Alter the Ending

The first track from the album made available was "Even Now", a clip of which was posted online on January 5, 2009.{{cite web|url=http://www.altpress.com/index.php/news/entry/archive_5545|title=New Dashboard Confessional Clip Available|work=Alternative Press|publisher=Alternative Press Magazine, Inc|date=January 5, 2009|accessdate=July 30, 2017}} The entire song appeared on the NCIS soundtrack in February.{{cite web|url=http://www.absolutepunk.net/showthread.php?t=864922|title=New Dashboard Confessional Song|publisher=AbsolutePunk|accessdate=November 19, 2009}} On February 14, an acoustic version of "Even Now" was made available as a free download.{{cite web|url=http://www.altpress.com/index.php/news/entry/archive_5998|title=Dashboard Confessional's "Even Now" acoustic posted for free download|work=Alternative Press|publisher=Alternative Press Magazine, Inc|date=February 14, 2009|accessdate=August 1, 2017}} Dashboard Confessional announced in September that their sixth album would be titled Alter the Ending and released on November 10.{{cite web|url=http://www.absolutepunk.net/showthread.php?t=1318332|title=Dashboard Confessional Album Title + Tour Info|publisher=AbsolutePunk|accessdate=November 19, 2009| archiveurl= https://archive.today/20091118105813/http://www.absolutepunk.net/showthread.php?t=1318332| archivedate= November 18, 2009 | url-status= live}} They also declared they would be touring in support of the album with New Found Glory, Meg & Dia and Never Shout Never,{{cite web|url=http://www.absolutepunk.net/showthread.php?t=1320572|title=Dashboard Confessional Tour Dates|publisher=AbsolutePunk|accessdate=November 19, 2009| archiveurl= https://archive.today/20091028182807/http://www.absolutepunk.net/showthread.php?t=1320572| archivedate= October 28, 2009 | url-status= live}} before it was cancelled because of a last minute family situation.{{cite web|url=http://www.absolutepunk.net/showthread.php?t=1402142|title=Dashboard Confessional Cancels Tour|publisher=AbsolutePunk|accessdate=November 19, 2009| archiveurl= https://archive.today/20091204062424/http://www.absolutepunk.net/showthread.php?t=1402142| archivedate= December 4, 2009 | url-status= live}} A second track, "Belle of the Boulevard", was made available for listening at Radio Sophie on September 17,{{cite web|url=http://www.absolutepunk.net/showthread.php?t=1328881|title=New Dashboard Confessional Song|publisher=AbsolutePunk|accessdate=November 19, 2009}} and was posted on MySpace a few days later.{{cite web|url=http://www.absolutepunk.net/showthread.php?t=1336952|title=New Dashboard Song on Myspace|publisher=AbsolutePunk|accessdate=November 19, 2009| archiveurl= https://archive.today/20091105041615/http://www.absolutepunk.net/showthread.php?t=1336952| archivedate= November 5, 2009 | url-status= live}}

The album artwork and final track listing were revealed in October,{{cite web|url=http://www.absolutepunk.net/showthread.php?t=1356502|title=Exclusive Dashboard Confessional Album Information|publisher=AbsolutePunk|accessdate=November 19, 2009| archiveurl= https://archive.today/20091108115049/http://www.absolutepunk.net/showthread.php?t=1356502| archivedate= November 8, 2009 | url-status= live}} with the album's first single, "Belle of the Boulevard", being released on October 13, 2009.{{Cite web|url=http://www.dashboardconfessional.com/discography/detail.aspx?pid=2384 |title=Dashboard Confessional: Single: Belle of the Boulevard |publisher=dashboardconfessional.com |accessdate=November 19, 2009 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20091109071345/http://www.dashboardconfessional.com/discography/detail.aspx?pid=2384 |archivedate=November 9, 2009 |df=mdy }} Upon the need to decide whether the album should be full-on electric rock project or a stripped-down acoustic piece, frontman Chris Carrabba came up with the solution that it could be both, as the album was revealed to be available in a two disc deluxe edition, with the second CD containing acoustic versions of the album.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/266856/dashboard-confessional-doubles-down-with-alter-the-ending|title=Dashboard Confessional Doubles Down With 'Alter The Ending'|magazine=Billboard|first=Laura|last= Leebove|accessdate=November 19, 2009| archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20091102061656/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/266856/dashboard-confessional-doubles-down-with-alter-the-ending| archivedate= November 2, 2009 | url-status= live}}{{cite web|url=http://www.absolutepunk.net/showthread.php?t=1367481|title=Dashboard Goes Both Ways|publisher=AbsolutePunk|accessdate=November 19, 2009| archiveurl= https://archive.today/20091105041409/http://www.absolutepunk.net/showthread.php?t=1367481| archivedate= November 5, 2009 | url-status= live}} Carrabba has said that the acoustic set still features the full band, but with a minimalist approach similar to when the group was mostly a solo project in its early days. Carrabba has spoken of the positives of having both versions, even admitting to not liking one of the full-band versions and its acoustic becoming his "favorite song on the record."Alter the Ending was made available for streaming at MySpace on November 3,{{cite web|url=http://www.absolutepunk.net/showthread.php?t=1407441|title=Stream Alter the Ending|publisher=AbsolutePunk|accessdate=November 19, 2009}} before being released on November 10. On November 25, 2009, a music video was released for "Belle of the Boulevard"; it was filmed the previous month in New Orleans.{{cite web|url=https://www.punknews.org/article/36139/videos-dashboard-confessional-belle-of-the-boulevard|title=Dashboard Confessional: 'Belle Of The Boulevard'|publisher=Punknews.org|author=Paul, Aubin|date=November 25, 2009|access-date=October 13, 2022}} A short acoustic tour with New Found Glory was also announced, after the cancellation of the first attempt, running through December 2009.{{cite web|url=http://www.absolutepunk.net/showthread.php?t=1419931|title=Dashboard/New Found Glory Acoustic Tour|publisher=AbsolutePunk|accessdate=November 19, 2009}}{{cite web|url=https://www.punknews.org/article/35957/tours-dashboard-confessional-new-found-glory-acoustic|title=Dashboard Confessional / New Found Glory (acoustic)|publisher=Punknews.org|author=Yancey, Bryne|date=November 11, 2009|access-date=October 12, 2022}} Between February and April 2010, the band supported Bon Jovi on their US arena tour.{{cite web|url=https://www.punknews.org/article/36204/tours-dashboard-confessional-to-support-bon-jovi|title=Dashboard Confessional to support Bon Jovi|publisher=Punknews.org|author=Paul, Aubin|date=December 2, 2009|access-date=October 13, 2022}}

{{Album ratings

| title =

| subtitle =

| state =

| MC = (58/100)

| rev1 = AbsolutePunk

| rev1Score = (81%){{cite web|url=http://www.absolutepunk.net/showthread.php?t=1421461|title=Dashboard Confessional – Alter the Ending|publisher=AbsolutePunk|last=Fallon|first=Chris|date=November 11, 2009|accessdate=November 19, 2009|archiveurl=https://archive.today/20091116114633/http://www.absolutepunk.net/showthread.php?t=1421461|archivedate=November 16, 2009 |url-status=live}}

| rev2 = Allmusic

| rev2Score = {{Rating|2.5|5}}{{cite web |first=Andrew |last=Leahey |title=Alter the Ending – Review |url={{AllMusic|class=album|id=r1663226/review|pure_url=yes}} |publisher=Allmusic |accessdate=November 8, 2009}}

| rev3 = Alternative Press

| rev3Score = {{Rating|3|5}}{{Cite journal| last = Manley| first = Brendan| title = File Under: Easily Digestible Rock| journal = Alternative Press| issue = 258| pages = 92| publisher = Alternative Press Magazines Inc.| location = Cleveland, Ohio| date = January 2010| url = | issn = 1065-1667}}

| rev4 = The A.V. Club

| rev4Score = C−{{cite web|url=https://www.avclub.com/dashboard-confessional-alter-the-ending-1798207378 |title=Dashboard Confessional: Alter The Ending |work=The A.V. Club |last=Martins |first=Chris |date=November 10, 2009 |access-date=November 19, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091120194606/http://www.avclub.com/articles/dashboard-confessional-alter-the-ending%2C35154/ |archive-date=November 20, 2009 |url-status=live }}

| rev5 = Entertainment Weekly

| rev5Score = B−{{cite web|url=http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20317941,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091207041826/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20317941,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 7, 2009|title=Alter the Ending Review|publisher=Entertainment Weekly|first=Simon|last=Vozick-Levinson|date=November 13, 2009|accessdate=November 4, 2012}}

| rev6 = IGN

| rev6Score = (8.9/10){{cite web|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2009/11/11/dashboard-confessional-alter-the-ending-review|title=Dashboard Confessional – Alter the Ending Review|publisher=IGN|first=Brian|last=Linder|date=November 11, 2009|accessdate=November 19, 2009}}

| rev7 = PopMatters

| rev7Score = {{Rating|3|10}}{{cite web|url=http://www.popmatters.com/pm/review/117748-dashboard-confessional-alter-the-ending/|title=Dashboard Confessional: Alter the Ending|publisher=PopMatters|last=Amidon|first=David|date=January 8, 2010|accessdate=November 4, 2012}}

| rev8 = Rolling Stone

| rev8Score = {{Rating|4|5}}{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/reviews/album/30794732/review/30805573/alter_the_ending|title=Alter The Ending|magazine=Rolling Stone|last=Rosen|first=Jody|date=November 10, 2009|accessdate=November 19, 2009|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20091114063220/http://www.rollingstone.com/reviews/album/30794732/review/30805573/alter_the_ending|archivedate=November 14, 2009 |url-status=dead}}

| rev9 = Slant Magazine

| rev9Score = {{Rating|2|5}}{{cite web|url=http://www.slantmagazine.com/music/review/dashboard-confessional-alter-the-ending/1905|title=Dashboard Confessional: Alter the Ending|publisher=Slant Magazine|first=Eric|last=Henderson|date=November 11, 2009|accessdate=November 19, 2009|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20091118002509/http://www.slantmagazine.com/music/music_review.asp?ID=1918|archivedate=November 18, 2009 |url-status=live}}

| rev10 = Spin

| rev10Score = (7/10){{cite web|url=http://www.spin.com/reviews/dashboard-confessional-alter-ending-vagrantinterscope|title=Dashboard Confessional, 'Alter the Ending'|work=Spin|first=Mikael|last=Wood|date=November 8, 2009|accessdate=November 19, 2009|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20091103111510/http://www.spin.com/reviews/dashboard-confessional-alter-ending-vagrantinterscope|archivedate=November 3, 2009 |url-status=live}}

}}

Alter the Ending was met with mixed or average reviews, receiving an aggregated score of 58 out of 100 from 9 reviews on Metacritic.{{cite web|url=http://www.metacritic.com/music/alter-the-ending/dashboard-confessional/critic-reviews|title=Critic reviews for Alter The Ending|publisher=Metacritic|accessdate=November 19, 2009|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20091115094020/http://apps.metacritic.com/music/artists/dashboardconfessional/altertheending|archivedate=November 15, 2009 |url-status=live}} Rolling Stone praised the album with a four out of five rating, saying "The emo godfather's sixth album proves he's also gotten better in that span." IGN's Brian Linder was also very positive, he commended the maturity of the record and said "Dashboard has shown on this release that they're capable of gracefully maturing and creating age-appropriate rock that stays true to their musical roots." Linder also lauded the band's deluxe edition acoustics; "Carrabba has always been a great unplugged performer, but there's just something about these songs that gives them greater emotional resonance when stripped of the traditional trappings of emo-pop." AbsolutePunk reviewer Chris Fallon gave the album 81%, offering particular approval to the album's acoustic bonus material; "Alter the Ending actually finds {{sic|it's}} biggest success in a deluxe edition package". He queried the band's choice to go back into "full-fledged rock band mode", following frontman Chris Carrabba's return to his acoustic six-string to release their previous effort The Shade of Poison Trees, he says, "Alter the Ending's biggest drawback is the big production value over pre-determined substance, which hinders the potential of the weight these songs carry."

Slant Magazine was critical of the release, giving it a two out of five rating. Reviewer Eric Henderson disparaged the lyrics, saying some songs are "marred by lyrics I find it hard to believe even a seven-year-old girl would find exciting." He also criticized the release of the deluxe edition, stating "Unfortunately, what may have in some hands come off as a remarkable display of versatility only reinforces Carrabba's limitations as a songwriter... the same song is the same song is the same song." The A.V. Club reviewer Chris Martins awarded the album a C−, indicating he thought Dashboard had meandered down the wrong course with Butch Walker, as "he comically overproduces the damn thing."

Alter the Ending debuted at number 19 on the Billboard 200 chart.{{cite web |url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/266530/dashboard-confessionals-carrabba-cant-wait-to-tour-with-bon-jovi |title=Dashboard Confessional's Carrabba 'Can't Wait' To Tour With Bon Jovi |publisher=Billboard |last=Graff |first=Gary |date=December 2, 2009 |accessdate=December 2, 2013}}

class="wikitable" !Chart !Peak position

{{album chart|Billboard200|19|artist=Dashboard Confessional|id=300349}}

{{album chart|BillboardAlternative|5|artist=Dashboard Confessional|id=300349}}

{{album chart|BillboardRock|6|artist=Dashboard Confessional|id=300349}}

{{tracklist

| all_writing = Chris Carrabba

| total_length = 42:41

| title1 = Get Me Right

| length1 = 3:15

| title2 = Until Morning

| length2 = 3:44

| title3 = Everybody Learns from Disaster

| length3 = 3:33

| title4 = Belle of the Boulevard

| length4 = 4:02

| title5 = I Know About You

| length5 = 3:07

| title6 = Alter the Ending

| length6 = 3:24

| title7 = Blame It on the Changes

| length7 = 4:11

| title8 = Even Now

| length8 = 2:43

| title9 = The Motions

| length9 = 4:02

| title10 = No News Is Bad News

| length10 = 3:54

| title11 = Water and Bridges

| length11 = 3:36

| title12 = Hell on the Throat

| length12 = 3:10

}}

{{tracklist

| total_length = 41:54

| title1 = Get Me Right

| note1 = acoustic

| length1 = 3:15

| title2 = Until Morning

| note2 = acoustic

| length2 = 3:33

| title3 = Everybody Learns from Disaster

| note3 = acoustic

| length3 = 3:24

| title4 = Belle of the Boulevard

| note4 = acoustic

| length4 = 4:13

| title5 = I Know About You

| note5 = acoustic

| length5 = 3:06

| title6 = Alter the Ending

| note6 = acoustic

| length6 = 3:10

| title7 = Blame It on the Changes

| note7 = acoustic

| length7 = 4:05

| title8 = Even Now

| note8 = acoustic

| length8 = 2:41

| title9 = The Motions

| note9 = acoustic

| length9 = 3:59

| title10 = No News Is Bad News

| note10 = acoustic

| length10 = 3:58

| title11 = Water and Bridges

| note11 = acoustic

| length11 = 3:36

| title12 = Hell on the Throat

| note12 = acoustic

| length12 = 2:54

}}

{{tracklist

| title1 = Truth of the Matter

| note1 = iTunes bonus track

| length1 = 3:22

| title2 = The Cut and Run Routine

| note2 = iTunes pre-order bonus track

| length2 = 3:29

| title3 = Truth of the Matter

| note3 = acoustic; Amazon MP3 bonus track

| length3 = 3:25

}}

{{col-begin}}

{{col-2}}

Dashboard Confessional

• Chris Carrabba – lead vocals, guitar
• John Lefler – guitar, piano, additional vocals
• Scott Schoenbeck – bass guitar
• Mike Marsh – drums

Additional musicians

• Bill Lefler – percussion, cello, and additional vocals {{small|(disc 2)}}
• Tony Visconti – string arrangements {{small|(track 1:4)}}
• Mario J. McNulty – string engineer {{small|(track 1:4)}}

{{col-2}}

Technical personnel (disc 1)

• Butch Walker – producer, engineer
• Adam Schlesinger – co-producer
• Geoff Sanoff – engineer
• Ryan Williams – engineer
• Matt LaPlant – assistant engineer
• Joe Zook – mixing
• Daniel Piscina – mixing assistant
• Ted Jensen – mastering

Technical personnel (disc 2)

• Bill Lefler – producer, mixing
• John Lefler – producer
• Craig "The Regulator" Frank – engineer
• Peter Doell – mastering

{{col-end}}

{{reflist|2}}

{{Dashboard Confessional}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Alter The Ending}}

Category:Dashboard Confessional albums

Category:2009 albums

Category:Vagrant Records albums