The Places You Have Come to Fear the Most

by

Dashboard Confessional

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I borrowed this CD before I bought it because I wanted to hear what the buzz was about. I was completely and pleasantly surprised by the style. Most tracks are unaccompanied acoustic guitar, and those that have background instruments use them to good effect. The harmonies are tight and a little unusual, almost like classic Jon Anderson (Yes). The lyrics, while all unrelenting teen angst and boy-loses-girl, are really quite raw in their emotion. Thanks to his emo background, Chris Carraba isn't timid about hanging his hurt out on his sleeve. I suppose it rubs some people the wrong way (my sister said it made her want to slit her wrists), but I guess if you've been there perhaps, it makes you feel better to hear someone else put your thoughts into verse, and Carraba does that quite well. I recommend you give it a listen. If you like it at all, you're bound to be mesmerized by it. I ordered my copy before the third track had finished playing, and it's one of the few CDs I'll listen to more than once in the same day.