Launched in the early '00s by keening vocalist/songwriter Chris Carrabba—an emo poet laureate fond of elegant depictions of romantic disaffection—Dashboard Confessional exudes wrenching sincerity. Acoustic guitar riffs on early, sparse compositions spit out bitter kiss-offs ("Screaming Infidelities") or express relationship turbulence ("Again I Go Unnoticed"). The band's later songs bloom with plush keyboards and layered guitars, spawning towering ballads ("Don't Wait") and hollering jangle-rock ("Hands Down"). On the blushing "Stolen", Carrabba even whispers ecstatically about finding love.