Reviews- June 27 2006
With the release of "Dusk and Summer" Chris Carabba as Dashboard Confessional has released another stunning album which will further polarize acoustic/dashboard fans from electric/dashboard fans. Along with the rest of his band Scott Schoenbeck (Bass), John Lefler( Guitar/keys), and Mike Marsh (Drums, Percussion) Chris has managed to write 10 more insightful, heartfelt, and easily relatable tracks. The albums first track "Don't Wait" also pulls double duty as the albums single. With soaring violins and perfect harmonies, this track sets the tone for the rest of the album. "Reason to believe" the albums second track is an upbeat, straightforward rock song with grooving guitars and with anatomical lyrics such as, "My capillaries scream there's nothing left to feed on". "The Secrets in the telling" the albums third track brings to mind the earlier dashboard album "swiss army romance" with lines like, "I won't sleep if you don't sleep because tonight may be the last chance we are given. Track number 4 contains the core of every dashboard song and the theme to any music written by Chris Carabba, "You have stolen my heart". If someone asked me to sum up any dashboard record in one line that would be it. This track also feature the vocals of Chris's newest addition to his band, Susan Sherouse(violin, vocals). By far the stand out track on this record is "So long, so long", an incredibly heart wrenching ballad with beautiful piano melodies, whispered vocals, and a perfectly fitting guest vocal spot by Counting Crows vocalist Adam Duritz. This song fills your heart with warm melodies of summer romance and the heartache that comes with leaving those you love.
Once again Chris Carabba's picture is featured on both the front and back covers of the record but it is actually the core group of musicians he has surrounded himself that makes this record stand out. Having met Mike Marsh(drums) i came to appreciate the music they create in the background while Chris lets his heart bleed. These incredibile musicians maintain a mellow air while providing melody, solidarity, and stability to the music of dashboard confessional.
The only negaitives i found throughout this record are the same old complaints. Many times the lyrics of this band come off syrupy and soaked in tears. Secondly, an obvious lack of acoustic songs shows Chris' desire to move away from his solo days. As an old school fan i would have appreciated at least one or two more acoustic songs to stem my longing for some acoustic singalongs.
my score - 4 out of 5
Once again Chris Carabba's picture is featured on both the front and back covers of the record but it is actually the core group of musicians he has surrounded himself that makes this record stand out. Having met Mike Marsh(drums) i came to appreciate the music they create in the background while Chris lets his heart bleed. These incredibile musicians maintain a mellow air while providing melody, solidarity, and stability to the music of dashboard confessional.
The only negaitives i found throughout this record are the same old complaints. Many times the lyrics of this band come off syrupy and soaked in tears. Secondly, an obvious lack of acoustic songs shows Chris' desire to move away from his solo days. As an old school fan i would have appreciated at least one or two more acoustic songs to stem my longing for some acoustic singalongs.
my score - 4 out of 5