Review Summary: Just a year of waiting since Charlie left and we are given a heaping of...meh.
Back in 2009 a vocalist by the name of Austin Charlie left a band by the name of Attack Attack! just after their first album had been released. Later that same year, Charlie had started a new band by the name of "Of Mice & Men". The next year, said band came out with their debut album. Let's see just how it turned out.
Released March 9th, 2010
Track Listing:
1. YDG
2. They Don't Call It The South For Nothing
3. Second & Sebring (single)
4. Westbound & Down
5. John Deux Trois
6. Those In Glass Houses (single)
7. Farewell To Shady Glade
8. The Ballad Of Tommy Clayton & The Rawdawg Millionaire
9. Seven Thousand Miles For What
10. This One's For You
Personal:
Austin Charlie-Vocals
Shayley Bourget-Vocals/Guitar
Phil Manansala-Guitar
Jaxin Hall-Bass
Valentino Arteaga-Drums
The first thing any listener will notice is just how different the sound is off the bat when compared to AA's first offer. The first song hits you right away with some nice guitar riff's accompanied by Austin's screaming (which has only improved). This first track actually has more of an alternative-rock sound to it during the clean vocals, which I can't really tell if auto-tune is being used or not, and then returns to the furious breakdowns as Austin screams. Strangely though, it's not really a song you'll likely remember right after it's over. I thought the point of the opening track was to hook the listener AND stick in their mind? Oh well, at least the second song does this. It's catchier and heavier, with progression. I wonder why they didn't switch the order of these two?
Certain songs not making an impact is the main problem with this album. Oh sure, the screaming is good. The drummer keeps up with rapid beats appropriate to each song. The guitars and bass all do a fine job of keeping up and providing a nice ground for the vocals to bounce off off. Over all, the entire album has a very alternative-rock/metalcore sound. And as a guy who likes this kind of stuff, why can't I enjoy more than a few select songs(such as the two singles)? The answer, to me at least, is that almost every song sounds the same. Even if a certain track begins with a hook, it's quickly lost. This isn't true for every track, like I said, "Second & Sebring" certainly brings enjoyment. "This One's For You" manages to blend both clean and unclean vocals at once without being lost in the rest of the band. So then why couldn't the rest be like this?
Well, maybe if the guy's hadn't of rushed the production of this album then their sound would've been more developed. Based on the lyrics this is an album with the main purpose being to vent Austin's anger at Attack Attack!. His wordplay, while not the greatest, get's his points across. Did the band rush the music writing just to meet the lyric writing? Or were they rushed by their label? Whatever, the reason, Of Mice & Men's first offer falls short.
A few good songs and fine performances just don't make up for a largely bland sound. Sorry guys.
