Dashboard Confessional Essentials

Dashboard Confessional's sterling brand of acoustic emo began as a side project for Floridian Chris Carrabba, coming second to his band Further Seems Forever. But once Dashboard's debut, The Swiss Army Romance was released, Carrabba followed his heart—in trademark style—and went solo. It paid off; his wounded sincerity, sparse treatments and forthright vocals went big, fast. Swelling the band to a four piece over the course of six studio albums, Dashboard toured with fellow cult emo legends Brand New, appeared on MTV Unplugged, won an MTV2 Award and inspired legions of fans.