Smile For Them Review

Release Date: Oct 30, 2007
Label: Sire
Genres: Post-Hardcore, Emo, Indie Rock, Dream Pop
Number Of Tracks: 12
If you were a fan of any of their previous albums you will be very impressed and satisfied with this one.

Sound:	9.5
Lyrics:	10
Impression:	10
Overall rating:	9.8
Users rating:	7.9
Comments:	15

Featured review by: unregistered, on december 05, 2007

Sound: I've been waiting for this CD for a very long time and Armor For Sleep, as always, absolutely thrilled me with their current release "Smile For Them". The Band has once again improved their overall sound but has kept it similar enough to bring back amazing memories of their previous album "What To Do When You Are Dead?" The use of edited and electronic rhythms and background noise once again perfectly establishes an amazing mood when listening to the CD and carries on all the way through. Armor For Sleep evolves their style to the next level keeping listeners interested, but yet not loosing that classic Armor For Sleep style we've all grown quite fond of. // 10

Lyrics and Singing: Ever since "Dream to Make Believe" Ben Joregensen's lyrics have absolutely thrilled me in the way he pours soul and emotion into his lyrics. The lyrics match with the rhythm of each of the songs perfectly and makes the already amazing instrumentals of each song even better through his raw emotion. // 10

Impression: Must listen songs: Smile For The Camera, Williamsburg, Lullaby, Chemicals, Stand In The Spotlight. I don't think I could find anything wrong with this disc even after listening to it well over a dozen times. The songs are unique yet fit together quite nicely and you'll be looking up sheet music for some of the songs almost immediately so you can play along. If you were a fan of any of their previous albums you will be very impressed and satisfied with this one and even if you haven't heard them before I suggest logging onto their website and giving some of the tunes a listen. Definitely worth the money! // 10

overall: 9.7

Reviewed by: parkerguitars24, on january 12, 2008

Sound: I guess the most important thing to say is their sound has evolved enough to attract new fans, but not so much that it will alienate old ones. The depressing overtone of "What Do To Do When You Are Dead" still lives on on "Smile for Them" but not in a big way. They've actually got some hopeful, almost inspiring, songs on this one, such as "Hold the Door", "Stars in Your Eyes", and "My Saving Grace." They've used synthesizers and background noises on previous works, but not as prominently as "Smile for Them." // 9

Lyrics and Singing: Finally on this album, Ben has written some hopeful lyrics that aren't as depressing. "Dream to Make Believe" and "What to Do When You are Dead" had great lyrics but, none quite like these. Like I mentioned before, this album is tinged with hope, which is almost kind of taking a risk. // 10

Impression: I definitely am more than satisfied with this album. The way they've matured on this one really gets me. I'd recommend this for anyone who enjoyed their previously albums, but wants something a little different. The strongest songs on this were "Williamsburg", "Snow Globe", "End of the World", "Stars In Your Eyes", and "Lullaby." If this were lost or stolen, I would buy it again, without having to think about it. // 10

Comments

[malashea_GTRST]

this CD i amazing

[Boxiii]

Totally disagree with the review. Although I love armor for sleep, this cd was disappointing. Most of the songs don.t have any replay value at all, and really the only good songs are the songs they released before the album came out. Dream to Make Believe will always be their best work.

[stumaster18]

Very disappointing.

[boybrshedred777]

This cd was amazing, I have nothing bad to say about it. Another thing is they play all these songs very well in concert. I saw them not to long ago and they were amazing. Great stuff for sure... I give the cd a 9 out of 10.

[Kingsway96]

Id give the cd a solid 8.5, but What to do when your dead is my favorite because of the music and the concept behind it

[Its_Rock77]

my only disappointment is that you didn't put end of the world as one of the "must listen songs" :p:

[MissingAChance]

Its_Rock77 wrote:

my only disappointment is that you didn't put end of the world as one of the "must listen songs" :p:

I COMPLETELY AGREE

[A_New_Level]

What to Do when you are Dead > Smile for Them

[Boxiii]

lol I bet half of the people who listen to AFS don't know what Dream to Make Believe is

[LewisMasonx]

DTMB > WTDWYAD > SFT

[Krevzi]

Its hard to compare "What to Do When You are Dead" to "Smile For Them" when the two albums have very different structures. Each album Armor For Sleep puts out is unique and I think that's what makes them so great.

[alexmascart]

Yeah, this album rocks...i especialy like 'end of the world'.

[daemo]

this album rocked...their last album rocks....the album before it rocked! they all rocked....AFS is rock and roll

[regrets&romance]

dream to make believe was their best i agree, but that was all Ben, wtdwyd was also good, and smile for them is also well done but a complete different direction, its overall pretty good but a few songs are pretty cheesy

[Funnycowpie]

I agree. This album was amazing.