Of Mice & Men “The Flood” review
Of Mice & Men
Of Mice & Men
Valentino Arteaga
Alan Ashby
Shayley Bourget
Austin Carlile
Phil Manansala
Despite only forming in 2009, Of Mice & Men have already been through it’s fair share of lineup changes. Â With original vocalist, Austin Carlile, back to scream in your face, I think they’re pretty set on this group. Either way, they’re sophomore release, Flood, is out tomorrow on Rise Records. Your one stop shop for all your metalcore needs!
Available 6.14.2011
Track Listing:
1. O.G. Loko
2. Ben Threw
3. Letting You Go
4. Still Ydg’n
5. My Understandings
6. Ohioisonfire
7. Purified
8. Product Of A Murderer
9. Repeating Apologies
10. The Great Hendowski
11. I’m A Monster
12. When You Can’t Sleep At Night
I wasn’t sure what I expected from this album, but I have to say it was one of those that I put in with one eye open. Their debut album, which was only released in March of 2010, was a notch above your average metalcore-scene band. Â In a short 15 months between released, the band was put through the ringer, firing one of the founding members (Carlile), and bringing in ex- Sky Eats Airplane frontman, Jerry Roush, only to boot Roush after the self-titled album touring has stopped and bring Carlile back in to record the new album. Â If that wasn’t enough, the other founding member, bassist Jaxin Hall, quit (no loss there), and then shifting clean vocalist/guitarist, Shayley Bourget over to bass to bring in Alan Ashby to guitar to solidify the current lineup. Bourget wasn’t an original member, however, although he was on the debut album. Â I was concerned for the band’s longevity with such a bouncing ball effect of member changes… but hey, no one’s perfect, right?
Back to the album at hand. Â Regarding The Flood, you need to toss your previous OM&M thoughts out your mom’s car window and listen with fresh ears. Despite being knee deep in this “scene,” this album seems to set them apart from the other choreographed headbangs/ girl jeans/ screamer/ clean vocalist/ bands. Â I can’t help but hear some spooky originality in some of their tracks.
In the opener, O.G. Loko, I was automatically disappointed, thinking, “Ah fuck. ANOTHER ONE,” Assuming it was going to sound like the rest of these scene-band albums. Â You’ve gotta keep going to really hear a difference from their first album. Â When you get to Ohioisonfire, there are all the aspects of this band that I don’t like; Austin’s weird, high, throaty, gremlin-like screams and the boring scene-riffs and kick drum beats. Â OH WELL. Â Carlile gets a lot of hate for his screaming but there are WAY WORSE out there. Â He isn’t a bad recording artist (supposedly he was a better recording member compared to Roush and Roush was a better live entertainer), and seems to have some “tricks” to perfecting his growl when live.
You can’t deny that Shayley has a nice voice. Â He sounds great on the records as well as live, so I can’t hate on the kid. Â The next track, Purified, almost sounds like a weird 80’s commercials around the one minute mark (and in the chorus of, “All night… endless fire.”) which makes me think they’re trying to do something different. Â Good for them! This is a little more mellow than the other tracks and I can see the basis of its appeal. Â I don’t prefer more mellow when it comes to OM&M, but it was nice to hear something a little different from them. Â I’d rather see that an artist is developing or at least not writing the same songs over and over again.
Product of a Murderer.. where the hell are these kids getting these song names??? haha, whatever man. Â This song is alright because it has a bit of a creepy vibe when Shay’s vocal parts come in. Â I like creepy… when it comes to music at least. Â Not creepy in a Jeffree Star way, but you know what I mean. Â I’ve always thought that Tino was an excellent drummer, and this song in particular shows that I think. Â His previous band, Lower Definition, had to be bummed to lose him.
The last track, I’m a Monster, sort of resorts to their debut sound I think. Â Which is fine… I mean this is the band’s SECOND album together, so you can’t expect too much to change. Â I am surprised at how much they’ve developed in the year and a half-ish between releases, and for the old fans, I can see this track being a favorite. Â It falls right under 2:00, making it short enough to leave you wanting to hear more.
Overall, this isn’t a bad record. Â This genre of music isn’t quite my cup of tea when it comes to just listening to it for “fun” or whatever you wanna call it, but I’ve learned a thing or two… or two million, from being around this scene for this long. Â These dudes get a really hard rep and I’m sure this scene will die out in the next few years, so I’m okay with giving some of them praise where it’s deserved. Â Of Mice & Men are not bad musicians, and it’s something that I think they’re severely underrated on. Â The Flood drops tomorrow on Rise Records, so if you’re into this shit, GO GET IT.
About the Author
Denise Borders 39, Los Angeles. Denise founded PWV in 2008 and remains the primary manager and photographer/videographer. She is not secretly obsessed with Joey Cape.
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