Armor For Sleep

Smile For Them

[4/5]


After a few years of being courted by nearly every A&R rep in the country, this ambitious New Jersey post-hardcore act decided to tackle some decidedly less-serious subjects on their major-label debut. No longer consumed by themes of mortality and the afterlife, Armor For Sleep frontman Ben Jorgensen spends most of Smile For Them singing about the drugged-up hipsters and superficial hangers-on that began turning up during AFS’s ascension, while his band unleash the kind of sophisticated guitar-rock epics that match, if not exceed those found on their 2005 breakthrough, What To Do When You Are Dead. With sprawling slow-burners like “Stand In The Spotlight” and infectious anthems like “Smile For The Camera,” AFS lay on the effect-pedal bombast and brawny arena-emo riffs, yet Jorgensen still seems confused by his band’s mild brush with semi-celebrity. But here’s the thing, man: If you keep making albums this good, fame is something you might have to get used to. (SIRE) Trevor Kelley