Search - Dashboard Confessional :: Summers Kiss

A step in evolution

nygen | Jacksonville, FL United States | 04/26/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This EP is a re-recording of four songs orginally on "The Swiss Army Romance" album. (Living In Your Letters, The Sharp Hint of New Tears, Turpentine Chaser, Ender Will Save Us All) This is NOT a live recording, but the songs are done similar to how they sound live with a full band. And the final product is beautiful. Some purists will say Chris Carraba is trying to change things too much and that "original intent" of Dashboard Confessional was for acoustic guitar only. Well, I'm not sure how people can claim to know the "original intent" of a band, but with any band, most of the time a song starts from the acoustic guitar and the artist builds and changes the song how he sees fit. Just because Dashboard's first album was acoustic, doesn't mean that's how it always has to be. If you don't like the full band or electric sound, remember Chris was originally in Further Seems Forever, which is (get this) a full band with electric guitars. He's not doing anything he hasn't done before. Both versions of each song have their own charms, but the meaning to each is still the same and the pure talent behind it hasn't been lost."

Not a bad live effort from Carrabba

Chris Wren | Chicago, Illinois | 04/04/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The Summers Kiss EP is a collection of four Dashboard Confessional songs recorded during last years Vagrant America Tour (with other popular acts such as Saves the Day, Face to Face, and the Alkaline Trio). Being one of the main headliners of the event, Carrabba spiced up his show since his early days, dropping his intimate, solo guitar performances to including a band. Chris' band is comprised mostly of the band Seville, an emo band that has opened most of Chris' shows. Accompanying Carrabba on drums, bass, keys and guitar, these live performances take on a different shape than his recordings, sounding bombastic and lively.Seeing Chris Carrabba at least 6 times in the past year, there have been increadible changes in this performance. While I personally miss the solo effort, him belting his heart out over the guitar, the new tour is as good as before and adds a different perspective on Carrabba as a songwriter and as a performer. The emotional intensity on each of these songs feels a bit more derivative and strained, not the emotional belching that Carrabba displays on his first 2 LPs. In a similar vein, the presence of the drums and bass makes Chris' rather intricate guitar playing seemingly lost in the mud. His screaming feels a bit forced, too.However, there is plenty good of the CD. In a live performance, the members of the back up band harmonize the vocals with Chris and add a lot more to the song than one would expect. The new version of The "Sharp Hint of New Tears", the song that officially made me a Dashboard Confessional addict, is different yet similarly pleasing on this recording. The honesty feels removed and the emotion is shoved into it's place, making the song as powerful as the original. The new version of "Living in Your Letters" supplants the original and is a triumph for Dashboard Confessional. "Turpentine Chaser" also succeeds for it's flowing vocals and emotional stabilities and crescendos.The only weak spot on the CD is the new version of "Ender Will Save Us All," a particular poignant and special song for me. Dashboard Confessional seems to spice it up live and make it more into a jam song than a stark emotional confession. Little things like that are not noticable live, but when recorded stand out and kind of hurt the song. However, his ability to hit those long, high notes sticks through and makes it enjoyable. As a side note, Chris threw in this little blurb live during his latest tour on the 2nd chorus: "What is it you need?/Is it Tenacious D?" I never laughed once at a Dashboard show till then.Overall, a pretty well made EP and definitely worth buying, especially for all you Dashboard Confessional nuts. As a live album, it's not bad at all and the quality is definitely appreciable and listenable. Pick this one up to see what Dashboard Confessional can do live; it's a great representation of his ability."

No sean tan PERROS

Douglas Gordon | Mexico | 04/26/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Fueron tan perros con los comentarios que a uds los califico con cero estrellas, eso no creo que sea cosa de chris sino de la disquera, asi que ya callense perros¡¡¡"