Album Review: Dashboard Confessional - Alter The Ending

Dashboard Confessional has always been one of those bands that has divided people, some call them 'sappy emo crap', whilst others 'beautiful mesmerizing music'. Nevertheless it can not be argued Chris Carrabba knows how to write a good song. Over the last few years Carrabba and company have transformed from a soft, underground "emo" group to mainstream rock radio juggernaut. 2006's 'Dusk and Summer' completed this transformation, whilst the 2007 follow-up 'The Shade of Poison Trees' saw a return to the band's original acoustic roots.

'Alter The Ending' sees Dashboard Confessional using the best of both worlds, with disc one being a full band (which this review covers) and disc two consisting of the same songs but in acoustic form. From the start 'Get Me Right' shows a band that sounds refreshed with Carrabba's passionate voice dominating over soft, plucked guitar strings and at a pleasant steady tempo.

'Until Morning' brings the album to life with its clean production and subtle strings adding depth to the bands performance. Carrabba's lyrics and vocals sound direct, as if they are aimed preciously at the listener; a prowess he has perfected throughout the bands career.

As the record goes on you quickly realise this a good record and consistent. Tracks like 'Everybody Learns From Disaster', 'I Know About You; and 'Belle of the Boulevard' sounds bold and compelling. In full band mode, these songs shows the bands strong ability to write positive, upbeat radio-friendly numbers. Whilst the latter would ideally work in an acoustic setting.

'Blame It on The Changes' has a compelling build-up that leads a proud chorus. Whereas 'Even Now' hints at the acoustic side of the 2-disc record, as Carrabba softly pulls the listener in to tell his heartfelt tale. The same can be said for album closer 'Hell on the Throat' with twinkling guitar strings and piano chords kindly compliment Carrabba's vocals, which sweetly round off the record.

For the old Dashboard Confessional fans; the ones who prefer the bands stripped, intimate setting. 'Alter The Ending' may not seem the album for them but you'd be surprised, as it is a record that despite its clean, full band performance it still manages to speak to the listener one-to-one. Although the full band element adds a broader dimension that is ideal for the bands commercial sound.

'Alter The Ending' is not quite the perfect Dashboard Confessional record but it is one that is consistent and flows well; its structure is esepcially done well as the slow and fast songs come at the right time, this enables to listener to become comfortable and to sit back and enjoy this record. Its downfall is that at times you feel some subtly ideas are repeated.

4.5/5

'Alter The Ending' by Dashboard Confessional is released on November 10th on DGC/Interscope/Vagrant Records.

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Sean Reid