What to Do When You Are Dead

Infobox Album
Name = What to Do When You Are Dead
Type = Album
Artist = Armor for Sleep


Released = February 22, 2005
Recorded = Water Music Recorders, Hoboken, New Jersey, August, 2004 - October, 2004
Genre = Alternative rock
Length = 43:02
Label = Equal Vision Records
Producer = Machine
Reviews =
* [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:qeamqjmeojka~T1 Allmusic.com] Rating|4|5
* [http://www.aversion.com/bands/reviews.cfm?f_id=1934 Aversion ] Rating|4|5
* [http://www.euphoniaonline.net/reviews/ArmorForSleep.html Euphonia Online]
Last album = "Dream to Make Believe"
(2003)
This album = "What to Do When You Are Dead"
(2005)
Next album = "Smile For Them" (2007)

"What to Do When You Are Dead" is the second album by the band Armor for Sleep. It is a concept album with each song telling a part of a larger story spanning the length of the album.

In this case, the album tells the story of the protagonist's apparent suicide, as well as his journey through the afterlife as a result. As a result of a straining relationship with his significant other (their status was not discussed at any point), he has decided to plunge his vehicle into an unnamed body of water.

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.

Initial copies of the CD came with a bonus DVD that featured live footage of the band, as well as music videos for the tracks: "My Town" and "Dream to Make Believe." It also included a "Making of This CD" documentary as part of the DVD. Finally, a little booklet was included, entitled "What To Do When You Are Dead: A Comprehensive Guide to The Afterlife." It features (satirical) ways to cope with death should you unexpectedly perish.

If you skip back one song before the first song, Car Underwater, you will find a short acoustic track, approximately 1:15 in length, featuring a monologue spoken by the album's protagonist. He discusses his thoughts and feelings before he commits suicide, and it opens into the headline track, "Car Underwater."

The album title was inspired by the book of the same title by Craig Hamilton-Parker.

Track listing

(All lyrics written by Ben Jorgensen. All music by Armor for Sleep.)

:0. "One Last Regret" (Hidden Track) 1:17:1. "Car Underwater" – 3:48:2. "The Truth About Heaven" – 3:30:3. "Remember to Feel Real" – 3:21:4. "Awkward Last Words" – 3:46:5. "Stay on the Ground" – 4:30:6. "A Quick Little Flight" – 2:12:7. "The More You Talk the Less I Hear" – 4:04:8. "Basement Ghost Singing" – 4:36:9. "Walking at Night, Alone" – 4:14:10. "I Have Been Right All Along" – 3:46:11. "The End of a Fraud" – 5:11:12. "Very Invisible" (iTunes bonus track) - 4:22 *Also Available on Masters of Horror Soundtrack

Personnel

*Ben Jorgensen - Vocals, guitar, art direction
*Anthony Dilonno - Bass
*Nash Breen - Drums
*P.J. DeCicco - Guitar

Production staff

*Machine - Production, engineering, mixing
*Jacob Nyger - Additional engineering
*Jana - Additional vocals (on "The End Of A Fraud")
*Will Quinnell - Mastering
*Dave Hill - Photography

External links

* [http://groggie.com/wtdwyad/index.php "Acoustic Tribute to What to Do When You Are Dead"]
* [http://www.psychics.co.uk/shop/book-what-to-do-when-you-are-dead.html "What to Do When You Are Dead - the original book by Craig Hamilton-Parker on which the album title was based." book]

Armor for Sleep