Dashboard Confessional
Alter the Ending
Interscope
November 10, 2009

By Don Weber

One of the most unique things about Dashboard Confessional’s latest album, Alter the Ending, is the fact that they made a two-CD edition available, which offers a second album of acoustic tracks from all of the first one’s new songs. It may be just a lame way to pick up extra profit, but as an acoustic fan myself, I can’t help but appreciate the logic behind this.

Each song sounds just like Dashboard Confessional’s previous hits, but hey, if you’re a fan you’ll gravitate towards the album regardless. Certainly, a number of these songs will probably take up some radio space come mid-December and into the next decade.

A Dashboard Confessional quality is that they are not glued to one category. This could also be a flaw. The band is considered emo and they do a lot of acoustic rock, but let’s face it, Dashboard Confessional is like most of the other modern alternative bands too. They’ve created an identity by being somewhat of a preppy-emo band.

Nonetheless, Alter the Ending has good songs which are pretty upbeat. They use their own style on the album, and will give their fans what they want. The vocals by Chris Carrabba, who once hailed from West Hartford, are definitely in his fashion. They work well with the guitar and drum beat, as most Dashboard Confessional songs do.

Whether you can admit it or not, Dashboard Confessional is a good band. They do what they do well, and their fans will probably never be let down by a new style. Alter the Ending is just another album that supports their fanbase, and if you like the band check it out.

Even if you simply like one or two of Dashboard’s songs, Alter the Ending is worth listening to. You can just preview it somewhere or listen to a few songs online, but Dashboard Confessional has remained true to form and this album proves it.