If there is one thing that sets this disk apart from the last four thousand acoustic-driven albums that have come out in the last hour it is this: Carrabba shatters the assumption that "acoustic" means "folk music". Bravo! Dashboard Confessional's latest full-length is testament to the fact that you don't have to emulate Bob Dylan (eat that David Gray) to write stuff that would do well on MTV Unplugged. If Jim Adkins stopped all that emo picking and kept the I'm-sad-because-every-girl-in-the-world-screws-me-over thing, this could have been a Jimmy Eat World release at one time. In other words, there is a lot of emotion and lyrical brilliance on this album. The latter statement would pack more punch if you readers knew me personally. I DO NOT listen to lyrics unless it's Bono or Blake Schwartzenbach from Jawbreaker's lyrics. But somehow, this Carrabba guy had me saying "heck ya, I've felt like that". Wow. I couldn't believe that I made a connection with words. I'm usually listening for tones and crap like that. Surprisingly, Dashboard avoids the monotony that typically accompanies an instrumentally limited production like this. Each song has a fresh new feel. One of the best albums I've reviewed for Decapolis. In fact, I would consider this disk a gift from the editor.
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Other coverage for this album
The Rebel Base 2001Reviewed by AmberDashboard Confessional is basically one guy with a guitar and some extra "background" people added in, which makes this an excellent solo effort. You may recognize Dashboard's main man, Chris Carrabba. He broke away from emo/punk band Further Seems Forever and this is what resulted, Dashboard Confessional. This album is mainly based on love and heartbreak. The album starts with "The Brilliant…Decapolis 2001Reviewed by Tom BastianPart of me wishes Chris Carrabba was still with Further Seems Forever. But another part of me is happy that Dashboard Confessional is doing so well. Actually "so well" doesn't even seem to begin to explain how well Chris's Dashboard Confessional is doing. Starting out on Fiddler Records, then moving onto Drive-Thru Records (MCA) then finally ending up on Vagrant Records, Dashboard has something…Decapolis 2001Reviewed by Nate BaileyThe follow-up album to "Swiss Army Romance," this newest release from Dashboard Confessional is fantastic. If you haven't heard Dashboard Confessional before, it's the project of one main guy Chris Carrabba and is predominately acoustic guitar. This time around the music features more drum and bass accompaniment than the first, but if you think that changes things negatively, think again. The…The Phantom Tollbooth 2001Reviewed by Ken MuellerHave you ever had your heart ripped out and stomped on? Have you ever been dumped big time? Have you ever had someone you are deeply in love with cheat on you? Ever been told "I only want to be friends, I'm not ready for a relationship?" If so, then you will either love this disc or want to stay away from it at all costs. Chris Carrabba, the driving force behind Dashboard Confessional, has…Similar sounding releases
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