Dashboard Confessional

Music
2012

In my quest for discovering new music (new to me anyway) a few years ago I came across a song while listening to Pandora.com that perked up my ears. It was called "Stolen" by a band I had never heard of - Dashboard Confessional. Wow, I thought, that's just good songwriting. Eventually I downloaded the mp3 and put it on my IPod and went on my way. As the song would pop up in the random rotation I would think wow, that's just damn good songwriting.

You see I fancy myself a songwriter too - I have an album coming out soon myself (more on that some other time) - and I am continually amazed at the plethora of good writers out there. Some shine brighter than others, and some can sustain that over the years, album after album. Christopher Carrabba's Dashboard Confessional has done just that.

Dashboard Confessional started as a side project for Carrabba in an effort to become more intimate and personal with his music. With his success a new genre of music was legitimized and has crawled out of the underground. I'm still not exactly sure what Emo is but it is described as a style of rock music characterized by melodic musicianship and expressive, often confessional lyrics. And yes that describes Dashboard Confessional exactly. According to the article on Wikipedia - Emo broke into mainstream culture in the early 2000's with the platinum-selling success of Jimmy Eat World and Dashboard Confessional...

Leaving his band Further Seems Forever to pursue a solo career in the early 2000's Carrabba's first recordings were just him and his guitar. Even then he started to gather a legion of devotees. Later in 2002 the full-length album "The Places You Have Come to Fear the Most" was released and featured a full band on several tracks. From that album the heart-rending single "Screaming Infidelities" found an immediate home on modern rock radio.

By 2003 with a permanent lineup (with bassist Scott Schoenbeck, guitarist/pianist Johnny Lefler, and drummer Mike Marsh) and a new album, "A Mark, a Mission, a Brand, a Scar" Dashboard Confessional was on it's way. The album topped the Billboard charts and spawned another hit single, "Hands Down," which peaked at number eight.

The thing put the band in the spotlight was the inclusion of the song "Vindicated" on 2004's Spider-Man 2 soundtrack. The band now had a wide audience, and a song that rose to number two. The album that featured Vindicated - Dusk and Summer - also featured the hit single "Don't Wait" which really epitomizes the whole emotional nakedness of the genre. Carrabba sets up the listener with a pensive, heartfelt verse then ratchets it up 10 notches as he delivers the punchline chorus:

Don't wait, Don't wait
The road is now a sudden sea
And suddenly, you're deep enough
To lay your armor down
To lay your armor down
To lay your armor down

Over the years Carrabba and Dashboard Confessional have been savaged by the critics. The theme repeats itself over and over claiming Carrabba abandoned the true Emo purity he himself pioneered. As if it is a crime for artists to grow and change from album to album. You know the Beatles abandoned holding hands and Norwegian wood too. While DC may not be your thing the talent here is undeniable.

I find the songwriting - as mentioned, very, very strong - and the performances led by Carrabba's emotive vocals backed by solid rock components make for exciting music with rib-sticking hooks. I find myself humming these tunes long after the final notes fade away.

My favorite tracks are:

• Stolen
• Don't Wait
• Vindicated
• Until Morning
• Belle of the Boulevard
• Hands Down

You can download individual songs on ITunes or Amazon.com's mp3 site. Dashboard Confessional may not be a new act, but there are plenty of new audiences out there to be discovered. Yours truly, having cut my teeth on the sounds of the 1970's, appreciates the new generation of songwriters and in particular Chris Carrabba.


4 of 5 stars


CW

The Script

Music
2012


Being a child of the Classic Rock era I can basically say I'm sick of it. I love 70's music (pre-disco era) more than just about anyone, but I'm needing new musical stimulation. I can consume Classic Rock in small doses, I mean you have to, right?  You wouldn't necessarily take more than a few sips of TJ Swan or Southern Comfort at your age would you?

Indeed, I'm always looking for new music. Using Pandora and some of the other Internet Radio Stations is a great way to find new music. By new I mean the 90's and beyond. Yes, it's true I do not live on the cutting edge so something new to me may actually be yesterday's news.

I found The Script by way of an Internet Radio site called Last.fm. While you listen to a self-created station they always list "similar artists". I think I was listening to Parachute when The Script appeared. I clicked on it and I was hooked.

Their most popular song is probably "Breakeven". It's certainly not breaking any new ground, but it is just so well done and so very, very catchy that it instantly sticks in your head and stays there. The tune/melody is simultaneously familiar and new, the instrumentation upbeat, crisp and affirmative, capturing all the elements of a hit song.

They say bad things happen for a reason
But no wise words gonna stop the bleeding
'Cause she's moved on while I'm still grieving
And when a heart breaks no it don't breakeven even... no

What am I gonna to do when the best part of me was always you,
And what am I supposed to say when I'm all choked up and you're ok
I'm falling to pieces, yeah,
I'm falling to pieces, yeah,
I'm falling to pieces

Vocalist Danny O'Donoghue describes their music as 'celtic soul' - I don't what that is??? Guitarist Marc Sheehan plays in an understated style that never takes over, but does drives the music forward. The first album (self-titled) proved to be an incredible success, topping the charts in serveral countries and establishing the Script as 2008's most popular newcomer. In 2009 Paul McCartney and U2 both put the band on stage to open several of their sold-out shows.

There is a lot of similarity between The Script and Maroon 5. If  I was asked who they sound like it would be them. I'm a fan of both. With their 2nd album Maroon 5 began to fall heavily into pure pop music whereas The Script inhabits what I would call pop rock. 

Some other stellar songs from The Script's 2 major releases include "Nothing", "The Man Who Can't Be Moved" and "For the First Time". You can sample and buy individual songs on ITunes and Amazon.com. While The Script may be old news to you I consider them one the best new bands on my playlist.

Check them out and enjoy!

4 of 5 stars

CW

Matt Nathanson (Live)

Music
2011

Matt Nathanson popped onto the music scene a few years ago with a delightful little ditty called "Come On Get Higher" and has been a favorite on a local radio station in these parts called Cities 97. Matt is, however, far more than a one hit wonder. He's a fine songwriter and a tremendous performer. He is out on tour now supporting his new album called "Modern Love". He's been touring with Maroon 5 and Train this summer as well as headlining his own shows in smaller venues.

We had the chance to see him at the MN State Fair as a warm up act for Maroon 5. He certainly did himself no harm in front of a full house a the State Fair Grandstand. The audience assembled for Maroon 5 was generous and appreciative, but he played only 7 songs. It was a little disappointing to have his set cut so short.

As luck would have it we found that he was headlining a Oct 14th show at Madison Wisconsin's Capitol Theater so we bought tickets a booked a hotel. What a great show!

The concert featured the new album heavily, which was to be expected. Yet, I thought the best, most energetic performances were the handful he did from his breakout album Some Mad Hope. The songs "Wedding Dress" "The Beat of Our Noisy Hearts" "Come On Get Higher" and "All We Are" were pitch perfect.

Matt is also very funny. His show is sprinkled with smart and sometimes racy humor. He could easily do stand up comedy. He had the audience (lots of young women) eating out of his hands. He is known for his comedic skills when he does acoustic sets in very small venues.

My only real disappointment was that he did not play my favorite Matt Nathanson song "Car Crash". Oh well, maybe next time. Oh yes, there will be a next time!

4 of 5 stars

CW

Amar Es Combatir - Mana

Music
2008

"Ojala Pudiera Borrarte" makes my heart light up every time I hear it. I haven't a clue what it's about, but it's simply a beautiful, almost spiritual song for me. I know some have criticized Mana for not breaking any new ground with this album, I disagree. This is their most well rounded album yet. It highlights how versatile these fine writers and musicians really are. Every song was impeccably recorded and yet not so overly processed that I grew tired of it. This is not always true in these days of digital recording.

Mana is an acclaimed rock band from Mexico that came across my radar a few years ago. Although I can make out only a handful of words (I don't speak Spanish) I find the music captivating and original. I have spent time with ¿Dónde Jugarán los Niños? and Cuando los Ángeles Lloran, two albums from the 90's that sharpened my appreciation for this Grammy Award winning band.

On Amar Es Combatir "Labios Compartidos" and "Somos Mar y Arena" round out my three favorite songs. This CD has spent alot of time in the car - excellent driving music. Needless to say I recommend Amar Es Combatir wholeheartedly!

4 of 5 stars

CW

Amnesiac - Radiohead

Music
reviewed in 2008

What a complete disappointment. I bought this CD from the bargain bin and still feel I was ripped off.

I started with the excitement of having some new Radiohead music for my collection since I nearly wore the bits and bytes off my first Radiohead CD, "The Bends". The Bends is spectacular. Amnesiac is not. Sorry, but there is absolutely nothing to say regarding this collection of discomfited sounds and vocal exercises that would be remotely positive. I've said too much already.

1 of 5 stars

CW

Dangerous man - Trace Adkins

Music
reviewed in 2007

I must admit - I don't really like country music, I never have. I understand from friends who do that today's country music isn't really all that country anymore. Maybe that's why I have started to like what I hear...

I bought this CD on the strength of one song and it is decidedly the least country sounding of them all. "I Wanna Feel Something" is just good songwriting and Trace does an excellent job making me feel the emotion behind the lyrics. I guess the song strikes a chord with me because I am getting to the age when most men start to question what they've become and sort of evaluate what's important. Great song, and well done!

The CD sounds great sonically and I find I really like the harder, rockier numbers like Dangerous Man. The lyrics on some of the songs are too macho for me but I tend to think it is done with his tongue planted firmly in his cheek. Face it "Swing" and "Fightin Words" are pretty weak. In contrast the "Stubborn One" and "I Came Here to Live" are really heartfelt and touching.

Trace Adkins seems like a decent sort of fellow and has an interesting life story of his own. To see him breakout and work in TV and movies is quite exciting. While I may never like good 'ole boy country music I'll always have a keen appreciation of Mr. Adkins. 

3 of 5 stars

CW

Winter Pays for Summer - Glen Phillips

Music
2007


I was a huge Toad the Wet Sprocket fan and was depressed when I realized there would be no more Toad albums to look forward to. I kept up with the various members as they moved on and downloaded everything I could find from Glen Phillips and the band Lapdog which consisted Todd, Randy and even Dean for a while. Both entities put out some great music but I eventually lost track of them.

I happened upon "Winter Pays for Summer" and snapped it up. After spending a month or so listening to this album I have to say - it's GREAT! "Duck and Cover" "Finally Fading Out" and "Thankful" are very strong. Phillips lyrics are very good and the richness of the instrumental accompaniment proves that this is no lightweight effort.

I am less infatuated with the slow, moody songs - but then I never liked TTWS slow, moody songs either. The pop song "Falling" is a decent tune but here the lyrics seem lacking. The only song I dislike is "Gather".

Do I think this album is better than TTWS as some have suggested? No, but then is Phil Collins better than Genesis? Nope, not even close. Is Paul McCartney better than the Beatles? Ahem. Is Ozzy Osbourne better than Sabbath? Come on... All kidding aside, there was a rawness about TTWS that I loved; an intangible that is only achieved by the group effort. You can sort of hear it in Lapdog's early releases where most of the old group was still together. All that was missing was the heart - Glen Phillips.

4 of 5 stars

CW

More Than You Think You Are - Matchbox 20

Music
reviewed in 2004

I have to agree with several reviews I've seen - this album is not breaking any new ground. There are a few tunes that grab your attention but have little staying power. I personally like the track "Unwell" but can't get away from the feeling when I listen to "Disease" that I've heard it all before.

Someone once gave me a Faith Hill CD to listen too and it was perfect in every detail, man can the lady sing! You know what? The CD sucked and I never listened to it again. I don't want perfect. I'm afraid MB20 is going down this same road with every offering being sanitized just a little more until they have reached perfection. Back in my day bands like Journey, REO and Jefferson Starship ended up the same way until I couldn't stand them. Let's hope MB20 puts a little more grit and less processing into their future releases. They are a very decent act that could do great things...


3 of 5 stars

CW

Fortress - Sister Hazel

Music 
2004

This is a great album! I thought "Somewhere More Familiar" the band's major label debut was very good and nearly great, Fortress is at the next level.

Sister Hazel came out of Gainsville Florida a few years ago, busting on the scene with a toe tapping jangly guitar sound with the single "All For You". Fine writing and the strong vocals of Ken Block make for an appealing, accessible rock band. Their music while sounding simple and breezy is richly textured and highlights excellent lead guitar work with a solid rhythm section and fine backing vocal harmonies.

Fortress is very well recorded and is a hot sounding album. The bass is heavy and the drums are out front, just like rock and should be. I have three favorites, but every song is strong. I think "Champagne High", "Beautiful Thing" and "Your Winter" are have real depth and soul. Having seen these guys live three or four times now the material from Fortress is highlight of the show for me. I can't recommend this album highly enough!


4 of 5 stars

CW