Of Mice And Men | Self-Titled Review 3.10.2010

Review: Mike McDougal

Rating:

Of Mice and Men was formed after Austin Carlile’s departure from Attack Attack, partnering with Jaxin Hall, a New Zealand native who originally was a tech for The Higher. In a previous interview with Lush Beat, Carlile stated that “Craig from Rise has always supported me. Even when AA left me he emailed them letting them know how much he frowned upon the fact. He told me ‘get another band together, you know I’ve got your back.’ He even suggested bands for me to join and helped me look for something already established. But I ended up doing what I really wanted and started something completely of my own.” What Austin wanted to do was Of Mice and Men, and he has done exactly that.

The band developed a strong following very rapidly due to the success and fan base of Attack Attack, then with the release of their Lady Gaga ‘Poker Face’ cover, it promptly set them over the edge. Their debut self-titled album was recorded and released via Rise Records on 3/9, being bumped from its original street date of 2/23, and even though Austin isn’t able to accompany his band on their latest tour in support of the album, it’s already off to a great start, and a great first week.

The album doesn’t waste any time getting to the point, as it jumps in with ‘Ydgl?’, beginning with pounding guitars and a quasi breakdown before Austins screams break through. The actual singing parts of this track remind me of some late 90’s radio hits, but I don’t think that is the point they were trying to convey (even though it works). This is quite the opening track for a debut album, and it really sets the stage for the remaining 9 tracks. The second track, ‘They Don’t Call It The South For Nothing’ transitions beautifully from the first, and not just because the word South is included in the title, certain parts of the vocals are reminiscent of Maylene & The Sons Of Disaster. This song is just hands down brutal. The majority of the song is one giant breakdown and they even manage to squeeze in some gang vocals right before the end.

The album continues on with stand out tracks like ‘John Deux Trois’ which has some fairly impressive clean vocals incorporated in between the screams, and ‘Farewell The Shady Glade’, which has an incredible underlying guitar piece before the first breakdown.

The best way I can put it is if you like Attack Attack, you will like Of Mice and Men. There are various similarities, but when it’s all broken down, they could essentially be the same band. They each have their strong points, but Of Mice and Men definitely seem to be on the up and up a lot more than Attack Attack at the moment.

RIYL: Attack Attack, A Skylit Drive, We Came As Romans and Asking Alexandria