. Fans of the gritty vocals of Melissa Etheridge should enjoy 10,000 Things.
The songwriter also dabbles in other musical genres. Grey plays mandolin in “Stir Up a Swarm,” which has a contemporary bluegrass feel, and concludes her new album with “God Drove By in a Big Limousine,” which is more alt-country tinged with gospel.
The Albuquerque native now is at home in La Cienega, south of Santa Fe. She sings of universal subjects, without any Southwest imagery, but says that the New Mexico environment has fed her creativity and soul: “The resiliency of the human spirit is this album’s overarching theme.” The title, 10,000 Things, refers
to the Taoist expression “and three begat the 10,000 things”—a reference to the entire universe.
Grey sings all lead vocals and plays electric and acoustic guitars, as well as harmonica, mandolin, dulcimer, and piano. Her recording partner Brian “Brain” Widger provides strong lead, rhythm, and slide guitar, backing vocals, piano, and some drum programming. Fans of real drums can hear the difference in those tracks in which drummer extra-ordinaire Mark Clark lays down the beat. Kelvin McNeal plays a lyrical piano on the heart-wrenching ballad “Absolute,” which details the loss of love. And Alberto Alcocer adds a buoyant touch on accordion to another heartbreaker, “Can’t Get Used To.”
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