Is Crooked Shadows a good place to start with Dashboard Confessional?

Yes, Crooked Shadows is recommended as a starting point for new Dashboard Confessional listeners. Intimate acoustic melodies intertwine with soaring emotional lyrics, creating a reflective atmosphere that resonates throughout the album. Released in 2018, Crooked Shadows is Dashboard Confessional's first album in nine years, following the 2009 release of Alter the Ending. The gap marked a significant period for frontman Chris Carrabba, who navigated personal and professional changes while returning to his roots in songwriting.

Who is Crooked Shadows for?

Crooked Shadows works well if you're into steady mid-tempo reflective moments, nostalgic themes of vulnerability and short bursts of emotional release.

How many songs are on Crooked Shadows?

Crooked Shadows has 9 tracks, running approximately 29 minutes.

Crooked Shadows

Dashboard Confessional · 2018

29 min · 9 tracks · alternative rock

Intimate acoustic melodies intertwine with soaring emotional lyrics, creating a reflective atmosphere that resonates throughout the album.

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Top tracks — play these first

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We Fight Start here — Opening with powerful vocals and emotive instrumentation, this track sets the tone for the album's exploration of resilience and vulnerability.
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Belong — This song encapsulates themes of connection and acceptance, featuring anthemic choruses that highlight Carrabba's lyrical prowess.
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Crooked Shadows — The title track delves into themes of self-identity and introspection, showcasing a blend of acoustic elements and heartfelt expression.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

54 /100

Foothills

Higher than 43% of albums we've rated

The album features strong melodies and emotional lyrics but lacks standout production elements.

What we noticed

The first four tracks maintain a consistent mid-tempo pace, while the fifth track introduces a more subdued, reflective tone.
Several songs feature layered vocal harmonies that build in intensity, particularly in the choruses, enhancing the emotional weight.
The album closes with a stripped-down acoustic arrangement on 'Just What to Say', contrasting with the fuller sound of earlier tracks.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 6/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 6/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 7/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

steady mid-tempo reflective moments
nostalgic themes of vulnerability
short bursts of emotional release
for introspective afternoons

Maybe skip if you

seekers of high-energy tracks
prefer longer immersive experiences

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Late Career Highlight — Marks a strong return after a long hiatus, showcasing continued artistic vitality.
Themes: personal transformation· post-relationship reflection
Career context: Released in 2018, Crooked Shadows is Dashboard Confessional's first album in nine years, following the 2009 release of Alter the Ending. The gap marked a significant period for frontman Chris Carrabba, who navigated personal and professional changes while returning to his roots in songwriting.
Stylistic neighbors: Jimmy Eat World· The Starting Line· Taking Back Sunday