Dashboard Confessional, 'Alter the Ending'

Release date: November 10, 2009
Record label: Vagrant/Interscope
Official Web site: http://www.dashboardconfessional.com/

The buzz: The face of acoustic, sing-along emo during the early part of the decade, Chris Carrabba and co. have slowly morphed into a more alt-pop, full-on band mode over the last few albums. With “Ending,” the group’s sixth record, DC aim to satisfy fans of both styles by releasing the songs in both acoustic and electric treatments.
 
The verdict: Carrabba’s old trick was injecting the acoustic singer-songwriter role with the moods and tempos of punk—now, when he actually turns his songs into full-on rockers (as he does on the first disc here), he and his bandmates sound like they’re imitating U2 and Jimmy Eat World (or, in the case of “The Motions,” generic '80s New Wave). Anthemic and full of big walls of guitars, yes, but it’s the quieter moments on disc two that truly shine—we’re not sure how “Until Morning” can actually sound bigger as an acoustic number, but it’s definitely the album’s audience pleaser. Overall, record one is good and loud—but record two is great and memorable.
 
Did you know? Carrabba is modeling for Banana Republic’s spring fashion campaign.