After an uneven showing, where several deep cuts were shown little favor, it's now unclear whether the NJ band's biggest album was meant for a second spotlight.
SAYREVILLE -- Every album ever recorded -- regardless of merit -- will inevitably notch its tenth year of existence.
Plenty of collections deserve unearthing or commemoration, but others are best left behind.
In which category belongs Armor For Sleep's "What To Do When You Are Dead"?
Two months ago, the North Jersey rock band's 2005 LP was welcomed to the worthy side, as a small, tenth anniversary tour was scheduled for eight dates, the first of which being the band's "hometown" show at Starland Ballroom in Sayreville Friday night.
But after an uneven showing, where the album's few, popular tracks were feverishly revered and several deeper cuts were shown little favor, it's unclear whether "What To Do" was ever meant for a second spotlight.
But the band, which rode high on the mid-2000s emo-rock wave alongside fellow Jersey acts My Chemical Romance and Senses Fail, has not toured regularly since 2008, and their return might have triggered enough nostalgia within their fan base to launch this crop of shows toward success.
It will need the extra push.
SHOW DETAILS
- On the bright side, most every track off the album was sonically polished and tightly wound. Sure, many of these songs the guys have played consistently for a decade -- they should have it together by now -- but after a three-year hiatus, it was fun to see the group rejuvenated to an extent. The album's second single "The Truth About Heaven" was especially sharp, as the crowd wailed in unison the gloomy line: "Don't believe that the weather is perfect the day that you die."
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- Though it might have been more effective to save "Heaven" and another fan favorite "Remember To Feel Real," for later in the set. More than halfway through the show, it felt as though there was just one bullet left in the gun, the band's biggest hit "Car Underwater." The crowd clamored for it as each new song kicked in, and calmed once they realized they'd have to wait some more.
- In that vein, most album anniversary sets stick to the script and play the record in order, as it was originally arranged. Why not this time? Considering "What To Do" was originally billed as a concept album, wouldn't it make sense to keep the story straight?
- But most of the crowd remained engaged through most tracks, chanting to the anguished lyrics, which spoke pointedly of loneliness, grief and death. The souls of around 2,000 hormonal, heartsick teenagers reappeared to help Jorgensen sing to "Awkward Last Words" and "Stay On The Ground."
Each member of the four-piece has trimmed his shaggy mop since the band's heyday, but a now-muscular, 32-year-old Jorgensen still honed a great cry in his voice -- a staple of the past emo surge.
- Perhaps this is more a personal request, but if a band is playing an album anniversary show in their home state, a bit of commentary on the work, or some "the making of" story-telling goes a long way. Jorgensen said virtually nothing to the crowd all night. His quick comments between songs were gracious at least -- "this is amazing, thank you," and the like -- but nothing of any substance.
It's likely he kept it short and sweet to ensure the whole record fit into the band's 90-minute time slot, but anything about the album's story -- even 30 seconds to celebrate it for a moment -- would have been welcome. With no comments, the singer suffered some disconnection from the crowd.
A concert designed to be a special revisit of the group's most popular work felt like any other gig.
Bobby Olivier may be reached at bolivier@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @BobbyOlivier. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
