Alter the Ending is the sixth studio album recorded by American rock band Dashboard Confessional, released through Interscope Records on November 10, 2009. The album was released in both a one disc standard version and a two disc deluxe edition which contains a second disc of acoustic versions of the 12 songs on the album. The album's first single is "Belle of the Boulevard".

Alter the Ending received generally favorable reviews from critics, with some saying the album showed great maturity and others alluding to overproduction and its limitations.

The album debuted at number 19 on the Billboard 200, number six on the Billboard Rock Albums chart and number five on the Alternative Albums chart.

Promotion and release

The first track from the album made available was "Even Now", which appeared on the NCIS soundtrack in February 2009. Dashboard Confessional announced in September 2009 that their sixth album would be titled Alter the Ending and released on November 10, 2009. They also declared they would be touring in support of the album with New Found Glory, Meg & Dia and Never Shout Never, before it was cancelled because of a last minute family situation. A second track, "Belle of the Boulevard", was made available for listening at Radio Sophie on September 17, and was posted on MySpace a few days later.

The album artwork and final track listing were revealed in October, with the album's first single, "Belle of the Boulevard", being released on October 13, 2009. Upon the need to decide whether the album should be full-on electric rock project or a stripped-down acoustic piece, frontman Chris Carrabba came up with the solution that it could be both, as the album was revealed to be available in a two disc deluxe edition, with the second CD containing acoustic versions of the album. Carrabba has said that the acoustic set still features the full band, but with a minimalist approach similar to when the group was mostly a solo project in its early days. Carrabba has spoken of the positives of having both versions, even admitting to not liking one of the full-band versions and its acoustic becoming his "favorite song on the record." A short acoustic tour with New Found Glory was also announced, after the cancellation of the first attempt. Alter the Ending was made available for streaming at MySpace on November 3, before being released on November 10.

Reception

Alter the Ending was met with generally favorable reviews, receiving an aggregated score of 62 out of 100 from 6 reviews on Metacritic. Rolling Stone praised the album with a four out of five rating, saying "The emo godfather's sixth album proves he's also gotten better in that span." IGN's Brian Linder was also very positive, he commended the maturity of the record and said "Dashboard has shown on this release that they're capable of gracefully maturing and creating age-appropriate rock that stays true to their musical roots." Linder also lauded the band's deluxe edition acoustics; "Carrabba has always been a great unplugged performer, but there's just something about these songs that gives them greater emotional resonance when stripped of the traditional trappings of emo-pop." AbsolutePunk reviewer Chris Fallon gave the album 81%, offering particular approval to the album's acoustic bonus material; "Alter the Ending actually finds it's biggest success in a deluxe edition package". He queried the band's choice to go back into "full-fledged rock band mode", following frontman Chris Carrabba's return to his acoustic six-string to release their previous effort The Shade of Poison Trees, he says, "Alter the Endings biggest drawback is the big production value over pre-determined substance, which hinders the potential of the weight these songs carry."

Slant Magazine was critical of the release, giving it a two out of five rating. Reviewer Eric Henderson disparaged the lyrics, saying some songs are "marred by lyrics I find it hard to believe even a seven-year-old girl would find exciting." He also criticized the release of the deluxe edition, stating "Unfortunately, what may have in some hands come off as a remarkable display of versatility only reinforces Carrabba's limitations as a songwriter... the same song is the same song is the same song." The A.V. Club reviewer Chris Martins awarded the album a C-, indicating he thought Dashboard had meandered down the wrong course with Butch Walker, as "he comically overproduces the damn thing."

References

es:Alter The Ending

Category:Dashboard Confessional albums

Category:2009 albums

Category:Vagrant Records albums

Artist/Band Information

Dashboard Confessional is an American alternative rock band from Boca Raton, Florida, led by singer-songwriter Chris Carrabba.

History

Side project and first albums (2000-2002)

The band originated as Chris Carrabba's solo side-project while he was in 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 second album The Places You Have Come to Fear the Most, as well as a follow-up EP titled So Impossible, both underneath the Dashboard Confessional name.

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 live 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.

A Mark, A Mission, A Brand, A Scar (2003-2005)

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.

Dusk and Summer (2005-2006)

In May 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 co-headlining an arena tour with alternative rock band Brand New.

The Shade of Poison Trees (2007-2009)

In 2007, the band released its follow-up to Dusk and Summer, The Shade of Poison Trees. Unlike its predecessor, this album reflects back on the earlier influence of Carrabba's acoustic harmonies from The Swiss Army Romance & The Places You Have Come To Fear The Most.

Alter the Ending (2009-Present)

The band began recording their sixth studio album, Alter the Ending, in 2008. Carrabba stated that the album could have turned into 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".

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.

In June, 2009, the band began "sequencing the album", suggesting that the upcoming album was 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 was not featured on Alter the Ending.

On September 10, 2009, Chris Carrabba confirmed on his Twitter page that the new 12-song album would be released on November 10, 2009. It was found out that the album would 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.

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

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.

The music video for "Belle of the Boulevard" was released on the band's MySpace page on November 25, 2009.

Rolling stone gave the album 4 out of 5 stars. "Ending is a return to full-bore rock after the mellow Shade of Poison..."

The band has been performing as the opening act for the Bon Jovi Circle Tour in 2010.

Members

*Chris Carrabba - Lead Vocals, Guitar, Piano (1999-Present)

*John Lefler - Lead Guitar, Backing Vocals, Piano (2002-Present)

*Scott Shoenbeck - Bass, Backing Vocals (2002-Present)

*Mike Marsh - Drums, Backing Vocals (2002-Present)

Former Members

*Dan Bonebrake - Bass, Backing Vocals

Former Touring Members

*John Ralston - Guitar

*Mike Stroud - Strings

*Andrew Marshall - Guitar

*Susan Sherouse - Violin

Discography

Albums

All of Dashboard Confessional's released albums and their peak chart positions on the Billboard 200 (US), Top Heatseekers (US Heat), Top Independent Albums (US Indep), the Australian ARIA Albums Chart (AUS), and Top Canadian Albums chart (CAN) as well as the RIAA certification. A dash indicates that the album did not chart on that chart/in that country.

Compilation and specialty albums

Singles

Singles that appeared in the Billboard Hot 100 (US), Pop 100 (US Pop), Alternative Songs (US Alt), Hot Digital Songs (US Dig), and the UK Singles Chart (UK). A dash indicates the song did not reach a significant position on that chart.

*Peak on Italian Top 100 Airplay.

EPs

References