By: James Southworth
Rating: 2/5 Stars
Of Mice and Men has been a band with quite the evolution ever since their debut. Their self-titled album reminds of the old band lead singer Austin Carlisle was a part of, Attack Attack. It was definitely better than anything that much made fun of band put out, as there were hints of originality and talent in songs like "Second and Sebring" and "YDG". But overall, Of Mice and Men's debut is not that great. They really found their footing, as well as increased popularity with "The Flood". This album is hard-hitting, has killer screams from Austin, and some decent cleans. This album is better in small doses though, as there are only some gems in the midst of generic content of the rest of the album. "Restoring Force" was where I seriously got into this band, and I still think it's easily their strongest release. They went a totally different direction with this album, keeping some elements of their signature sound, but mostly taking huge risks with a more hard rock/electronic sound. The album is really solid, having some powerful lyrics, Austin's screams sounding better than ever, and a better clean vocalist in Aaron Pauley. Now they are out with their newest release, "Cold World", which is more of a nu metal release. Of Mice and Men are definitely taking the next step in this album to becoming more radio friendly while trying new things. And how does it fair? Unfortunately, the results are mostly disappointing.
"Cold World" certainly has a promising start in its first few tracks. "Game of War" is an instant album highlight. It is easily one of the most subdued tracks the band has done, but it's also one of the most mature. The subject of the song is about war, as the title implies. The way this subject is addressed in the song is powerful, questioning whether we should sit on the sidelines while violence is happening all around us: "I'm waiting for the war to end/Are we ending to begin again?/If patience is so virtuous/Then maybe I'll be damned". Aaron Pauley takes vocals for this song, and man does he deliver. His voice sounds delicate and powerful at the same time. A complete 180 happens with the next song "The Lie", which gives the first indications of the nu metal songs present throughout the rest of the album. This is the only song of that style that I think works on this album. The song is energetic, with fast-paced guitar and drum work. Austin's vocals are powerful here, and the way he utilizes them reminds of the style he used on the band's second album "The Flood". This song is pure fun to listen to, as it feels original and like something distinctly Of Mice and Men. While the next song "Real" is a little bit predictable, it still is an overall fun song. The trading of vocals between Austin and Aaron works effectively in making the song sound fun, and the chorus is certainly catchy; it makes since why this was one of the singles. The only other song I can really commend on this album is "Away", which is my personal favorite. This song is once again a softer track, but it actually shifts into a more upbeat track near the end. The song addresses crippling loneliness in an interesting way: "We always fall into the holes we dig/So ignorant to the depth of them/A place where we can finally get some rest/Until the rain starts pouring in". Those lines are the most poignant on the album, and that's what makes this song stand out against the rest.
Unfortunately, the rest of the album delivers disappointment after disappointment. "Like a Ghost" is nearly five minutes long, and that length is not justified. The song is SO boring, which is something I never thought I'd be saying for an Of Mice and Men song. But that is the case here. Not only is the topic of a lost relationship so cliched, but this song suffers immensely in the music department. This song tries to be intense, but Austin's vocals seem to have no passion and the guitar and drum work sounds murky. The ending of this song is especially bland, as the chorus repeats over and over for no reason, and the instruments in the background seem to be repeating the same notes as well. This song just did nothing for me. "Contagious" is one of the songs that hurt the most to listen to, as it reminds of Linkin Park to the point that it feels like plagiarism. The song seems like a clone of LP's song "From the Inside" (in the chorus, they even say that exact phrase). Unlike Linkin Park, though, the mixing of synthesizers with guitar doesn't work, as one of the elements always overpowers the other. The lyrics express cliched teen angst and come across as cheesy more than anything. The instrumental interludes "-" and "+" are not necessarily awful, but they feel like unneeded filler, as they don't even connect all that much to the next song.
I know that a lot of people really liked the lead single "Pain", but for the life of me I've never been able to get into it. I guess the guitar work here is a little more prominent than on other songs, but that's about all it has going for it. Austin's rap/screams are annoying, and the chorus gets grating very quickly. The lyrics sound like they're out of a middle school diary: "Pain/Everyday when I awake...We speak the spirit's truth/When we turn the other cheek". I get that OM&M is appealing to a certain age demographic, but I think they could be a bit more intelligent about it like in any song off of "Restoring Force". "The Hunger" might be the worst song on the album, as it is over-the-top melodramatic. The song talks about oppression in a way that isn't unique. The song once again has some murky production and ends up being boring filler. "Relentless" is distinctly nu-metal, but unlike "The Lie", it doesn't work. Austin's scream-rapping comes back again, and like with "Pain" it is not good on the ears. He is much better as just a straight up screamer/singer. It's obvious in "Relentless" he's trying to imitate Chester of LP, he may be even paying some homage to him. While that's admirable, his imitation is not good. Lyrically the song is a generic pump-up anthem: "No I won't quit, get over it, you'll never win/I will survive/I am relentless". If the song was fun, the lyrics would probably get a pass from me, but this song is not fun by any stretch of the word."Down the Road" is forgettable; nothing much to say about it. The same goes for the closer "Transfigured", which tries to be the powerful ballad that songs like "Space Enough to Grow", "Another You" and "My Understandings" were. But it does not work, as the passion that went into those songs isn't present in this one. It ends the album on an uninteresting note, which is fitting because that is the word to describe this album (uninteresting).
Don't get me wrong: I don't hate Of Mice and Men. Even though they're nowhere near one of my favorite bands, I still respect them for the many risks they've taken and how they've evolved their sound. But after a gem of an album in "Restoring Force", "Cold World" is disappointing. It takes a style that belongs back in the early 2000's and tries to make it sound fresh, and I like the idea of trying that. But it does not work on this album. Instead the result is an album that has bland, cliched songs with not much interesting to stay. Only a few songs work on here, and most of them aren't even of the nu metal style. I hope to see better from this group on their next release.
Favorite Songs: "Away", "Game of War", "The Lie"
Least Favorite Songs: "The Hunger", "Like a Ghost" "Contagious", "Relentless", "Pain", "+/-", "Transfigured"
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