Dashboard Confessional
MTV Unplugged
On Sale Now
For $12.98

I have already had the privilege of reviewing Dashboard Confessional’s first major debut The Places You Have Come to Fear the Most and more recently, their new MTV Unplugged release. Let me first start by saying that I was tentative in approaching this review due to the fact that I have long believed that after Nirvana got Unplugged, MTV might as well have ended the series. Who was going to follow that up? However as I listened most pleasurably to Dashboard’s unplugged performance I was indeed impressed and shocked.

Dashboard Confessional (DC) led by Chris Carrabba on vocals and backed up by John Lefler (Guitar/Piano), Dan Bonebrake (Bass) and Mike Marsh (Drums), were quite obviously in their element. I am sure this was everything and more than what MTV could have expected. This was how “acoustic rock” should be played. By that I mean to say that every band should essentially create its own little genre or niche outside of a main category. In this case we have “acoustic rock”. Without it you sound unoriginal and can’t expect to last very long. A perfect example recently would be with all the Korn wanna-be’s who have sprung up in the last few years like Linkin Park, Crazy Town and Disturbed.

Acoustic Rock is music that is not meant to be trapped in a studio- it needs room to breathe. Even through my radio speakers Chris was able to instill a palpable sense of urgency within me through his music. I was particularly moved by track 11 “The Brilliant Dance” with its deafened guitars and amplified vocals supported by a handful of adoring fans. It gradually gets louder and louder until it explodes with emotion. What I most admire about Chris is that regardless of what he is singing about you feel like it is something important to him and thusly you are affected so. Passion is what separates one-hit wonders from superstars and this is a trait you see exemplified on this record. Listen to track 3 “Remember to Breathe” and try not to be empathetic to Chris. All gayness aside- “Chris, do you need a hug?” An ability to connect with your audience through a medium such as music is a wonderful talent. Sure I would describe DC’s music as angst-driven college rock, but this is not to say I can’t relate. I was a huge fan of Rage Against the Machine not because I’m a radical but because they sang with such great conviction, as Chris does. For just four people, they make a big sound.

One of the joys of the album is listening to the crowd’s appreciation of the band. In most every song they take it upon themselves to be back-up singers. As a whole they sound quite reminiscent of the kids featured in the background of songs like P.O.D.’s “Youth of a Nation” or the Who’s “Baba O’Riley”. Quite often a good portion of the songs are sang entirely by the crowd and leaves me to wonder “how did MTV get an entire crowd that knows all the words to Dashboard Confessional’s songs?” I thought it would be easier to find 5 people who like Yanni. Either way though initially annoying the sound is infectious and makes a nice ring in my ears.

If there is one thing that left me disappointed it was Chris’ lack of interaction with the crowd. I would have liked it if he spent a little more time explaining the inspiration of such songs as “Screaming Infidelities” or “The Brilliant Dance”. Doing such things makes it so much easier for a fan to connect with the band. For example, on track 9 “Living in your Letters” he barely mentions that the song is about someone who he cries about a lot. Well, it just so happens that having gone through a long-distance relationship myself, I can relate to what he’s singing about. When he does that he creates something tangible and makes the songs mean more. On a side note this is a warm, heartfelt song and performed with a good deal of spirit.

I hope you didn’t read this review to gain insight into individual songs as my primary intention was describe their live-performing abilities. If you want to read about the music check my other review on Modernrock.com. With that in mind, in terms of this live show, I would have to say I was blown away. I can honestly say that I wish I was there. To reiterate, this is music that is most effective beyond the boundaries of a recording studio as is proven here. As I ended my last DC review, again I say if you want to hear someone absolutely rock on an acoustic guitar, buy this record at modernrock.com today. Based on MTV Unplugged shows, if I were to rate this album (which comes with a DVD of the performance) on a scale of fingers, I’d give it a pinky, ring, middle, index and half of a thumb. I liked The Places You Have Come to Fear the Most but I loved it Unplugged.

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