- Audio CD (3 July 2006)
- Number of Discs: 1
- Label: Vagrant/Hassle
- ASIN: B000G73SM4
- Other Editions: Audio CD | MP3 Download
- Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 76,785 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
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Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
While usually lumped in with the sensitive souls of emotional hardcore, Dashboard Confessional – the stage name of Conneticut-born singer-songwriter Chris Carrabba – has traditionally cut a much more intimate, acoustic-tinged furrow. Dusk And Summer, however, sees Carrabba spirit up a much denser, rockier instrumentation that should see long-term fans harking back to his '90s outfit, Further Seems Forever. Is Chris risking it all, leaving his own introspective headspace and traipsing back to the crowded landscape of US rock? Not necessarily – 'Rooftops And Invitations' makes a decent fist of melding a balladry of passion and restraint with some pluming, U2-style dynamics, while 'Don't Wait' proves that the acoustic guitar still lies at the centre of the Dashboard design. Fans should also cock an ear to 'So Long So Long', a hushed piano duet with Adam Duritz of Counting Crows with a lyric that plays to their collective talent for misty-eyed nostalgia: "How the girls can turn to ghosts before your eyes/ And the very dreams that led to them are keeping them from dying". Newcomers might want to start elsewhere - Dusk And Summer is far from representative of their style – but if each Dashboard album is a page in Carrabba's own personal journal, it's clear there's still many pages to be written. --Louis Pattison
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
The sign of a good band is to leave you with the impression of infinite possibilities when you finish the album. Dashboard certainly left me with that feeling after their last two releases, the acoustic `The Places You Have Come To Fear The Most' and the following electric `A Mark, A Mission, A Brand, A Scar.'
Whilst falling fairly clearly into the emo (without the screamo) genre `The Places....' forced you to concentrate on the lyrics and being entirely acoustic gave a unique chilled out offering. What way would they go when they plugged in and rocked out?
`A Mark, A Mission...' saw them plug in and was another great album but still seemed a little restrained, 'Hands Down' being the rockiest track and perhaps the closest to what would be expected from that genre. Despite great hooks and great lyrics they still seemed to be holding something back. There seemed more to offer, which is why the new album was so eagerly awaited.
To be honest `Dusk & Summer' was originally a bit of a surprise. OK, so there is the balladeering prevalent in the previous two albums, but I somehow expected more of the `Hands Down,' up tempo, tracks to balance it out. But that is what separates DC from the pack, they are clearly distinct and do not succumb to the urge to be the next Jimmy Eat World or Something Corporate. They are DC.
The new album has bucketfuls of melody, but is generally a slow grower. At first listen it all seems much of a muchness, but after a few listens you establish each songs lyrical hooks and dynamic. The vocals are strong too and the songs throughout seem more complete. Production is more full on than it has been before.
I'm not going to review song by song because it would only be misleading if I tried to compare it to other songs they have released. The important thing is to give it a few listens and not get put off by the fact that is all sounds a bit samey at first listen. Having said that the track with Adam Duritz helping out on vocals 'So Long, So Long' is worth the purchase alone!!
(For the older generation, familiar with the 1980's think of John Waite/Bad English/ Boston/Survivoresque American melodic rock ballads with more obviously heartfelt, imaginative and personal lyrics and a bit more variety).
As far as the future is concerned, I'm still filled with that thought of infinite possibilities. Let's hope the band are.
Whilst falling fairly clearly into the emo (without the screamo) genre `The Places....' forced you to concentrate on the lyrics and being entirely acoustic gave a unique chilled out offering. What way would they go when they plugged in and rocked out?
`A Mark, A Mission...' saw them plug in and was another great album but still seemed a little restrained, 'Hands Down' being the rockiest track and perhaps the closest to what would be expected from that genre. Despite great hooks and great lyrics they still seemed to be holding something back. There seemed more to offer, which is why the new album was so eagerly awaited.
To be honest `Dusk & Summer' was originally a bit of a surprise. OK, so there is the balladeering prevalent in the previous two albums, but I somehow expected more of the `Hands Down,' up tempo, tracks to balance it out. But that is what separates DC from the pack, they are clearly distinct and do not succumb to the urge to be the next Jimmy Eat World or Something Corporate. They are DC.
The new album has bucketfuls of melody, but is generally a slow grower. At first listen it all seems much of a muchness, but after a few listens you establish each songs lyrical hooks and dynamic. The vocals are strong too and the songs throughout seem more complete. Production is more full on than it has been before.
I'm not going to review song by song because it would only be misleading if I tried to compare it to other songs they have released. The important thing is to give it a few listens and not get put off by the fact that is all sounds a bit samey at first listen. Having said that the track with Adam Duritz helping out on vocals 'So Long, So Long' is worth the purchase alone!!
(For the older generation, familiar with the 1980's think of John Waite/Bad English/ Boston/Survivoresque American melodic rock ballads with more obviously heartfelt, imaginative and personal lyrics and a bit more variety).
As far as the future is concerned, I'm still filled with that thought of infinite possibilities. Let's hope the band are.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
This is a really good album, and any dashboard fans shouldn't even need to think twice about buying it, such is the high quality of the material on offer here. "Don't Wait", "So Long, So Long" and "Dusk and Summer" are standout tracks - the former sounding more like Further Seems Forever (Carrabba's earlier band) and the latter moving back towards the earlier Dashboard album.
The problem is, for me at least, the appeal of Dashboard comes in the acoustic and raw emotion of his songs. Albums like the Swiss Army Romance and Places You Have Come to Fear... are uniquely catchy but theres also a certain genuinity in their simplicity. Dusk and Summer is a great album, superior to A Mark, A Mission.. but I can't help feeling that Carrabba has made the mistake of over-producing his work and including too many elements when just an acoustic guitar would have done the job.
However, this gripe is unlikely to bother newer fans of Dashboard, and this is a great album to start with. It is upbeat, sing-along emo-rock at its best with great lyrics and Carrabba's typically strong and emotionally wraught vocals. The opener is still the best track for me, but the album is consistent in its quality and while it may not be as appealing to some as Carrabba's earlier, more acoustic work, it still manages to avoid most of the mainstream pitfalls that make many bands sound indifferent.
Here's hoping Carrabba can build on the success and popularity of his origins, his age when asked to perform on MTV unplugged shows that this is where his real audience lies, but that aside, this is a very enjoyable record and will hopefully bring Dashboard Confessional the limelight that they deserve.
The problem is, for me at least, the appeal of Dashboard comes in the acoustic and raw emotion of his songs. Albums like the Swiss Army Romance and Places You Have Come to Fear... are uniquely catchy but theres also a certain genuinity in their simplicity. Dusk and Summer is a great album, superior to A Mark, A Mission.. but I can't help feeling that Carrabba has made the mistake of over-producing his work and including too many elements when just an acoustic guitar would have done the job.
However, this gripe is unlikely to bother newer fans of Dashboard, and this is a great album to start with. It is upbeat, sing-along emo-rock at its best with great lyrics and Carrabba's typically strong and emotionally wraught vocals. The opener is still the best track for me, but the album is consistent in its quality and while it may not be as appealing to some as Carrabba's earlier, more acoustic work, it still manages to avoid most of the mainstream pitfalls that make many bands sound indifferent.
Here's hoping Carrabba can build on the success and popularity of his origins, his age when asked to perform on MTV unplugged shows that this is where his real audience lies, but that aside, this is a very enjoyable record and will hopefully bring Dashboard Confessional the limelight that they deserve.
3 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
That first review was really not helpful! Ok, so Chris has moved away from his usual acoustic act which might upset some but in order to make a great artist you have to move forward musically and I think Dashboard have done this with this album! Whilst it took me a few listens I think this is an album of genius! Songs such as Rooftops and Invitations, Currents and Don't Wait leave you with a feeling like any other! It's as though they are the soundtrack to my summer already! I think Dashboard have done more than enough on this album to convince me that they are still here and still making awesome music. Roll on Reading so I can see them do this live!!!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Dusk and summer- Truly amazing!
I think it's fair to say i may be slightly biased given i love all of Chris Carrabba's music but this album is no exception. Read more
Published on 18 Mar 2007 by Craig Silcock
a blip?
I really really like DC, I love the winey tone to Chris Carrabba's voice and I love he lyrics and the way he delivers them, I love all the dashboard albums I own... Read more
Published on 11 Oct 2006 by Danielle
It's an evolution
I don't know how hells could say what he said as a supposed 'fan' of Dashboard Confessional. If this is what Chris has made this is what Chris wants to make. Read more
Published on 10 Oct 2006 by Joe Depeche
As a Tiesto Fan i have to say im blown away!!!................
this album is the best album i have heared this decade! i normally listen to electronic\trance\electro but i gave this a chance and i was not disapointed at all! Read more
Published on 29 Aug 2006 by Mr. Wa Robinson
The Risk Paid Off
I don't have any other D,C albums (yet), but after hearing the single Don't Wait I decided to buy it. And I am so glad I did, this album is great! Read more
Published on 29 July 2006 by CrazyBlue
I want to poke my eyes out...
Firstly, if you're thinking about buying this - don't. I'd be the first one to say buy everything dashboard has ever done, but this album is such a disappointment. Read more
Published on 12 July 2006 by Hells*
A welcome return
As a long-time fan of Dashboard Confessional I have been desperate to hear their new material. I knew they had a lot to live up to - their previous albums have never left my... Read more
Published on 10 July 2006 by Mr. D. J. Lord
Dusk & Summer
Dusk and Summer -- a cohesive album divergent from the modern-rock collection of songs on 2003's A Mark, a Brand, a Mission, a Scar -- finds Dashboard Confessional's path to... Read more
Published on 5 July 2006 by A. Rowlinson
Good for playing all summer until way after dusk
If you like music by groups like Keane, Coldplay and Hoobastank, and pop/rock ballads send you into seventh heaven, you'll love this Dashboard Confessional album. Read more
Published on 4 July 2006 by Amanda Richards
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