Armor For Sleep – What To Do When You’re Dead

The term ‘highly anticipated’ is taken lightly way too often, but in this case it’s the only way to describe the new album from Armor For Sleep entitled What To Do When You Are Dead. Even before their debut album, Dream To Make Believe, was released, both the name and the music were being passed around internet groups and circles of friends. This was the band to watch, they would be huge as soon as that album dropped. Well, that didn’t exactly happen, but the album was worth all the hype it received and the band did build a good fanbase because of it. Almost three years later they are back with their second album and I assure you, whether you’re a fan yet or not, you will not be disappointed.

As you may have heard, this is a concept album. The only negative side to this album in my eyes was that the storyline, at times, was a little too obvious for my liking. Lines like “now I’m in your basement” and“now I’m hiding behind your staircase” take away from the personal imagination that I enjoy in other concept albums. But even with that in mind, I still enjoyed this album to the point of feeling like I was doing something illegal. Although it is conceptual each song still stands strong on it’s own. Even the third and fourth time listening through the album I kept hearing things I hadn’t heard previously, both instrumentally and vocally.

One thing that grabbed me about the album even before hearing it was the artwork. I absolutely love the cover design and all the pictures inside the cd booklet. I can’t quite explain why they’re so appealing to me, but this is probably one of my favorite layouts of all time. Included in the package is a small guide to the afterlife illustrated by Rob Dobi of FullBleed. I enjoyed it, very clever.

I must say, I was very nervous to hear this album. I’m a huge fan of the first record and was worried that they would either not be able to make as much of an impact on me with this album as before, and also worried that they would change so much that it was like listening to a whole new band. After listening I was quite pleased, although there is quite a change. It’s not a massive difference, it is still the same band and you can definitely tell that you’re listening to Armor For Sleep, but little things like aggressiveness in Ben’s vocals or just the chemistry people get from playing together over a certain period of time. The one track that stood out in my mind as quite a change was the short interlude entitled A Quick Little Flight. Basically it’s synthesized keys and drums with vocals. My reaction at first was a slight giggle and confusion, but as soon as the track ends I knew I enjoyed it and needed to listen to it again. That’s the reaction I had to the album as a whole, actually. The last track, The End Of A Fraud has that same effect, an impulse to press repeat.

This was one of the albums I was most excited to hear this year, and it was well worth the wait. The message I got from the album was great, saying to make an impression while you’re alive because once you’re gone you won’t have the chance. Even with all the anxiety and anticipated surrounded this album, Armor For Sleep were more than successful in creating an amazing sophomore album which will not disappoint even the pickiest listener.