Track Listing

1. where there's gold..
2. thick as thieves
3. keep watch for the mines
4. these bones
5. fever dreams
6. the shade of poison trees
7. the rush
8. little bombs
9. I light my own fires now
10. matters of blood and connection
11. clean breaks
12. widows peak

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #6634 in Music
• Released on: 2007-10-02
• Number of discs: 1

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

Surprisingly pleasing
I was really surprised by how much I liked this album. When Dusk and Summer came out, I took a listen and I don't even remember anything from that listen except for a thought I had, "Has Chris lost his sense of melody?"

I think Chris regained his sense of melody in The Shade of Poison Trees and also, even more lovely, his sense of harmony. The harmonies on this album are gorgeous and are my favorite parts. These songs are more energetic, too, and have those nice instrumental hooks that are so simple and yet so satisfying.

I'm also impressed by how the lyrics are more mature but still relatable. Many artists, as they try to progress, twist their young style of emotive lyricism into a stuffy storytelling that leaves you pleased but in no way moved. Chris still tugs on your heartstrings but without making you feel, in an unsettling way, like a teenager.

My only concern is that, as this album flies by, the songs are a little bit of a blur. That may change, though, with some more listens.

Highlights: The Shade of Poison Trees, The Rush (my favorite!), Widow's Peak

OK but other albums are far far better
So I have been a DC fan for a long long time now. Personally I feel Chris' first 2 albums are by far his best, but then again I always like sad songs on albums and those are mostly sad songs so go figure. Musically this album is more similar to his earlier albums just because it has more acoustic tracks, which got me excited about it at first. Unfortunately as some other people pointed out these songs just are not as good as his others. Its mainly due to the lyrics that are on this CD, they don't flow as well as his other music and are really awkward at points. However I do like some of the songs on it, Thick as Thieves is pretty good, Shade of Poison trees is a great song albeit incredibly sad and Widow's Peak is pretty good but kind of lacking on lyrics. Other than that there isn't much good I can say about this CD, fevered dreams is kinda catchy but not something I'd actually listen to often. I hope Chris continues to make music, his own music. I'm sure there is pressure for him to keep making the same kind of music, but he should feel free to branch out.

All Very Ho Hum Really ...
I purchased this album in the "Preowned" section of my local record store. I owned one other of DBC's CD's called "A Mark, A Mission.." & i quite enjoyed that album so i thought nothing of purchasing this album without listening to it first - Big Mistake. As each song raced through i couldn't help but think how alike they all sounded. This is quite a disappointing album in comparison to their other work & unless you are given this disc as a gift i'd say don't waste your money .. purchase something else or perhaps wait until they produce something better.