Dream to Make Believe is the debut studio album by American rock band Armor for Sleep. Following on from his previous band Random Task, Ben Jorgensen taught himself guitar and later recruited additional members to form Armor for Sleep. With some buzz, and the addition of manager Gabe Saporta, the band recorded their debut album with Ariel Rechtshaid at two studios in California: El Barrio in Van Nuys and Standard Electrical in Venice Beach. Dream to Make Believe mixed the space rock of Hum with the emo pop of the Get Up Kids; it tackled the topics of dreaming, time-travel and space.

Armor for Sleep formally announced they had signed to independent label Equal Vision Records in early 2003, and went on two tours following this. Dream to Make Believe was released on June 3, where it was met with a generally positive reaction from music critics, with some finding it a highly enjoyable listen. Exclaim! included it at number seven on their list of the best punk albums of the year. The album was promoted with four US tours, continuing into mid-2004. Music videos were released for the title-track and "My Town" in early and mid-2004 respectively.

Background and production

Influenced by local acts Lifetime and Saves the Day, Ben Jorgensen formed the punk rock act Random Task with friends from school. Though he was initially a drummer, he started playing guitar when his bandmates would leave their instruments at his mom's home. The group attracted attention from two record labels, however, the members' parents were "too scared at the time to let us do anything like that." Before Jorgensen started college, he spent the preceding season writing material and taped two songs ("Dream to Make Believe" and "Slip Like Space") at a local studio in August 2001. Jorgensen wished to record more, but felt daunted by the task of playing every instrument by himself, he recruited bassist Anthony Dilonno, They recorded a demo in October 2001, which consisted of "All Warm", "Phantoms Now" and "Pointless Forever"; they combined this and the two previously done songs, and sold them as a five-track demo release. Gabe Saporta of Midtown became the group's manager; Saporta viewed Jorgensen as a younger brother-type of figure and wanted to help him avoid issues in the music industry that he experienced with Midtown. After the producer the band enlisted for their debut went missing, Saporta put them in contact with Ariel Rechtshaid. They recorded over five weeks from August 2002 at El Barrio in Van Nuys, California and Standard Electrical Recorders in Venice Beach, California.

Composition

Musically, the sound of Dream to Make Believe mixed space rock in the vein of Hum with emo pop in the style of the Get Up Kids.

The album is based on one theme, which evolved out of a poetry class Jorgensen took while in college. Though he disliked the class, he realized "since you're forced to write in one specific way your originality can come through." and tackling the topics of dreaming, space and time-travel. They then supported Midtown on their US tour in September 2002. Demos of songs that would feature on the album were hosted on Armor for Sleep's website, namely of the songs "All Warm", "Being Your Walls", "The Wanderers Guild" and "Slip Like Space". Shortly afterwards, they performed at the South by Southwest music conference. leading to an appearance at Skate and Surf Fest. In May and June, the group went on tour with A Static Lullaby, Time in Malta and the Bled, and performed at The Bamboozle festival. Dream to Make Believe was released through Equal Vision on June 3, 2003; a release show was held for a crowd of 500 people.

In August 2003, the band performed at Krazy Fest 6 in Louisville, Kentucky and Go Time Fest. In September 2003, the band played a few shows with labelmates This Day Forward, and played at a CMJ showcase. In November and December 2003, Armor for Sleep supported Vendetta Red on their headlining US tour. On December 16, 2003, a music video for "Dream to Make Believe" was posted online. In February 2004, the band went tour with the A.K.A.s. The following month, the group went on the Equal Vision Records Tour with Bane and Silent Drive. Between late April and early June, the group went on a US tour with Midtown and Your Enemies Friends. They were supported on select dates by Time and Distance, the Working Title, Stars Hide Fire, Vise Versa, Emanuel and Lance's Hero. On July 1, a music video for "My Town" was posted online. The video was directed by Andrew Paul. In July and August, the group went on tour with Fall Out Boy, Bayside, the Academy Is... and Name Taken.

Reception

Dream to Make Believe received generally positive reviews from music critics. In Music We Trust writer Vinnie Apicella opened his review by calling it "an amazing record" by "talented musicians". The release set itself apart from other works by its thematic choice; it saw the group incorporate "edgy and quick minor chording technique accentuated by mild harmonic runs, lingering resonance, and Ben Jorgensen's thoughtful croon." Exclaim! Jasamine White-Gluz said it was a "beautifully" crafted record, encapsulating "a sort of naive innocence that probably wouldn't be possible" if Jorgensen was "old enough to drink." She complimented the group for coming up with "the perfect emo record without being too cheesy or cliché". Kaj Roth ofMelodic said despite the members' ages, they made "quite a good debut", delivering "good songs in a good performance."

Exclaim! ranked it at number seven on their Best Punk Album of the year list.

Track listing

All songs written by Ben Jorgensen.

Armor for Sleep

  • Ben Jorgensenvocals, guitar
  • Anthony Dilonnobass
  • Nash Breendrums
  • P.J. DeCiccoguitar

Additional musicians

  • Ariel Rechtshaidsynthesisers

Production

  • Ariel Rechtshaidproducer, engineering, mixing
  • Chris Fudurichadditional engineering, mixing
  • Chris Knightassistant
  • Brian Gardnermastering
  • Pam Piffardband photography
  • Chris Strongalbum photography, graphic construction

References

Citations

Sources

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  • Dream to Make Believe at YouTube (streamed copy where licensed)