So what is 'emo' anyway? It's that tiresome old debate as to what tugs at the heartstrings and what doesn't I guess. Either way, mention the 'e' word and 9 out of 10 backpack sporting sensitive types will say the words 'Dashboard' and 'Confessional' right back at you. Purveyors of the Starbucks 'emo' generation, otherwise known as 'mall-punk' or whatever the mainstream mags will lead you to believe, Chris Carrabba and company are easily the biggest known band in the genre. And this release kind of proves that. Yep, it's an MTV Unplugged.
Whether you are a DC fan or not, this is an impressive release, and kudos to Vagrant for putting out a CD and a DVD for the price of one. Basically a greatest hits set of solo stuff and a few numbers complete with backing band, you can watch the 'great' man at work and then whack the cd on in the car to re-live the memories. In terms of value for money, this gets 5 stars. But of course it's the songs that matter and in the most part they are good. I was always a Dashboard cynic, that was until I saw them live and got sucked in by all the hype. A powerful storyteller, but often a little too soppy, Chris certainly seems to hold some sway over his audience. At times he is drowned out by the 100 or so who sit around him, coffee-shop style. They sing along to every word - every single word - and Chris often breaks off to let them have the limelight. It's this dedication and devotion that is strangely compelling.
For me Dashboard are a band that are great to relax to. I could listen to them in the bath or as background music, but it's not something that is going to get my blood pumping. The likes of 'The Best Deceptions' are great singalong songs, but you do question just how much of this alleged emotion is indeed real. Still, powerful voice, fantastic guitars and a great song. 'Remember To Breathe' is a slower number and in my book isn't as good as the stuff that grabs you and forces you to sing along, such as 'The Good Fight', which is a classic song, whichever way you look at it. Featuring the fantastic "I begged you not to go, I begged you, I pleaded..." line, it's the one and only DC song that I can say touches me. Call me a wuss if you want...
The 'So Impossible' EP disappointed me and the track of the same name is one that I tend to skip on this album, both on CD and the DVD. 'The Places You Have Come To Fear The Most' is better because the tempo pushes on, and of course it's vivid and detailed lyrically. Chris does have a good voice, at times hauntingly so, especially in 'The Brilliant Dance' where he pushes it to desperation levels. Indeed the track starts the descent towards the end with four fantastic tracks in a row. 'Screaming Infidelities' and 'Saints and Sailors' are both great songs - and I'm not even ashamed to say it. But it's the penultimate 'Again I Go Unnoticed' and the finale of 'Hands Down' which spark a mass singalong from the crowd and sees Chris at his most passionate. It's difficult not to believe him when the songs are as good as this.
I guess you're a Dashboard fan or you're not, there's little middle ground. Either way, this is well worth checking out because it's tremendous value for money. Better than any of his single releases, and with a free DVD, it's a great starting point. You may well discard this as garbage, but then again, maybe you'll end up sucked in by the hype too...
www.dashboardconfessional.com
Paul
