Review Summary: An emotional catharsis in 5 steps, brought to you by Armor for Sleep.
When does music become art? Music is a by-product of art and one of the drama's most popular mediums. To create pieces of sound in an emotional, poetic manner takes effort within its own concept.
Teaneck, New Jersey is where the Eastern Emo band Armor for Sleep formed, and while their 2003 debut "Dream to Make Believe" focused on lyrics about oneirology, it is in their sophomore effort "What to Do When You Are Dead" that elevates the potential of a concept album to unknown heights.
To form the thesis of this piece, singer Ben Jourgenson depicts a character who successfully commits suicide by driving his car into a river over his relationship partner leaving him. From this song "Car Underwater" onward, Jourgenson vividly details this aforementioned character's soul entering the spiritual realm of the afterlife. There, it goes through the Kubler Ross diagram of grief.
I used to to relate to this album a lot during moments when I suffered from severe depression and anxiety. It has changed my view on the emotional capacity of music and the way I cope with my mental illnesses. I consider this album to be a masterpiece.
