Dashboard Confessional

Item: A Mark, A Mission, A Brand, A Scar
Author: Michele Perry

A Mark, A Mission, A Brand, A Scar

(2003)

Reviewed by Michele Perry

Discogs Apple Music TIDAL Amazon Music Spotify YouTube Music

Label Vagrant RecordsDecapolisAugust 2003

alternative rock emo indie rock pop rock

Don't get me wrong, I like Dashboard Confessional. Even with the entire mainstream surge in popularity and their presence all over MTV. And I was eagerly awaiting the new album "A Mark, A Mission, A Brand, a Scar". It is a strong album, but I have one complaint...Can we get an album in which they do not remake a great old Dashboard song?

This time around the disservice is done to "Hands Down," one of the most genuine first crush songs ever written. Originally available on the "So Impossible" ep, it had the innocence of the moment when it was just simply Chris and his guitar. But with the addition of the band, it has suddenly become this boisterous rock anthem and thus the first single off the album. But it seems pop punk is the trend right now, so why not jump on the bandwagon and see how quickly Carrabba can become a mainstream rock icon (see Blender, Maxim, Stuff, Rolling Stone, etc. for proof). But that is an issue for another article. Back to the review!

While the remainders of the songs off the 13-track album are all new tracks, they are all but "original." All the songs exude the typical sound that is the "Dashboard Confessional" sound. There are great harmonies and Carrabba has the ability to understand what his vocal range is capable of. One of the best examples is the track "Ghost of a Good Thing." While the majority of the song is Carrabba with a backing guitar (additional guitar is added sparingly), he doesn't push his voice to go beyond its limits. Thus the song comes off as genuine.

My biggest criticism of this album is that there is nothing challengingly different from the last full-length. While on tour last year, Dashboard Confessional previewed a song available off their website titled "Tonight I'll Take What I Can Get." Infused with a slight alt-rock/Americana style, I was a little afraid that the next album, which was in production at the time, was going to reflect this new style as a whole. Now I must admit I am a bit disappointed.

The album as a whole is good. It reflects the common themes of Carrabba's life--being too much of a romantic, which leads to falling in love and then heartache. Although it is nice to know that Carrabba gets rejected almost from the beginning sometimes, as chronicled in "Rapid Hope Loss" and "As Lovers Go." But it falls short. Dashboard Confessional, as a band, has the potential to really challenge themselves. They have the talent. But they stuck with comfort instead. And as a result, create a really good but generic indie-rock album.

B+