Swisstastic Romantic (The Swiss Army Romance - Dashboard Confessional)

Member Name: Namek_Assasin

Product:	The Swiss Army Romance - Dashboard Confessional
Date:	26/02/09 (22 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Fans of acoustic/emo music

Disadvantages: Never gets heavy, metallica fans stear clear

My first true love within music was Dashboard Confessional. I sat down with my guitar and learned all the tracks by ear. Listened to the lyrics and copied them down (only to realize they had them in the booklet, and I needed a hearing test!)

This is the first full length album from the band. Released originally in November 2000 by the record label Drive-Thru, responsible for such album releases from bands such as finch, new found glory and something corporate.

The album featured a different lineup to what they are currently...

Chris Carraba - Guitar, Lead vocals
John Lefler - Guitar, Backing vocals
Scott Schoenbeck - Bass
Mike Marsh - Drums, Backing vocals

It also features guest vocals from Jolie Lindholm of The Rocking Horse Winner, on two songs.

The album had decent success the first time around and it was also re-released in 2003 when the rights where sold to Chris and his new record label Vagrant Records. This second release included two new tracks "this is forgery" and "hold on". It got it's second coming mainly because of the imminent release of the band's most popular album to date, "A mark, A mission, A brand, A scar"

Track listing
=========

"Screaming Infidelities" - 3:33
"The Sharp Hint of New Tears" - 3:02
"Living in Your Letters" - 3:40
"The Swiss Army Romance" - 3:06
"Turpentine Chaser" - 3:20
"A Plain Morning" - 3:40
"Age Six Racer" - 2:21
"Again I Go Unnoticed" - 2:24
"Ender Will Save Us All" - 5:14
"Shirts and Gloves" - 2:53
"Hold On" (re-issue bonus track) - 2:08
"This Is a Forgery" (re-issue bonus track) - 5:37
"Untitled" (hidden track, re-issue bonus track) - 4:02

This is one of those rare albums that doesn't have you reaching for the skip button every other song. You have the pure emotion of tracks like "living in your letters" and "the sharp hint of new tears" then you have some more upbeat tracks like "this is forgery".
The album is a great listen for most people. Carraba has such a diverse voice and all the songs all well written with thoughtful lyrics, even people who aren't particularly into emo and acoustic music this should pleasantly surprise you, I think there's a track for everyone on this one.

My local HMV tends to stock this at all time's, if not then play.com and amazon.co.uk both have stock, don't expect to pay more than £10. A bargain!


Give it a listen and let me know what you think!

Summary: Give it a listen