Yup, we have another Vagrant. Dashboard's debut "The Swiss Army Romance" was a powerful and sincere acoustic record showing off Chris Carrabba's emotion and amazing singing voice. "The Places You Have Come To Fear The Most" is a mediocre continuation from the last album. It keeps some of the same elements but is changed with the addition of drums and bass on a few songs, even some light stringing in the background. Some call this refining, I call it a turnover. I can't say that it's a bad one, but it definitely takes away the essence of the first release.

"Screaming Infidelities" and "Again I Go Unnoticed" have been re-released on this record, but with the addition of drums. I was skeptical about the drums at first, but the more I listened to it, the more it grew on me. What I don't like is the string backing in some of the songs. It's not overpowering, but it makes the overall sound very processed and too full. Again, it partakes from the original style in "The Swiss Army Romance" LP.

I can't say this is exclusively better or worse than "The Swiss Army Romance", but when the two are compared, I think it comes down to personal preference. Some like the "refining" with the drums, bass, and strings. Some, like me, prefer it basic and personal; just Chris and his guitar. If "The Places You Have Come To Fear The Most" was your first taste of Dashboard, it might make no difference to you at all.

Here comes the biased girly part: I love Chris Carrabba. He's gorgeous and talented and basically I'll be in love with any work he does, as long as he keeps singing like this. I think everything about both albums is amazing, especially the lyrics. I highly recommend this record.

Steph Says: A-
For "Swiss Army Romance"?: A+++
:)