By Kevin Koeninger
Armor for Sleep’s 2005 release, “What to do When You are Dead,” shot the band from relative obscurity into the spotlight as one of the best up-and-coming punk bands on the scene. “Smile for Them,” the band’s latest release, however, is sure to send them back into the shadows from whence they only recently emerged.
Most every song on the record consists of the same overdriven guitars, strained vocals from Ben Jorgensen and depressive, me-against-the-world lyrics. Gone are the ingenious song structures and inventive hooks from the band’s 2005 addictive concept album, replaced by monotonous songs rehashing overused topics from the punk repertoire.
Even if the lyrics were worthy of greater attention, Jorgensen’s voice is drowned out by so much echo and reverb that, at times, his words come out as jumbled and incoherent. At some point, you have to question whether or not he actually has what it takes to be a lead vocalist, considering that this consists mainly of his voice dubbed over at least three or four times.
More disheartening is the fact that the musical aspects of the album are just as lackluster as the vocals. The dual guitars of Jorgensen and lead guitarist PJ DeCicco generally blend together, producing a plodding, overly simplified sound that just doesn’t cut it.
“Snow Globe” is the relative bright spot of the album, progressing towards a garage-band, electronic sound that hopefully is a sign of things to come from the band.
This band has regressed with their latest release that most likely will receive little acclaim from the mainstream or alternative press.
