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Dashboard Confessional
Alter The Ending
Campus Correspondent Review By Eric Ridenour,
Pima College
Long time Dashboard fans pay attention. This album is a surprising merger of the folky, older solo musician sound mixed with the newer, emo-pop aura of its last two albums. While the over production and synth is still strong on Alter the Ending (DGC), there are a few jewels in the bunch.
The album begins with “Get Me Right,” a wonderful meld of newer and older styles, which is a pattern that should have been kept up throughout the album. Unfortunately what follows is either very stripped down or very over done. “Belle Of The Boulevard” and “Even Now” follow, both strong tracks strung in the simpler fashion that made Dashboard great. “Blame It On The Changes” and “The Motions” are directed more toward the newer fans and are full of effects and bravado.
While all the lyrics are still the signature “I am not happy with my less than perfect relationship,” the only real problem with the album is the overall conflicted state of the band. Dashboard is trying very hard to bridge the gap between those who made it what it is and those who will keep the band there. If the group will only decide where it wants to be and stay there, there is some promise. Catering to too many crowds only causes a loss of artistic vision and worth.
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