Dashboard Confessional Album: “Alter the Ending”

Has it really been 6+ years since Dashboard Confessional's masterpiece "A Mark, A Mission, A Brand, A Scar"? How I loved that album (and still do). After that album, Chris Carrabba decided that arena-sized rock was the way to go but when the 2006 "Dusk and Summer" album failed to meet those expectations (even though it has a number of really good tracks on it), he retreated the next year to the acoustic-only sounds with "The Shade of Poison Trees", and when that album again failed to really connect, Carrabba came to a cross-roads of sorts... what to do next? Now comes the answer.

"Alter the Ending" (2 CDs; 24 tracks; 87 min.) brings 2 albums into one. CD1 brings the full-band version of the album, and opener "Get Me Right" is a great way to start things of. "Until Morning" plays nicely as well. The best tracks on here for me conclude the first half of the album: "I Know About You", an urgent track full of life, just great, then followed by an equally entertaining title track. Unfortunately, the second half of the album falters, with barely a memorable tune, "The Motions" being the best of the bunch. CD2 brings the exact same songs, but simply Chris in an acoustic-only setting, as if he couldn't decide whether this album should be a full-band album or just him. It leaves me scratching my head, frankly, as to what direction Dashboard Confessional is taking.

In all, separate and apart from the full-band vs. acoustic only argument, the album lacks truly memorable songs. There are a couple, but that's it, a very uneven return and an ambiguous one at that. That aside, Carrabba is a great performer. I've seen him in concert before, and would jump at the chance to do so again (by the way, DC is the opener on Bon Jovi's upcoming early 2010 North America arena tour), but this album is not the band, or Carrabba, at their/his best. Buyer beware.

This album is definitely a sign of how Dashboard has matured in both song composition and lyrical poetry. Songs like "Even Now" give original Dashboard fans the heartfelt acoustic songs that they expect while new songs like "Get Me Right" are so addictive that they are stuck in the heads of old and new fans alike. A wonderful album - and definitely worth getting the deluxe electric/acoustic version!

Dashboard Confessional, after 3 years, is back with their next CD, entitled, "Alter The Ending." The CD seems to be a mix of "Scars" and "Dusk and Summer," and a little bit of their earlier stuff. I know most of us, including myself grew up with just their acoustic stuff, the days of Chris and his guitar. But throughout the years, Chris Carrabba has continued to evolve as an artist, and incorporating the full band hasn't been a bad idea at all. What has not changed is the emotion Chris puts into his songwriting. His voice has matured a great deal. He has become one of the better songwriters of the late 1990's and 2000's. "Alter The Ending" isn't any different. The lyrics are excellent. Artists grow up, and when they do, they have to expand upon their songwriting and Chris has done that. Fron the opening guitar riff of "Get Me Right," we all know what we are going to be in for. The drumming is on target, and in many of the songs, is quite good. Chris has improved upon his guitar playing, and we even get a solo here and there. We still have the acoustic songs, as both "Even Now" and the closer. "Hell On The Throat," are both beautiful. Touches of piano and some strings add to the complinment of a few of the songs.

Dashboard Confessional, especially Chris Carrabba have really outdone themselves this time. He really pours his heart into his music. The man can write and a sing a song. All their experiences really shine through in the songs.

One of the best CD's of 2009.

I'm a fan of acoustics. Therefore, getting the 2-CD version was a no brainer for me. Straight away I looped the acoustic cd and never tire of it. Then I thought I switched it up a bit and wow, I have to say the full sound of the band made all the tracks even more incredible. Definitely two different dimensions.

I don't usually say that I love every track on an album but this is one of the rare times I'm saying it. This is one of the best DC albums in a long while. I've been searching for the 2-CD version of this album for quite some time now because I live in SE Asia. It never came. I'm glad I waited to get this.

Definitely one of my favourite albums that I bought this year, if not the best.

I'm a long-time DC fan and have seen Chris (and sometimes the band)live about eight times in the last six years. This album blew me away. The lyrics are great and the music style returns to the Dashboard Confessional that we fell in love with years ago. This album is a must-own in your music collection!!