Dream to Make Believe

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.

Dream to Make Believe
Studio album by
Armor for Sleep
ReleasedJune 3, 2003
RecordedAugust 2002
StudioEl Barrio, Van Nuys, California; Standard Electrical, Venice Beach, California
Genre
Length34:28
LabelEqual Vision
ProducerAriel Rechtshaid
Armor for Sleep chronology
Dream to Make Believe
(2003)		 What to Do When You Are Dead
(2005)

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."[1] Before Jorgensen started college, he spent the preceding season writing material and taped two songs at a local studio. He wished to record more, but felt daunted by the track of playing every instrument by himself, he recruited bassist Anthony Dilonno,[2] drummer Nash Breen and guitarist PJ DeCicco (the latter two were cousins of Jorgensen).[3] They soon began attracting buzz;[2] they were due to appear on a Victory Records compilation, though were later taken off.[4]

In April 2002, it was rumored that the band would be releasing their debut album through independent label Equal Vision Records later in the year.[4] 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.[5] They recorded their debut album in August at El Barrio in Van Nuys, California and Standard Electrical Recorders in Venice Beach, California. Rechtshaid acted as the producer and handled engineering, with additional engineering from Chris Fudurich. Chris Knight served as the assistant at Standard Electrical. Rechtshaid mixed the recordings, before they were mastered by Brian Gardner at Bernie Grundman Mastering in Hollywood, California.[6]

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.[7] Comparisons were drawn musically and lyrically to Jimmy Eat World and Further Seems Forever,[8] while Jorgensen's vocals were compared to Legends of Rodeo frontman John Ralston.[7] DeCicco said they were attempting to differ themselves from their contemporises with the space rock sound, they "wanted to almost bring like Thursday meets Radiohead and put it somewhere in between, and just kind of give it a little more."[9]

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."[10] Jorgensen's lyrics were centered around inspection, with elements of darkness and melancholy,[10] and tackling the topics of dreaming, space and time-travel.[7] Rechtshaid contributed synthesizers to the recordings.[6] The opening track is an instrumental titled "Armor for Sleep", which lasts for 45 seconds.[11]

Release

Demos of songs that would feature on the album were hosted on the group's website,[12] namely of the songs "All Warm", "Being Your Walls", "The Wanderers Guild" and "Slip Like Space".[11] Armor for Sleep formally announced their signing to Equal Vision on January 18, 2003. In February and March, the group went on tour with Hey Mercedes.[13] In May and June, the group went on tour with A Static Lullaby, Time in Malta and the Bled,[14] and performed at The Bamboozle festival.[15] Dream to Make Believe was released through Equal Vision on June 3;[16] a release show was held for a crowd of 500 people.[10] The Japanese edition, released in early 2005, included the bonus track "Pointless Forever".[17] In November and December, the group supported Vendetta Red on their headlining US tour.[18]

On March 8, a music video for "Dream to Make Believe" was posted on MTVu.com.[19] In March, the group went on the Equal Vision Records Tour with Bane and Silent Drive.[20] 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.[21] 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.[22] Also in August, the group performed at Krazyfest.[23]

Reception
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[7]
Alternative Press[24]
Exclaim!Favorable[8]
In Music We TrustFavorable[25]
Kerrang![26]
LAS MagazineUnfavorable[27]
Melodic[28]
Punknews.org[11]

Exclaim! ranked it at number seven on their Best Punk Album of the year list.[29]

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".[25] 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."[25] Exclaim!'s 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."[8] She complimented the group for coming up with "the perfect emo record without being too cheesy or cliché".[8] Kaj Roth ofMelodic said despite the members' ages, they made "quite a good debut", delivering "good songs in a good performance."[28]

AllMusic reviewer Kurt Morris said the release "showcases another band partaking in the propagation of the emo movement" with "slight variations have been made to the sound so as to distinguish them" from their peers.[7] Though he clarified, "[t]hat's not to say that what's here isn't good", the usage of "hooks and some good lyrics are key and come in at the right places".[7] Punknews.org staff member Megan said only the pre-release demos our the only highlights on the alum, with the rest being "a slow drudge of songs that don't really evoke any emotion."[11] She criticized Jorgensen's voice as "often sound[ing] whiny and nasal", and since they are the "focal point of the music, they shouldn't sound so horrid. It's almost like nails on a chalkboard."[11] LAS Magazine writer Jonah Flicker bluntly said the group "isn't doing anything new, and not much good either."[27] As "excuses and half-assed endorsements a good record do not make. Let Armor for Sleep take a nice long nap."[27]

Track listing

All songs written by Ben Jorgensen.[6]

No.TitleLength
1."Armor for Sleep" (instrumental)0:45
2."Dream to Make Believe"3:01
3."All Warm"2:47
4."Being Your Walls"3:44
5."My Town"3:32
6."The Wanderers Guild"4:13
7."Frost and Front Steps"3:39
8."Phantoms Now"4:24
9."Raindrops"4:54
10."Kind of Perfect"4:18
11."Slip Like Space"3:48
Total length:34:28
Japanese bonus track
No.TitleLength
12."Pointless Forever"4:42

Personnel

Personnel per booklet.[6]

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References

Citations

  1. Aberback, Brian (July 6, 2012). "As Band Says Goodbye, Armor for Sleep Frontman Reflects on Teaneck Roots". Patch. Archived from the original on August 12, 2017. Retrieved July 20, 2020.
  2. Monger, James Christopher. "Armor for Sleep | Biography & History". AllMusic. Archived from the original on June 7, 2019. Retrieved July 20, 2020.
  3. Corrigan, Mike; Sottile, Leah (October 21, 2004). "Boyd's Boyz". Inlander. Archived from the original on September 19, 2016. Retrieved July 20, 2020.CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  4. White, Adam (April 17, 2002). "Armor For Sleep / Victory rift?". Punknews.org. Archived from the original on May 14, 2020. Retrieved July 20, 2020.
  5. Payne, Chris (March 5, 2019). "From Cobra Starship to Full-Time Manager: Gabe Saporta's Untold Story". Billboard. Archived from the original on May 1, 2020. Retrieved July 20, 2020.
  6. Dream to Make Believe (booklet). Armor for Sleep. Equal Vision Records. 2003. EVR 78.CS1 maint: others (link)
  7. Morris, Kurt. "Dream to Make Believe - Armor for Sleep | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Archived from the original on February 7, 2018. Retrieved February 20, 2018.
  8. White-Gluz, Jasamine (September 1, 2003). "Armor For Sleep Dream to Make Believe". Exclaim!. Ian Danzig. Archived from the original on February 20, 2018. Retrieved February 20, 2018.
  9. Rosen, Steven (June 28, 2006). "Armor For Sleep Guitarist: New Record To Be 'A Little More Real World'". Ultimate Guitar. Archived from the original on June 14, 2017. Retrieved July 20, 2020.
  10. Hinke 2003, p. 75
  11. Megan (June 3, 2003). "Armor for Sleep - Dream to Make Believe". Punknews.org. Archived from the original on February 20, 2018. Retrieved February 20, 2018.
  12. Sciarretto 2003, p. 21
  13. Heisel, Scott (January 18, 2003). "Equal Vision signs Armor For Sleep". Punknews.org. Archived from the original on February 21, 2018. Retrieved February 20, 2018.
  14. Heisel, Scott (June 3, 2003). "Armor For Sleep on tour". Punknews.org. Archived from the original on April 24, 2018. Retrieved April 24, 2018.
  15. Yancey, Bryne (April 2, 2012). "Exclusive: Armor For Sleep to reunite at Bamboozle; AP talks to Ben Jorgensen". Alternative Press. Archived from the original on February 24, 2020. Retrieved July 20, 2020.
  16. "Dream to Make Believe - Armor for Sleep | Release Info". AllMusic. Retrieved July 20, 2020.
  17. Dream to Make Believe (sleeve). Armor for Sleep. In-n-Out Records. 2005. DDCI-2002.CS1 maint: others (link)
  18. IGN Music (October 30, 2003). "Vendetta Red Hit The Road". IGN. Archived from the original on February 19, 2018. Retrieved September 18, 2016.
  19. "Armor For Sleep featured on MTVu.com". Equal Vision Records. March 8, 2004. Archived from the original on April 9, 2004. Retrieved February 20, 2018.
  20. White, Adam (February 25, 2004). "Bane, Armor For Sleep, Silent Drive on Equal Vision Records Tour". Punknews.org. Archived from the original on February 21, 2018. Retrieved February 20, 2018.
  21. Heisel, Scott (March 25, 2004). "Midtown/Armor For Sleep/Your Enemies Friends". Punknews.org. Archived from the original on April 24, 2018. Retrieved April 24, 2018.
  22. "Armor For Sleep - "My Town" video online now!". Equal Vision Records. July 1, 2004. Archived from the original on July 22, 2004. Retrieved February 20, 2018.
  23. Heisel, Scott (May 8, 2003). "Official, updated Krazyfest 6 lineup announced". Punknews.org. Archived from the original on April 24, 2018. Retrieved April 24, 2018.
  24. Alternative Press (8/03, p.90)
  25. Apicella, Vinnie (September–October 2003). "Armor For Sleep: Dream To Make Believe". In Music We Trust. Archived from the original on September 27, 2017. Retrieved July 20, 2020.
  26. Kerrang! (#955)
  27. Flicker, Jonah (October 1, 2004). "Armor for Sleep - Dream to Make Believe". Lost at Sea. Archived from the original on July 31, 2016. Retrieved February 20, 2018.
  28. Roth, Kaj (January 8, 2004). "Armor for Sleep - Dream to Make Believe". Melodic. Archived from the original on July 20, 2020. Retrieved July 17, 2017.
  29. "Best Punk Album Year in Review 2003". Exclaim!. Ian Danzig. 2003. Archived from the original on December 21, 2016. Retrieved February 5, 2018.

Sources

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