This is my first review here, I actually wrote it for my school paper earlier this year. Feel free to critique my review as needed, I'm always open to opinions.
Armor For Sleep consists of four members and was started by Ben Jorgensen when he was he in college. All members hail from Teaneck, New Jersey. Ben Jorgensen plays guitar and does the vocals for the group, PJ DeCicco plays guitar, Anthony Dilonno plays bass, and Nash Breen is on the drums. Armor For Sleep is under the genre emocore, defined by UrbanDictionary.com as hardcore music (underground/indie music mixed with rough, punk-rock) with emotional lyrics with a range of topics, varying from heartbreak and romance to loss and death, among others.
Dream to Make Believe starts off with a 45-second instrumental entitled “Armor For Sleep.” The song has an eerie guitar sound which sets the tone for the album.
“Dream to Make Believe.” After starting off with an adrenaline-pumping guitar/drum combo, Jorgensen’s slightly off key singing comes in. The title track has incredible lyrics; Jorgensen is a lyrical genius. Lines like “I wake up and think dreams are real” and “the ones we need don’t know we’re there” are very thought-provoking; this song is about romance and love.
“All Warm” is another song on romance. I find the musical part mediocre at best, but the lyrics are rather catchy. Jorgensen sings of someone he would do anything for. It’s worth a shot to listen to, but it definitely does not show off Armor For Sleep’s true talent.
“Being Your Walls” changes the mood with a heartbreaker. Jorgensen’s singing is different in this song, but it’s a good different. The guitar playing is well-done on DeCicco’s part.
“My Town” is simply a song about a run-down, shoddy town that anyone would just want to get away from. That’s what happens, too, the man is a runaway.
“The Wanderers Guild”, is probably the best song both musically and lyrically on the album. The guitar playing by both DeCicco and the riffs by Dilonno are incredible.
“Frost and Front Steps” is another one of my favorite songs on the album. Both lyrics and instrumentation alike are very catchy. The song is about a man's complete devotion to a woman who does not love him.
“Phantoms Now” is a decent song, but it is definitely not a song that is worth listening to until you are accustomed to Armor For Sleep’s sound.
“Raindrops” is strong instrumentally, but the lyrics could use a little work.
“Kind of Perfect” and “Slip Like Space”, the album’s last two tracks, are alright. Neither is really worth listening to unless you are really into Armor For Sleep, like me.
All in all, Armor For Sleep is without a doubt a band with some serious talent. Their talented musicians and intelligent lyrics allow true musical genius to shine through, and Dream to Make Believe points towards the greatness to come.
