Chris Carrabba is a talented musician, there's no doubt about that.  Basically considered the president of emo nation, Carrabba shot to fame and superstardom among teenage girls and emo kids by spewing out his heart-on-sleeve lyrics that showed he wasn't afraid to let everyone know how he feels.  When Dashboard Confessional first came on the scene, Carrabba was it.  Standing solo on stage with just his acoustic guitar in hand.  As time went on though, the band grew and began to include a full band with electric guitars and drums on albums A Mark, A Mission, A Brand, A Scar and Dusk and Summer, much to the chagrin of some fans.  Alter the Ending follows that same path.  

Coming off a return to his original acoustic form on their last album The Shade of Poison Trees, Carrabba and company decided to bring back the full act and churn out some pretty rocking tunes.  Dashboard Confessional are the latest band to hop aboard the Butch Walker production train, and you can certainly hear the polish on the album.  With the co-production help from Adam Schlesinger of Fountains of Wayne, Walker was able to push Dashboard Confessional slightly out of that emo category and into the pop/rock genre so to speak.  Instead of just the constant crooning of Carrabba, we are treated to a more rocking sound that exemplifies the very nature of pop/rock.  The band even throws a few guitar solos in there for good measure.  When did you ever think you'd hear a guitar solo from Dashboard Confessional?

Carrabba's songwriting continues to shine.  The most important part of the songwriting on Alter the Ending is the maturity of the songs.  Yes, you're still going to hear lyrics about love and relationships but it's not as in your face as "I wish that I was anywhere with anyone making out."  The maturity of the songs lies in the music itself.  The music is so much more amped up on this album, it's almost uplifting.  So even when we're listening to Carrabba sing "Say you will, stay with me, even if it's just till morning," the music itself keeps a smile on our face. 

This "happy" emo is scattered throughout Alter the Ending.  Just take a listen to 'Until Morning,' 'Everybody Learns from Disaster,' and 'The Motions' and I guarantee you'll be singing along in no time.  And almost every song has this glow to it.  In fact, this isn't your typical Dashboard.  There are only two acoustic numbers on the entire record, 'Even Now' and 'Hell on the Throat.'  As much as I enjoy The Swiss Army Romance and The Places You Have Come to Fear the Most, my full appreciation of the band comes in the form of their electric sound on A Mark, A Mission, A Brand, A Scar and Dusk and Summer, and is probably why Alter the Ending is right up my alley.  But for the kids that want to sulk in their bedrooms all day, then this album may not be the cure to their depression. 

For Dashboard purists out there, I'm sure you'll be disappointed that Chris Carrabba didn't just stick to his roots, but I promise you, once you listen to Alter the Ending your opinions will change.  But wait...not willing to give it a try because you don't like the "electric" side of the band?  Not to fear, the deluxe edition of the album comes with a full second disc of each and every one of the songs in acoustic form!  This should seal the deal for any of you out there not completely sold on the album yet.  I'm glad that Dashboard Confessional realizes they have fans of both their "acoustic" and "electric" sides and they found a way to please them both.  

Check these out: Until Morning, Everybody Learns from Disaster, No News is Bad News