Armor for Sleep is one of the few bands that has stood out in the wash of punk-pop emo bands saturating CD racks and MySpace. The four-piece band released their sophomore album last Spring, “What To Do When You Are Dead,” and has been touring the country since its release.

“Perhaps the most reflective moments of our lives are lived in the minutes before sleep completely drowns out our consciousness. We are forced to face our thoughts and at the same time admit that sleep will soon wash them all away. Armor for Sleep is about capturing these moments,” according to the band’s Web site.

Their new album is a concept album about life after death, telling the story from the perspective of a dead boy. Armor for Sleep’s musical style is dark and delicate – but at the same time – painfully distant.

According to the band’s Web site, they began when frontman Ben Jorgensen spent a summer isolated in his room with his mother’s acoustic guitar.

Jorgensen decided to translate his disaffection into song, writing a majority of the band’s first album before even forming the band.

A few years later, with two successful albums under its belt, Armor for Sleep has toured with Fall Out Boy, Taking Back Sunday, Further Seems Forever and many others.

They will be headlining this Thursday at the House of Bricks.

– Dan McClanahan