The Shade of Poison Trees

Dashboard Confessional

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 2, 2007)
• Original Release Date: October 2, 2007
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Vagrant Records
• ASIN: B000VFIDQC
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (35 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #19,746 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
Chris Carrabba has an underlying message in "Where There's Gold,"the lead track on Dashboard Confessional's fifth album. The band's singer and songwriter speaks up about breaking from the routine of "lights and praise" and "curtain calls," all under the navigation of a pair of acoustic guitars that prove paramount on the 12-song record. For as much as Carrabba preaches the band aspect, Poison Trees is as much a solo record as any in the Florida group's catalog. Dashboard recoils to the acoustic flair that marked its early output, with two of the stronger tracks--"Keep Watch for the Mines" and "Little Bombs"--skipping the rhythm section all together. Carraba still spews lyrics that seem governed by the opposite sex, asking, "Is there time to follow your heart?" in the Beatles-influenced title song, while laying down the "I love-you-today, you'll-love-me-tomorrow" gauntlet in the heartrending "The Rush." He still finds time to poke fun at the privileged elite on "Matters of Blood and Connection," a splendid ballad that segues into the album's best song, "Clean Breaks." Complete with its complicated lead and sprinkles of string instruments, it lies in contrast to the simplicity and blithe spirit of the record's remaining half-hour--but joins the other 11 songs directly in the wheelhouse of the Dashboard Confessional fervent. --Scott Holter

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Dashboard of old has come back for a visit., October 2, 2007

By	rapaleeman "rapaleeman" (Woodbridge, VA) - See all my reviews

First off, I'm a huge Dashboard Confessional fan and have been since I first heard "The Places You Have Come To Fear The Most". I have listened to and own everything Chris Carrabba has released. He is a great songwriter and artist. With that said this album is a sequel to "The Swiss Army Romance" and the aforementioned "Places". This to me is fan service for those who have been unhappy about the departure of the acoustic "emo" style that he pioneered. I had no problem with the move to "A Mark A Mission ...." and "Dusk And Summer". "Dusk and Summer" is one of my favorite albums but I do still listen to the older records because of that raw acoustic feeling of pure emotion. With that said, I hope you (the reader) understand where I'm coming from.

"The Shade of Poison Trees" is a great Dashboard album. The acoustic guitar is back, but there is something brighter and more alive in the sounds. The melodies and lyrics are as powerful as ever and the songs are catchier than ever. "Thick As Thieves", "Little Bombs", "Fever Dream" and "Where There's Gold..." are some of the standout tracks, but if you like Dashboard Confessional then you will like the entire album.

Why only 4 stars?

As great as this album is, nothing can turn back time. I get memories of high school and college when listening to "The Shade", but it just can't bring me back to that moment when I was 18 and heard "The Best Deception" for the first time. I have grown up. I enjoy listening to this album and will add it to my rotation of Dashboard songs, but it can only remind me of those feelings. "The Places" is where my feelings and memories lie. However, for the Dashboard "novice", this isn't a bad place to start. It doesn't hit you as hard as "The Place" and "The Swiss" and that might be a good thing for the younger crowd. The first 2 albums were pretty dark at times and even though there are some darker tracks found here, nothing is as dark as some of the stuff off "The Swiss Army Romance" album.

This is a great album that is hurt only by the time that has passed. Original Dashboard Confessional fans take note: This will bring back memories of the time before you "grew up".

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Expectations abound...., November 15, 2007

By	Kelly Glenn (USA) - See all my reviews

So, I have all the CDs in the Dashboard catalog, and I readily admit that I like them all. Equally. There seem to be two types of DC fans out there: those who wish every single song, album, or DVD should be exactly the same as Chris' very first musical efforts- depressed, emotionally involved and 100% acoustic. Then there are those who think that all of his musical output should be mostly acoustic, but a couple of drums here and there are tolerable- as long as the songs are depressing and reminiscent of failed high school crushes. I can deal with either. Personally, I like the "depressing" aspect of his work; it's easy to feel emotionally close and identify with his music and lyrics because everyone feels pretty crappy about the opposite sex at times. The danger lies in the expectation that ONLY acoustic strumming and raw, heartfelt singing can possibly capture those feelings. I think that sometimes, a slow, sad and acoustic song is the way to go, but I also can appreciate the heavy drums and bass work coming along with it. So, while I actually really like "Dusk and Summer," I also really like this CD. It does have more drums and bass than earlier CDs, and Chris does sing differently than his first few albums, but it works. Obviously, he is older, and hopefully a little less depressed about life, and the resulting mix is good.
It all comes down to expectations- if you expect Chris to remain perpetually depressed and pining over the same heartbreaking crush from around 1989, then "Dusk and Summer" probably shattered your delicate and frail heart, and this new CD may not satisfy you; but if you expect that all musicians do, or at least should, grow and explore new things, then this CD may suit you. Really, he can only make one "Swiss Army Romance," and to expect every CD to follow in that same exact pattern is unfair and sad.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Very dissapointing, November 6, 2007

By	Nicholas B. Sandoval (chicago, il) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I lost faith in Carrabba a while ago (not long before the Spiderman soundtrack). The lyrics are somewhere out of 2000, just some of the worst lyrics he has every written. He is trying to be sappy, but totally lost his touch. The music isn't very good either. The songs just aren't catchy, you don't want to hum along. You'll find yourself skipping through tracks trying to find a decent song. Very dissapointing.

It wont change that I still think the best album Carrabba has ever done is "The Moon is Down" (with Further Seems Forever). I really think any of his albums can grow on you a bit, as did with even his last too. I just can't see this album growing on me at all, ever.