A Mark, A Mission, A Brand, A Scar - Dashboard Confessional
User Score
8.4 out of 10

Universal acclaim- based on 60 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 50 out of 60
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 60
  3. Negative: 6 out of 60

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  1. noelr
    Oct 5, 2003
    10
    i love this cd it is the best dashboard cd yet and they are all freacking awesome they are the best band i love them!!!!!!!!
  2. ToriL
    Sep 8, 2003
    10
    Everything about this cd is awesome! Chris is an excellent writer and performer. People can relate to the lyrics so well....it definetly deserves a 10!
  3. LauraS
    Sep 17, 2003
    9
    This album is so good, and has a lot of songs on it-so you're getting a lot of quantity and a whole lot of quality for your money.
  4. sarahlk
    Sep 21, 2003
    10
    i love it
  5. sarahs
    Sep 17, 2003
    10
    awesome
  6. GustG
    Sep 17, 2003
    10
    This is probably one of the best cds of this summer, year, decade and millenium. Every song has brilliant lyrics backed up by awesome guitar parts and soild drums.
  7. alannas.
    Sep 20, 2003
    9
    amazing.. that's all i can say
  8. JulieA
    Oct 15, 2003
    10
    super
  9. KatieP
    Dec 3, 2003
    10
    An amazing CD. Truly great. I love every track.
  10. YuryS
    Jan 26, 2004
    10
    This is a very good album. Compared to the lyrics of artists like Michelle Branch,etc. his lyrics are definitely not predictable. They're almost as good Aimee Mann's lyrics.
  11. LobTreeZeeTenzin
    Feb 23, 2004
    10
    Best one yet. More to come? Hope so.
  12. Eric
    Mar 2, 2004
    10
    This is by far his best album yet. It blew me away. His lyrics are so passionate and realistic.
  13. MadMan
    Jun 8, 2004
    9
    If not for this crap below me I could have voted a perfect 10 :D certainly one of the best albums around!
  14. MelvinW
    Jun 2, 2004
    9
    This is a very very good CD. The lyrics are without question, some of the best written in today's music. Thank You, Dashboard Confessional for being true musicians. I can now rest !!!
  15. JewelCounts
    Jul 19, 2004
    10
    I will have Chris's babies! I love his words, his voice, everything!
  16. John
    Aug 18, 2004
    10
    Chris Carrabba is such a stud! I just love all DC albums
  17. MattA
    Oct 7, 2004
    10
    best album ever in our times!
  18. JohnD
    Oct 9, 2003
    10
    Emo? I think not! This album goes beyond stereotypical emotional music and possesses a matured sound that is orchestrated to perfection. Chris Carrabba's voice is not the only force on this album; as always, Dashboard has its inventive guitar play and impressive basswork and awe-inspiring percussion. Perhaps the best song on the album is "Bend and Not Break," which flows so beautifully. The entire album, from the most docile "Carry This Picture" to the energetic "Morning Calls," is the best kind of emotional therapy that there is. On top of that, it's a wonderful album whether you're a screaming preteen girl going ga-ga over Chris Carrabba, a lovesick teenage guy, or an adult looking for some awesome music, this is the most valuable album you can own.Being an alternative singer and guitarist, I find this album to be something I could throw myself onto my bed and listen to fifty times through and then eat lunch and do it again. And for the guys in DC, I'm waiting for the next one already...GET A MOVE ON!… Expand
  19. JulieB
    Sep 23, 2003
    10
    amazing!
  20. PercyH
    Aug 25, 2003
    9
    While the music doesn't always match the lyrics, this new offering from Dashboard will certainly please fans of previous efforts and possibly snare in a few additional ones.
  21. sarahs
    Aug 22, 2003
    10
    awesome
  22. XiomyA
    Aug 24, 2003
    10
    awsome!
  23. ChrisA
    Aug 23, 2003
    9
    Def better than the last cd... It's just really great-- almost every track has that spark of energy. "Hey Did you get some? Man, that is so dumb."
  24. LukeK
    Feb 2, 2005
    10
    Wow! That's all I will say......
  25. nikkik
    May 25, 2005
    10
    i loved this album, i memorized it in less than a week! and i still listen to it whenever i get the chance...definately worth your money
  26. ChrisL
    Oct 4, 2005
    9
    Fantastic album. Carrabba is a truly talented singer. His ability to put music and lyrics together in an uncanny inspiring way that reminds me of Dave Matthews lyrics.
  27. mattb
    Jan 26, 2006
    10
    Dashboard is awesome.. hands down is good song, its so beautiful....10!!!
  28. Nick
    Nov 20, 2006
    10
    i dont care what age you are... nothing beats dashboards energy that chris puts into very song he records.. best recording artist in the last 10 years by far
  29. Strawberry
    Oct 4, 2007
    10
    I caught the last minute of the song "Hands Down" on the radio, and immediately went out and bought the album. I can listen to it over and over again. Songs like "Bend and Break" never get old.
  30. Sam
    Oct 21, 2007
    10
    Every CD Dashboard puts out is amazing! I like his first two bc they are personal, but the high energy of A Mark is also amazing! Definitely the best band and songwriter out there.
  31. jdub
    Sep 4, 2003
    10
    how anyone can write even a semi-critical review of this album is complete beyond my comprehension.
  32. JoshB
    Aug 31, 2003
    10
    A great effort from Chris and the boys. If you are already a fan of Dashboard this will not disappoint you. If you aren't a fan then you will be after listening to this! Check it out! Best 3 songs: "Carry This Picture", "Carve Your Heart Out Yourself", and "As Lovers Go".
  33. JoshuaB
    Aug 19, 2003
    10
    A wonderful album that will not disappoint Dashboard's many fans, and should convert many of those who are not yet believers.

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
77 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 15 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 15
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 15
  3. Negative: 1 out of 15
  1. Q Magazine
    90
    This is the sound of a superstar in the making. [Nov 2003, p.107]
  2. The A.V. Club
    70
    A Mark... dramatically improves on its predecessors, thanks to a much broader array of subject matter and a newfound emphasis on full-band arrangements that strip away--or at least drown out--his penchant for whiny navel-gazing.
    Read full review
  3. PopMatters
    90
    An exceptional album filled with passionate, intense, and highly personal songs.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »