If you have not heard Armor for Sleep it's easy to get the wrong impression of them. With a name that screams emo, abstract artwork featuring photos of furniture and flowery fabrics, and lyrics dripping with figurative language, one might easily assume that Dream to Make Believe is just another teary-eyed emo band's attempt to win girls over with their awkward smiles and fragile masculinity. However, this is not the case with Armor for Sleep, as their sound sets them apart from their heartcore predecessors.
Dream to Make Believe is essentially a concept album. Every song has something to do with sleeping or dreaming. The songs combine elements of emo, punk, and melodic rock, and they flow very well from one to another. The songs are very catchy without being poppy, and emotional without being cheesy. Musically, the album sets itself above its contemporaries with alternate chords and intricate guitar lines. The vocals are great; the production is excellent; all in all this is a great listen from start to finish, and I look forward to hearing more from these guys in the future.
3/4
Other coverage for this album
Decapolis June 2003Reviewed by Chaz MurphyEqual Vision Records has put out some great releases by some of my favorite bands. Ten Yard Fight, Bane, Floorpunch, As Friends Rust and 108 are just a few. I really haven't been all that entertained by some of their last releases until I got my hands on the debut album of Armor for Sleep. I didn't know what to expect at first glance. I was thinking, "Oh great, another wanna be pop-punk "emo"…Similar sounding releases
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