steering clear of the mainstream
since 2001

june 2010

review
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info opinion

Armor For Sleep

"What To Do When You Are Dead" CD

Equal Vision Records

Genres: emo, punk rock, indie rock

band website

June 6 - 12 2005

What To Do When You Are Dead is something of a concept album, taking a depressing look at afterlife.  It has a nice design and comes with a neat little booklet, and the music is perfect emo/alt. rock material that should appeal to the average angst-riddled teenager.  The production is crystal clear, the compositions are skillfully written, and the melodies are perfect for mass consumption.  The lyrics themselves are often lame (love and angst, anyone?), but they serve to perpetuate the reasonably cool concept, and they are obvious enough to find mass appeal.  The record's story is told in its song titles more or less, though following the words adds a whole other dimension.  From a singles perspective, "Car Underwater" (the opener) is one of the best - it has a very radio-friendly sound and a massive chorus of "I would still die for you" (predictable but effective.)  "The Truth About Heaven" (about afterlife disappointment) is also very strong, as is "."  Overall, Armor For Sleep have proven with this record that they are ready to make the big show.  In a few years, this band should be drowning in fans and adoration - give this record to the average emo listener and you'll be thanked immensely.

86%

Matt Shimmer

[Vitals: 11 tracks, distributed by the label, released 2005]