Armor For Sleep (AFS) quietly released possibly one of the most stunning albums of 2007 on Oct. 30th with their major label debut “Smile for Them,” released on Warner Bros. Records. While AFS’s first two albums “Dream to Make Believe” (2003) and “What to do When You Are Dead” (2005) were both critically acclaimed, “Smile For Them,” has launched the band to a status that most current bands can only dream of. The band’s unmistakable sound and creativity, which is overwhelmingly present on “Smile For Them,” has placed the band on a different level than almost every other band in alternative music right now.

The band begins the album with a hard hitting song called “Smile for the Camera,” the one which inspired the name of the album. In “Smile for the Camera,” lead singer and guitarist Ben Jorgensen provides some “Truman Show”-inspired lyrics, pondering the thought of leading a life of being filmed constantly and only being able to communicate with actors who are paid to be in your life. This reoccurring theme provides a sort of social commentary through his lyrics as he relates it to our society’s love affair with reality television.

AFS continues the album with the second track entitled “Williamsburg,” also the album’s first single. The band’s decision to release “Williamsburg” as their first single was a smart move. The song is a perfect display of AFS’s distinctive sound, with its soaring guitars provided by Jogensen and lead guitarist PJ DeCicco, accompanied by the band’s solid rhythm section consisting of Nash Breen on drums and Anthony Dilonno on the bass.

After another satisfactory song, “Somebody Else’s Arms,” the band shows their true range with the album’s fourth song “Hold the Door.” The calming guitars and digitally enhanced sounds that accompany Jorgensen’s remarkable vocals in the verses flow effortlessly into the song’s astonishing choruses. AFS proved with “Hold the Door” that they are not afraid of doing something different, not only from their previous releases, but also from anything in music altogether, and it works for them throughout the entire album.

The band hits another high note with their seventh song, “End of the World,” as AFS finds a way to eloquently blend their unique and futuristic sound with the good old-fashioned rock and roll that has paved the way for them.

While listening to “End of The World,” I couldn’t help but label the band as a modern day Smashing Pumpkins. While there may be more differences between the two bands than similarities, AFS is continuously finding a way to set themselves apart from other bands that they are blindly grouped together with, just as the Smashing Pumpkins did over fifteen years ago.

As the album continues, so does the proof that the band is much more than just another “emo” band. AFS knocks out some intelligent, substantial and impressive tracks like “Lullaby” and “Chemicals.” Moreover, with track no. 11, “My Saving Grace,” the band delivers one of the most brilliant songs they have ever released. “My Saving Grace” could be described as the album’s ballad of sorts, and it could most definitely overthrow any other comparable song of its type in pop music today.

Rounding out the album is the song “Stand in the Spotlight” which incorporates many changes in dynamics, something AFS seams together wonderfully. “Stand in the Spotlight” is definitely single-worthy, with its melodic verses, followed by an incredibly catchy chorus. While it sounds like nothing in popular music right now, it’s a representation of originality that the industry is starving for.

With “Smile for Them,” AFS delivers one of the most surprising and unexpectedly brilliant releases of 2007. AFS is creating some remarkable alternative music, unlike almost anything in music right now, and doing so without alienating fans in the process. AFS’s music and lyrics are relatable to many, and their originality and creativity have spawned one of the most impressive releases in the past ten years of alternative music.

“Smile for Them” surpasses their previous releases and has set the bar at a high level which their peers must live up to. This much success after only three full-length releases leaves listeners and critics to expect nothing but greatness from here on out, and I think that’s something AFS should have no problem delivering.

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