Christopher Carrabba’s latest effort is this, a 4 track Ep entitled ‘So Impossible EP’. Well, I don’t know about you, but for me $8 seems a bit much for such a short record; especially as for that price a perfectly good 74 minutes sampler could be bought. For those of you who aren’t familiar with the works of Dashboard Confessional, it’s about as emoey ™ as music can possibly get. We’re talking accoustic guitar, lone vocals (most of the time) and strings added for increased tear-jerking effect – not an electric guitar in sight.
Anyway onto the first quarter of the CD (or should I say first track), ‘For You to Notice’ starts as the Ep goes on; soft guitar and string skipping, with similarly soft vocals strolling along at the side of the guitar. Around 1 minute 20 the song gathers pace, as does Chris, with the transition from smooth to louder smooth seeming almost inconsequential without the presence of a distorted guitar; still, an accoustic artist this is, and as such this technique seems to work relatively well. Once again a crescendo enters the room around 3:30 and the vocals become far more desperate, before coming to a disturbingly dignified end.
‘So Impossible’ starts with what can only be described as a line of such pathetic lyrical ability that it makes me cringe; ‘So she says – everyone’s gone to the party, will you come If I come’ – please; artist innovation must have been in short supply at this point. Add to this the use of guitar is similarly uninspiring and one track, don’t make this a highlight of the 4 song wonder.’Remember to breathe’ comes around and I can swear i’ve heard the monotonous strumming somewhere before; that’s right! It was on the last two tracks as well! nothing new here then, apart from a sadness intoxicated wail from Carrabba near the end; it isn’t enough to instill our sympathy though and track 4 comes around all too quickly. Luckily, it is better than the two previous efforts, and ‘Hands Down‘ starts with a far more complex guitar pattern and bolder vocals; making this the strongest song on the EP, ending on a repeated and far from serene ‘and you meant it, and you meant it’ It didn’t bring a feeling of resolve however, more a feeling of Thank-fuck-it’s-over.
So what appeal does this CD have? No doubt Dashboard Confessional fans will lap it up, hailing this as genius; but it doesn’t even compare to other single accoustic offerings from bands such as Yellowcard, No use for a name or even Blink, who haven’t devoted their time entirely to the production of an accoustic record, but to whom well crafted and meaningful songs seem to come far more easily.
nick