Dashboard Confessional - Dusk And Summer

[Gabe Gross]

Dashboard Confessional – Dusk and Summer
Release Date: June 27, 2006
Record Label: Vagrant


Ever since the demise of first-generation Further Seems Forever and the beginning of what could be called a legendary project, Chris Carrabba has established himself as the giant teardrop with a guitar and fans have either loved him or hated him for his heart-on-sleeve approach. But as the evolution of most musicians, Chris took his solo endeavor further, adding a full band to his last release, A Mark, A Mission, A Brand, A Scar. While the success of that release was wavering and short-lasting, his first full-band studio record Dusk And Summer requires the same close watch.


The album welcomingly opens with “Don’t Wait” a track that reaches far vocally but limps in instrumentally. Blasé drumwork and saggy guitars are camouflaged by the manipulative chorus of “oh’s,” though somehow the introductory track made it as the first single from the album. With only nine other tracks, successful singles might be few and far between. The fact of the matter is that this straightforward approach is pleasing for just about everyone. Radio stations will eat this album up. Between the walls of adult contemporary and pop-rock, Dashboard Confessional have awkwardly shed the emo skin long ago with The Places You Have Come To Fear The Most.

Dedicated fans will be drawn to “Stolen,” as easy-going ballad that doesn't expound in any single category but comes together well as a feathery love song. "Rooftops and Invitations" is well-packaged as the next single on the album. The opening riffs are reminiscent of Vertical Horizon's Everything You Want. This contemporary sound blends well with the lyrical content. While fans won't get the clever and witty rhymes that are most recognizable from a Carrabba album, the lyrics do lack the bleeding heart vocabulary which makes for a well-balanced album. Neither instruments nor lyrics/vocals overpower one another.


"Slow Decay" could perhaps be the most surprising track on the album. The song begins with a very somber and dark bass line (perhaps a bass line you would hear on Live's fifth album V) in which the Carrabba's vocals dip in and out of and oily whisper and an erupting yell. But the best instrumentals go to the keys on "So Long, So Long." Not too overbearing but also not too unapparent, they keys are a successful attempt to steal those who can't turn down a low-tempo ballad.

Even though Dashboard Confessional have removed the self-centered approach to musicianship with a full-rounded band, for some reason this is the first album cover that portrays Chris on the cover. Alone. Mixed signals or not this is a collaborative effort (including The Counting Crows’ Adam Duritz playing a duet buddy on “So Long, So Long,” in which Duritz adds a considerable texture to the album).

Personally, I would not have liked to see this release under the name of Dashboard Confessional. As someone who swooned through high school love and that “it’s cool to be sad” stage with Chris and his guitar, this is far from The Swiss Army Romance or either EP. Songs are fully structured and the dynamic of a band is not single-handed. To me, Dashboard Confessional is still Chris and only Chris.


Dusk And Summer is accessible from just about every single angle. The strings and keys add a tonic ambiance to what could be a rather flat album. While it's an uncomfortable listen for such a longtime fan like myself, Dusk And Summer is still an enjoyable album for the entire summer.

[plain white t's]

yes i agree dashboard shuld only ever be just chris, im hoping this album is good

[_all_star_me_]

yeah. Dahsboard should be a "HE" not a "THEY".

[mexicanjesus]

yes i agree dashboard shuld only ever be just chris, im hoping this album is good


it is not :(

[Katie Schmitz]

I love this cd. I'd give it 9/10

[gonfreaks]

So Long, So Long is the only song I really like on this album.

[trustmeimokay]

I think 'uncomfortable' is a perfect word to describe this cd.

[Garett Press]

I think 'uncomfortable' is a perfect word to describe this cd.
Agreed. I'm diggin it partially right now because it has the whole summer fling theme, and I don't have any other great summer records this year... however, it is quite sloppy and underwhelming.

[OveriseFan]

Um, it's not really a secret that the band is Chris. He said himself he writes everything from the melodies to the beats, so I don't think it's a big surprise. He just wants to be able to capture this sound live if he wants, so he brings in friends to help play it.

Anyway, I'm really excited about this, though I haven't heard it yet(tonight probably.). Also, I read somewhere that he's going to be going solo again probably, but he doesn't know when, and he wants to ride the band thing for a while.

Edit: What's the difference between Replayability and Lasting Power and why the big difference between them?

[ReturningSunday]

I listened to it on The Leak and I really enjoyed it.

[Burnout2888]

I think 'uncomfortable' is a perfect word to describe this cd.
If we had scene points, you'd earn some for that. I could never pick out the word until now.

[dontgrabtindy]

ouch

[domesticyeti]

i like the song "Don't Wait", but dont like anything else on the CD.

[leafsacc]

I've never been a dashboard fan, and this makes me less likely to pick it up this week. I think I'll go for the new Billy Talent instead.

[jtrocka182]

God damn...I miss the old Dashboard :(

[zizou1790]

this was a huge letdown to me i like the title track and thats about it

[May]

I cringe everytime I hear Slow Decay. Dashboard is perfect with just chris on a tool with an acoustic guitar. I'm looking for an exact carbon copy of Swiss Army Romance but this album is just not Dashboard

[solanka]

:appl:

[1Roth4]

it seems to me if a band goes mainstream now a day... the album really isnt even given a chance around here..... its sad..

[capnshindig]

I really really enjoy this album, and plan on reviewing it soon.

[HazeLitRise]

this cd is beautiful no matter what you say.
as long as its chris singing, im gonna love it.
and this, i love dearly.

[SoCoSquid4]

wow. i dont like this review at all. i've been a dashboard fan for close to 5 years now and this is still by far the best dashboard album. i am still in love with the older solo stuff and wasnt as big of a fan of a mark, a mission... however, dusk and summer to me bridges the gap between the older stuff and the new full band sound. dusk and summer (the song) hands down (no pun intended) the best song chris has ever written. the album as a whole also isnt anything whiny as has been the case in the past, its more of a "well, things were bad but im just fine now..." album.

all in all i dont like the review though because he tried to compare the albums to dashboard's stuff of the past and not look at the album as it is in my opinion.

any thoughts?

[themilove]

I think he talked enough about the album in the present. The reviewer is disappointed by this album, and to be honest, he's not alone.

[atticusfinch]

This album was a WHOPPING dissapointment.

[Johnnydcp]

I remember a few years ago listening to Dashboard and being amazed at the structure of the songs and how clever and witty the guitar and vocal were together for being an acoustic act. Whenever drums etc, have been added to the songs I don't like them as much, at least in the case of Dasboard. To me, it seems like the first cds were so real feeling and clever. This cd and the last seem boring and slipshod.

[ilovebsb]

i'm a huge fan. i got into dashboard (as i'm sure many of you on this site have) when he released "the swiss army romance" and everything he's done has been getting better.i thought this album was amazing. i liked it so much better than a mark, a brand, a mission, a scar. i actually thought that cd was terrible and still do but chris really seemed to step up his game on this album. he actually wrote a great cd. i really cant say there's not a bad song on the cd. my favorite track is easily "the secrets in the telling". i cant wait to see them live again :)

[Take Heart]

it seems to me if a band goes mainstream now a day... the album really isnt even given a chance around here..... its sad..


Such an ignorant statement. Many, many bands have gone mainstream and still gotten favorable reviews, not to mention Dashboard has been mainstream for years. The difference is, this cd is simply not very good.

[lifeishell]

I find that the cd lacks when Dashboard Confessional pushes for a more traditional rock band approach. Like the secrets in the telling is horrid. His voice does not go over well with heavy thick sounding instrumentation.

It fits better on the following songs:

Stolen
So Long, So Long
Dusk and Summer
Heavens Here

Heavens here is the best track by dashboard to date. It shows lyrical & instrumental talent while progressing towards a different sound.

[sweetforever]

I tried to like this cd. Listened to it about 2 or 3 times. It just didnt work, I was disappointed

[Storybookhero]

This album was a WHOPPING dissapointment.

I Agree it is beyond horrible

[hopefieldrock]

I feel the album AND the review leave something to be desired.

[whipcream4teen]

I don't really care for the music or lyrics much on this album. There are two songs however that I love. But this is disappointing.

[alexwohl29_90]

I love this album. It sounds like Dashboard to me.


but TPYHCTFTH is my favorite DC album to date...but idk...this seems really good.

its not like hes going out and trying to write Paul Gilbert style songs. The simplicity is good enough for me.

[1Roth4]

Such an ignorant statement. Many, many bands have gone mainstream and still gotten favorable reviews, not to mention Dashboard has been mainstream for years. The difference is, this cd is simply not very good.

no, i agree with you.. i am generalizing... but you have to think... peoples visions of the bands they used to like change because of the 'crowd' or 'type' of people that like it... without the music changing at all...

like i said... this wasn't (or shouldnt' have been) directed at DB or the review.. it was more of a random comment.

I kind have thought... what would people be saying about this album if it was his second release.? they'd probably be losing it... he's sort of built a status in the music industry, and has a solid following.. so people bias's are exaggerated because of what they see, instead of what they hear\

am i making any sense? im not so sure anymore

[chcougar1]

wow...thats a pretty low score....the album took a while for me to warm up to it, but I'd say it has 8 quality tracks with the best being the ones this guy mentioned earlier:

It fits better on the following songs:

Stolen
So Long, So Long
Dusk and Summer
Heavens Here

Also, I like Don't Wait

[Take Heart]

no, i agree with you.. i am generalizing... but you have to think... peoples visions of the bands they used to like change because of the 'crowd' or 'type' of people that like it... without the music changing at all...

like i said... this wasn't (or shouldnt' have been) directed at DB or the review.. it was more of a random comment.

I kind have thought... what would people be saying about this album if it was his second release.? they'd probably be losing it... he's sort of built a status in the music industry, and has a solid following.. so people bias's are exaggerated because of what they see, instead of what they hear\

am i making any sense? im not so sure anymore

I see where you're coming from, but I'm not sure "mainstream" was the best word to describe what you were trying to say, that's where the confusion came in. Plenty of cd's arrive with huge expectations, and do not disappoint. This one just simply couldn't live up to the lofty expectations that DB fans have set. I have never been a fan of Dashboard, but i gave this a listen, and i agree with the review wholeheartedly. I dislike it much more than any of his older material, this cd is just substandard

[the rog]

i liked "a mark a mission..." a lot. it's very underrated "rapid hope loss" is one of my favorite dashboard songs (and i've been a fan since 2001 or so) live, the songs all still come across as coherent, the set makes sense and it's all a good time.

oh, to the reviewer, that paragraph about duritz makes my head hurt, please edit it.

[Scott Weber]

Good review, Gabe. I'd give it about a 6 too.

[loveedisonglass]

my fav thing he has done has been "the moon is down" if you all don't have that record you are missing chris at his best.

did i mention i love edison glass

[Koopato]

I like it... A couple of great songs, i really like Dusk and Summer.

[Brett9]

I just got through listening to this CD, and at first listen it is about a 7 in my opinion. I like it better than A Mark..., but it doesn't come close to Swiss Army or The Places. I'm definitely partial to Chris playing solo. That's when he's at his best. Good summer CD though.

[bradsonemanband]

So Long, So Long is the only song I really like on this album.

you took the words right out of my fingertips

[siimpx]

So Long, So Long is the only song I really like on this album.

i agree, & it's like two years old so that is disappointing

[matb]

does it seem to anyone else that this album is more oriented toward younger fans... and especially females? with the cover art featuring him? it just seem that with dont wait and everything its going toward a younger audience. oh and taking back sunday too maybe? (the line "im an addict for dramatic" kills me everytime i hear it)

[_kelly]

im kinda nervous i wont like this.
i agree with everyone else that said dashboard should just be chris and his acoustic guitar

[Julia Conny]

if one good thing did come out of this album, it was that i started back into my old dashboard collection, which had been way too long forgotten.

[MasonR5]

i think this review was too negative...i like this cd a lot...A mark, a mission, a brand, a scar is better though...but i think this one is better than The places you have come to fear the most

[johnstoryshort]

this cd is by far the worst dashboard release . ever

[SoCoSquid4]

wow. i really am shocked at all of the negativity towards this album. no, its not traditional dashboard stuff, thats what makes it good. read old interviews with chris, he never had the intention of keeping dashboard a solo act (hence, a band name, not just chris carrabba). he still does solo acoustic shows once in a while (i went to one in april) where about half the set was just him and john on stage. it seems to me like music listeners these days are just so opposed to change. dashboard was originally estabslished as a way for chris to get over some really rough times in his life...the times arent so rough anymore, so no you arent going to hear another swiss army romance. its not going to happen...

chris gets by on writing music that comes straight from the heart and lays it all on the line, and that is exactly what this album is. so it IS typical dashboard style songwriting, just experimentation musically, and i think it is done masterfully.

im curious as to if any of you have a reason for not liking it BESIDES that its not just chris and an acoustic guitar?!?

[SwishMX48]

I really like this cd a lot, maybe just because I think it's an awesome summer album...

[jpgretzky15]

i like it a lot. potentially my favorite dashboard release yet.

weird side note-i think track 2 reminds me a lot of something corporate, two songs in particular, hurricane and fall.

[varsityhero]

i think its different than anything they have ever done before, and i like it. i think this might be THE ALBUM of the summer [=

[12:46AM]

Um, it's not really a secret that the band is Chris. He said himself he writes everything from the melodies to the beats, so I don't think it's a big surprise. He just wants to be able to capture this sound live if he wants, so he brings in friends to help play it.

Anyway, I'm really excited about this, though I haven't heard it yet(tonight probably.). Also, I read somewhere that he's going to be going solo again probably, but he doesn't know when, and he wants to ride the band thing for a while.

Edit: What's the difference between Replayability and Lasting Power and why the big difference between them?good question.

[12:46AM]

it's nice to see some reviews on this site that give scores lower than an 8. it feels more honest.

[spillcanvas1129]

HMMM......I disagree!!I think the only downfall to this record is its only 10 songs!!!Great as usual!

[domesticyeti]

im curious as to if any of you have a reason for not liking it BESIDES that its not just chris and an acoustic guitar?!?


i've never been a HUGE dashboard fan, but i like some of their stuff, acoustic and electric.
i listened to this, and i dont like it because the songs just seem like their missing something.

[SoCoSquid4]

i've never been a HUGE dashboard fan, but i like some of their stuff, acoustic and electric.
i listened to this, and i dont like it because the songs just seem like their missing something.

can you try to pinpoint anything? compared to everything else chris has done musically this is by far the most rounded out effort to me.

[amsguitarist]

I would really like to see a review on this album from somebody who has never heard Dashboard Confessional before. Comparisons to previous albums are inevitable, but as far as Dashboard fans, you guys refuse to accept anything other than a carbon copy of The Swiss Army Romance. I'm sure many of the die-hard Dashboard fans called the release of a little EP called So Impossible "horrible" because it wasn't the Swiss Army Romance.

To me, lyrically, this album is a huge leap over anything else. I'd say the weakest song on Dusk and Summer lyrically would be Don't Wait. Its really short and to the point, but it leaves a lot to the imagination.

Give me a break, listen to the interlude on Stolen, "Watch you spin around in your highest heels.".... can you beat imagery like that... especially considering the way the vocals are layered in.

I can definitely see some formula to a couple of the songs like The Secret's in the Telling and Rooftops and Invitations; they scream Vindicated formula... but you know what?? It sells albums. You know what would happen if Chris catered to the minority? No more Dashboard because Chris wouldn't be able to support himself. If you guys haven't noticed.. Chris would be writing these songs WITH OR WITHOUT the band. I'm pretty sure he writes all of these songs on acoustic before he takes it to the band. The band writes around Chris.... you can tell by the way the songs are structured.. and by Chris' lack of guitar work on a lot of the songs.

Would you rather have a full band album with these songs... or would you rather just have Chris playing acoustic for the same exact set of songs?

Some people just refuse to accept change with this band, and unless he ditches the whole band, you guys will never be pleased.

Sorry to sound blunt, I like the acoustic albums, but the songs were always heading in the direction of this album. The change with each album progressed with more structure towards mainstream. I can see a HUGE difference in song writing from Swiss Army to So Impossible. It's your opinion, but how can you call yourself a music fan if you judge all new work base on what they wrote in the past. Which is NOT THE WAY TO REVIEW an album. I can guarantee the review was written in mind of comparing each song with a past Dashboard acoustic song. Take things objectively instead of saying "the album is horrible." Explain what makes it horrible.. other than "it should just be Chris." Coming in here and saying the album sucks just proves you don't take things objectively.

[a speedo model]

i'm honestly loving this album so far.

[TheBaroness]

I cringe everytime I hear Slow Decay. Dashboard is perfect with just chris on a tool with an acoustic guitar. I'm looking for an exact carbon copy of Swiss Army Romance but this album is just not Dashboard

True. I remember when Dashboard first started it was so different to anything else out there. I miss those days.

[mpw]

i like the cd. but i like Dashboard's older stuff better.

[Koopato]

After a few listens i've desided that this is one of my favourite releases this year.

[|ant|]

Fantastic review. You expressed everything I thought about this album. Although, I think I was a bit more disapointed. If they were going to stay for the full band aproach, I don't know how they go from "A mark, A mission" to this new cd. The level of songwriting on this album is so elementary that it made me cringe to hear this coming from Dashboard, whom I love. Hopefully Chris will get back on track with his next effort.

[perrone]

more like james blunt confessional

a 6.8 is still way too generous

[bradyreier]

this cd is by far the worst dashboard release . ever

sadly, i agree. although i'm hoping with a few more listens it will get better.

[SoCoSquid4]

amsguitarist---AMEN. its good to know im not the only one NOT ripping any electicity in dashboard to shreds.

[|ant|]

I can definitely see some formula to a couple of the songs like The Secret's in the Telling and Rooftops and Invitations; they scream Vindicated formula... but you know what?? It sells albums.

Precisely. That is exaclty why I hate this album. Should I add another tombstone to a fallen band/musician? The songs are so simple and radio friendly that I wouldn't doubt hearing this sitting in my dentists office in a few months. I know the talent is there, it shows in previous works. One word to describe this album: uninspired. If you like this album, you are either in denial, or you like the face value right now, but garaunteed, listen to this album at the end of the summer and tell me you feel the same. Because I can say that about all previous Dashboard albums and that statement holds up. Really a shame.

[amsguitarist]

That's exactly why you dislike the new album, because it is becoming more friendly to those around you.

Lets just say the Swiss Army Romance was never released... but Dashboard Confessional is still where they are at today. If the Swiss Army Romance were to be released as a new album... I bet ALL OF YOU "so called fans" would slam that cd too. It's just a matter of what they release AFTER they become very popular. "Screaming Infidelities is way too structured and mainstream... so is Turpentine Chaser." Guess what?? They made those songs in full-band too and they sound pretty damn good in my opinion.

Lets just face the facts... all of you "disapointed fans" in Dusk and Summer would be perfectly happy if Chris released a B-Sides acoustic cd that includes the likes of Dusk and Summer (the title track), Hold On, I Do, End of An Anchor. And in my opinion... all of those songs are pale in comparison to the full-band stuff... and if the Swiss Army Romance would just sound like a compilation of B-Sides (or that one acoustic track off every band's cd).

Just admit that you hate the fact that it feels like you found the perfect girl (early Dashboard) that nobody knew about in school... but lost closeness to her because she became so popular (current Dashboard). Everyone else is enjoying "your" music and you HATE IT and insist that they can NEVER enjoy the same "quality" music that they were making before when nobody else listened to them.

PS. Weaker lyrics???????? Since when has Chris ever come close to using the words "visceral" or "pir·ou·ette" in any of his past albums??? Give me a break on the lyrical slamming.. jeez

[perrone]

not quite sure when using big words equalled writing good lyrics

some of us just don't like it and don't feel obligated to love every single thing an artist puts out

i'm glad you're putting words in our mouths though: "face the facts!" "admit it!" "that's why you don't like it!" oook allstar

[amsguitarist]

I'm not putting words into your mouths. Most of Chris' older fans hate the fact that their 6 year old sisters listen to Dashboard all the time. Nobody will be able to enjoy anything as good as the Swiss Army Romance ever again right?? right??

You complain that its nothing like his older stuff... but can you honestly tell me that he doesn't sit at home and write all this new material on his acoustic by himself and then brings it to the band and then they write most of the stuff around his acoustic song?

[|ant|]

Just admit that you hate the fact that it feels like you found the perfect girl (early Dashboard) that nobody knew about in school... but lost closeness to her because she became so popular (current Dashboard). Everyone else is enjoying "your" music and you HATE IT and insist that they can NEVER enjoy the same "quality" music that they were making before when nobody else listened to them.


You couldn't be more wrong my friend. I could care less if a band goes mainstream or not; I remain to love fallout boy, but I don't whine and cry because they are on TRL. I don't give a shit! Not trying to seam like a selfrighteous prick or someone that hates everything mainstream, but I don't watch MTV or listen to the radio, so how could I hate something only because everyone else knows about them? You need to re-evaluate your little theory. The thing that gets me is when artists CHANGE or MODIFY their sound just to appeal to the mainstream, that is when I get down on them. It is all about the music and what sounds good to me, and this album just doesn't do it.

[amsguitarist]

You couldn't be more wrong my friend. I could care less if a band goes mainstream or not; I remain to love fallout boy, but I don't whine and cry because they are on TRL. I don't give a shit! Not trying to seam like a selfrighteous prick or someone that hates everything mainstream, but I don't watch MTV or listen to the radio, so how could I hate something only because everyone else knows about them? You need to re-evaluate your little theory. The thing that gets me is when artists CHANGE or MODIFY their sound just to appeal to the mainstream, that is when I get down on them. It is all about the music and what sounds good to me, and this album just doesn't do it.


If you like Fallout Boy that much, then it baffles me why you would criticize Dashboard... bad decision to say you like a band that started out as a pop-punk joke band.

If you're an artist today and you've worked your butt off for 8 years touring, why wouldn't you want to write stuff that people will listen to? Let me tell you, to make any sort of money today in the music industry, you have to impress certain individuals.. and guess what they like?? Formulas in songs. Tell what would happen to Dashboard if he kept the same exact sound he always had in his acoustic-only days? The cd would flop big-time... then you wouldn't be seeing Dashboard touring to your hometown much longer because Vagrant invested so much money into such a big flop of a record. This album will sell if anybody likes it or not.

Out of all Chris' work, my favorite release is the So Impossible EP, but I like every release he has came out with from the beginning. The only songs I really never liked were the B-Sides (I Do, End of An Anchor, Hold On).

[|ant|]

If you like Fallout Boy that much, then it baffles me why you would criticize Dashboard... bad decision to say you like a band that started out as a pop-punk joke band.


First of all, I'm not goign to argue, this will be my last post on this thread. Regarding Fallout Boy, I'm deathly sorry that you as an individual do not like them and/or have something against them. I was merely giving an example. And since your opinion means absolutely nothing to me, I have no reason to defend myself.

This album will sell if anybody likes it or not.

It is a shame that the music industry works like that. The media forces 7-8 bands at a time down everyones throat, and people don't know any better. They don't know that there is better music out there because they don't know where to look other than what is put in front of them.

That is all.

I know you will respond with another weak rebuttle, and to that I say, I don't care.

[amsguitarist]

First of all, I'm not goign to argue, this will be my last post on this thread. Regarding Fallout Boy, I'm deathly sorry that you as an individual do not like them and/or have something against them. I was merely giving an example. And since your opinion means absolutely nothing to me, I have no reason to defend myself.



It is a shame that the music industry works like that. The media forces 7-8 bands at a time down everyones throat, and people don't know any better. They don't know that there is better music out there because they don't know where to look other than what is put in front of them.

That is all.

I know you will respond with another weak rebuttle, and to that I say, I don't care.

I'm not trying to bash Fallout Boy, I'm just saying as far as songwriting and how they are insipired Dashboard blow them out of the water... so they are a bad example to bring up.

And yes thats how the industry works.. I'm sure they understand what talent is when they see it.. but if the public as a whole will not listen to it, then why should they give it a chance? Record labels are in business for a reason: money. And I guess if going big causes an artist's songs to become weaker, I guess we all have no other choice but to keep listening to teenagers record acoustic songs out of their parent's house.

[oh word]

This CD was dissapointing... Don't bother buying it.

[amsguitarist]

Well guys, if we're gonna compare albums to past work..... So you say the guitars are too simple and lack any sort of creativeness????? Look at Remember To Breathe.. 4 chords the WHOLE song (well, really only 2).

Nobody has answered my question yet. You guys would be happy if this album were just Chris with the same exact songs huh?


And PS. about Fallout Boy, I wasn't slamming them, you claim that this Dashboard album is weak, yet you say you love Fallout Boy... very bad comparison if you are looking lyrical quality. Thats like saying I love Blink 182 but saying Dashboard doesn't know how to write very good songs.

[hands_down182]

The song Dusk And Summer is pretty good. My girlfriend left me the day after I got this CD, so I set it down for a while and listened to my more well-known albums, but coming back to it, it's still an amazing album. It's not The Places You Have Come To Fear The Most, but if you want to hear that CD then listen to it. Don't expect Chris to recreate the same CD everytime.

[ngs12487]

I think 'uncomfortable' is a perfect word to describe this cd.
I completely agree, could not have found a better word.

[FUCKDIRTYWIPES]

disapointing cd...

[this_2_is_rock]

To understand Chris Carraba is to look back in the innocent days of high-school prom and the ethereal view of romance in these days of cynicism and one-week marriages.

Chris Carraba, of course, IS Dashboard Confessional, despite of the credit that says DC is a band. He is the heart and soul of the premiere heart-in-sleeve emo act. Since his early days as an all-acoustic-but-still-punk one-man band, he has always been the pin-up boy of heartbreak. His songs have articulated the stories and longings of innocent romance that made young lovers lip-synch to each line as if it were their own.

His first major label album, A Mark a Mission a Brand a Scar, was a moderate extension from his acoustic days. A desperate yet successful attempt to please hard-core fans (who might yell sell-out) and the bigwigs in his major label. It spawned the hits "Hands down" and "As lovers go," to name a few.

Now, Dashboard Confessional releases its second album, Dusk and Summer. Basically it is still an acoustic album when stripped to its essence but this time it is wonderfully cloaked with lush strings, melodic electric guitar, heavier bass line, and pounding drums. In other words, it is presented in a way that it should be.

Let me say this straight, DC is not a technically-proficient band in such a way, say, Creed or Nickelback is. But that is a good thing because DC was never about technical firepower and histrionics, they are about creating mood to the stories told in each song. And now they hit it perfectly that the album has come out like a perfectly told story about the moods in falling in love, losing it and eventually gaining it back.

The standout track is the lead single, "Don't wait." It is such a pop gem that engages you to believe in the sentiment it subtly breaks. It is a plea to open up before it is too late. "Don't wait to lay your armor down...", it pleads. You have no choice but surrender to its earnest charm. Same goes with "Stolen." Simple line that says, "You have stolen my heart...," becomes an engaging emotional anthem to, well, heartbreak. Tracks like these invite you to make them your own soundtrack to your so-called love story as if it were written just for you.

All of the tracks in the album does not necessarily scream a hit, which is good lest it be another batch of songs played too often that they lose edge and meaning. Rather, they become an invitation... to listen and blur out everything in your mind. They become an invitation to believe, that despite a cruel world outside, there is still sweet innocence that exists. Even if it is only in your mind.

[this_2_is_rock]

To understand Chris Carraba is to look back in the innocent days of high-school prom and the ethereal view of romance in these days of cynicism and one-week marriages.

Chris Carraba, of course, IS Dashboard Confessional, despite of the credit that says DC is a band. He is the heart and soul of the premiere heart-in-sleeve emo act. Since his early days as an all-acoustic-but-still-punk one-man band, he has always been the pin-up boy of heartbreak. His songs have articulated the stories and longings of innocent romance that made young lovers lip-synch to each line as if it were their own.

His first major label album, A Mark a Mission a Brand a Scar, was a moderate extension from his acoustic days. A desperate yet successful attempt to please hard-core fans (who might yell sell-out) and the bigwigs in his major label. It spawned the hits "Hands down" and "As lovers go," to name a few.

Now, Dashboard Confessional releases its second album, Dusk and Summer. Basically it is still an acoustic album when stripped to its essence but this time it is wonderfully cloaked with lush strings, melodic electric guitar, heavier bass line, and pounding drums. In other words, it is presented in a way that it should be.

Let me say this straight, DC is not a technically-proficient band in such a way, say, Creed or Nickelback is. But that is a good thing because DC was never about technical firepower and histrionics, they are about creating mood to the stories told in each song. And now they hit it perfectly that the album has come out like a perfectly told story about the moods in falling in love, losing it and eventually gaining it back.

The standout track is the lead single, "Don't wait." It is such a pop gem that engages you to believe in the sentiment it subtly breaks. It is a plea to open up before it is too late. "Don't wait to lay your armor down...", it pleads. You have no choice but surrender to its earnest charm. Same goes with "Stolen." Simple line that says, "You have stolen my heart...," becomes an engaging emotional anthem to, well, heartbreak. Tracks like these invite you to make them your own soundtrack to your so-called love story as if it were written just for you.

All of the tracks in the album does not necessarily scream a hit, which is good lest it be another batch of songs played too often that they lose edge and meaning. Rather, they become an invitation... to listen and blur out everything in your mind. They become an invitation to believe, that despite a cruel world outside, there is still sweet innocence that exists. Even if it is only in your mind.

[bummm]

It's okay.

[denissuxx]

Eh

[jacknile]

This album really was a winner

[blinkeatworld]

I don't agree with most of the comments. This is an awesome record and I listen to it all the time.