dashboard confessional
a mark, a mission, a brand, a scar
'Shit. The time I never thought would come has arrived.
After taking advantage of numerous opportunities to make insulting comments directed towards Chris Carraba, allow me to be the first to admit that the new Dashboard Confessional album is amazing.
"A Mark, A Mission, A Brand, A Scar" shows the full fledged band of Dashboard Confessional at its pinnacle to date. This is a full-on indie rock album bound to disappoint 13-year-old girls everywhere.
Sorry girls. You'll get over it.
Carraba still wears his heart on his sleeve but everything else about the band has changed. He explores a bit more both vocally and musically. There are a lot of throaty whispers that lead into the patented sustained screams he does so well. The music is loud and distinct from previous Dashboard records.
As Andrew Beaujon, Senior Contributing Writer for Spin Magazine, pointed out in a previous interview, "Dashboard Confessional is suited well for the teenage crowd because the songs Carraba sings are about the beginnings and ends of relationships. When you're a teenager, that's all you have. There is no middle."
The band has not strayed too much from that formula but that Unplugged moment of tear drenched teenager screaming along to the songs has passed. Carraba is going for it with this record. It's a sure bet to say he's got it.
This record has a part Taking Back Sunday and part Onelinedrawing feel to it. It does not necessarily sound like both or either, but it picks up on the same vibes that those bands give off.
Dashboard Confessional is reborn and it's pretty damned exciting. The band's survived the indie scene, the commercial arena, and now they're back with full reign to do it their own way.
"A Mark" is a worthy record and will make fans out of all Carraba haters.
As John Doe of the punk band X once said, "It's just a guy making fucking music. I don't see what the big deal is."
This album is bound to go platinum and earn critical praise from both mainstream and independent circles.
Carraba's in control and there's nothing to worry about.
There, I said it. Are you happy?