Dashboard Confessional Album: “Dusk and Summer [CD//DVD] [Target Exclusive]”

I am a DC fan from way back. I've read some of the other reviews and I know that some are upset about the change in their sound. They're harder and more edgy than what they used to be. I am absolutely blown away by it! I love it! This will be in my CD player for a long time. For once, their sound isn't the heart wrenching break up music that we've come to love. DC has a more positive sound than they've ever had before and makes for some amazing bounce up and down, and rock out songs. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

I'd been eagerly anticipating Dusk and Summer for quite some time. Once I'd purchased the album and headed back to my car, I popped it into my CD player, hoping that I wouldn't be disappointed. I wasn't. It's full of songs that you'll want to play over and over ("So Long, So Long" being my absolute favorite followed by "Dusk and Summer" -- I love "Slow Decay" as well but can't listen to it without crying).

This album is perfect for the time of year in which it was released because the feelings that it evokes are the same as the feelings of the upcoming end of summer. When I listen to the songs on this CD, they make me think of reminiscence and longing. There seems to be less direct sadness than in Chris's earlier songs; instead, there's an increased sense of nostalgia and beauty. It's the same feeling that you get when you're at the end of a fantastic summer: you're aware that that period of your life has past, never to be tasted again, and you find yourself looking back on it with fondness and a slight sense of loss. That's the feeling that I get when I slip this album into my CD player. They couldn't have found a title for this collection of songs that was more fitting!

After hearing the first single off the album "Dont wait" i was a little worried that Chris was going in a different direction. I need not have worried; this album is just as good as "A mark a mission..." It is true that "Dusk and Summer" has a very different sound than previous Dashboard albums but it only further showcases Chris' versatility as an artist.It took me a few times to really grow on me but now Im hooked. ATTENTION...If you rewind the CD from track one, two secret tracks can be found!!!Their previous single from the spiderman 2 soundtrack, "Vindicated," and a new track "Write it Out." CD players that have autoplay will automatically play these tracks.

This album is probably the most marketable and radio friendly of all of dashboard's albums. For the peripheral listener it may be the right one to get to introduce you to this band. But as a Dashboard fan of 5 or so years I truly hope they return to their original sound for their next work. Not for the listen-ability but for the show. To this day the fans react best to the songs from "Places" or "A Mark, A Mission." I recommend this album to everyone but I also recommend any and all of their other work.

I have heard of Dashboard Confessional before, just never taken enough time to listen to any of the music. Some of my friends kept telling me how good the music was but I didn't listen. Well, I heard Chris Carrabba on a radio show the other day. It was just him and his guitar, and I was moved to actually buy Dusk and Summer. Where have I been? This man can not only play and sing, but the lyrics he writes are so different, moving, reflective, intoxicating, and sad. I haven't had the chance to listen all the way through but I can tell that I will be buying more of his music. I bought it for "Stolen" but "So Long, So Long" has quickly become my favorite. It is very bittersweet, as most of his songs are.

This is a new fan that would recommend getting this. It will, at the very least, be great road music, and quite possibly make you reflect, smile, rock out, and tear up a little. Wonderful.