This EP is most definately a classic. A piece of the bands finest work. The thing I love most about this EP is the fact that it tells a story, and goes through the different stages of a relationship. Someone once said to me that the EP was "perfect for snuggling up or falling in love" and I couldn't agree more. Chris's voice is so emotional and original, no-one else could perform the song like he does.
1. For You To Notice: This track has a nice smooth build up to open it. A pretty little melody shortly follows before Chris's voice cuts through the quiet. Typical Dashboard Confessional lyrics such as "And I would be there every time you need me/I'd be there every time" are sung nicely along with the melody. As the song breaks into the verse, the song really kicks in with a burst of emotion and heavily played guitar. The second verse is a repeat of the first, but with a bit more power. Once more, following the smooth verse is the chorus, which builds up to release more emotion. Chris's voice is just brilliant throughout the song, his powerful vocals make the lyrics even more intense. The song ends quite abruptly after the second chorus, and is a short and sweet opener to this amazing EP.
2. So Impossible: This song has less of an intro and hits you straight away with Chris's fantastic vocals. The thing I love about Dashboard songs is the way the vocals are so powerful that the melody just kind of blends in. The first verse is about Chris's "crush" asking him along to a party with "a friend for his friend". The end of the first verse leads to the chorus like a sheep following the rest of the heard. The first verse and chorus is what Chris's girl says, and the second verse is what he says, and I love this about the song... the fact that it is in a kind of conversation format. The second verse ends with a short, sweet and shy line of "And maybe my friend and your friend will hit it off/Or maybe we will?" I find this line incredibly cute and guys... I'm sure any girl would find this completely adorable so maybe it might be a good line! The second chorus reminds me of a geeky kind of guy stumbling on his words and again this is a very cute little thing in the song. It ends as quickly as the song begins with Chris saying "So yes, I'll see you there".
3. Remember To Breathe: A longer intro in comparison to the previous song, which builds up to slightly higher pitched vocals than usual on the opening lines to the song. The melody of the song is slow, calm and soft, but Chris's voice cuts through this once more with such power when holding on notes. His voice is solid and emotional, with no cracks until the end where it sounds just perfect. The whole song is actually very short lyrics-wise, but is "dragged out" by Chris's amazing vocals. The song is basically about him worrying what his girl will think of him, and is panicking about what to wear. This is a typical situation and I think that most people will understand what he is going through at this point on the EP. The melody fades out a short time after the vocals stop, which is a nice relaxed way to end. This prepares you for the almost epic ending of the EP with Hands Down.
4. Hands Down: This is one of my all time favourite songs by Dashboard Confessional. This is the peak of the EP and by far the most emotional track on here. When the song starts, a fast paced riff is played, and it makes me feel like there is a lot of nervous energy going on, which, obviously would happen in light of the event that is about to take place... the big date. A short pause after the riff leaves you hanging for Chris's vocals to begin. When they do begin, I feel that the riff seems to be more in control of the song in comparison to the vocals in the other songs on this EP. The fast pace of both the riff and the vocals is intense, and reminds me of an adrenaline rush just before a big event.
With the words "We're doing fine" the melody cuts out altogether to allow Chris to carry on and say "We're doing nothing at all". After this the chorus kicks in with a much smoother melody, so it seems as if the nerves have cut out and Chris is back in control. However, the first line of the chorus; "My hopes are so high that your kiss might kill me" makes me think otherwise. The chorus is sung a little higher than the rest of the song so that the thought of the previous worry is still there, but not as strong as before. The second verse is not as intense as the first, but seems more secretive and hushed. The words "Just lay entwined here, undiscovered" help you to realise that what is going on is secretive and I find it quite sweet. A little further down the line on this verse is the line "Safe in here from all the stupid questions/Hey did you get some?/Man that is so dumb". This seems to be a bit of an eye-rolling moment. However, this line makes a comeback at the end of the verse with "Stay close they can't hear/So we can get some". This little bit of humour really carries the song along through the second chorus.
The final section of the song has a more heavily played melody supporting Chris's vocals. The melody winds down as the vocals become more and more intense. With the line "And I stood at your door/With your hands on my waist" there is a little cliffhanger that made me think "Will she kiss him?!" And... yes she does. But not just any kiss, a kiss "like you meant it". To end the song there is a repeat of "And I knew that you meant it", which reminds me of a dreamy sequence, fading out into the distance. The song completely ends on one strum of a chord and that's it, the EP is complete.
All in all, this EP is amazing and I would recommend it to anyone.
P.S. This is my first ever review, so if you could give me any feedback, it would be very much appreciated. Thanks :)
