Other musicians have rounded out its lineup from time to time, but
Dashboard Confessional has always been the brainchild of
Chris Carrabba, the most sensitive raven-haired rocker this side of
Morrissey. Like
Morrissey,
Carrabba has built a career on heartbreak; unlike
Morrissey, he's never had a band as cohesive as
the Smiths to round out his songs, resulting in a discography that vacillates between acoustic albums and full-band affairs. 2009's
Alter the Ending belongs to the latter camp, with
Carrabba performing his pop anthems alongside a three-person backing band. Although the songs are as hook-laden as they've always been, fans of the singer's more intimate side may prefer the deluxe edition, which includes a bonus disc comprising acoustic versions of the entire track list. ~ Andrew Leahey