So it’s unlikely that my birthday wish would happen. :|

I fear I’ll go crazy if I leave your side.
-As Lovers Go, Dashboard Confessional

It’s that time of year again where writers and editors alike scramble to piece together coherent lists of the albums that shone the brightest over the past 12 months.  Personally I find these lists extremely difficult since I always, always, always leave one or two essential albums out that for some reason didn’t cross my mind when I searched through all the dark crevices to find the music that meant the most to me.

Alternative Press took things a step further by providing a list of the Top Ten Singles of the Decade.  The results are void of many of the scene bands that grace the covers of their pages these days and reflect an era of music most prominent when I was in high school, so much so I felt the need to comment on each song and it’s relevance to me personally and how I see it fitting into to influential music.

10. Thursday – “Understanding In A Car Crash” – I am very excited to see Thursday on the list, especially this track.  Thursday changed the way music was played, incorporating elements of various styles into their post-punk poetry.  Their songs were decidedly darker than their contemporaries mostly thanks to unfortunate circumstances in vocalist Geoff Rickly’s personal life.  What they created was something so beautiful its impact is something that will forever resonate with me.  Musically, they are some of the most talented people I have ever heard, weaving intricacies around lyrics that shatter my heart, creating an eager dependency.  Their influence is something not recognized in the modern derivative of this style of music, and perhaps this is simultaneously also the biggest punk disappointment of the decade.
9. Jimmy Eat World – “The Middle” – I fell in love with Jimmy Eat World when I first discovered the album Clarity, a record that solidified so much those feelings of being lost and those confusions about love.  It’s beautiful and heart-wrenching and easily one of my favourite albums of all time.  The selected track is from their record Bleed American and arguably that song that made them a household name.  And this is a song that will also forever speak to me because it is very much about not believing in yourself, it’s about losing yourself while attempting to find yourself, but ultimately it’s really about standing up for yourself.  It’s about not giving up.  It’s about acceptance of self.  For a sad song, it’s so full of hope and sometimes hope in music is all we ever need.
8. My Chemical Romance – “Helena” – When I think of My Chemical Romance two memories come to mind.  The first of the time they played the Kool Haus with the Used, a show I attended with my good friend Shyla back when we were young and full of rockstar dreams.  While I was never religiously into My Chem, I always really liked them.  The second memory is when I attended Bamboozle in ‘07 and watching their theatrical version of their hit single “Welcome to the Black Parade” with the company of a few great girls.  This song is so terrific, with piano that reminds me of Meat Loaf songs that thus remind me of when I was young.  With an intro so epic, I have no choice but to post the video here:

7. Dashboard Confessional – “Screaming Infidelities” – Dashboard is often associated with being one of the first mainstream emo bands, but they remind me of this girl I used to know named Elizabeth.  In fact, Elizabeth introduced me to a lot of the music that later greatly influenced me as a music lover and as someone trying to make sense in a crazy world.  “Screaming Infidelities” is one of Dashboard’s most well known songs, but I much prefer “Hands Down” as their best single and “The Sharp Hint Of New Tears” as one of their best songs.  They allowed it to be okay for grown men to cry about their girlfriends, and whether you love them or hate them for this their influence and presence cannot be denied.  Not only has it helped shape an entire movement of music, but it’s also helped get a lot of losers laid.
6. The Postal Service – “Such Great Heights” – I totally agree with this song choice because this is one of the most amazing songs I know and it is always stuck in my head.  This song really put Ben Gibbard on the map as an important multi-dimensional songwriter, as his other project Death Cab for Cutie was already successful. I love the way the lyrics wind around the meanings in this song, which is constructed almost like a Weakerthans song.  This band allowed indie electronic rock to be welcomly incorporated into the punk scene.  As much as I love them, I feel the modern bands who try to encapsulate this raw, innovative energy are actually partially responsible for the decline in the Warped Tour style of punk rock, as more and more electric music seeps into the scene.  However, I do not put this blame on the Postal Service at all.
5. Taking Back Sunday – “Cute Without The ‘E’ (Cut From The Team)” – Taking Back Sunday came onto the scene as a breath of fresh air, with a new way of displaying their ideas.  Catchy, swinging lyrics and melodies laced with spite and conviction, they were in a league of their own that roped me in right away and continues to harness my love.  They too faced their share of Long Island drama, silly affairs that lead to some of the best songs and shows I know.  Behind sugary sweet vocals were battle scars that slowly crept more and more into the music, solidifying my connection to this music and warping them slowly into deeper and darker musical avenues.  This band never got the true respect they deserved, so thank you AP for including them in the list.
4. Fall Out Boy – “Sugar, We’re Goin’ Down” - Back before Pete Wentz entirely ruined Fall Out Boy’s authenticity (even though he writes the majority of the lyrics), they were making waves for their unique style of song writing.  Off their debut album From Under the Cork Tree, this song encapsulates the rise of poppy emo bands in the mainstream.  Since there are way too many politics in punk rock, this band also divided people into emo lovers and punk lovers, and those who sided with this album were also often discredited.  However, their impact tells it’s own story.  They were one of the firsts to name songs with obnoxiously long titles, my favourites being “A Little Less Sixteen Candles, A Little more Touch Me,” “”I Slept with Someone in Fall Out Boy and All I Got Was This Stupid Song Written about Me”  and personal favourite “I’ve Got a Dark Alley and a Bad Idea That Says You Should Shut Your Mouth (Summer Song).”  They embraced their image and continue to hone it without sacrificing their ideas and visions.  I respect them for this, especially considering they do put on a stellar live show.
3. Jimmy Eat World – “Sweetness” - Also from Bleed American, I feel this spot definitely should have gone to Brand New. Brand New created a dramatic, cult following that was still apparent in their two sold-out Toronto shows this past weekend.  If TBS is on the list, BN should be too.  Brand New continually changed the way I personally looked at music in terms of development, and I mean this in both positive and negative ways.  Their earlier material wasn’t that amazing, but they still could have put “Mix Tape” or “Soco Amaretto Lime” in here.  It is hard to deny their influence, especially on Deja Entendu and the Devil and God Are Raging Inside Me. Did someone have a memory lapse?  Brand New seems like a no-brainer to me for an AP list.
2. My Chemical Romance – “I’m Not Okay (I Promise)” -  Another great song by My Chem, but perhaps the people at AP couldn’t think of other bands (Tight deadlines? Too much on the Go?).  Really they have only named eight bands as the most influential over the past decade, where I feel a spot could and should have gone to acts like Propaghandi, Rise Against, AFI, Greenday or even Blink 182.  What about the Get Up Kids?  Or Bright Eyes? Or Alkaline Trio?  Or Thrice? Or Rancid??? So many influential and important artists were not included in an otherwise fabulous list and thus I’m going to have to disregard this allotment.  I really do not think My Chem deserves two places.
1. At The Drive-In – “One Armed Scissor” – I love At the Drive-In, but I was never in love with them, especially this song.  While I appreciate their infusion of ambiance and understand their cultural significance and impact on modern artists, I don’t know if they warrant the number one position.  Musically, they are above many of their contemporaries, with an understanding of song construction that likens them back to psychedelic ’70s music and with that same post-punk neuroticism mastered by Thursday.  I cannot deny their significance, but I would agree more with this award had I experienced that connection with them like I did other acts on this list or even the acts I mentioned that weren’t featured on this list.  I like to think I have really good tastes, but they never captured my heart in the same fashion as other bands in this era.

Reading over my reflections on each song, it’s crazy to realize the impact music has on an individual and how certain songs or certain bands are symbiotic with precise moments in our lives.  They remind us of times we came out triumphant and of times we couldn’t stop feeling lost.  They give us hope when nothing else will and they make us feel like we belong when we feel lonely.  They create community, they divide community, they have the power to make us want more out of life, to make us become better people, and also the power to destroy.  Music allows us to see things and experience things we may not otherwise have and it allows us to reflect on life in an intelligent, intimate way.  It can alter our moods from happy to sad, from sad to happy depending on the connotations it stirs up within each individual.  It truly is one of the most powerful and beautiful of all creations.

Chris Carrabba from Dashboard Confessional played at Propaganda in Lake Worth, FL

I don’t make friends to benefit myself. I make and keep friends because they make me laugh, think, and work harder at improving myself both physically and mentally.

But occasionally those friendships manifest themselves into rare opportunities.

One such friend, Stephanie, sent me a cryptic text message on Friday saying: “You’re coming with me Sunday night. Don’t make plans but I can’t tell you where we’re going.”

She had me; I was intrigued.

Steph and I are friends on a personal and professional level. Namely when we aren’t talking about men, movies, and music we are discussing our jobs at the newspaper.

I thought this meant that we were good enough friends that she could trust me to keep a secret.

Negative.

No amount of begging, whining, or threatening to dock her pay got her to fess up. Annoying? Very.

But that secret got me standing right next to Chris Carrabba from Dashboard Confessional yesterday, lovingly placing my hand on his sweaty backside.

The lead singer and guitarist for the nationally known band played an hour-long, acoustic set.

The show was awesome but that’s not even worth explaining here. Just know that Chris Carrabba now knows my name.

I know he’ll call me one day, even if I don’t wear I’m not anorexic, wear a dress, and give him “I want you” eyes all night long.

If you’re curious about what the actual performance go to www.maggish.com to read my review and see Stephanie’s photo gallery. You can read, admire, and pretend that you were there with us.

Ah, America. We must celebrate our coming into being this week! We do that by stuffing ourselves!! Too cool! All other countries, just ignore the following, and move on the the reviews. But for you Americans, remember to thank yourself for being so cool and welcoming my awesome reviews pretty much every week. I know how much you readers sit in wait for my next post. Oh boy, you say to yourselves, what amazing releases we he hip us to next? Well, you all just need to calm down. I want to THANK YOU for caring, and reading, and occasionally commenting. It rocks! See ya soon!

Jay Farrar and Benjamin Gibbard – One Fast Move Or I’m Gone: Jack Kerouac’s Big Sur – *** – Sorry to all the smarties out there, but I am not too familiar with Jack Kerouac, I mean I know who he is, just haven’t read any of his stuff. But, lucky for me, I don’t care about lyrics that much anyways. And the music on this is solid. Very California sounding, whatever that means.

Kings of Convenience – Declaration of Dependence – ***1/2 – Great to hear these guys again, and glad to see they’ve still got it. This is classic Kings of Convenience, heartfelt songs, the almost whispered vocal delivery, and the unique but compelling melodies. Great!

The Spinto Band – Slim & Slender EP – *** – Almost too short to even call an EP, these 4 songs show that the band has more in store for us. Also includes a great cover of Brazil, which is always a good addition in my book.

Weezer – Raditude – *** – Not sure what to say about this. I think there are some great moments when they are just being themselves. But when they start adding rap elements, Indian music, whatnot, I just feel uncomfortable. And perhaps they have oversimplified, but at the same time, I don’t need complicated elements to enjoy something. I just think the enjoyment won’t last as long as previous albums.

Dashboard Confessional – Alter The Ending – *** – Solid effort from this band. I think they are less focused now on the message of their songs, and are more focused on the musicality of it all. Some songs go on a bit too long, but there are some definite bright moments in this album.

Ah, America. We must celebrate our coming into being this week! We do that by stuffing ourselves!! Too cool! All other countries, just ignore the following, and move on the the reviews. But for you Americans, remember to thank yourself for being so cool and welcoming my awesome reviews pretty much every week. I know how much you readers sit in wait for my next post. Oh boy, you say to yourselves, what amazing releases we he hip us to next? Well, you all just need to calm down. I want to THANK YOU for caring, and reading, and occasionally commenting. It rocks! See ya soon!

Jay Farrar and Benjamin Gibbard – One Fast Move Or I’m Gone: Jack Kerouac’s Big Sur – *** – Sorry to all the smarties out there, but I am not too familiar with Jack Kerouac, I mean I know who he is, just haven’t read any of his stuff. But, lucky for me, I don’t care about lyrics that much anyways. And the music on this is solid. Very California sounding, whatever that means.

Kings of Convenience – Declaration of Dependence – ***1/2 – Great to hear these guys again, and glad to see they’ve still got it. This is classic Kings of Convenience, heartfelt songs, the almost whispered vocal delivery, and the unique but compelling melodies. Great!

The Spinto Band – Slim & Slender EP – *** – Almost too short to even call an EP, these 4 songs show that the band has more in store for us. Also includes a great cover of Brazil, which is always a good addition in my book.

Weezer – Raditude – *** – Not sure what to say about this. I think there are some great moments when they are just being themselves. But when they start adding rap elements, Indian music, whatnot, I just feel uncomfortable. And perhaps they have oversimplified, but at the same time, I don’t need complicated elements to enjoy something. I just think the enjoyment won’t last as long as previous albums.

Dashboard Confessional – Alter The Ending – *** – Solid effort from this band. I think they are less focused now on the message of their songs, and are more focused on the musicality of it all. Some songs go on a bit too long, but there are some definite bright moments in this album.

Augh, FML. Seriously. Why is there so much homework for me to do this weekend? Why is my freaking psych professor assigning the normal homework along with the gigantic semester paper? Totally unfair. I seriously should have made more time for this stuff during the week, but the thing is…even if I knew it was going to be like this, I guarantee I wouldn’t have worked on it before Friday at the earliest. I’m so lazy. Lol…it’s a “conditioned response.” THIS STUFF IS SO BORING. But at least I understand it a little better than some of the stuff in the textbook.

I am seriously a music downloading addict recently. Today I downloaded almost 300 songs! I got these albums off of various free (and probably illegal, l-lol) websites: Aimee Mann (Bachelor No. 2 The Last Remains of the Dodo, The Forgotten Arm, I’m With Stupid, Lost In Space, @#%&*! Smilers, and Whatever), Bob Dylan (Modern Times and Under the Red Sky), As Tall As Lions (You Can’t Take It With You), Dashboard Confessional (The Shade of Poison Trees), The Fall Of Troy (In the Unlikely Event), Franz Ferdinand (Tonight), Lenka (Lenka), Norah Jones (Not Too Late), Pat Benatar (The Essential), Red Hot Chili Peppers (Blood Sugar Sex Magik), The Rolling Stones (Emotional Rescue, Goat’s Head Soup, Some Girls, Sticky Fingers, Tattoo You, and Undercover), The Strokes (First Impressions Of Earth), and Tegan & Sara (Sainthood). HOLY HELL THAT’S A LOT OF MUSIC, AMIRITE? I’ve actually been keeping a music downloads log so I can keep track of all the stuff I download.

I’m hungry but I felt kind of sick earlier, so I’m hesitant to actually eat anything.

I finished all 900 and some pages of Penny & Aggie that are up so far yesterday after school, haha. I like it a lot otherwise I wouldn’t have kept reading all of that. But yeah, it took forever.

I’ve been wanting to color I picture I drew the other day for a few days now and I just haven’t had the chance. It’s been minimized on my desktop for at least two days. I’m really tempted to color it and leave the rest of my homework for tomorrow, but I’m worried I won’t be able to get it all done. I have a math test, a psych quiz, assignment, and discussion board thing, and of course the psych semester paper. I’m thinking I’m going to try to finish part I of the semester paper and possibly the math test and then get to coloring if I have time. It just sucks ’cause what I really want to do is color. But… yeah, I need to pass. OTL I’m supposed to register sometime soon, I guess. My parents keep bugging me about it and I just feel like OKAY HOLY SHIT I WILL GIVE IT TIME.

Lily is constantly in my room with me. It’s really sweet. Haha, actually, now that I think about I think Lily has a conditioned response to “bathie.” c: She’s such a sweetie.

Umm…what else? I guess that’s it for now. BBL, wish me luck on my horrendous homework load!

This week’s Entertainment Link-Off features Kristen Stewart. She’s currently starring in that vampire flick that all the ladies are flocking to this weekend. The books and movies might not be any good, but they’re doing a fine job sucking money out of people. Heck, I’m giving it free publicity by mentioning it here. Seriously, what’s so appealing about vampires that lacks the bite? Nevermind, they’re flailing over that dude who was offed by Voldemort.

After the jump more Twilight related stuff, Chuck returns, a few TV tidbits and a look at Dashboard Confessional’s latest album ‘Alter the Ending’.

In NBC’s Community, we get to see the characters played by Joel McHale and Ken Jeong become great amigos. Turns out they’re great friends in real life. Funny how their friendly banter sort of resembles the dialogue between me and Steve. (Zap2it)

Chevy Chase, who also stars in Community is planning on reviving the famous Clark Griswold!!! (Latino Review) I miss those Vacation movies… except Vegas Vacation. That one has been safely blocked from my memory.

Remember when I first posted about the American Gladiators movie? Well it’s still moving forward. This time they recruited an interesting writer and it might go 3D. Suddenly, I’m very worried. (Slashfilm)

10 funniest movie marquee mistakes of all time. Gotta love random dirty jokes. (Super Tremendous)

While we’re onto funny lists, 15 worst DVD bootleg covers of all time. (Super Tremendous)

Uh oh. Avatar isn’t quite finished yet and we’re only less than a month away! (Wall Street Journal)

Spotted: R2-D2 in the Star Trek movie. Sneaky ILM. (Gizmodo)

[Sarcasm] Hollywood is known for their originality. [/Sarcasm] (Slashfilm)

Do you have a fear of Juno related terms created by Diablo Cody? It appears we have finally discovered a word to describe your condition! (JoBlo)

For all the Glee fans out there, a nice interview with Cory Monteith. (The Toronto Star)

Remember Zach Galifianakis’ mock talk show? The Charlize Theron segment was quite hilarious last time. The current edition features Conan O’Brien and Andy Richter making a visit. Yeah this is going to end well… (Funny or Die)

A look a Sesame Street… 40 years later. (The Daily What)

It first seemed like Dollhouse was going to have a very quiet death. There weren’t many Whedon fans biting back… until now. (TV by the Numbers) Or it’s just the FOX exec making something out of nothing.

CW has shifted from targeting ladies 18-34 and rehashing old FOX shows to digging up rejected WB pilots. Global Frequency sounds like a neat show… but it certainly doesn’t target those ladies the C-Dub is after. Could Dawn be on her way out?! (Superhero Hype) Damn they should just bring back Body Politic while they’re at it.

NPH has joined Twitter. This will be legen… wait for it… (@ActuallyNPH) dary!

THE BIG NEWS OF THE WEEK! Chuck is returning on NBC starting January 10th 2010 with a two hour marathon, followed by another new episode in it’s regular time slot on January 11th. (Chicago Tribune)

Well it’s a no brainer that New Moon will be topping the box office this weekend. Over at JoBlo, they’re listing top 10 reasons why Twilight sucks. (Part 1, Part 2) I can see many fangirl hate mail being targeted towards them… not that they care or anything.

If anyone needs a refresher. Olivia Munn and Kevin Pereira demonstrates how the original Twilight should have ended. (Olivia Munn)

With New Moon being the main attraction this weekend, the TV Addict suggests a few ideas for the rest of us to avoid the horde of teenagers. I think I’ll go with #1 and #4. (The TV Addict)

Now I know it’s almost every girl’s dream to be dating that vampire named Edward. Still have you ever thought of a very big loophole with that? I think it’s not that great of an idea to date a vampire during that time of the month (if you know what I mean). Brandon Routh and Superbad’s Martha MacIssac highlights what could go wrong… sorta. (Funny or Die)

Time for the obligatory Youtube video of the week. Conan O’Brien had a chance to see New Moon recently… and he thinks that the movie is a bit too risqué for the teens out there. Don’t believe him? See it for yourself.

And let’s end this off with a quick look at Dashboard Confessional’s latest album.

Chris Carrabba created Dashboard Confessional ten years ago as a solo side project. While it eventually evolved into a full-fledged band, it all started off with his breathy vocals and angsty lyrics. His heartache anthems and wonderful acoustic performances have won over several crowds and established himself as the king of emo-rock. Now a decade and 5 albums later, Dashboard Confessional is back with their latest record Alter the Ending.

There’s a level of maturity in Alter the Ending that many fans will welcome. While Dashboard’s early days were predominantly emo-rock, Carrabba and the band toyed with a more mainstream pop-leaning sound over the past few years. While the transitional phase has ended, the band has now entered a crossroad. Should they push forward with the mainstream stuff or return to the roots? Clearly this is a dilemma that the band could not solve as they have released a bonus CD in the deluxe edition that features acoustic renditions of all twelve tracks on the album.

I never really saw Dashboard Confessional as a band that had that rocky-electric kick to it. I always believed their material is stronger when it was basically a solo act consisting of Chris Carrabba. That being said, this is not a bad album at all. In fact, this is a great Dashboard album. Not only does it highlight Carrabba’s wonderful lyrics, it also speaks volumes about his musical talents. For the most part, the songs are catchy and the scorching riffs are wondrous to listen to.

The band does sort of stumble out of the gate. The first track “Get Me Right” feels strangely out of place. I have no problems with Carrabba’s voice reaching the higher register, but something about the song doesn’t seem right. Even the acoustic version doesn’t sound any better. A small misstep to kick off the album but at least the band finds it footing by the following song “Until Morning”.

At times the bonus disc feels like the true album. The full band versions felt like they were tacked on to please the mainstream fans that they developed when the band released Dusk and Summer. If you are going to get the album, just shell out a few extra dollars to get the deluxe edition. Carrabba is a great acoustic performer and it is really pleasing to listen to the songs as he strums away at his guitar. The acoustic tracks not only brings back the original sound of Dashboard Confessional, the songs also give off a greater emotional resonance that’s been hindered by the band versions. It is where you will find the heart and soul of the record. When comparing the two CDs, the acoustic album is the stronger one as this is where the songs truly shine, especially the ballad “Even Now” (which can act as a nice companion piece to John Mayer’s “Your Body Is Wonderland”).

We get the best of both worlds in this album. In the rock-band mode, there are songs that we can crank up on a warm sunny day. In the acoustic tracks, we can sit back and relax while grasping the full weight of the songs and not be distracted by the clichéd arrangements and arena sized hooks. So a good thing did come out of the band’s current identity crisis.

Somewhere along the title track, Carrabba sings “I’ll meet you where we started once again.” Indeed this album did touch on the musical form that made Dashboard Confessional famous in the early days, but it’s nowhere near the The Shade of Poison Trees, which was a true return to the emo roots. However the thematic changes in the songs are a breath of fresh air. We’ve gone from ‘Screaming Infidelities’ to listening to an uplifting emo album. Wait… did I just put the words ‘uplifting’ and ‘emo’ together?

Highlights: Until Morning, Everybody Learns From Disaster, Alter the Ending, Even Now, The Motions

Rating: ★★★★☆

Capo I

All chords and tabs relative to capo

Intro
E-------------------------------------------------------------------------|
B-------------------------------------------------------------------------|
G------7------------------------------------------------------------------|
D------7----------------------4-------------------------------------------|
A------5-------5-4---------------5--5/7/5---5/7/5----5/7/5----------------|
E------5-----5-------------5------------------------------------8-7-------|

E---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
B-------------------------------------7--7--7--7----------------------------------------------|
G------7-----------------------------7--7--7--7---7--7----------------------------------------|
D------7----------------------4------7--7--7--7---7--7----------------------------------------|
A------5-------5-4---------------------------------5--5-----5/7/5---5/7/5----5/7/5------------|
E------5-----5-------------5-------------------------------------------------------------8-7--|

	D			A		        G
Pacific Sun, you should have warned us, it gets so cold here.
	  Gm					D
And the night can freeze, before you set it on fire.
		         A
And our flares go unnoticed.
G                   Gm			          D
Dimminished, faded just as soon as they are fired.
	       A    G             Gm
We are, we are, intrigued
D	       A    G	      Gm
We are, we are, invisible.
Bm			   G			  Em			       G
Oh, how we've shouted, how we've screamed, take notice, take interest, take me with you.
       G		        Em
But all our fears fall on deaf ears.

D			         Em		   G		  D
Tonight, they're burning the roads they built to lead us to the light.
		    Em		       G	       D
And blinding our hearts with their shining lies,
		    Em	     G           D
while closing our caskets cold and tight.
		   Em    G	D
But I'm dying to live.

Pacific sun, you should have warned us, these heights are dizzying,
and the climb can kill you long before the fall.
And our trails go unmarked and unmapped and covered
just as soon as they are crossed.

We are, we are, intriguing. We are, we are, desirable.

Oh how we've shouted, how we've screamed,
take notice, take interest, take me with you.

But all our fears fall on deaf ears.

Tonight, they're burning the roads they built to lead us to the light.
And blinding our hearts with their shining lies,
while closing our caskets cold and tight. But I'm dying to live.

Yes, it is up for argument, of course. But I know what i hate, and for these albums, there was nothing to hate on, save a stray throw-away track here or there. That’s pretty much how I determined which albums to include and which to leave off: did the WHOLE product deliver? I didn’t limit myself to numbers, as in only 2 for each year, but instead just went with albums I could not leave off unless some Strokes hater held a gun to my head. It’s complete coincidence that I ended up with the nice, sort-of-round number of 25.

This list is not exhaustive, I’m sure people will mention a few that I’ll kick myself for forgetting while I was making this. Others will mention albums I wish I could forget, such as anything by TV On the Radio, a band that I cannot for the life of me understand why it is so well-regarded. One last heads up: don’t bother offering any Dave Matthews or John Mayer suggestions. They have, at best, 3 or 4 good songs between them, definitely not enough for placement on such hallowed ground.

2000:

sunny day real estate—the rising tide

This album is full of jangly guitars and soaring vocals bellowing beautiful lyrics–it always makes me remember the ocean and the beginning of my marriage. All good memories. 

Fave tracks: One, Tearing in My Heart

____________________________________________________ 

coldplay—parachutes

Damn, gotta say, when this came out it seemed like Chris Martin and company actually had a chance of giving Radiohead a run for the money in the art-rock circuit (that is a circuit, right?). But then all their albums sounded exactly the same. Not saying they didn’t have good songs on other albums, but come on: most of it sounds exactly the same–for example, one single song on Viva la Vida, their latest, has been the subject of upwards of 5 different plagiarism lawsuits by artists ranging from Cat Stevens to Steve Vai. Regardless, Parachutes was a beauty when it came out, and when you factor in the sweet memories that go along with it for me, it’s only gold.

Fave Tracks: Trouble, We Never Change

_________________________________________________

ghostface killah—supreme clientele

It could be argued that this album signaled the death knell of what many hip hop purists (such as yours truly) consider to be “true” hip hop. Yes, we are elitist bastards.  But without getting into arguments about the greatness (or lack of greatness) of Lil Wayne and Chamillionaire, anyone can at least appreciate the cementing of Ghostface’s status as the best rapper to emerge from Wutang Clan. I mean, have you heard Iron Man? And then he follows up with this a few years later. BEASTLY! Listen up. This was as good as it was going to get for many, many years (one could argue).

Fave Tracks: Buck 50, Wu Banga 101

___________________________________________________ 

2001:

radiohead—amnesiac

The first of two Radiohead albums on this list, Amnesiac constantly ended up in my regular rotation during the glorious “Aughts.” It is possibly one of the most accessible ‘Head albums, surpassed perhaps by only 2008’s In Rainbows in terms of listenability.

Fave tracks: Pyramid Song, Knives Out

________________________________________________

white stripes—white blood cells

I remember exactly where I was when I first heard this introduction to The White Stripes, and how many albums can you say that about? It blew my freaking mind. Jack White entered the realm of genius for me with his fusion of old blues and modern rock. There is still no better stimulant on the market for getting a day started off than this banger.

Fave Tracks: Hotel Yorba, The Union Forever

________________________________________________

the strokes—is this it?

Here we have the controversial British version of the cover for this first Strokes album, which was of course not available in the more prudish U.S. But with or without that art, it was still a revelation, and came out the gate with more buzz than a thousand beehives. Backlash followed, of course, but regardless of whether Julian Casablancas can actually sing or that his voice was doctored with various studio trappings to make him sound better (a charge I don’t buy after hearing their later efforts), this album along with White Blood Cells is a killer on every level.

Fave Tracks: Someday, Hard To Explain

_________________________________________________

bjork—vespertine

There are some incredibly beautiful tracks on this album. Bjork is from another planet. Her voice itself is poetry. I love her.

Fave Tracks: Hidden Place, Pagan Poetry

_______________________________________________

2002:                                                                

neko case—blacklisted

The first of three albums by Neko Case, this album showcases her voice in a way that makes the term alt-country not sound completely stupid. For whatever reason, I am reminded of the Michael Scott quote in the TV show “The Office,” when he says, “ You don’t call retarded people retards. It’s bad taste. You call your friends retards when they’re acting retarded.”

Fave Tracks: Tightly, Pretty Girls

_______________________________________________

the flaming lips—yoshimi battles the pink robots

From crazed punk beginnings to the masterpiece that was ’99’s The Soft Bulletin, this follow-up to that revelation of Wayne Coyne’s song-writing ability was a true window into this incredibly sensitive soul. And after meeting him in person (and basically forcing him to take a copy of my book), I can say that he is about as genuine a rock star who also happens to be a real person as any rock star has ever been. If that makes any sense.

Fave Tracks: Ego Trippin’ At the Gates of Hell, Do You Realize??

______________________________________________

beck—sea change

I first heard this Beck album while “working” as a DJ at UNC Greensboro’s 10 watt student-run radio station. It’s the first full-length Beck album that I know of that has him actually writing lyrics some sense can be made of—a real (wait for it…) sea change in his style. It is also heartbreaking, about his breakup from some model, I hear.

Fave Tracks: Little One, Lost Cause

_________________________________________________

2003:

yeah yeah yeahs—fever to tell

This 3-piece, Karen O-fronted band is garage rock at its finest as far as I’m concerned. She’s so weird and rock-starry. I’d be afraid of her in real life. Which is just how she likes it, I’m sure. Just listen how she whispers “I’m rich, rich, rich rich rich. I’ll take you out boy.” F-ing hardcore, regardless of the tear sliding down her cheek in the “Maps” video.

Fave Tracks: Rich, Y Control

___________________________________________________ 

death cab for cutie—transatlanticism

For me Ben Gibbard is sort of the poor man’s Thom Yorke, and a total bastard (he married my imaginary girlfriend, Zooey Deschanel). But with this album and his other project, The Postal Service, he pretty much cemented his place in the starry night of my soul or whatever. He writes some catchy shit. But I think an Amazon reviewer said it best: “If you’re an overblown emokid with a yen for the melodramatic, you should buy this CD. You may now stop reading.”

Fave Tracks: Lightness, Passenger Seat

________________________________________________

2004:

air—talkie walkie

This album is on here because I like it more OVERALL than their previous Aughts effort, 10,000 hz Legend. But to be fair, there are a couple of songs on that generally disliked album that are some of my favorite Air tracks, such as “How Does It Make You Feel” and “Vagabond.” But this record is definitely more cohesive and sets a great mood for being drunk/high/tired, so we’re going with this one. And for the record, it is WAY beter than 2007’s Pocket Symphony.

Fave Tracks: Run, Another Day

___________________________________________________ 

danger mouse—the grey album

While this is not officially an album you can buy, since Danger Mouse never got the rights to any of the Beatles or Jay-Z tracks he used to make this groundbreaking album (which, for anyone living in a musical cave for the past ten years, is a mash-up of The Beatles’ “White Album” and Jay-Z’s “Black Album”), I would be remiss not to include it on this list. For better or worse, DM started the massive wave of mash-ups with this effort, and also got himself a pretty good paying gig as half of Gnarls Barkley. Plus, this shit just kicks. Whoda thunk it?

Fave Tracks: Encore, 99 Problems

______________________________________________

2005:

my morning jacket—z

I believe that, along with Death Cab, Dashboard Confessional, Bright Eyes and My Chemical Romance, My Morning Jacket helped create and nurture the wimpy mid-Aughts  juggernaut that was known as Emo. But unlike Dashboard and Bright Eyes, they don’t totally suck. This is one of my favorite albums of all time. So, cheer up, Emo kid.  

Fave Tracks: It Beats 4 U, Knot Comes Loose

____________________________________________________

eels—blinking lights and other revelations

Mark Everett is the frontman of EELS (or eels), and is probably, when I really consider it, the person I most relate to as far as “getting” exactly what he is talking about with the majority of his songs. This double album has songs on it that I absolutely hate (such as the co-penned with one of the guys from R.E.M. “Hey Man”), but since there are over 20 songs on offer here, there is definitely at least a full album’s worth of incredible compositions. My favorite memory associated with this record is painting my daughter’s bedroom in preparation for us to move into our first owned home. Tears me up just thinking about it.

Fave Tracks: In the Yard Behind the Church, I’m Going To Stop Pretending That I Didn’t Break Your Heart

_________________________________________________

2006:

neko case—fox confessor brings the flood

Second Neko album on the list, and arguably her best ever. Her voice reminds me so much of Patsy Cline’s. She is a true artist, with seemingly little care about her “image” as far as whether or not she fits into the sterotypical chanteuse mold. She’s all about the voice. Example: her album “Blacklisted” was supposedly named that because while performing at Nasvhille’s famous Grand Ole Opry, she took off her shirt (I never heard if she was completely topless or just offended the genteel southern sensibility with her bra alone) and was banned for life. Totally punk, and what puts the “alt” in her country stylings, I can only suppose.

Fave Tracks: Star Witness, Dirty Knife

_________________________________________________ 

decemberists—the crane wife

Along the Flaming Lips album that follows, this was the last album that my wife and I shared. Every time I hear the 3-part Crane Wife song the album is named after, it destroys me. In a good way. I’ll leave it there. Don’t want to make a complete fool out of myself, after all. Not drunk enough for that anyway. Give me a few hours. Perhaps that dragon will rear its head in the comments.

_________________________________________________

beck—the information

This album is the epitome of cool. And one of about 45 albums that Beck released in the Aughts. I’m still not sure if I’m being impartial enough regarding choosing this album over, say, Guero or Modern Guilt, but whatever. These year/decade-end lists are always subjective and come down to much more about what effected the listener personally more than something like whether the songs held complexity in their structures. This album came with a DVD of every song being lip-synched by Beck and his friends, and I would often put it in the DVD player and hit repeat on it over and over again. It was like having a bunch of tripping acid-freaks to keep me company through surely some of the strangest times in a lifetime of strange times.

Fave Tracks: Cellphone’s Dead, No Complaints

______________________________________________

the flaming lips—at war with the mystics

They played a free show in Atlanta’s Centennial Olympic Park on May 21, 2006 in support of this album. It was amazing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JoIohWnbVSk

Fave Tracks: My Cosmic Autumn Rebellion/ Vein of Stars

__________________________________________________

2007:

radiohead—in rainbows

As I said earlier in this post, this is probably the most easily listened to Radiohead album (which is most likely why it won or was nominated for more Grammys than any other from their amazing catalog, most notably OK Computer, which is (not so) arguably one of the greatest albums ever recorded). But this one is definitely right up there, and if nothing else serves to cement Radiohead’s place among the greatest bands to ever record together.Plus, they gave it away for free on the internet, and that’s totally kickass.

Fave Tracks: Nude, All I Need

______________________________________________

amy winehouse—back to black

Fuck this album. I can’t even remember why I have it on here, and it was easier to write this sentence than to screw up the formatting on this post by erasing it.

_________________________________________________

2008:

MGMT—oracular spectacular

When I finally got up to NYC to meet my agent and publishing house handlers in January of this year, MGMT was still all the rage, and I therefore felt much less of a cultural disconnect than I had originally feared, ’cause I’d been on this bandwagon for a long time, based mainly on the fact that two hippie guys made up the band and had lyrics like, “I’ll move to Paris, shoot some heroin and fuck with the stars/ You’ll man the island and the cocaine and the elegant cars,” which totally runs contrary to their hippie guy image. Plus many of the songs on here an infinitely hummable, as my 9 yr. old daughter will happily testify.

Fave Tracks: Time To Pretend, Kids

_________________________________________________

fleet foxes—fleet foxes

I first heard Fleet Foxes when they appeared on SNL in January. They are from Seattle (how cliche…1991 called, it wants its premiere underground music scene back), but sound like they are Straight Outta Appalachia. Which is kind of disturbing to me, since this means that the two most well-known Appalachian-sounding artists are from the west coast (the other being Los Angeles’ Gillian Welch). But no matter. Listen to this record and know that what you are hearing is authentic bluegrass-tinged. Every time I hear it makes me yearn to go back to Kentucky, if Kentucky weren’t so littered with ignorant rednecks and memories of unbridled happiness that make everything now pale in comparison. And you just can’t live like that.

Fave Tracks: White Winter Hymnal, Blue Ridge Mountains

__________________________________________________

2009:

neko case—middle cyclone

I’ll be the first to admit that my exposure to much new music has been severely hampered this year, so it’s pretty anemic of me to only have one album listed for 2009, and to have the one album listed be by an artist that already has 2 other albums on this list. But this record is my favorite of Neko Case’s so far, and her insightful lyrics never cease to amaze me along with her incredible voice. Plus almost all the songs are about love (a first time for her), and the album ends with 28 minutes of frogs and crickets making night noises, which is a perfect way to fall asleep. So there’s that, too.

Fave Tracks: The Next Time You Say “Forever”, The Pharoahs 

ARTIST OF THE DECADE:

I decided on this designation based solely on who had the most presence on the list. Radiohead, Flaming Lips and Beck came close, with two albums each on here, but in the end it wasn’t enough. Thanksfully I didn’t have to think much on it, since only one artist had three albums on my list, and that was, of course,

NEKO CASE

She’s incredible. Have I mentioned that yet? Watch this video, buy her albums, thank me later.

This paint has been tasting of lead
and their chips will fall as they may,
but it’s not just my finish that is peeling,
and it is not alone fleeing these walls.

Well sooner of later this cold
it’s gonna break
and our hands will be warm again,
but all I want is not to need you now.
And sooner or later this cold
it’s gonna break
and our words will be heard again,
but all I want are vows of silence now.

This turpentine chaser’s got kick
and the rag that it’s soaked in is rich.
The fumes aide the pace of my cleaning
and as soon as I’m done I am gone.

The frightening facts
we’ve been facing our backs
for so long now
are begging for eyes
to bear witness to lies
and indifference.

Now we’re saying aloud
the things we’ve declared in our silence.
The new coats of paint will not reaquaint
broken hearts to broken homes.

Alter the Ending, the newest album from the always-amazing Dashboard Confessional, is almost sickeningly fantastic.

Needless to say, the deluxe version is the only way to go – you need both the acoustic and full-on jam versions of each song. Track to track, it kicks its own ass over and over again.

The best treat of this album is its contrasting perspective from Dashboard’s previous releases. It definitely holds true to the band’s raw, soul-bearing past, but gives a bright, almost perky outlook and sound.

Chris Carrabba (with the help of those other guys) makes some damn beautiful music. I love that he can create heartbreaking and heartfelt, yet terminally-cool alternative songs from would-be sappy ballads.

Whether you like your Dashboard a little more rocking or prefer the naked and natural sound of acoustic, Alter the Ending is a win-win.

I’m personally loving “Blame It On The Changes (Acoustic)”.

- Say Hey (I love you) by Michael Franti (a great pick-me-up tune for the start of the week)

- The Rush by Dashboard Confessional

- Kountry Gentleman by Family Force 5 (this song makes me laugh so much ‘business up front, party in the back’)

- Forbidden Colours by Ryuichi Sakamoto

- Seasons of Love by the cast of the movie RENT

Alter the Ending is the sixth studio album recorded by Dashboard Confessional. It was released on November 10, 2009, and comes in two versions: a single CD and a deluxe 2-CD edition, which includes a second disc of acoustic versions of the 12 songs on the album.

As of November 3, 2009, the album is available for listening on the band’s MySpace page.

The promotional CD of Belle of the Boulevard includes an alternate version of the album track “Even Now”.

Track listing
Disc one

Deluxe Edition

The Shade of Poison Trees is the fifth studio album recorded by the band Dashboard Confessional. The album in its entirety was posted on the band’s MySpace page on September 28, 2007, and it was released on October 2, 2007 on Vagrant Records. This album was very much kept a secret, with no news of its development leaking out. The official Vagrant announcement, released on August 16, 2007, stated that The Shade of Poison Trees has been recorded over 10 days in Florida with producer Don Gilmore, who also takes credit for the production of Dashboard Confessional’s previous album, Dusk and Summer.

The Shade of Poison Trees is heralded as a return to form, so to speak, breaking away from the electric, full band sound of their previous two albums and returning to the acoustic sound that Carrabba was previously known for. However, the album is unmistakably more mature, as the songs sound similar to their more recent work, yet without the heavily produced style. The album comes a little over a year after the release of Dusk and Summer.

“Thick as Thieves” was released as the first single off the album in August 2007. On August 22, 2007, the band posted “Little Bombs” on their MySpace page. On September 25, the band added “Keep Watch for the Mines” to their Myspace page; later that evening, the album leaked on the boards of the band’s official website. As of September 26, 2007, the album leaked onto the Internet.

“These Bones” was Dashboard Confessional’s second single off the album and was released December 3rd, 2007. Following its release, The Shade of Poison Trees debuted at number 18 on the U.S. Billboard 200 chart, selling about 48,000 copies in its first week.
“Thick as Thieves” music video
On September 7, 2007, Chris Carrabba posted a video message on his MySpace blog, inviting his fans to create a music video for the song “Thick as Thieves”. The submitted entries will be checked, and the winning director wins a prize of $2,500 cash, two VIP tickets to a Vagrant gig of their choice, and a “Golden Ticket” to any and all Dashboard Confessional concerts in the next year.
Track listing

1. “Where There’s Gold” – 2:29
2. “Thick as Thieves” – 2:19
3. “Keep Watch for the Mines” – 2:46
4. “These Bones” – 2:59
5. “Fever Dreams” – 2:30
6. “The Shade of Poison Trees” – 2:58
7. “The Rush” – 3:51
8. “Little Bombs” – 2:33
9. “I Light My Own Fires Now” – 2:54
10. “Matters of Blood and Connection” – 2:24
11. “Clean Breaks” – 2:59
12. “The Widows Peak” – 2:58
13. “The Only Gift I Need” – 2:09*
14. “Tonight I’ll Take What I Can Get” [Re-Recorded] (iTunes Pre-order Bonus Track) – 2:57
15. “Tonight I’ll Take What I Can Get” (Original Acoustic Version) – 4:24

Dashboard Confessional is an American alternative rock band from Boca Raton, Florida, led by singer-songwriter Chris Carrabba. The band started out as Carrabba playing intimately personal acoustic songs by himself, but eventually the outfit became a full band ensemble.

History
The band originated as Chris Carrabba’s solo side-project for his previous band Further Seems Forever. He recorded his first album Swiss Army Romance in 2000. The following year, he recorded Further Seems Forever’s debut album The Moon Is Down. However, he left the band soon after the album’s release, instead recording and releasing his sophomore album The Places You Have Come to Fear the Most, as well as a follow-up EP titled So Impossible.

By 2002, three other musicians had joined the band, including former Further Seems Forever band mate Jerry Castellanos and started the process of recording the band’s next album. After the success of his second album, Carrabba was asked to perform on MTV Unplugged, and the subsequent release marked the first time many of the songs were recorded with a full band.

Also in 2002, the music video for “Screaming Infidelities” produced by James Paul Wisner won the MTV2 award at the MTV Video Music Awards, beating out Norah Jones, The Strokes, The Hives, Nappy Roots and Musiq. This video starred Chris in both the performance and the storyline. The video was directed by Maureen Egan and Matthew Barry.

In 2003, the band released its third album A Mark, A Mission, A Brand, A Scar. Peaking at #2 on the United States Billboard charts, the album proved to be the band’s most commercially-viable album yet. In the summer of 2004, Dashboard Confessional recorded the song “Vindicated” for the film Spider-Man 2. The song was featured on the soundtrack and played over the film’s end credits. Because of this, the band gained a sizable audience for their next release the following summer.

In May of 2005, Dashboard Confessional entered the studio to record their fourth album with acclaimed producer, Daniel Lanois. The album was released on June 27, 2006; its first single was “Don’t Wait”. Following the release of Dusk and Summer, Dashboard Confessional went on a summer tour of the U.S. with special guests Say Anything and Ben Lee, followed by a co-headlining arena tour with alternative rock band Brand New.

In 2007, the band released its follow-up to Dusk and Summer, The Shade of Poison Trees.

During an interview with Billboard posted on September 11, 2007, Carrabba stated that he is 14 tracks into what would be the band’s sixth studio album. He is also unsure about when it would be recorded, but plans to have 30 tracks to draw from. It may be a concept album: “only with the last three has it become, like, ‘All right, these have a continuity and there’s something going on,’ so I’m excited to see where that leads”.

During Chris’ current UK solo acoustic tour, he has mentioned whilst introducing a new song that the band has completed the recording stage of the new album.

On February 14, 2009, as a special Valentine’s Day gift to fans, Chris released a free download on his Myspace page entitled “Even Now (Acoustic)” from their forthcoming studio album.

On July 27, 2009, Chris posted on his Twitter account that he is “sequencing the album”, meaning that the upcoming album is close to completion.

In August 2009, Dashboard Confessional contributed a song to the motion picture soundtrack for dark comedy film Jennifer’s Body titled “Finishing School”. It will not be on their upcoming sixth studio album.

On September 10, 2009, Chris Carrabba confirmed on his Twitter page that the new 12-song album, titled Alter the Ending, would be released on November 10, 2009. It will be released on 2 discs: a first disc consisting of the full-band version of the album, and a second disc consisting of the acoustic version. In addition, Carrabba stated that Dashboard Confessional would be touring with New Found Glory and Never Shout Never in the near future.

Dashboard Confessional also released “Belle of the Boulevard” For the Universal Pictures movie “Cirque Du Freak: The Vampires Assistant”.

However, on October 30, 2009, Chris announced via Twitter and Facebook that the band would be cancelling their Alter The Ending tour with New Found Glory and Never Shout Never with the exception of November 7th with the Louisville Orchestra due to a last-minute family emergency.

Although the longer tour with New Found Glory and Never Shout Never was cancelled, Chris announced on his website on November 10, 2009 that he and John will begin a 13 date acoustic tour with New Found Glory (who will be playing an acoustic set as well) on November 30, 2009.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
			     Get Me Right - Dashboard Confessional
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tabbed by: Matt M
Email: mattygamefreak@live.com.au

Tuning: 1/2 Step Down

e|---------------------------------------------------------------------------|
B|---------------------------------------------------------------------------|
G|--7----7----7----7----7----7----7----6-------------------------------------|
D|99-9-99-9-99-9------77-7-77-7-77-7-----------------------------------------| x2
A|---------------77-7----------------77--------------------------------------|
E|---------------------------------------------------------------------------|

e|---------------------------------------------------------------------------|
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G|777777777777-777777777777--------------------------------------------------|
D|999999999999-777777777777--------------------------------------------------| x4
A|---------------------------------------------------------------------------|
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e|---------------------------------------------------------------------------|
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G|--7----7----7----7----7----7----7----6-------------------------------------|
D|99-9-99-9-99-9------77-7-77-7-77-7-----------------------------------------| x2
A|---------------77-7----------------77--------------------------------------|
E|---------------------------------------------------------------------------|

e|---------------------------------------------------------------------------|
B|---------------------------------------------------------------------------|
G|777777777777-777777777777--------------------------------------------------|
D|999999999999-777777777777--------------------------------------------------| x4
A|---------------------------------------------------------------------------|
E|---------------------------------------------------------------------------|

e|---------------------------------------------------------------------------|
B|---------------------------------------------------------------------------|
G|--7----7----7----7----7----7----7----6-------------------------------------|
D|99-9-99-9-99-9------77-7-77-7-77-7-----------------------------------------| x2
A|---------------77-7----------------77--------------------------------------|
E|---------------------------------------------------------------------------|

e|---------------------------------------------------------------------------|
B|---------------------------------------------------------------------------|
G|777777777777-------------------------77------------------------------------|
D|777777777777-777777777777-5555555555-77-555555555555-----------------------| x2
A|555555555555-777777777777-5555555555-55-555555555555-----------------------|
E|-------------555555555555-3333333333----333333333333-----------------------|

e|---------------------------------------------------------------------------|
B|---------------------------------------------------------------------------|
G|------------------77777777-------------------------------------------------|
D|44444444-55555555-77777777-77777777----------------------------------------| x4
A|44444444-55555555-55555555-77777777----------------------------------------|
E|22222222-33333333----------55555555----------------------------------------|

e|---------------------------------------------------------------------------|
B|---------------------------------------------------------------------------|
G|--7----7----7----7----7----7----7----6-------------------------------------|
D|99-9-99-9-99-9------77-7-77-7-77-7-----------------------------------------| x2
A|---------------77-7----------------77--------------------------------------|
E|---------------------------------------------------------------------------|

e|---------------------------------------------------------------------------|
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G|-------------777777777777--------------------------------------------------|
D|999999999999-xxxxxxxxxxxx--------------------------------------------------| x4
A|xxxxxxxxxxxx-555555555555--------------------------------------------------|
E|777777777777---------------------------------------------------------------|

e|---------------------------------------------------------------------------|
B|---------------------------------------------------------------------------|
G|--7----7----7----7----7----7----7----6-------------------------------------|
D|99-9-99-9-99-9------77-7-77-7-77-7-----9-----------------------------------| x2
A|---------------77-7----------------77--------------------------------------|
E|---------------------------------------------------------------------------|

Timing is pretty self-explanatory.

| /  slide up
| \  slide down
| h  hammer-on
| p  pull-off
| ~  vibrato
| +  harmonic
| x  Mute note
===============================================================================

The guys in Dashboard Confessional feel bad about canceling their headlining tour with New Found Glory, so to make up for it they’ll head out on a short stretch of dates with just their acoustic guitars. Thankfully, New Found Glory will join them, and they’ll be playing acoustically as well. I’ll be marking December 10th down in my calender, as that’s the date this tour will stop by The Middle East in Cambridge. Check out the full tour schedule after the jump.

Tour Dates:
11/30 :: West Hollywood, CA :: Troubadour
12/01 :: Pomona, CA :: Glass House
12/02 :: San Francisco, CA :: Slim’s
12/04 :: Salt Lake City, UT :: In The Venue
12/06 :: Omaha, NE :: Slowdown
12/07 :: Chicago, IL :: Subterranean
12/08 :: Detroit, MI :: St. Andrews Hall
12/10 :: Cambridge, MA :: Middle East
12/11 :: New York City, NY :: Highline Ballroom
12/12 :: Philadelphia, PA :: The Trocadero
12/13 :: Baltimore, MD :: Ottobar
12/15 :: Orlando, FL :: The Social

Chris Carrabba and his band, Dashboard Confessional, have just released a new album, “Alter the Ending.”

The first single off the disc is called “Belle of the Boulevard” and abides by the old Dashboard sound fans have come to know and love.  Yet, it’s also easy to hear how they have progressed as a band and gained a more mature sound and a new perspective.

“Alter the Ending” is available on iTunes now, as well as a bonus track version that includes an acoustic disc of all their new songs.

Check out “Belle of the Boulevard” here…

P.S.  If you’re a fan and want to hear them live, Dashboard will be playing at St. Andrews Hall in Detroit on Tuesday, Dec. 8!!

Down in a local bar
Out on the Boulevard
The sound of an old guitar
Is saving you from sinking
It’s a long way down, It’s a long way

Back like you never broke
You tell a dirty joke
He touches your leg
And thinks He’s getting close
For now you let him
Just this once
Just for now
And just like that
It’s over.

[Chorus]
Don’t turn away
Dry your eyes, dry your eyes
Don’t be afraid
But keep it all inside, all inside
When you fall apart
Dry your eyes, dry your eyes
Life is always hard
For the Belle of the Boulevard

In all your silver rings
In all your silken things
That song you softly sing
Is keeping you from breaking
It’s a long way down, it’s a long way

Back here you never lost
You shake the shivers off
You take a drink
To get your courage up
Can you believe it?
Just this once
Just for now
And just like that
It’s over

[Chorus]
Don’t turn away
Dry your eyes, dry your eyes
Don’t be afraid
But keep it all inside, all inside
When you fall apart
Dry your eyes, dry your eyes
Life is always hard
For the Belle of the Boulevard

Please hold on, it’s alright
Please hold on, it’s alright
Please hold on

Down in a local bar
Out on the boulevard
The sound of an old guitar
Is saving you

[Chorus]
Don’t turn away
Dry your eyes, dry you eyes
Don’t be afraid
Keep it all inside, all inside
When you fall apart
Dry your eyes, dry your eyes
Life is always hard
For the Belle of the Boulevard

the new dashboard confessional came out today. their music is alternative/rock so i really enjoy them. the songs i enjoyed were belle of the boulevard, get me right, until morning, even now, and blame it on the changes.

a cd that i’ve been enjoying is all time low’s nothing personal. their sound is alternative and rockish as well. the lyrics are good and the tune is catchy. the songs i recommend are weightless, break your little heart, a party song,and lost in stereo.

-v-

It’s just been Dashboard Confessional hour! It’s probably the first time I’ve listened to DC since seeing them at Reading Festival in 2001. Standing in the crowd with a bunch of emo wankers all singing along to the songs made me want to puke my own ringpiece up. It was excrutiating to watch and made me realise how clichéd it all was. My only consolation was meeting the fitty singer backstage later but it wasn’t quite enough to win me back. Still, it was interesting to revisit that moment in time for an hour tonight.  I’ve now moved on to a slightly less whiney and more sinister Death Cab for Cutie.  My attention span for most songs is around 3 minutes before hitting skip. I Will Possess Your Heart has an intro over 4 minutes and 30 seconds and you’d think it would be tiresome but it works. It’s actually better than the stalkeresque dialogue in the song. I’d post a link to it if Warner Bros weren’t a stack of chumps deleting it from YouTube, forcing dire rip off videos and tinny live versions. 

I had a super efficient day today. Up, dressed and out the door by 8am to take the dog out and then go on a mission to find some trousers. Too bad this anus of a town only has one bus AN HOUR around my way on a Sunday and I missed it so I came home and pottered until the next one. I crammed in some power shopping, stocking up on everything I needed toiletry wise, tried on untold amounts of skinny jeans, bought a few tops and then set about finding another pair of proper work trousers. I bought a really nice pair the week before I started but had to get them taken in two weeks later because they got too big. This week it became really obvious that I had to get a new pair, wandering around like MC Hammer and constantly yanking them up is not a good look on anyone. Hammer will tell you that, I’m sure.  I had vouchers from M&S to use up and they would normally go on undies but I have more underwear than makes sense right now so I bought boring, safe and not in anyway fun at all, black trousers.  Ugh.

Then I went straight to the pub for a beer breakfast and a roast lunch with Poppy. No boyfriend in tow so I didn’t have to put on any airs and graces or feel like an outcast. Yay. I listened to her being all floaty light about her new boy. I stuffed myself with roast chicken and sticky toffee pudding for pud. I think I went a bit crazy on the sugar. We tried hatching a plan for Tim Lovejoy to spend christmas day at my house but all plans made me sound like a mentalist. As does writing about said plans, but hey ho, it’s my first Christmas day off in 9 years – I’d like it to be a good one instead of sitting around in my pants with a tub of Pringles or something.

After recovering from the food wooze we went to check out a empty industrial laundry building. It was sealed up tighter than a gnat’s chuff. I bet there’s some delights to be had in there. I need to get one of those Dremel hand tool things, arf!  Then it was off to find an ugly christmas jumper for Poppy, y’know with raindeers and snowflakes on. No such luck.  Life can be a real shit sometimes.

Ali was due to come over tonight. Oh yes, some other emergency cropped up to prevent her from making it here. The dog ate her homework probably. I wasn’t really expecting her to turn up so I’m not that bothered. It is comedic though. I really don’t know why she bothers asking, to make herself feel better perhaps?  I’m far too tolerant for my own good. 

Finally, Jedward have made it through to next weeks X-Factor. I’m not surprised to be honest. The shiny suits, the Queen/Vanilla Ice mash up and out of time dance moves. Brilliance. Give me my money Mr Bookmaker, it’s a done deal surely. Hand it over, cough it up, pay the piper, gimme gimme gimme!

Primi FSF + Carrabba = Una garanzia.
Se ben notate il ragazzo è Jason Gleason, all’epoca futuro cantante dei FSF dopo la dipartita di Chris a favore di Dashboard Confessional e la ragazza è la cantante degli Element 101, gruppo passato inosservato ai più e per questo non si sa bene che fine abbiano fatto, erano bravi. Ma erano altri tempi, e che tempi !

PS
Guardate il video su Youtube.

A bit dramatic, but eh.

Tomorrow I head off to Houston. I’m actually quite nervous. Not to the degree of public speaking, but like the jitters you get when something is about to start. It’s a unique mixture of butterflies and anxiety.

I haven’t “fallen asleep” on the phone with her since Tuesday. It’s not a tall-tale sign, but eh…it’s something? Maybe? I don’t know. I don’t feel any guilt for NOT talking on the phone. I did fall asleep both times around midnight, and it’s really not my fault she goes to bed at 7 (when I’m just getting up). I’m semi-excited about this weekend. Although, now I don’t know whether I’m going to the zoo or the aquarium. I really want to go to the aquarium, but I’ve heard it sucks. It’s all up in the air…just like my feelings.

I don’t think I’ve ever been this confused about someone. I mean, with other girls, it’s always been, “Yes, I like her, but she’s out of my league.” Now it’s more along the lines, “Yes, I like her, but is this going anywhere? Can we really manage this? Can we really handle this? Is this fair to us?”

Maybe it’s just me thinking this whole thing is one big dilemma.

This is all so confusing. In the end, it will still be my decision–that’s the scariest part of all.

In other news…

I have revived my love of Julia Nunes, Dashboard Confessional, and Audioslave. These three will make for quite a pleasant drive.

I got pulled over yesterday for not stopping at a stop sign. Mind you, NO ONE STOPS AT THAT SIGN. Unless there’s another car…then we do. But there’s a 98% chance there will never be a car there. Whatever. I got out of the ticket.

I cooked dinner for the first time couple of days ago. I actually went to the store, got porkchops, and cooked porkchops. They were SO GOOD too. I can add that to my array of awesomeness.

It’s up in the air where I’ll be for college next year. I’m crossing my fingers for Full-Sail (in Florida), but I’m also hoping my backup of Texas A&M will pan out as well. Full-Sail is basically the informal Juliard for graphic design and everything pertaining to the entertainment industry. Unfortunately, it’s more of a technical school than an actual 4-year-university. My dad’s argument just has been slamming technical schools–”You’re basically dropping out of college… You’re quitting…what guarantees that you’ll be successful?…will you even have a job after this…?”

All his questions are valid, but at the same time they hurt. I don’t think he realized how cold he can come off. Essentially, he’s telling me that because I “can’t make it” in a 4 year university–what makes me think I can make it at full-sail? Well, simply put, it’s not that I’ve failed traditional colleges. It’s that the bureaucratic red tape hinders me from ever taking graphic design courses. The red tape told me I couldn’t major in computer science. The red tape of UT Austin told me I wasn’t “good enough”. So, a school finally tells me, “Yes, you fit here. We see that you have the passion, and we want to help you make that passion a career.” Who is to say I can’t live my life dream of being a graphic designer? Why am I being questioned because I’m REFUSING the vast amounts of money I could be making with a business degree? Why? Because in reality…

If God came up to me and gave me this option:

Katie, you have two options.

One: you go to Full-Sail and follow your dream, but you will spend your whole life without a family and a partner. You will be alone–in that regard– for the rest of your life.

Two: You go to Texas A&M, and you go on and complete your degree for a career you semi-have-your-heart-in, but you will live a life filled with children and a partner.

In all honesty, I’d choose the first option.

Am I wrong for wanting it this bad? I thought this was dreams were all about? This has been my passion since I was in the 7th grade…it’s finally right in front of me, and I could make this work.

Go big or go home.

]]> http://thatgirlwithablog.wordpress.com/2009/11/12/dashboard-confessional-alter-the-ending/ Thu, 12 Nov 2009 14:14:36 +0000 thatgirlwithablog http://thatgirlwithablog.wordpress.com/2009/11/12/dashboard-confessional-alter-the-ending/