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Dashboard Confessional - Dusk & Summer

Reviewed by Beffan | 29/08/2006 - 5:08PM

Thanks to the lovely people from Division Promotions, I was the lucky recipient of a promo copy of Dashboard Confessional's new album. As I have had precious little time to sit and listen to and music properly this summer, I put it on in a mate's car on a drive to Brighton. Despite the sense of melancholy typically featuring in Dashboard's songs, frontman Chris Carrabba's voice just does it so damn well.

First track and the greatly anticipated next single, 'Don't Wait', is such a pretty song (I hate using words such as 'pretty' but there really is no other word for it). The 'power-ballad' is something I usually associate with the 80s and cheesy love songs, mostly film-related. But this is what Dashboard do, and it is truly beautiful.

Second track 'Reason To Believe' has much more gravelly vocals, proving there is almost nothing Carrabba can't do vocally. 'The Secret's In The Telling' blends heavier, full band charged parts, with soft acoustic, almost a capella parts, a trademark of DC's. 'Stolen' is a sweet song, building up to an epic climax, whereas 'Rooftops & Invitations' is the typical soft verses with angstier choruses. 'So Long, So Long' has to be one of my favourite tracks from this album - the piano adds a beautiful texture to the song, and Carrabba's lyrics are as heartfelt as ever. 'Currents' is a powerful song, as is 'Slow Decay'. Title track 'Dusk & Summer' has its charms but i feel it may be the weakest track on the CD. 'Heaven Here', though the intent is pure, the backing music is a little grinding after a while, and the synths feel a little forced. Bonus Track, 'Vindicated', was originally released last year for the Spiderman (2?) OST, and has made it onto the album, tacked onto the end. It is a very good song, however, and makes for a pleasurable end to an album with few flaws ("But I am cleaning up so well...")

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