Armor For Sleep
Smile For Them
Sire
I’m still waiting for the emo trend to run its course, but until that day – when self pity and guyliner have passed – I’ll continue to review bands like Armor For Sleep.
Most of these groups blend together in my ears; like how every boy band post-New-Kids-on-the-Block really was just a knock off of those Beantown boys. Every emo band is a watered down, teenage version of Weezer with just enough of Fugazi and Sunny Day Real Estate sprinkle to give it the slightest, slightest edge. Just as NSYNC was the better of the NKOTB followers, Fall Out Boy pretty much takes the cake for the emo bandwagon, and I can’t stand those kids!
With that said, Armor For Sleep has a new album – their Sire Records debut – coming out, Smile For Them. It very much falls into the FOB ballpark, complete with the songs that are so catchy that no matter how hard I try to resist, I find myself turning them up and secretly grooving along (“Williamsburg,” “Somebody Else’s Arms” and “Run Right Back In” especially). Predictable as they may be, they will rub you the right way if you allow it. The Jersey band’s (big shock – New Jersey!) most interesting, and maturing, moment occurs in the form of “End of the World.” A song that I’d like to think is about global warming and our planet’s inherent pathway towards self-destruction, but is also included on the Transformers Soundtrack. What may or may not be a popular band taking a stand on an environmental/socio-political issue becomes mere fodder for the Hollywood machine.
So, yes, this album is enjoyable to an extent. Emo pop at its finest, really. However, I still look forward to the day when I can use the term “post-emo” and look back on this pink army of flip flop punks with distant affection.
Armor For Sleep: http://www.armorforsleep.com
