The Shade Of Poison Trees Review

Release Date: Oct 2, 2007
Label: Vagrant
Genres: Indie Rock, Emo
Number Of Tracks: 12
Even though Poison Trees loses some steam toward its conclusion, its maturity sets Dashboard Confessional back on track.

Sound:	8.5
Lyrics:	8.8
Impression:	8.3
Overall rating:	8.5
Users rating:	8.4
Comments:	12

Featured review by: unregistered, on october 02, 2007

Sound: With the Shade of Poison Trees, Chris Carrabba works his magic again. This time around the sound of the album returns more to Dashboard Confessional's earlier sound working with more acoustic sounds, but it does incorparate Scott Schoenbeck John Lefler and Mike Marsh as it has in earlier albums. TIf Dusk and Summer and The Places That You Have Come to Fear the Most had a child it would be The Shade of Poison Trees. // 9

Lyrics and Singing: As typical with Dashboard Confessional the lyrics shine on this album. Chris really knows how to weave a intricate web of lyrics to complement his music with his soft but powerful voice. The lyrics are deep and well thought out, they force you to really think about it all. // 10

Impression: Overall this is a very solid album as it offers something for fans of their earlier acoustic sound and their later fuller indie sound. Some of the songs flow seems awkward but I might just have to listen to it a couple more times. Some of the most impressive songs on the album are Where There's Gold, Thick as Thieves, The Shade of Poison Trees, and the moving ending to the album The Widows Peak. My only complaint about this album is that it seems to go by very quickly but other than that a commendable job. // 8

overall: 8.7

Reviewed by: Vindicated00, on october 05, 2007

Sound: I am very happy that Chris decided to returned to his acoustic sound! Dusk and Summer was an awesome album, but acoustic songs are his strenth. The guitars were realy good, however not as vocaly/lyricly filling as their old stuff. I like how he experienced with different notes ex: I light my own fires now, and These bones. The overall album was not as good as previous albums but I was so siked to get it cause it's Dashboard, so I liked it for the most part. Mike Marsh's percussion is so awesome, and the bass always rocks, very strong bass in this album. // 9

Lyrics and Singing: The for The Shade Of Poison Trees were sub-par. The lyrics were good but they didn't come out right sometimes. I could see some good ideas but they were lost at points in the songs. I think Chris may have rushed this CD slightly because it didn't have that much impact like all of his other CD's did for me. But don't get me wrong this was a very good CD because I like anything Chris Carraba does and it was good to hear from them again. // 8

Impression: This overall album was good, but not as good as the old stuff. the best song in my opinion was The Shade of Poison Trees that was classic Carraba. Where there's gold , Thick as Thieves, These Bones, The Widows Peak, Little Bombs and The Rush were also really good. But what was he thinking on Fever Dreams? Not a very good song. // 9

overall: 7.3

Reviewed by: Austere, on september 01, 2009

Sound: Many have classified the sound of this album as more simple and acoustic like "The Places You Have come to Fear the Most." It is, in that the rhythm section is often subjugated or not present and there is no electric guitar, but this is not like a follow-up to 'The Places' or "Swiss Army Romance". There is much more piano than those early records, and while there is some typical dashboard hooks and a reappearance of Chris' DbAbDbDbDbDb tuning, some songs like "Thick as Thieves" are composed of simple open and barre chords.

The sound achieved here is often higher and lighter than those early records; "Fever Dreams" is poppier and more bubblegummy than any given song by the Wiggles. It's not all bad though- the levity contrasts well with some of the lower songs like the title track and "Matters of Blood and Connection," making for a pleasant and well balanced record. // 7

Lyrics and Singing: "Where There's Gold" leads off the album, and its lyrics make it seem like a revisiting of the song "Swiss Army Romance," with its sympathetic second person perspective. It has very good if simple music behind the words and, lyrically speaking, is quite possibly Dashboard Confessional's best song, second to only "Dusk and Summer."

The lyrics of the entire album evidence strongly the maturity with which they were written. Even the weaker songs are well crafted.

The vocals make constant use of Carrabba's extremely good range. Most songs are, at least in part, very high. One section of "Where There's Gold" is sung in a full falsetto, executed flawlessly. Good luck singing along... without being off key. // 8

Impression: Overall, this is a mixed album. The good is spectacular, e.g. "Where There's Gold," "Matters of Blood and Connection," "The Widow's Peak." The bad is often tiresome to listen to; I often skip "These Bones: and "I Light My Own Fires Now." It's held back by such songs but not terribly.

This is a very mature, well executed record. While the songs are often intricate, the general feel is clean and austere like the album art, which hearkens back to the covers of 'Summer's Kiss' and So Impossible.'

It seems to be a logical continuation for Dashboard Confessional; It feels right. If mention of DC makes you think only of "Vindicated" and "Stolen," stay away from this album. If you've heard all of Dashboard's albums and generally like it- or even if you only like the first two and/or the EPs, definitely give this a shot and you'll find something you like. // 7

overall: 9

Reviewed by: xConverge, on january 16, 2008

Sound: Upon the first minute or so in, you're going to realise that this is indeed a true return to form for Mr. Carrabba, he manages to incorporate his old sounding raw acoustic emotions into a more maturely written album. I honestly think that anyone who hated the full band sound of the last 2 releases (myself included) will be thrilled to know that there's probably only 3 or 4 songs that bear a shred of resemblance to the old 'full band' style. However, as anyone whos heard 'the good fight', will tell you, Dashboard can indeed actually pull off a full band sound perfectly; and in a few select songs he does it perfectly. "These Bones" is actually one of my favourite tracks on the album. I've also read quite a lot of criticism towards "Fever Dreams", but honestly, it's a fantastic song! Just listen with a open mind, and see that it's Chris, trying something new, and pulling it off perfectly, it's going to appeal to new and old fans alike. Musically the songs are probably a slight less complicated (chord structure etc.) but this by no means is a bad thing, and should not be taken as a criticism, because the songs still carry that finesse that you're accustomed to, and it means that I can play along to most of the songs easier. // 9

Lyrics and Singing: The maturity of Chris' lyrics is blatantly, obvious from the minute the intro track is done, (and by the way, to my knowledge is 'one of' the first to feature something besides the usual themes of missing someone and etc). All of the songs are beautifully delivered with some of his best vocal performances to date. There's no real way to describe the feeling that you get from 'connecting' with a dashboard song, and whilst I did'nt have any moments like I have every time with "this ruined puzzle", I honestly do already feel like most of the raw acoustic songs are going to really grab people by the heart. It really is Chris at his best. The only gripe I have with the entire album is the song 'Matters of Blood and Connection': "Why do you speak with that accent now? /Everyone knows you’re not from the streets" And no the above is not a sample from 50 Cents new CD, it's from the song in question, it's literally my least favourite Dashboard song (minus perhaps a few from Dusk and Summer). // 9

Impression: Overall, it's a surprisingly fantastic album, and I couldn't recommended it enough to just about anyone who's a fan of music in general. A perfect blend is made between the older (better) songs, and with hints of the previous two albums. I don't want to make a list of 'best songs', because each holds it's own special place for it's own reason. However, the songs that currently hold the top and least played count from my iTunes library. If any older fans are holding back on picking this up after having a sour taste in your collectives mouths from 'Dusk And Summer', do yourselves a (collective) favour and buy it! // 9

Comments

[fallingforever]

Mostly agree with the review. I don't know about comparing it as the child Dusk and Summer and The Places You Have Come to Fear the Most. Reminded me of early dashboard, with mostly upbeat lyrics.

[FunKRocK]

I didnt know DBC was comming out with a new album. Very cool.

[adslam3]

ive listened to this about 3 to 4 times now (between the real cd and his stream of the cd on his myspace page) and it's definitely good. the fans of older dashboard will be pleased!!

[Lewis55]

On the first review he is slagging off the lyrics and singing but still gives it a 8?! Why dont people just be honest

[taz12345]

this is a great cd
but
the lyrics werent as good as his previous stuff
but its still great

[guitar-goddess]

got this album not to long ago,
really like the classic acoustic sound
but...
not all of the songs are as good as i would have hoped
although in the end its pretty good

[john413]

I guess you've never had a fever dream.

[rocknrolldogs]

This CD is a little better than dusk and summer. Although Dusk and summer hand like 2 great songs on it, this CD doesnt have any great songs, but none of the songs suck too bad. Dusk and summer had a lot of crap songs, heaven or whatever was the WROST SONG EVER

[xConverge]

i've been a stuck-up DC fan for a loooong time, refusing to listen to anything past "The Places You...", however! i decided to give this one a chance after hearing 'little bombs', and honestly,
its a surprisingly good album
theres no need to bash it guys...seriously, at least give it a chance, and to the Reviewer, you didnt like Fever Dreams!?...Well, go back and listen with an open mind, its Chris trying something new, and pulling it off brilliantly,
As a Dashboard fan approaching my 3rd year of loyalty, i'm not blind enough to know Chris'll never get to the dizzying heights of his old works, but this is pretty damn close =] It accommodates for both old fans, and new fans alike, its a pretty much perfect balance.
Best Tracks:
1, 3, 4, 5, 8 and 9 (Also, try and get hold of the bonus track "The Only Gift I Need", i thought was a really good song too =])
'These Bones' is probably one of my (top 5) favourite songs by him now, its really different, i like it a lot =]

Overall: 9/10

[xConverge]

xConverge wrote:

i've been a stuck-up DC fan for a loooong time, refusing to listen to anything past "The Places You...", however! i decided to give this one a chance after hearing 'little bombs', and honestly,
its a surprisingly good album
theres no need to bash it guys...seriously, at least give it a chance, and to the Reviewer, you didnt like Fever Dreams!?...Well, go back and listen with an open mind, its Chris trying something new, and pulling it off brilliantly,
As a Dashboard fan approaching my 3rd year of loyalty, i'm not blind enough to know Chris'll never get to the dizzying heights of his old works, but this is pretty damn close =] It accommodates for both old fans, and new fans alike, its a pretty much perfect balance.
Best Tracks:
1, 3, 4, 5, 8 and 9 (Also, try and get hold of the bonus track "The Only Gift I Need", i thought was a really good song too =])
'These Bones' is probably one of my (top 5) favourite songs by him now, its really different, i like it a lot =]

Overall: 9/10

nvm, i've put all this into an actual review now ^^

[Phe4rTheGod]

you guyz must love fall out boy...sry to hear that...

[xConverge]

Phe4rTheGod wrote:

you guyz must love fall out boy...sry to hear that...

You must not like proper grammar, sorry to hear that.