(50) Sundays of Music: #20

#20: Armor for Sleep - What to do When You Are Dead

As we crack the top 20, I have to go back to a very musical time period: high school. This was a time when money was scarce and buying cds weren't at the top of my list so I had to have friends burn me copies of cds they liked. An ex-girlfriend of mine used to burn me a lot of stuff she liked and slide them to me and there were two I liked so much that I asked for actual copies of them when she asked what I wanted for my birthday. I got this one and next week's submission.

I like this cd a lot, but listening to it in later years I realize how "emo" it really was. Lines like:

"In a car underwater with time to kill
Thinking back I forgot to tell you this
I didn’t care that you left and abandoned me
What hurts more is I would still die for you"

play off the emotion of heartbreak - a theme throughout the entire cd.

But what got me was something I didn't realize till a friend of mine mentioned years into listening. The entire cd tells a story. According to wikipedia:

"The album begins with a hidden track in the pregap, a monologue spoken by the album's protagonist discussing his thoughts and feelings before he commits suicide. The track fades into the first track, "Car Underwater", describing how the he plunges his car into an unnamed body of water, as a result of a straining relationship with his significant other (their status was not discussed at any point). The remaining tracks feature moments of personal introspection at the positive and negative aspects of his life, while he quietly stalks around important locations of his past life (such as his girlfriend's home) without disturbing anyone. Analyzing the lyrics of each track, you can see him progress through the Kübler-Ross 5-stage model of grief management as he initially denies his situation, then wishes for a reversal, and finally, accepting his fate. The album ends with the character finally coming to grips with his decision, and his spirit continues on, having completed his business in this life."

That's a lot to digest, but it says it better than I ever could. It exposed me to great song writing. And for the sake of length, I will cut this post short and in tribute to experiencing the album from beginning to end, I will ask you to find it for yourself (or ask me to send it to you) and not post any individual songs.

HOWEVER

their follow-up, "Smile for Them" is not so much of a concept album and deserves to be mentioned. It has a lot of songs that I used to get out so much frustration over a relationship and songs to just rock out to. Plus, they took the social stance and said things that made me go "hmm."

So enjoy a couple tracks from that release below. Especially because, sadly, the band is no more :(

Doing lines

First off, I forget to mention stuff about the radio show. I went a little "harder" as in there was a little screamo thrown in, nothing too too crazy, but definitely more energy than last week. Anyways, if you still wanna listen, click here. And also, I left a reply to those who commented with some questions so feel free to leave responses. I promise it's not an attempt to up my comments, just honest Q&A.

So anyways, this is going to be short. I don't wanna overdo it as I plan on posting my first Flashback Friday when I wake up. I made it to Crestview at about nine and I was listening to some good music on my way here. It got me thinking about some of my favorite songs and I was also thinking of a short post by Lil Miss Tabs about song lyrics.

There are so many songs by now that contain some of my favorite lines ever. If you haven't noticed by now I am a Taking Back Sunday freak and pretty much every line they have ever laid down I am in love with (Example: If I'm just bad news, then you're a liar). So I feel this may turn into a series, but for now, I would just like to share three with you.

I haven't really talked much about it in my blog life, but next month will be one year since my ex-girlfriend and I officially broke up. In that time, a lot of songs have helped me deal with the rollercoaster of emotions (I was on the receiving end). But sometimes, you go through the angry stage and during those times, you need angry songs. Or maybe, just songs where you can relate. And that's when you need the "cold" lyrics.

*I am not currently depressed or "emo" about any of this, though that day may come haha, I am just in a sharing mood right now.

Bayside - "Devotion and Desire"

How could I know
that everything you say ARE LIES about devotion and desire?
And I know the spark inside your eyes
was just the match I used to set myself on fire.

Armor for Sleep - "My Saving Grace"

I thought you were and angel, I guess you were a vulture.
Either way, spread your wings and just fly away

Death Cab for Cutie - "Tiny Vessels"

So one last touch and then you'll go
And we'll pretend that it meant something so much more
But it was vile, and it was cheap
and you are beautiful but you don't mean a thing to me
yeah you are beautiful but you don't mean a thing to me